comparatively modern and well known. There is a curious reference in

No. 179, 1748.-Letter: Dan Forbes, writer, Edinburgh, to Baillie.]. I send you a curious pamphlet done as it is said by Chesterfield. . It was suppressed at London but one has been so bold as to reprint it here.

66

LANGUAGE.

[There is no paper in Gaelic, and only one complete sentence, but it is unprintable, and occurs in a case against a woman in Dingwall in 1762. She followed and attacked the minister, Mr Adam Rose, and his wife, Isabel Betoun, with the most awful and hideous curses and imprecations,' some English, some Gaelic, till they were afraid to go out over the doors." Many tee- or nick-names occur, such as Cathanycht, Muldonycht, Bragoch, Skianach, McHomas Moir Vic Urchy oig, Anna Nein ean, Nein Gibbie Gow; and other words, such as larach, menach, swirrach. We have seen (No. 120) that Gaelic was in 1750 preached in Tain every Sunday, but not in Avoch. Later, as to the prevalence of Gaelic speech, we have:

No. 180, 1792.-Petition to Sheriff by Alexr. Fraser, kirk officer of Kilmuir Easter, against Rev. John Matheson and the session.]... Complainer was dismissed . . . . the heritors must join and consent before legally heritors are willing he should continue libel against him was read before the session in English, but nine out of the ten elders did not know English . . . Complainer had signed a confession but he knows little English and did not know exactly what was in it. . [The proportion of the general community who had no English would be at least as high as that of the session.

The language of the educated as seen in letters, and of the officials as seen in documents, of the 17th and early 18th centuries in the North was Scots. There are often found such words as stent, thir, meikle, by and attour, pock, theik, ravill, creepies, chappin, drouth, graith, blae, the morne [the Earl of Sutherland says that], fornenst [in front of, brewing looms, watter stank, tocher, horse with lug cuttit thorow, cow colloured lyart with horns bowed inward, seart, speir, laich, prins [for pins], geir, goucks [sillies], thrapple [throat], yett [gate], sowen kitt, flats [saucers], lippen [trust], knock [clock.] In 1667 Fairburn asserts his right past memorie of man and ay sen syne to the ferrie of Scuddell on the Conon.”

There will be noticed many words used in a sense now obsolete, such as undertaker for contractor; discoverer for discloser; famous witnesses, i.e., of good fame; labour and labourer for cultivate and cultivator; "but any let" for

"without any hindrance"; literally summoned, i.e., by letter. In 1751 Fraser of Balnain writes: "It is ridiculous a humorous woman should be allowed such sway," i.e., full of humours or caprices.

As to SCRIPT, there is a gradation from medieval to modern, so that it is usually possible to tell by its style, within certain limits, to what period a paper belongs. But in the transition period-16th and 17th centuries-the script common in these Northern Counties was about half

a century behind that of the South. A paper of the Commonwealth time from London is fairly modern and readable; one from Edinburgh with more difficulty, and one from Ross-shire unreadable by a person unaccustomed to old script.

Spelling, being so much by sound in those times, often gives a clear indication of a pronunciation by the upper classes like that now current in the South of Scotland. Thus, in an inventory of Ardmore, 1779, we find "cups and flats" (saucers), and a book on "The art of Hatching and bringing up Domestic fools"; and Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord of Kintail, in 1601, writes "wechtie" (see No. 764). There is a letter from Walter Ross, Provost of Tain:No. 181, 1689.-Addressed] For Mr Alexr. Ross of Pitkerie these [begins] Affectionat loving Cusyne, yors I received, as for anser, David Clerach brought no news, only ye nomination of ye officers of Steat, I desyred the berer to call for the post to see give [if] he head any lres. for you . . . I expect to geat the news from you how shine [soon] yor lres. comes . . receave five rex dollers from ye berer. .. This with my servies to yor discreit bedfellow [a common expression of greeting to a friend's wife at the period] I wish you and yor famely a 'guid' new year. Adew. [In a letter of 1704, soon is spelt 'shoon,' indicating somewhat the same pronunciation; and in a letter of 1697 and others, we have Wedsenday,' indicating a local pronunciation that still obtains. Many letters express the hope you are weel.' In an inventory there is a shewed (sewed) cover. A letter of Geo. Ross, writer, to "Mr Johnston, Town major of Edinburgh," in 1677, beging "Affectionat billie," and ends "Your affectionat billie and servand," and the same occurs in many letters of that period. Still more curious is its use along with Reverend' and 'Mr,' apparently as a joke, for Mr' in the 17th century meant a University man: --

