THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 ^-r '^X^'^ -«>^
 
 r^
 
 HAME-SPUN RHYMES. 
 
 BY 
 
 JAMES SMITH, 
 
 ACTHOK OF TWO EDITIONS OF " HAMESPUN KHTME3," 
 
 IN 1842 AND 1874. 
 
 A B E Pt D E !•: N : 
 
 FEINTED FOR THE AUTHOR. 
 
 1879.
 
 ^7^ 
 
 1 
 
 fV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Preface to my Third Book of Hame-Spun Rhymes, . . 5 
 
 Address to my Book, 7 
 
 My Own Life and Adventures— from 1813 to 1879, . . 9 
 
 The Past, Present, and Future of Aberdeen, ... 34 
 
 A Plan to Assist the Shareholders of the Glasgow City Bank, 72 
 
 On the New Temperance Hall at Tarland, .... 73 
 
 A Thanksgivii^g for the late Abundant Harvest of 1878, . 77 
 
 A Visit to Keith-hall, Seat of the Earl of Kintore, . . 79 
 A Lament for the Grand-Duchess of Hesse-Darmstadt (our 
 
 Princess Alice), 86 
 
 On the Birth of a Son and Heir to the Haddo House Estates, 88 
 
 Thanks for a box of game from Haddo House, ... 91 
 A Visit to Haddo House— Seat of the Earl of Aberdeen— 
 
 in 1873, 92 
 
 To Ythan Water, 106 
 
 On the Birth of a Son and Heir to the Balmedie Estates, 
 
 Belhelvie, 115 
 
 On the Death of the Kev. Archdeacon M. G. F, Bisset of 
 
 Lessendrum, 118 
 
 On the Death of William Leslie of Nethermuir, . . 121 
 
 A Lament for the late Captain John Gordon of Cluny, &c. , 12r> 
 
 A Lament for the late Earl of Fife, 130 
 
 A Rhyming List of the kind Patrons of my Book of Rhymes, 
 
 Published in 1874, 134 
 
 To My kind Patrons, 144 
 
 82237^0
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 PREFACE TO MY THIRD BOOK OF 
 HAME-SPUK RHYMKS. 
 
 In venturing forth anotlier book of my Hame-Spun 
 Rhymes, I feel impressed with the idea that the public 
 will be tired of my imperfect scrawls and poor imita- 
 tions of other and more deserving aspirants to the 
 honour of bdng considered poets. To many, almost 
 all of them, I must own beat, but encouraged by the 
 hearty reception of my last book by all, from the 
 highest in the land, by most of the nobility and gentry 
 in the three counties of Aberdeen, Uanff, and Kincar- 
 dine, and by the very libei-al supi)ort 1 have already 
 received for my forth -coming little book, even before it 
 has seen the light, I am led to hope that an indulgent 
 public are yet willing to encourage me in my feeble 
 attempts to climb Parnassus. For the very great 
 liberality shown me, I here beg to thank my numerous 
 supporters, and beg to assure tliem I have done the 
 best I could under the difficulties I have to contend 
 with — a deficient education, want of means of instruc- 
 tion from other writers, and the litthi time I can spare 
 from my daily labour fur my support in tliiso times. 
 Taking all these into account, I liope the parties who
 
 b PREFACE. 
 
 have, and will yet assist me, will bo satisfied with 
 what I have attempted, and take the will for the deed. 
 Again thanking my numerous patrons and subscribers^ 
 and that you all may have the same pleasure of reading, 
 my pieces as I have had in composing them, 
 
 I am. Ladies and Gentlemen, 
 
 Your much-obliged and devoted Servant, 
 
 JAMES SMITH, 
 
 13 Commerce Street, 
 
 Aberdeen, August, 1879.
 
 ADDRESS TO MY BOOK. 
 
 ADDKESS TO MY BOOK. 
 
 I SEND you out, my little Book, 
 
 Ye for great favour need not look. 
 
 Some folk will tak' and read you tljrou;^'!!, 
 
 But to admire you will be few ; 
 
 Some will read bits here and tliere, 
 
 Fling you past, never mind you mair. 
 
 For their neglect, just never lieed, 
 
 Ye '11 honour get when ance I 'm dead ; 
 
 Folk to books sraa' attention gives 
 
 So long^as their author lives, 
 
 But when awa' to their lang hame, 
 
 It 's then their writings gatlier fame. 
 
 But never mind the slights ye get, 
 
 Of better books that 's been the fate. 
 
 In artless language tell your tale, 
 
 Let what you say commend itsel' ; 
 
 To rich and poor be aye alike, 
 
 Get dainty fare or bones to pike ; 
 
 Be aye well pleased and never fret, 
 
 Tak' aye the treatment that you get ; 
 
 Where you 're caressed and where you 're not, 
 
 Be well contented with yuur lot. 
 
