Anniversary Address. 21 



meeting of the Commissioners.'®^ Amongst them is one by- 

 Thomas Hall of Stitchellhaugh upon Jock Hall of the Seckes, 

 Oeorge Pile of Milneheughe (younger), David Eanslie (son to 

 William of Fallaw), William and Thomas Hall, and Ealphe 

 Eobsoun of Middlesknowes, and Roger Eanslie of Cleathaughe 

 for reiving of 12 kye and oxen, and a mare worth £3 

 sterling, on 29th June 1588. 



The history of Stichill at this period fitly closes with a 

 share in a national event. The visit of James VI. to Scotland, 

 in 1617, is generally dismissed by historians with the bald 

 statement that it took place.®* They quite overlook the fact 

 that he was accompanied by a retinue of 5000 persons, and 

 that not only had palaces and mansions to be decorated, but 

 arrangements had to be made for the food supply and the 

 conveyance of the baggage. A Roll has been preserved of 

 certain parishes in Berwickshire, Lauderdale, and Teviotdale, 

 with the number of horses requisitioned from each, and the 

 names of the constables in each parish, and of the two general 

 constables responsible for the due appearance of all horses at 

 Berwick, ' sufficientlie providit with creillis and towis, and 

 others instrumentis meete for bearing up carriages.' It was 

 enacted, on 16th April 1617, that Stichill should provide 

 twenty-five. 



Gentlemen, I fear much of this Address sounds like an 

 Inventory of Deeds. It will not fail to disappoint those 

 who assign history to the pageantry of life. A series of 

 events, however magnificent, may form fascinating reading, 

 and nothing more. It does not necessarily kindle or 

 feed the flame of true aspiration. It may be barren 

 of good when compared with the unrecorded ' piping times 

 of peace.' History is an unfinished picture, which looks 

 meaningless — until the whole subject has been painted in. 

 So the broad canvas of Time has been hung on the great 

 easel of Eternity. The invisible Hand of the Omniscient 

 Master-Limner has traced many figures and scenes, some 

 of broil and battle and of lordly heroes, and others of 



93 Calendar Border Papers, Vol. i., p. 360. 

 " Reg. Privy Council, Vol. xi., p. 89. 



