Fifiana: or, Memorials of the East of Fife

Preface

. The present work consists of a variety of articles on different subj ects, none of which being long enough to form a book of itself, the whole have been combined so as to make a moderately sized volume of mis cellaneous literature. The biographical portion of the book is chiefly a collection of notices of individuals who have died since the original work, the " Biographi cal Dictionary of Eminent Men of Fife," was written in 1866, and of a few living men AiKo are still going out and in amongst us. It contains 69 names ; and while a County biography (a publication of which Fife has furnished the first example), is fitted to arrest the attention and endear itself to the patriotic feelings of the people, whose great and good men it commemorates, the lives of such men contain a persuasive lesson to the ingenuous youths by whom the manhood of Scotland must in a few years be represented.

Biography is a picture of human life. It is by such reading that the young can be best taught, — by the example of such precursors that they will be best animated and directed. What study can be more important or more interesting to human beings 1 In the instances brought before them, they have full proof that however adverse their own circum stances are, everything may be compelled to give way to indomitable resolution, unwearying industry, and steady upright integrity of con duct. The Inventory of Old Writings relating to the ancient town of Crail, commencing in 1369 and ending in 1775, will, it is thought, not be without interest to the antiquary and searcher after ancient things, — seeing it comprises accounts of Papal bulls, Letters and Charters from Kings and Queens of Scotland, and other curious documents, — and it is hoped that the Historical Notices of the East of Fife Burghs will likewise be found not unworthy of perusal.

The Tales, Legends, and Sketches of the East Neuk of Fife — a district which, until lately opened up by railway communication, was VI generally left unvisited by the tourist — are for the most part founded on facts, and descriptive of the scenery of this part of the country ■ and though they are, doubtless, all more or less mixed up with what is fictitious and imaginative, yet they are, at same time, all of a strictly moral and instructive character — suitable for sea-side reading — and combine the interesting with the useful. The manner in which the Proofs from Science on the Existence of the Deity is treated — being very plain and simple, and adapted to the comprehension of the humblest capacity, — is, it is believed, more fitted to be useful to common people than the more elaborate style of learned men, who, in writing on the subject, employ terms and make use of philosophical expressions beyond the reach of common understandings.

Professor Tennant's Lecture on Hebrew Poetry, delivered by him in St. Mary's College, St. Andrews, closes the volume * and which, it is supposed, will be received with acceptance by his old students, and also be read, not without interest, by scholarly men in all ranks and conditions of life. The book is amply illustrated by numerous engravings, which, it will be seen, are chiefly illustrative of interesting historical buildings connected with the East of Fife. Gillingshill, October, 1869. CONTENTS.

PAGE Introduction, 3 Notice of the Author, by Mr. Landale, 5 Letter from the Duke of Wellington, 14 Portrait of Sir Wm. Fergusson, Bart., 64 Biographical Notices— Adamson, Thomas, Pittenweem, 43 Anderson, George, M.P., - 43 Anderson, Dr., St. Andrews, - 43 Anstruther, Major-General Philip, 44 Aytoun, W. E., Professor, - 46 Ballingal, Sir George.^A^- . 48 Bell, Rev. David, Kennoway, - 49 Bell, Rev. Patrick, Carmyllie, - 50 Beveridge, Er3kine, Dunfermline, 51 Boyle, Right Hon. James, Earl of Glasgow, 51 Brodie, Rev. James, Monimajl, / 52 «. . u *" Yr" 'r ti 'J /* Ha /est)* >[!" uke> f- \s~ Browne, Dr. James, - '- -' 53 Brown, Rev. Dr. William, - 53 u— Bruce, Rev. James,2,J/M,^'^X./*-/54 Burt, John, Glasgow, 54 Carlyle, Thomas, 55 Caw, Rev. David, 56 Chalmers, Rev. Dr. Peter, - 56 Chambers, Robert, LL.D., - 57 Cook, A. S., Advocate, - - 67 Cook, David, of Carphin, - 57 Cook, Rev. John, D.D., - - 58 Craik, The Family of, - - 58 Darsie, Hon. John, Pittsburg, - 59 Dempster, Cathcart, 60 Drummond, William, Cupar, - 61 Drummond, James, Markinch, 62 Duncan, George, Balchrystie, - 62 Erskine, Rev. Ralph, - - 63 Espline, Rev. A., 63 Fergus, John, of Prinlaws, - 64 Fergusson, Sir William, Bart., 64 Forbes, J.D. Principal, St. Andrews, 66 PAGE Biographical Notices — Fordyce, Alex., Banker, London, 71 Goodsir, John, Largo, - - 73 Gray, The Family of, - - 74 Hay, David Balfour of Randerston, 74 Henderson Brothers, Glasgow, 74 Hetherington, Dr., - - - 75 Honey, John, Student, - - 76 Inglis, Robert, of Kirkenay, Crail, 76 Johnston, William, Lathrisk, - 78 Johnstone, William, Dunfermline, 78 Macfarlane, James, Dunfermline, 79 Macfarlan, Rev.