 No doubt ye '11 hae a checpuired life 
 
 In this world of envy and strife, 
 
 Some Avill your homely sayings mock, 
 
 And make of you a laughin' stock ; 
 
 But let them laugh at you their lill, 
 
 Ye 're for amusument, mean nae ill, 
 
 A leisure hour to pass away, 
 
 That is your aim and motto aye. 
 
 To great and siua' bu aye obligin', 
 
 Tell them of your low origin.
 
 8 ADDRESS TO MY BOOK. - 
 
 Sure to man or woman tell 'er 
 Ye was wrote in a coal cellar, 
 A table couldna you afford, 
 But in its stead a washin' board. 
 And held upon your author's knee, 
 That 3'e this world's light first did see. 
 Ye 're imperfect, nae great wonder, 
 There 's nae ane among a hunder 
 That could you hae composed so weel, 
 With but auchteen months at the skweel. 
 Had I the learning some folk hae, 
 I 'd made you say anither say. 
 And keepit back by daily toil, 
 A living get by croak and wile. 
 I little time could on you spare, 
 Things to keep right need a' my care. 
 But as you are I send you forth. 
 To east, south, west, and to the north, 
 And hope you '11 do as well 's you can. 
 Do some good to my fellow-man. 
 Hope goud reception you will get, 
 And help me to get out of debt. 
 Is the height of my ambition, 
 Owe uae man a pinch o' sneeshin. 
 My wayward ftite 's been aye uphill, 
 And gone in debt against my will, 
 But now, I think I see my way. 
 With help of you be rid for aye.
 
 HAME-SPUN RHYMES. 
 
 MY OWX LIFE AND i\DVEXTURES 
 PROM 1818 TO 1879. 
 
 In Marcli montli, tlie twenty-aucht Jay, 
 As I've heard my auld niither say, 
 Year auclitcen hunuer and aucliteen, 
 That I in this world first was seen 
 At Langhaven, Cruden paris', 
 jJsae far frae Stirling quarries. 
 A fishing village ance was there, 
 But now for forty year and niair 
 Has oot o' that place been lifted, 
 To North -haven has been shifted, 
 INIaist aside the Buchan Bullers, 
 Ever since they hoist their colours. 
 
 First nine years o' my life 's spent, 
 The ways o' the world little kent ; 
 The spring and hairst I herdit kye 
 To crafter folk that lived near-by— 
 By name, James Anderson, was ca'd, 
 <hver-by at Little Tillymaud. 
 
 B
 
 10 MY OWX LIFE AXD ADVENTURES. 
 
 There was nae Education Ac', 
 
 Or aff to skweel I'd had to pack. 
 
 My parents, poor in my young days, 
 
 Could scarce get to me meat and claes, 
 
 Mair family, as well as me. 
 
 They had baith meat and claes to gie ; 
 
 Some o' us wis maist aye unweel, 
 
 xind needed aft the doctor's skeeh 
 
 Thus Ave lived on frae day to day, 
 
 Where the neist day's meat would come frae 
 
 Mony 's the time we didna ken. 
 
 And had at times to get a len' ; 
 
 Thus strugglin' on, I kenna hoo, 
 
 Some way or other aye got through. 
 
 Manag'd aye to get a livin'. 
 We Cruden left in twenty-seven. 
 And to the south we flitted far, 
 To a craft aside the Birness bar, 
 On Peterhead and Ellon road, 
 Eor a short time was our abode. 
 'Twas a coarse place, o' stiff red clay, 
 Erae it we seen remov'd away — 
 I'm sure we left it wi' guid will. 
 We flitted neist up to Coalhill, 
 Maist aboot twa miles frae Ellon, 
 A house and yard to plant kail in ; 
 Nae mair a craft was to be got. 
 Must be contented wi' our lot. 
 But here now I maun be tellin' 
 I was sent to skweel at Ellon ;
 
 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 11 
 
 K"ae ower seen 'twas to me given, 
 I of age was now eleven. 
 Upon 'the year right weel I min', 
 Auchteen hunner and twenty-nine, 
 The year o' the great muclde spate, 
 That the Ythan put in sic a state, 
 Gart her in flood come rinnin' doon — 
 I min' weel on 't, though but a loon. 
 
 Our skweel was the Secedar Kirk, 
 
 And our teacher's name was George Clark — 
 
 Did weel enough in warm weather. 
 
 But cafild days gart 's seek anithcr 
 
 Where a fire could be erected. 
 
 The auld town-house was selected, 
 
 That stood up in the Ellon Square, 
 
 And up in front had a stane stair. 
 
 The first day I gaed to the skweel, 
 Like yesterday I min' on 't weel, 
 A New Testament had wi' me — 
 There was nae ither book to gie me. 
 The maister speir'd if I had more. 
 And what skweel I'd been at before ; 
 Said at nae skweel I'd ever been, 
 This was the first that I had seen. 
 He said, •' That book you needna bring, 
 You'll need, I doot, some ither thing ; 
 You'll need a book used by a bairn 
 E're ye begin to readin' learn."
 