No. 182, 1665.-Letter, addressed] ffor the Reverend and most affectionat comerade Mr Androw McCulloch attendant to the Laird of Balnagown. Reverend and affectionat billie I have sent the bearer to know if the Laird be pleasit to delyver to him the dun pony conform to the lairds promise . . I have none . . . oft I travell on my owin hors in his

company . . . Your affectionat billie and servand Alexr. Ross. Taine 30 Jully. [In the following two letters by Mary Sutherland, Lady Kinminity, who had that property in Keith parish, and Pulrossie, Acharry, Newton, and Spanziedale in Sutherland, we see something as to both female education and pronunciation: No. 183, 1749.-To William Baillie.] I received yours last wick with the other pipers [papers] and I shall wret to thos pipill he nems. . . . I hop you. . will writ Mr Forbos to settell every point with Mr Lockerd . . . I heave ben at Pens to get Mr Gray to pay me the 500 B. of Ber Bill pebill at Edn. which he ashours me will answer I shall deliver 150 Bolls Mill from ther and Pollrose [Pulrossie].. more. . when you have sown my crop at Clyn will be thrasun' out . . . I most beg the Faver of you to seqr. Simson and his big bot for Ceren [carrying] it I most get the 'len' of secks.' . . Ther is severoll Tenents that shoud pay Ber oferen me mill let me cno which I shoud chous

a

[No. 184, 1749.—] . . P.S. I beg you for God seak wreat every person that can dow any serves and let me cno. . and cip Inverchasle in mind. . . for my pert I have lost my cureg heavin so powerfull enemis. . . I am vere ounese to her how pour Peter dos I hop he is recoverid. Adow.

MEDICINE.

[B. No. 185, 1588.-Receipt.] I James Davidson ypothingar and burges of Edinr. . . resavit fra George Ross of B... payment... teind silver . . . [So the apothecary was also a farmer of tithes. Others were money-lenders, for there is a bond by Roric Mackenzie of Dauchmaluak in 1665 to George Stirling, chyrurgeon apothecarie, Edinburgh, for money lent; and similarly, in 1683, to Daniel Macdonald, chirurgeon apothecary, in Culrois:

house

No. 186, 1688.-Action for payment of bond.] . . . Roderick Mackenzie sometime chirurgeon to the regiment of horse under ye command of Major-Generall Grahame of Claverbond for 1000 merks. . his sister Margaret, spouse of Robert Ross Williamson, Baillie of Inverness. [No. 187, 1672.-Criminal process for assault.] . . . informed be Hector Munro of Obstell that the said Donald must have a phisiciane to tak away the brust blood be skarifieing him and sindrie other wayes. [Suggestive of rough surgery,

such as seen in

No. 188, 1687.-Petition] To ye provost and magistrates of Tayne Donald Smith in the Hill . . . against Thomas Ross chirurgeon in Tayne . . . for cuting of ye vaines with sheirs and heling it with ane yron botikin which put him to

nought by casting away herbs yt. made [did] him good and when ye said Thomas was reproven for ye same said yt. he woud put ane plaister to his foot and ( ) ye goucks to look to him because they refused to give him payment... made ym more of skaith than of good pitie ye poor lads condition and how he was handed. [So we are not greatly surprised at

No. 189, 1699.-Protest in] Ane list of the persons within the Burgh of Taine lyable in payment of Pole money Be act of Parliament dated the thretty day of August 1698 . . . . I Thomas Ross chirurgian in Morinshie tho served prentiss to that facility of Chirurgiarie and that I and all such of that Imployment are poled in twelf pounds Scots yet I heirby declare that all ye benefit I have hade yeirly this eighteen yeires, nor yet have, as I now live in the world, of any substance to the value of ane hundreth pounds Scots nor can I make the double of my pole in the yeir of my imployment and therfor is reducit to labour eight bolls' pay of land for lyvelihood. [Rest of paper after No. 964. No. 190, 1711.-Letter from Doctor Mackenzie, Kinnock, addressed] To the much honered Mr Alexr. Ross of Pitkery. . . I had gon south had the want of money not stoped me Newtoun assured me of money but I have heard nothing of him. . oyrs have treated me ye same way. . .

