291 



Notes on Relics of Alexander Wilson, Poet and Ornitholo- 

 gist, exhibited at a Meeting of the Berwickshire Natural- 

 ists' Club, held at Dunbar, 26th May, 1880. By Robert 

 Gray, F.R.S.E., Secretary of the Royal Physical Society. 



(\. Portrait with Autograph ; 2. Letter addressed to Miss Sarah 

 Miller ; 3. Original drawing of Hermit Thrush ; 4. 3S Proof- 

 Plates of Wilson's Work on Birds ; 5. Rough Medallion 

 Portrait ; 6. Photograph of Wilson's Grave. J 



More than 90 years ago Alexander Wilson, the well-known 

 poet and ornithologist, in passing through this town (Dunbar), 

 made the following entry in his journal : — 



" Septem. 24, 1789. — This morning rose early to take a view of 

 the town of Dunbar, which is pretty large ; the main street, 

 broad and running from north to south, contains the only build- 

 ings of any note. The Provost's house closes the view at the 

 north end fronted with a row of trees making a very neat ap- 

 pearance. Several narrow lanes lead down to the shore, chiefly 

 possessed by fishers. At the west end of the harbour they have 

 lately built a battery of stone in the form of a half moon, mount- 

 ing seventeen twelve-pounders. This is the effect of Paul Jones' 

 appearance in the Firth last war, who came so near this place 

 with some of his ships as to demolish some of the chimney tops 

 and put the inhabitants in a terrible consternation. They are 

 also building a new pier from the battery, which will certainly 

 be attended with a vast expense, and even without affording 

 general content. A little to the west of this are still to be seen 

 the ruins of the Castle of Dunbar, built on a rock that Juts into 

 the sea, hollowed with gloomy caves, through which, in a storm, 

 the waves roar horribly ; which, joined to the ruins above, forms 

 a most dismal appearance." 



Again on the following day : — 



" Septem. 25. — Having done some little business in this place, 

 and there being no other town to the east or south, for a con- 

 siderable way, have bargained with the master of a sloop with 

 whom I intend to embark for Burntisland, in Fifeshire, a town 

 about thirty miles from this and almost opposite Edinburgh." 



Then a day later : — 



** Septem. 26. — Went on board early this morning for Burnt- 

 island with a good gale astern ; passed the Bass and several 



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