 12 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 I said I had been readin' in 't 
 
 As weel as my self-learnin' went. 
 
 " Ah, weel," says he ''if that 's the case, 
 
 Ye in a class may tak' yer place, 
 
 But first I would like you to hear 
 
 If ye that book can read it clear." 
 
 So I to readin' set mysel', 
 
 Ae word I didna need to spell, 
 
 Then in a Bible class was plac'd 
 
 At its fit, aneath a' the rest ; 
 
 But at it lang I didna stop, 
 
 I seen was up and at the top ; 
 
 But there a ticklish seat I had. 
 
 Some o' the class were nae that bad. 
 
 And sometimes press'd me awfu' hard 
 
 Wi' any great lang-nibbet word. 
 
 Ae day, I min' upon 't richt weel, 
 
 That I was keepit frae the skweel. 
 
 Fox that neist day I had to sit 
 
 Aneath them a', doon at the fit ; 
 
 But doon there lang I didna stop. 
 
 First lesson was up near the top. 
 
 Some of them there w^ere scholars gweed, 
 
 "Withoot gaen wrang could sjDell and read. 
 
 They a' thought it glorious fun 
 
 That I up could nae farer wun. 
 
 I was thus put in to a stan' ; 
 
 The maister took my case in ban', 
 
 With the word Bantf gave me a chance, 
 
 I speirt it, and got up at once.
 
 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 13 
 
 Wi' such like contests learned fast, 
 Frae ae step to anither pass'd. 
 I very anxious was to learn, 
 Had wit I was now nae a bairn ; 
 My skweelin' days would seen be ower, 
 I only got months three or four, 
 My bread I'd hae to gang and earn 
 Out in the hard world, cauld and stern. 
 
 As far as I can remember, 
 
 Left Ellon skweel in December. 
 
 Father aye on the wing was hoverin', 
 
 We ag^in removed to Foveran ; 
 
 To a place there ca'd Davishill, 
 
 I had to gang against my will. 
 
 So there we dwelt a year or twa, 
 
 In a frail hoose aye like to fa'. 
 
 To learn, I being unco willin', 
 
 To a skweel at Culter-Cullen 
 
 Three o' that winter's months was sent. 
 
 i^s^eist summer I to herdin' went. 
 
 Back again nae far frae Ellon, 
 
 For a poun' my labours sellin'. 
 
 Muckle fees was nae in that days, 
 
 Would nae gang far in sheen and class ; 
 
 Herd't nowt, cleaned cot byres dirty. 
 
 Passed the simmer auchteen tliirty. 
 
 A fearfu' night was in that year, 
 Fill'd mony a anc wi' dread and fear :
 
 14 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 A terrific thunderstorm raged, 
 The elements in strife engaged, 
 And carried on a dreadful fight 
 Through the whole o' that awful night. 
 The lightning flash'd, the thunder roar'd, 
 And many thouglit that ISTature's Lord 
 Was callin' all to judgment home, 
 An' the last day was on them come. 
 A nio-ht like that there hasna been 
 Within the shire of Aberdeen, 
 Xor ither shires, as far 's I ken, 
 Xor the like seen by aulder men. 
 ►Some thunder storms as fierce I've seen, 
 But nane the cracks sae short atween, 
 Xor yet extend to sic a length. 
 Ere it abated a' its strength ; 
 Continued on for aucht lang hours, 
 And rain came down wi' awfu' pours. 
 
 That simmer's herdin' did wear deen, 
 
 I gaed hame to learn niakin' sheen ; 
 
 My idle days were now a' past, 
 
 I had now to stick to my last. 
 
 That I would like it I had doots, 
 
 Sewin' patches an' closin' boots. 
 
 And also closin' women's sheen, 
 
 As well as orra jobs atween. 
 
 I was nae slow at uptakin'. 
 
 Little sheen I seen was makin'. 
 
 A gweed trade we seen Avould had there, 
 
 To mak beets and sheen mony a pair.
 
 MY OV>'X LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 15 
 
 Eut father being aye some ficlvle, 
 And tlie house near in a rickle, 
 He took a notion in his head 
 Frae that again to flit wi' speed. 
 Got a bit groun' jist by gweed luck 
 Up at the Moss of Pettynmck — 
 A bit when Udny Road was made, 
 Aff College lan's to Udny laid, 
 Again was chang'd for the end rig, 
 Ikit a house was on 't to big. 
 