J., LL.D., London, 79 Miller, Henry, - ... 81 Monypenny, Rev. James Isaac, of Pitmilly, .... 81 Moyes, Dr. Henry, 81 Patton, Colonel, of Kinaldy, - 82 Paton, Sir Joseph, 82 Rodger, Alex., Shipowner, Glasgow, 74 Smith, Thomas, Cellardyke, - 85 Taylor, Rev. James W., Flisk, - 56 Thomson, Wm., LL.D., St. Andrews, 86 Torrens, Major-Gen. Sir Henry, 87 Torrens, Major-Gen. Sir Arthur, 89 Torry, Right Rev. Bishop, - 90 Touch, Lieutenant William, 94 Tytler, Patrick Frazer, - - 94 Watson, Rev. David, Leuchars, 96 Webster, George, Dunbar, - 97 White, Bishop Robert, - - 98 Wilkie, Dr. William, - - 98 Wilson, Rev. Robert, Anstruther, 99 Wilson, Rev. Andrew, Paisley, 100 Wilson, Alexander, M.D., - 101 Winram, John, - 102 Wordsworth, Bishop, D.C.L., - 102 Wynton, Andrew, - - - 103 Historical Notice of Crail, - - PAGE John Knox sails from Pittenweem to Berwick, 313 The Lands of Pittenweem sold to Mr. Wm. Baird of Elie, - - 214 Pittenweem noted for Witchcraft, 216 Janet Cornfoot murdered for Witchcraft, 218 Newark Castle, - 222 Ruins of Abercrombie Church, - 224 Legend of Abercrombie Church, 224 Mungo Murray and Christian White, 230 Sea Adventures of Remarkable Men of Largo, 238 The Pittenweem Robbery and Porteous Mob, - - - 253 Paul Jones, 269 Inventory of Old Writings relating to the Priory of Pittenweem, &c, 294 View of Pittenweem, - - - 293 Scotstarvit's Mortification, - - 299 View of Crawford Priory, - - 303 The Earl of Glasgow, - - - 306 Addenda to Article on Alex.