[No. 191, 1709.-In chemist's account]. . A large strengthening plaister for your wife's back a glass of the elixir of propertys a glass of oyl of whyte lilies. . a cordial julep to your wife.

[No. 192, 1712.-] Accompt resting be the deceast Andrew Ross of Balblair To George McKilligin Chyrurgeon Appothecary in Inverness [quantities and prices omitted] . purging pills. green- and yellow-plaister green- and yellow-plaister . . . ane large glass to gargarisin . . laud. liquid. . mercury dulc. prepared.. materials to bitter decoction. . emetick wine. electuary and pott. . Sal Volat. corn ceroi . . Ung. apostolorum. mercur. precipitat. rubr. . . rezin of jallap Empl. de ranis cum mercurio Empl. diachelon causteck. [Similarly in 1718 we have "quieting pills pectoral and carminative powder," and in 1741" white popies" and "snake root."

syrup of

No. 193, 1705.-Medical certificate.] I, John Munro chyrurgeon in Teanourd doth hereby testifie and declare that Sir Robert Munro off ffoulis hath received a contusion on his left knee by ffalling off his horse wt. him. . the ffrost being then verie hard, not yet been in condition. . cannot now hazard to goe to Dingwall or Fortrose without endangering of his lyffe. and this I declare on soul and conscience before thir witnesses James Munro Tuttor of Ardulzie and John Munro son to the deceisit Major David Munro. [In a

paper of 1717 occurs Alexr. Mackenzie of Sandilands Doctor of Medicine Fortrose"-first in which full title is used. Then in a Tain Latin charter of 1732, "terras Jacobi Hay medicinae doctoris." In 1718 Jean Urquhart, daughter of Sir John Urquhart of Cromarty, at Kinkell Castle makes over to Dr George Mackenzie of Fortrose a bill accepted by Colin Mackenzie of Kincraig.

No. 194, 1748 to 1758.-Accounts entered by Hugh McFarquhar, surgeon, Tain. (A) in fragments of a process against the heirs and executors of Gustavus Munro of Culrain.] . To fourty days closs attendance at Newmore in dressing the above issue and administrating a course of medicines had from Professor George Haddow at St Andrews at 3 sh. 6d per day is Seven pound. April 12th To going to Newmore 7 sh 6d (). To a pot cleansing oyntment for ( ). To 3 doses phisick 1 sh. 6d To 4 ounces melilot plaister 1 sh. ( )d To a box anti-scubutick oyntment ( ) To given and left for his brow it being broke by accident 2s 3d. . . . Decr. 10th ( ) and drawing out Culrain's case for advice () () To two boxes pectoral pills per prescription of Auchnagairn 4s 7d. To a vomit ipecacan tincture 1s. () To a bottle Hungary water 1 sh. To a box pomat for the lady, a sixpence a glass spirit of hartshorn for Colonel Munro. The following Articles were administrat to Culrain in Death bed sickness To a glass Hung(ary) water 1 sh. () To nine Lemon ( ). [Money is sterling. A wounded man in an assault case is charged only 18s 6d stg. for 6 weeks' medicines and care. (B) 1754, in executry case for Mrs Grizell Forbes, Lady Kindeace, mother of Duncan Ross of Kindeace.] Tincture of Rhubarb . sp. Lavender . . Mendereris Spirit, a mutskin Antemetick spirit, Camamil flowers, oyl of mace, Large glass Sacred Tincture, a viale tincture of caster, Spirement water, Cepholich Drops, Quiting Drops, Cooling Diuretick Salts, Cere Cloath and trimming ye body, £5, 13 visits and long attendance £10 10s. [The earliest notice of medical officer is

No. 195, 1749.-Letter: William Ross, Master of Ross, to Baillie.].. I received the yearly salary of £100 to a surgeon in our town Lord Fortrose had proposed a Mr Stevenson and Sir Harry Munro mentions objections that he is too young and fond of drinking . . I think him as fit for our purpose as any we could get on these terms. [Lastly, as showing a great want in the medicine of those days, we have in 1765, in a letter from Fraser of Balnain: Our lovely boy was quite healthy and strong when all of a sudden.. small pox carried him off no sooner buried than another a fine healthy little girl was seized and she died yesterday."

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