 So in the spring o' thirty-one 
 Fath(^ and me a house began. 
 First we had the stanes to quarry, 
 At that a while Ave had to tarry ; 
 Then to the biggin' we began — 
 He the mason, I the barrownian. 
 Of mason work we 'd little skeel, 
 A while we got on unco Aveel, 
 Till we cam' up to the gable ; 
 Up the stanes I was nae able 
 On the scaffoldin' to set them. 
 Up sae high I couldna get them. 
 80 then to let the wark go on. 
 Father he gave me up the stone, 
 I gables and lumheads biggot. 
 So up a house we seen had rigget, 
 Put on the reef and in the doors ; 
 A lot 0' wark had yet afore 's — 
 The windows an' the fleers to lay. 
 The wa's to plaster o'er wi' clay;
 
 in MV OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 On the reef put mossy divot, 
 Then a thackin' liad to give it ; 
 But for that we were nae fasliious, 
 Just stob-thackit it wi' rashes, 
 For them we were nae at a loss, 
 Plenty of them was in the moss. 
 Thus by workin' at it steady, 
 l>y the hairst time we had it ready ; 
 A' right it's stannin' to this day, 
 Though it was bigget maist wi' clay. 
 
 It is now a mair lively abode — 
 
 There now, across the Udny road. 
 
 The Bucliau and Formartine line 
 
 Is carried by a straight incline ; 
 
 Trains are ever on it flyin', 
 
 jS^ow it 's nae sae lonesome lyin'. 
 
 At the door you could tak' your stan', 
 
 A stane could throw on three lairds' Ian'. — 
 
 Tillicorthie, Udny, College — 
 
 That's been deen aft to my knowledge. 
 
 At that time a square mile of moss 
 
 To the liouse north end came close, 
 
 Twa or three yards or little more. 
 
 Could thrown the peats in at the door. 
 
 Father heard Udny's factor say 
 
 To gentlemen Avith him one day, 
 
 " If they awa the moss would take. 
 
 What a fine field that ground would make."
 
 31 Y OWN LIFE AXD ADVENTURES. 17 
 
 Xow a' the moss aff it lias worn, 
 And now it 's growin' neeps and corn. 
 Left the auld house at Davishill, 
 And flitted up our new house till ; 
 AVe liv'd in it about five years, 
 That now as yesterday appears. 
 
 As I nae arithmetic had, 
 
 And wantin' which is very bad, 
 
 I saed a few months to the skweel, 
 
 At coontin' got on vera Aveel, 
 
 Made me at times be on my mettle, 
 
 Up at ihe skweel at Balnakettle. 
 
 To get on I fell on a plan — 
 
 When any new rule I began, 
 
 I gart the raaister lat me see 
 
 First Cjuestion o't the way to dee ; 
 
 Then got on at a rapid rate, 
 
 Wi' lots o' questions fill'd my sclate. 
 
 To let me nae block time at school. 
 
 The maister said pass to neist rule ; 
 
 Ken fu to work ane or twa 
 
 Is just as gwecd as work them a'. 
 
 Anything I'd to get by heart, 
 
 I manag'd to get quick and smart, 
 
 Xae langer time to it takin' 
 
 Than mither was the pottage makin'. 
 
 We carried on wi' din maist deaviu', 
 Baith makin' sheen and weavin'.
 
 18 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 Father at the leem kep't whackin', 
 I the beets and sheen was makin' ; 
 A gweed livin' we might hae made 
 Had we baith but stuck to ae trade. 
 Now growin' up to be a man 
 I got disgusted wi' the phm, 
 Wi' the trade I brak' the bargain 
 And turned oot to try the dargin', 
 Wrought at that aboot sax years — 
 (Ah ! time, fu' fast awa' it wears.) 
 
 For months employed at castin' peats, 
 Far sairer wark than sheen or beets ; 
 Fyles I had some heavy touches, 
 Trenchin' groun' and castin' ditches, 
 Biggin' feal dykes and castin' drains, 
 Fyles had but little for my pains ; 
 And took a hairst inaist ilka year, 
 For a' that couldna gather gear. 
 My first hairst was up near Kintore, 
 Got auchteen shillin's to my store ; 
 It took full five weeks to make it, 
 For that to twa scythes I raiket. 
 Just sair enough for a young loon, 
 To James Harvey of the Fordtoon. 
 Neist hairst I was at Tilly foov. 
 The fee I had was very poor ; 
 I didna unco muckle for 't, 
 Rake to ae scythe w^as only sport. 
 The neist, if I can rightly min'. 
 Was at a place ca'd Hill o' Clyne ;
 
 JIT OAYS LIFE AXD ADVENTURES. 
 
 Eut there I had a better fee, 
 
 I had for months nae luair than three 
 
 The nice Large sum of three poun' ten, 
 
 A bigger fee than best o' men. 
 
 ISIy neist was at Hill o' Crimon, 
 
 For tAva i)oan' five I got on swimmin'. 
 
 :N'eist year I gaed to Fiddesbegg, 
 
 But there wi' wark I got a flegg— 
 
 To hale four scythes I had to rake 
 
 My twa poun' five to make, 
 
 But as they were weel pleased wi' me, 
 
 Five shillin's added to my fee. 
 
 A hafrst in Udny, at Hillbrae, 
 
 For some four weeks a' but a day ; 
 
 Of fee I had one poun' auchteen, 
 
 Was by the week, hairst was nae deen. 
 