Selkirk, 307 Pope Leo X., .... 308 Proofs from Science of the Existence of the Deity, by M. F. Conolly, 310 Preliminary to Lecture on Hebrew Poetry, 328 University Seal of St. Andrews, 328 St. Salvator's College, St. Andrews, 331 Hebrew Poetry by Professor Tennant, 332 PAGE John Knox Preaching at Crail, s 109 Old Charters belonging to Crail, 119 Papal Bulls, - 126 Charter by Queen Mary, - - 146 King Robert Bruce, ... 146 King James VI., - 155 Contract between the Burghs of Crail and Anstruther, - - 160 Act of Parliament passed in favour of the Burgh of Crail, - - 173 Anstruther Easter and Anstruther Wester, 179 James Melville's Manse, (built 1590) 181 King James the Fifth's Visit to Anstruther, 186 Sir Wm. Anstruther and the King, 187 Manor House, Anstruther, - - 1S9 Birthplace of Dr. Chalmers, - 191 Oliver Cromwell's Guard-house, - 193 Town of Anstruther, - - - 195 West Anstruther created a Burgh, 196 Expenses of the Burgh of Anstruther, 199 History of Pittenweem, by D. Cook, 202 Burgh Seal, 202 Isle of May, 203 St. Fillan's Well, ... 203 Ruins of May Chapel, - - - 204 Culdees in the East of Fife, - 205 Pittenweem Priory Seal, - - 210 Earl of Moray, Regent, - - 211 Pittenweem Priory, t$he name of $tf (JJonolly has been familiar to the " folk of ifife" son; more than half a century, bulling which pei|iod he has carried on business as a Rotary public and Law $gent in Anstruther, and for the half of that time has also acted as a Banke^ In the whole of his ca^eerj he has so borne himself, that few important events have taken place in the Eastern district of Jfife, with whieh his name has not been associated, and in to which his actings and opinions have not been viewed with some interest.

Jjle adds one example to the numerous instances which in this favoured country go to show that positions of honour and fr^ust ar(e within the grasp of evei-y educated and well-conducted person, is no moije useful ot] mor(e pleasant species of literature than memoirs of such men ; and although jftq. (fonolly has peached an advanced age, yet ftjom the seeming strength and vigour still possessed bu him, it may be hoped that the time is yet somewhat distant when his name and character shall become the legitimate property of the tiegulat] biographer ; while, in the meantime, it may be interesting to many — not merely his friends and admires — to peruse a slight record of sundt;y facts respecting him, not so well known as his waitings, although these atje already widely spread. tphe author of thc following Biographical sketch has no object in Presenting it to the public, but a desire to pay a tribute of respect to an early and most esteemed f^end.

JjJis time and attention have been devoted more to the duties of an arduous profession than to literary pursuits, $e is not a practised writer. He makes no pretension to literal) attainments. $11 he aspires to is to tell a plain, unvarnished tale, and to record some interesting facts and Stirling incidents of by gone times, in the somewhat active life of his friend, which he thinks worth preserving ; hut which, if not taken down at present, would probably otherwise soon pass into oblivion. /3r/Lama& ,^.cm.da.Lc. Templehall, Berwickshire, 18th October, 1869. LIFE OF MR, CONOLLY,

Chapter I

Matthew Forster Conolly was born at Crail, in the County of Fife, on the 17th of June, 1789, where his father was many years a merchant, and Treasurer of that Burgh. There are some facts connected with Mr. Conolly's early life, which may not be con sidered devoid of interest. In June, and on the day he attained his fourth year, his father entered him as a pupil at the Burgh or Grammar School of Crail, then taught by no mean scholar, viz., James Macmin, who gained his appointment after a keen compe titive trial conducted by a Committee of Professors of St. Andrews University. The Professors, who were requested by the Heritors to examine the candidates, were the late Principal Hill, who then occupied the Greek Chair in the United College of St. Andrews, and the celebrated Dr. John Hunter, of the Humanity Chair.

After a severe competition, the merits of the candidates were so nicely balanced, that it was proposed the determination of the mat ter should be adjourned till next morning, when Professor Hunter having fallen on the expedient of requesting the young men to breakfast, thought that the one who jmjoyed that repast most heartily, would be better fitted_forxthe_situation, where regularity and "tetnperarice]2were essential requisites. How the young men sperrfTthe preceding~evening, and if they enjoyed supper, is not known, but Macmin's appetite was so well whetted and did such ample justice to the good things on the table, whilst his rival ate so sparingly, that the palm on that accounjxwas awarded to him. The school was what iscalled promiscuous ; the scholars were arranged no doubt, into different classes, according to their age and acquirements, but boys and girls occupied the same forms, and were mixed together.