 Three weeks hairst was down at Cruden, 
 
 At South Ardiffery intruJen ; 
 
 Intruden was wdiat came to pass, 
 
 I took awa' a farmer's lass. 
 
 I near forgot, nae wi' my will, 
 
 A hairst I was at Davishill, 
 
 I had for twa poun' five a fee 
 
 To rake to scythes the number three ; 
 
 And twa hairsts w%as at Auchloon, 
 
 To year forty-five brings me doon — 
 
 The hindmost hairst that I was at, 
 
 I think I am maist sure o' that. 
 
 Now when about my hairsts I've tell't, 
 Back to the house in which we dwelt, 
 
 19
 
 20 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 And say something mair about it, 
 Else my story might be doubted. 
 We stoppit there about five years, 
 Till about our healtli had fears. 
 It was a loAV unhealthy place, 
 Some 's unwell aye mair or less, 
 A nasty bog anent the door 
 A thick mist came often ower ; 
 So we again thought best to flit, 
 In sic a bog nae loncjer sit. 
 A\^e a healthier place would try, 
 So in the Jan' of Tillery 
 A house and yard we did secure 
 On a farm town ca'd Tillyfoor. 
 
 There a fine healthy place we got, 
 Nae in a bog to sit and rot, 
 A fine house now and a gweed yard 
 Did us wi' gweed health reward ; 
 For kail and taties at nae loss. 
 And a short distance frae the moss. 
 Thought now a restin' place we'd found, 
 But grandfather gave up his ground. 
 So father now moved to the place, 
 Year auchteen forty-one o' grace. 
 Father, mother, and a' the rest, 
 I^eft me alone to do my best, 
 Sae aft flittin' I'd taen anger, 
 I'd nae wi' them flit nae lant^er. 
 
 o 
 
 I now house-hadden first began. 
 Though I was yet but a young man
 
 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 21 
 
 I in a empty house was left : 
 
 Folk thought and said that I was daft 
 
 In a teem house to bide alane 
 
 Wi' naething but the wa's o' stane. 
 
 N'ow launched on life's stormy ocean 
 
 I set a' my powers in motion. 
 
 First thing, some furniture to get, 
 
 Aff to an auld wife's roup 1 set. 
 
 Bought a bed and some orra things. 
 
 And them hame to the hoose I brings. 
 
 At sale of wood at Tillery 
 
 I nine big stanin' trees did buy, 
 
 And iifto boards I got them sawn. 
 
 Then rack'd them up to keep frae thrawn, 
 
 And got them seasoned wi' the drought 
 
 Ere into furniture were wrought ; 
 
 Then wi' them fitted up my house, 
 
 Gart it look tidy and gay spruce. 
 
 Xeist for a wife I lookit oot 
 
 Among the lasses roon aboot, 
 
 Self sometimes on them intruden, 
 
 Till at last got ane frae Cruden, 
 
 Nae a useless dress'd up lady. 
 
 But ane to work a'tliing ready ; 
 
 Could wash a sark, could knit and sew. 
 
 Do a'thing maist, could bake and brew, 
 
 Aye williu' to do a' she can, 
 
 Fit neiper for a workin' man. 
 
 Took my auld grannie's gweed advice, 
 " First get a hoose up fitted nice.
 
 22 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 Then some gweed decent lass look oot, 
 
 Mak' her your wife, then little doot 
 
 Bairns at the proper time will come 
 
 To cheer and bless the happy home." 
 
 In that house for about four years 
 
 "VVe jogg'd on through life's hopes and fears. 
 
 And baith worked as hard as able, 
 
 Hae a bit upon the table, 
 
 And get some duds o' decent claes 
 
 To keep us warm in stormy days. 
 
 "Wrought in the moss at castin' peats, 
 
 Now sunbrunt, then the rain did wet's. 
 
 For sax weeks that did workin' keeps. 
 
 We then got wark at hoein' neeps ; 
 
 Then after that the hairst came on, 
 
 Then we did baith a hairst fee wun — 
 
 When back to our hame did enter 
 
 We had something for the winter. 
 
 Through winter's months whatever came 
 
 I did to bring a shillin' hame, 
 
 At blastin' stanes or thrashin' corn 
 
 Aye when it was a weety morn, 
 
 Or day's work at a neiper toon 
 
 Till mossin' time again cam' roon. 
 
 Aye at night, and at orra times, 
 Employed mysel' at makin' rhymes. 
 The year o' auchteen forty-twa 
 In gweed print first the light they saw. 
 To the number of five hunner, 
 Mony ane gart stare and won'er.
 
 MY OWX LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 23 
 
 We in the house at Tillyfoor dwelt 
 
 Till notice got to leav't were tell't, 
 
 Nae that we did them ony harm ; 
 
 A man to work upon the farm, 
 
 For which the folk did need the house, 
 
 And oot we had to flit in course. 
 
 To Collieston we flitted down, 
 
 Ayont the Ythan, a fish town, 
 
 In wliich for nine years we stop't ; 
 
 So now the outside work I drop't, 
 
 Commenced again to makin' sheen, 
 
 l^&e ither work could there be deen. 
 
 I for a ffle had a gweed trade, 
 
 But by-and-by began to fade — 
 
 A'thing new at first is bonny. 
 
 Is maist aye the way wi' mony. 
 
 A payiu' trade it never was. 
 
 At lang and length found out the cause : 
 
 Men got their sheen at Peterhead, 
 
 When they 'd a herrin' fishin' gweed. 
 
 Aye afore they came hame again, 
 
 They maist got sheen to a' the men ; 
 
 The best payin' part of the trade, 
 
 But few of them I ever made. 
 
 Only women's and little sheen 
 
 And the mcndin' to me Avas gien, 
 
 Which is aft but a time-killer. 
 
 Soon found I was losin' silier. 
 
 Fyles sair made to mak* a liviu', 
 Iforced at last to be up given.
 
 24 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 To do something and help a part 
 We a bit shoppie tried to start, 
 And on \vi' 't was comin' speed 
 Till we began to sellin' bread ; 
 A'thing folk said we seen would nie't, 
 As in the place 'twas nae allow't 
 Xane but the baker to sell bread, 
 The folk maun tak' it ill or gweed. 
 In a short time we got a tellin' 
 To desist frae the bread sellin', 
 If we persisted mair or less 
 AVe would just hae to leave the place ; 
 For a' that never fash't our thoom, 
 Continued on, we kent our doom, 
 When tauld the term was ower near, 
 So on we sell't anither year, 
 And a great trade in bread did mak'. 
 For folk nae ither bread would tak'. 
 
 So CoUieston we had to leave, 
 Our anchor up again to heave, 
 For a free countr}'' to set sail 
 Across the Ythan with the gale 
 To Xewburgh, the land o' the free, 
 For what you sell't nae faut would be. 
 
 Some o' things I did in Slains 
 1 little thanks got for my j^ains. 
 Nae a library Slains could boast, 
 A' its folk wantin' readin' lost,
 
 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVEXTURES. 25 
 
 While ither parishes arouii' 
 
 A library had settled doon. 
 
 A great privilege to has 
 
 Gweed and cheap readin' to get fae ; 
 
 A real intellectual treat, 
 
 Readin' is the neist thing to meat, 
 
 Must meat to feed the body find, 
 
 So readin' needs to feed the mind. 
 
 Ae day, thus aboot it thinkin', 
 The place in ignorance sinkin', 
 A library we here maun hae. 
 What way or where the cash come fae ! 
 To found it I at once began, 
 On a paper made out a plan 
 To get it up as far 's I kent. 
 Quick to the minister I went, 
 Said the very thing he wanted, 
 What he could do would be granted. 
 Bade me get on, he would assist, 
 A guinea gie to head my list ; 
 Said I should gang through the puiris' 
 And raise money on to carry 's. 
 To do that quickly I agreed, 
 But said I would come better speed 
 If on Sunday after preachiu' 
 My plan to the folk be teachin', 
 Tellin' them they 'd fin' the gweed o't, 
 That the parish ha<l much need o't. 
 And thoroughly explain to all. 
 And that I was to on them call 
 c
 
 26 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 In the course of the present week, 
 A subscription from them to seek, 
 A library to set agoin', 
 Their cash would nae awa' be throwin'. 
 
 That he tell't them a' on Sunday, 
 I began my calls on Monday, 
 And for four days I trampit on 
 To rich and peir ; I spair'd nane. 
 And maist wondrous speed I came 
 Aye where I got the folk at hame, 
 Trae them maist aw five shillin's got, 
 So thus aye four came till a note ; 
 Frae twelve of our committee men, 
 "Who doubling gave us shillin's ten. 
 Landlord, Colonel Gordon, Cluny, 
 Was nae spairin' o' his money, 
 When rightly a' oor jDlans he kent. 
 To help wi' 't ten poun's he sent ; 
 And likewise, to show 's guidwill, 
 Five poun's was sent us frae Parkhill. 
 The minister gave guineas tw^a — 
 So when we up had added a', 
 We had just about sixty pounds 
 Collected in the parish bounds. 
 A library was then erected 
 And much gweed fae it expected ; 
 Cost me lots of time and cash, 
 And hinner't wark, forby the fash 
 Attendin' meetin's o' some sort, 
 I never yet got thank you for 't ;
 
 MY OWN LIFE AND AUYEXTCRES. 
 
 Might get thanks in a public manner, 
 Oet a supper or a dinner — 
 After I was ower in Foveran, 
 Expected a purse o' sovereigns. 
 
 We again crossed Ythan ferries 
 
 Back again to Foveran parish, 
 
 In ^ewburgh vilkge pitched our camp, 
 
 Poor as a fellow on the tramp. 
 