It so happened that a fair girl of nearly his own age, attracted the attention of our school-boy : she was his equal, if not his superior, in respect of parentage and connections, and at the early age of seven years, a friendship or sympathy sprang up between them. This feeling subsisted so long as they remained at the Grammar School, and it was renewed at the dancing-school. "We shall not attempt to pourtray the various efforts and devices in " The Art of Pleasing," which a school-boy might resort to in order to make himself agreeable under such circumstances, by describing the numerous pen-mendings (not always necessary) the copy-settings, and the arithmetical-helpings, which might be rendered by one intent upon the pleasure and ambition of making himself agreeable to such a companion — all these things which may or may not have occurred, we leave to the imagination of our readers — premising only, that some twenty years afterwards, a union took place between the parties, and proved a happy one for both ; — not that, before marriage — " The course of true love always did run smooth."

"We are not to suppose that during this long intimacy — " Call it friendship — call it love ;" which, in the words of the poet, Grew with their growth, and strengthened with their strength, we are not to suppose, we say, that no little jealousies sprung up — no fancied rivals assumed (through the haze of green-eyed jealousy) gigantic proportions, though in reality only pigmies, — would " Come like shadows — so depart," and that no "lovers' quarrels" arose — only to end, as such quarrels usually do — in a renewal of love ; all those things we say, might have happened ; we do not say they did ; we allow our readers to fill up the vacuum in the way they may think best, while we pro ceed with our narrative. Mr. Conolly afterwards attended the Parish School of Kilrenny, chiefly for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of what is generally called " Court hand;" that is, the characters in whieh the old Chancery MSS. were written, in which mystery Mr. John Orphat, the teacher, was an adept.

This branch of education though very seldom resorted to in such cases, was deemed essential, as the youth had resolved to follow the legal profession. When his father introduced him to the teacher, he at same time bespoke a dinner of bread and milk for his daily supply. Mr. and Mrs. Lumsdaine, the laird and lady of Innergellie, (by which titles they were at that time generally known,) having been acquainted with the boy's father, and having heard of our young scholar's attendance at the school, kindly invited him to Innergellie House (a short distance from the village,) every day to dinner. Of this kind invitation he willingly availed himself, and appeared regularly afterwards at the " Big House," while he remained at school. "We may remark, in passing, that the Lumsdaines of Innergellie were an ancient and powerful family, and greatly renowned in war.

Sir James Lumsdaine held a commission as Colonel in the army of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden. At the siege of Frankfort, he, and Hepburn, who commanded another Scottish Regiment in the Swedish service, being called upon by the King, forced the gate and entered the city with their men. Sir James Lumsdaine's regiment alone took eighteen colours. Nor is it out of place to inform the reader, that Mrs. Lumsdaine (named Christina) was the daughter of Sir Philip Anstruther of Balkaskie, Bart. The young scholar could never forget the kindness he experienced from the hospitality of the laird and lady, especially the lat ter, whose tall and noble-looking form he used to see walking about the grounds with a long cane, reaching near to her shoulder, and often kindly showing him her parrots, macaws, and other tame animals, besides which, she had wild favourites too.

One day in spring, she took the youth to the garden, and there called for a Robin, whereupon instantly a pretty bird, who knew what it was about, descended from a lofty tree, alighted on her shoulder, and proceeded to peck crumbs from her hand. This circumstance greatly exalted the good lady's character in the estimation of her young protege, for (so the young mind argues,) none but good ladies could receive such confidence from the birds of the air.