 We for our flitlin' couldna pay, 
 
 Carter paid on a future day. 
 
 I tried again sheen makin'. 
 
 Some t^ps to Collieston takin'. 
 
 I got some jobs still frae that place, 
 
 In course my wark frae that grew less ; 
 
 A.s that grew less, in Newburgh mair, 
 
 Some cobblin' jobs, fyles a new pair ; 
 
 Got a lot of sheen frae Ellon, 
 
 In N'ewburgh commences sellin', 
 
 For them ready market found ; 
 
 First year's sale, three hunner pound, 
 
 Per hunner had seven poun' ten. 
 
 That set me up a bit again. 
 
 Soon I did mair than sellin' sheen. 
 
 Got made claes frae Aberdeen ; 
 
 Got stationery, books, and papers, 
 
 Pots and pans, and hooks for reapers. 
 
 Tinware, flagons, and tea kettles. 
 
 Knives, forks, spoons, a' kinds o' metals. 
 
 On a' that I commission had, 
 
 Sell't for cash, debts never bad.
 
 2S MY OWN LIFE AXD ADVENTURES. 
 
 Then sellin' groceries we did try, 
 Each week got out a new supply, 
 What didna sell was returned back, 
 On our hands nae dead stock did m<ik'. 
 
 Although our plans were some funny, 
 
 ]n that way we made some money. 
 
 And shortly would hae grown rich, 
 
 But things turned roun' seen caused a hitch. 
 
 We in our house had little space, 
 
 With fillin' up was growing less, 
 
 Goods a' crushed on ither lyin', 
 
 Spoiled their look, pat folk fae buyin'. 
 
 The man for whom we sell't the shoes 
 Came down ae day, expressed his views. 
 He said that way we 'd need to drop, 
 And he v/ould big a roomy shop, 
 To the street a showy gable, 
 liCt 's pay him when we're able. 
 And interest pay him for the len', 
 And then the shop would be oor ain. 
 To dee a' that we seen agreed. 
 And then the shop was built wi' speed 
 Wi' gweed hard bricks and temper'd lime. 
 Was in a very short space of time 
 A nice-like shop, and very neat, 
 Wi' twa big windows to the street, 
 And a door right through atween them, 
 A braw sign stuck up abeen them.
 
 MY OWX LIFE AND ADVEXTURES. 29 
 
 We now got in a bigger stock, 
 ^faist- ajthing had to suit the folk, 
 Got our goods now better shown, 
 A gweed trade was now set agoin'. 
 
 The man that to us built the shop 
 Said in my name the trade should drop, 
 And he in partnership would gang. 
 Raise a great trade ere very lang ; 
 Extend the shop a bittie bigger, 
 Ilae a more imposing figure, 
 Mair room for our increasin' trade, 
 •Get things in proper places laid. 
 An' quick get on, and nae be tardy 
 "\Vi' the firm of Smith and Hardy, 
 It will male' the concern stronger, 
 Mak' our credit stan' the longer. 
 80 into partnership we went 
 AVi' some cash that was to him lent ) 
 Said we would mak' a lucky hit, 
 Our shop we would mak' bigger yet 
 For a soutar and some tailors, 
 ^Never countin' on nae failures. 
 Got up a shop cost twa hunncr — 
 Folk in the place we gart won'er : 
 Our shop now to our min' was made, 
 In it we did a roarin' trade ; 
 Plenty folk came to us and bought, 
 We maist had a'thing that they sought ; 
 And aye mair trade to try and catch, 
 Sell't our tobacco row'd in match.
 
 MY OWN LIFE x\.ND ADVENTURES. 
 
 Wi' such a trade we might been ricli, 
 ]5ut in't there soon occurred a hitch ; 
 My partner had some borrowed cash, 
 Polk for't back began liim to fash. 
 He to pacify that same folk 
 Blamed me for takin' too mu.ch stock- 
 A merchant dwelt in Aberdeen 
 That he was due a lot for sheen, 
 Advised him to put me out 
 If o' my management had doubt, 
 He would send a man to the shop, 
 That way o' daein soon would drop. 
 
 A man was sent to tak' my place, 
 
 Again I had the world to face ; 
 
 If I fae doin' right was far, 
 
 The man put in was ten times waur. 
 
 Soon shop and stock Avas in a mess, 
 
 And day by day the trade grew less.. 
 
 Soon my late partner saw 's mistak' 
 
 And aften wished he had me back. 
 
 It was a shame, a'body said. 
 
 After I 'd made there sic a trade. 
 
 Soon was baith sliop and stock to sell,. 
 
 At sic a loss thinks shame to tell. 
 
 A little shop across the road 
 
 I startit now, in debt a load, 
 
 I to ditferent folk was owin' 
 
 Ere I could get it set agoin'. 
 
 In many straits, in hopes and fears,, 
 
 I kept it goin' for three years.
 
 MY OWN LIFE A\D ADVENTURES. 31 
 
 In that time tried many a plan, 
 But in tlie end a broken man. 
 