Chapter II

Lm 1804, Mr. Conolly became apprentice to the Town-Clerk of Pittenweem, a neighbouring burgh. It was near the end of his sti pulated period of service, when he joined a party of ladies and gentlemen on a pleasure trip to the Island of May. The boat sailed from CeUardyke on a fine July morning, well manned, with a favourable wind, and a little swell in the water. But the party had not pro ceeded far, when most of the ladies became sea-sick, and our young apprentice who was a good sailor — being accustomed to boating when a school-boy, amused himself — Juvenum more jaciantius agere — in watching the grim countenances around him, and noting the ges ticulations of pain that had no danger in it. Like most young men of his years, he delighted not a little in waggery, and it occurred to him that a suitable caricature could be made out of a sketch of the boat under sail, in a smart breeze with the sick ladies leaning over the gunwale.

Accordingly next day, he produced a lively represen tation of the boat with colours flying, and her passengers in many grotesque attitudes ; — along with the caricature, he composed a number of doggerel rhymes, descriptive of the party and their dresses, and expressive of the conversation carried on during the voyage to the Island. They were somewhat in the style of " Fie, let us a' to the bridal;" and when the picture and ballad were pro duced to the parties, some time afterwards, they were amazed, and straightway got into speculation as to the authorship. No one supposed for a moment that the silent youth who sat in front of the boat had been taking notes slyly on his memory, and regarding parties with inquisitive glances, in order to reproduce the ludicrous scene " some other day." "Within the last two or three years, a lady — one of the party — signified that she had still in her possession the old ballad and caricature.

On the expiration of his indenture, in 1808, his master delivered it up to him honourably discharged, and Mr. Conolly went to Edin burgh, to become a clerk to an accountant who had by chance seen his handwriting, and was induced to engage him on account of its neatness and distinctness. He afterwards became managing clerk to a "Writer to the Signet. Time rolled on, and Mr. Conolly followed his professional avo cations, devoting his attention to the study and practice of the Law, and fitting himself for his future position. In the autumn of 1811, a vacancy occurred in the ofliee of Town-Clerk of Anstruther-Easter, when the Edinburgh student was proposed and unanimously elected to the office. He did not immediately enter on his duties at Anstruther, however, but appointed a Clerk-Depute to act in his room for a season, and continued in Edinburgh prosecuting his legal studies.

In the spring of 1812, he was admitted a Notary Public, and soon afterwards removed to Anstruther, and commenced business as Writer or Law Agent, in connection with his ofliee of Clerk. His father at this time being a septuagenarian, and very infirm, for his greater comfort Mr. Conolly brought the aged gentleman to his own house, and provided suitably for him as long as he lived (five years,) when he reached the age of fourscore. His kindness to his respected father was not unob served by his townsmen, — neither was his rule of doing no business in the tavern or ale-house (a practice not unfrequently followed by some of his predecessors,) left without approbation. Clients were not slow to discover that their business was promptly and carefully attended to, and themselves treated with attention and courtesy, — the sequence being, that our Clerk soon got into good practice.

Nor was it long after his settlement in Anstruther-Easter, that he was appointed Town-Clerk of Anstruther-Wester, Kilrenny, and Crail, all neighbouring burghs. In 1812, a new Parliament was summoned ; and as the method of choosing a member of the House of Commons to represent a district of burghs was then very different from what it now is, it may not be out of place to narrate how this was accomplished : A writ or precept was addressed by the Sheriff of the County to the Magistrates and Council of the different burghs constituting tlie district, commanding them to choose each a Commissioner or Delegate to meet together on a certain day to choose a representative. On the occasion of the election in 1812, the Com missioners or Delegates from the five burghs of the Anstruther district, having each received a Commission signed and sealed by the Town-Clerk, met in the Council-room of Anstruther-Easter, the presiding burgh for the time, and made choice of Sir John Anstruther, Bart., to be their representative.

Mr. Conolly, as returning-ofRcer, on the following day met with the Sheriff of 'Fife, and executed an indenture, authenticating the election, which writ the Sheriff transmitted to the Clerk of Parliament. Sir John Anstruther represented this District of Burghs in more than one Parliament. In the spring of 1818, he died at Edin burgh of typhus fever at an early age. This Sir John left an only son, a posthumous child, by his lady, a daughter of General Dewar of Gilston, who died in the 13th year of his age, having been accidentally shot by a companion, while on a sporting excursion at Eton. During his life the guardians of the child being wishful to preserve his family influence till he became of age, supported the application of Mr. Alexander Maconochie, Lord-Advocate, to be successor to Sir John in representing the Burghs in the House of Commons.

Mr. Maconochie was success ful, not however without a severe struggle, being elected on 14th March, 1818. We mention these historical incidents to show how the monotonous routine of the Town-Clerk of a set of obscure burghs, could be diversified by connection with a certain arena of politics. CHAPTER HI. As already mentioned, Mr. Conolly, early in life, became attached to a school companion, viz., Miss Catherine, second daughter of Robert Murray, Esq., Chief-Magistrate of Crail. She was nearly of his own age, and they became husband and wife on 14th December, 1818. Mrs. Conolly possessed no small share of personal attractions and considerable mental endowments — she had good sense, great equanimity of temper, an amiable disposition, and a certain elegance of manners, winch will be in the recollection of many.

She brought to him five children, two sons and three daughters ; and, after participating with him in the vicissitudes of life, enjoying many blessings, and being chastened by many afflictions, she died on the 19th day of March, 1836, in the 45th year of her age. Of Mr. Conolly's children, two are dead, and three sur vive. His eldest daughter, a remarkably precocious child, died of putrid sore throat, after a few days' illnesB, in her fourth year. His eldest son, Matthew, died at the age of twenty-one, and of whom an affecting incident is told. From an accident received in his eleventh year, he was afflicted with the disease, commonly called " white swelling," in the knee-joint, which becoming incurable, tho limb was amputated by an eminent surgeon. Chloroform was not then in use, but he stood the operation manfully, and at the first dressing of the wounded limb, he displayed an uncommon share of patient endurance under suffering ; even his surgical attendant was surprised at it; and when the poor boy was questioned afterwards as to his patience and courage, he made the following touching reply :— " I was resolved not to cry, because my crying would have distressed my dear mamma, in the next room."

He made a good recovery, attended the Academy at Perth, and the United College at St. Andrews, and served an apprenticeship to his father as a Banker ; but ill health succeeded, probably owing to his not being able, from the want of a limb, to take sufficient out-of-door exercise, and he died with these last words on his lips, " Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"

Chapter IV

In the course of our narrative, we have seen that Lord-Advocate Maconochie was elected Member of Parliament for the District of Burghs, in 1818. Soon afterwards he was appointed a Judge of the Court of Session, when his political connection with the Burghs ceased. He was succeeded both as Lord- Advocate and represen tative of the Burghs, by Sir William Rae of St. Catherine's, Bart., whose first election took place on 29th July, 1819 ; he continued their representative from that time down to 1826, having a con test on every occasion, he asked a renewal of his seat ; but in the last-mentioned year he was superseded by James Balfour of Whittingham and Balgonie, who succeeded in being returned by the narrowest majority. As Town-Clerk of four out of the five royal burghs constituting the District, Mr. Conolly was called to witness many strange scenes connected with elections during his long official life.

Before the passing of the Parliamentary Reform Act of 1832, contested elections for representatives to the House of Commons as regarded this district, were the rule, with few exceptions. The Magistrates and Council, we have seen, chose the Delegates, and the Delegates chose the Member of Parliament. In these contests it generally happened that two of Mr. Conolly's burghs were supporters of one Candidate, and the other two supported the other Candidate. Mr. Conolly attended the meetings consequent on these occasions in the forenoon, and as regularly appeared at the dinner parties which followed, in the afternoon. It was then that he saw many curious phases of human life ; he could peep into the speculum animi vinum, and get many insights into character. In Pittenweem, one of the burghs of the district, the dissensions of the electors on one occa sion reached the culminating point ; the Council were divided into two equal parties — eleven to eleven — one of the parties (that which favoured Sir William Rae,) was led by Mr. John Tod, Chief- Magistrate, and as Mr. Conolly was called upon to officiate as clerk to this party, we shall narrate the proceedings as told by himself.

At the annual election of Magistrates and Councillors of Pitten weem, held upon the 16th of September, 1823, owing to the deser tion of Bailie James Tod, and ten of his friends from the meeting, there was not a quorum of Councillors present, but those who appeared, having elected Magistrates, Treasurer, and Councillors, in the usual form, the election was, on a petition and complaint to the Court of Session, presented by the party who wilfully absented themselves, set aside, on the ground of a quorum not being present. The want of a quorum, under the circumstances which produced it, was not, in Mr. Conolly's opinion, a sufficient reason of itself for disfranchising the burgh, it being the result of a conspiracy of all the complainers, with one exception, to destroy its privileges, and as conspirators, they were barred from com plaining ; but there was one righteous person, so to speak, among the complainers, a whale-fisher, who happening to be engaged at the time of the election in following his lawful calling, was, therefore, not wilfully absent, and as he joined the other com plainers, and the objection of conspiracy not being applicable to him, the complaint was sustained, and the burgh disfranchised.

After its disfranchisement, the burgh was for some time governed by managers appointed by the Court. Subsequently both parties of the old Council, with some of the burgesses, presented petitions to his Majesty, praying for the restoration of the privileges of the burgh, whereupon his Majesty appointed a new election of Magis trates and Councillors to take place on the 13th September, 1825, by the persons " who composed the Magistrates and Town Council of the Burgh on the day preceding the 16th of September, 1823." On the day specified in the Royal warrant, twenty-two of the persons elected in 1822, assembled in the Town-hall of Pittenweem, including Sir William Rae, Lord- Advocate, as a Councillor. Of these twenty-two persons so assembled, eleven were favourable to the interest of John Tod, formerly Chief Magistrate, and eleven were favourable to the interest of James Tod, formerly Second Magistrate.

Long before the hour of meeting specified in the Royal warrant, however, James Tod being in possession of the keys of the Town-hall, entered it with his friends, so that on John Tod and his party appearing shortly before the arrival of the appointed hour, they found their opponents seated round a table under the presidency of the alter Tod, whereupon John Tod observing another table in the room, took his place thereat, along with his friends, including Sir William Rae. The first question which presented itself to the assemblage, related to the right of the person to act as preses. John Tod claimed the office as Chief Magistrate, on the day preceding the 16th September, 1823 ; and James Tod claimed it as head manager of the burgh. John Tod, in reply, stated that no mention was made of managers in the Royal warrant ; and, as a manager, James Tod was not entitled to be present at that meeting, but only as one of the Magistrates, in which character he might be comprehended in the Royal order, and entitled to appear.

The business of the meeting then proceeded. The friends of John Tod appointed him to preside over them, and the friends of James Tod nominated him to the like office so far as concerned them. Mr. Simpson, Town-Clerk of Pittenweem, having refused to act as Clerk to the meeting of John Tod and his friends, they resolved to appoint Mr. Conolly Clerk to the meeting, and he being called in, a number of constables stationed at the door by James Tod's directions, refused to give Mr. Conolly admittance, where upon the meeting resolved that Mr. Duncan M'Neill, now Lord Colonsay, their Counsel, should prepare a petition to the Sheriff, praying that Mr. Conolly might be allowed to enter the Town-hall, and all constables and others interdicted from obstructing him. The craving of this petition being granted by the Sheriff, who was in attendance outside, Mr. Conolly obtained admission to the Council-room, accepted of the office of Clerk, took the usual oaths, and proceeded to the discharge of his duties.