 Then I was done for, fair and clean, 
 Had to flit into Aberdeen ; 
 In there we thought it best to be, 
 Our twa boys frae that went to sea, 
 And as to sea they went and came 
 "We had for them an open hame. 
 AVhen settled down in Aberdeen 
 Commenced again to makin' sheen ; 
 At that some kind o' livin' made, 
 At its b^st its but a peir trade 
 (That I ever learned am sorry). 
 ISIaist of my wark I got from Torry ; 
 Folk frae CoUieston had flitted there, 
 To them I 'd made many a pair ; 
 Crossed ewer to Torry every day 
 Aye for their wark, it was their way, 
 Now for nearhan' to thirteen years 
 (Lookin' back, short the time appears). 
 
 For first sax years new sheen I made. 
 And carried on a gey gweed trade 
 Till workmen's pay and leather raise, 
 Aff them could nae mak' meat nor claes ; 
 Left aff the new, to cobblin' fell. 
 Only what I could do mysel'. 
 
 When first to Aberdeen we came. 
 
 In Wales Street we took up our hame,
 
 32 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 
 
 Then removed to Jasmine Terrace, 
 Througli twa years o' time did carry 's. 
 Neist four years in Cotton Street dwelt, 
 Very hard up it maun be tell't ; 
 Wi' ill health and ither losses 
 We 'd to bear misfortune's crosses. 
 "What way we did I scarcely ken ; 
 Then flitted neist down to Yeats' Lane, 
 Then for the neist three years dwelt there, 
 Then to our present house repair ; 
 Near four years at number thirteen 
 In Commerce Street in Aberdeen — 
 That is now our place of abode. 
 Where we pass on life's weary road. 
 
 In the year auchteen seventy-four 
 I tried again my Muses power, 
 Got her on me again to look : 
 Second edition of my book 
 I now put out, of Hame-spun Ehymes, 
 Wi' some new bits to suit the times. 
 I printed got full ten hunder, 
 Wi' sae mony made a blunder ; 
 I only sell't half the number, 
 The rest remained useless lumber. 
 Thought nae mair of them would sell. 
 Till an event, it 's strange to tell, 
 I got them noticed by the Queen, 
 Then my supply went shortly deen. 
 Soon as they got Iloyal entry 
 Then nobility and gentry
 
 MY OWN LIFE AND ADVENTURES. 33 
 
 Patronized me on every lian', 
 
 Spread far and wide throughout the Ian', 
 
 Till nae a copy 's wi' me left. 
 
 But of the muse I'm nae bereft, 
 
 C rhymin' matter I'm nae deen, 
 
 I'U soon now hae out a new ane. 
 
 I of the money now hae need, 
 
 I doubtna but I will come speed, 
 
 As now it 's widely kent and seen 
 
 I'm rhymer now unto the Queen ; 
 
 His Eoyal Highness, Prince Leopold, 
 
 His patronage I also hold ; 
 
 To be kmghted I'm maist certain, 
 
 At same time wi' Sammy ^Martin. 
 
 So thus I've tried to put in rhyme 
 jNIy life's adventures to this time, 
 Previewing my past life I see 
 Many things again I wouldna dee. 
 Xae use vain regrets ower the past. 
 Do better while my life does last. 
 In the right path try and hold on. 
 As time with me will soon be gone, 
 Mair need to work Avhile it is day, 
 In night I cannot grope my way. 
 
 Twa generations I have seen 
 That hae their course of life run deen : 
 Grandfathers lived to be auld men. 
 One's age I do not rightly ken —
 
 34 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 The one upon my mither's side — 
 How long in this world did abide ; 
 The other was in years well ower, 
 Lived till he was eighty-four. 
 My father here had a sair fecht, 
 And when he died was eighty-eight ] 
 My mither at the same age died, 
 Though wi' ill-health she lang was tried. 
 Eoughly tossed on life's troubled waves, 
 They are at rest now in their graves ; 
 While in life may had sins forgiven, 
 Hope their souls are now in heaven ; 
 Up there to follow them I '11 try, 
 In heaven join them when I die. • 
 So in that hope my mind I'll rest, 
 AVi' heaven's help I '11 do my best, 
 Nae kenin' yet what is before me, 
 Or what evils may come ower me — 
 'Twould nae be Avell for me to ken. 
 So now I'll stop and add, Amen. 
 
 THE PAST, PPvESEXT, AND EUTUEE 
 OF ABEEDEEX. 
 
 To write the j^ast of Aberdeen 
 I '11 only speak of what I 've seen. 
 The year auchteen hunner and thirty 
 I first saw the town, foul and dirty.
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 35 
 
 111 December month, ae frosty morn, 
 
 I came -in wi' carts load wi' corn, 
 
 Came frae Davishill of Foveran, 
 
 Proud as if I 'd had a sovereign — 
 
 I anxious was to see the town 
 
 And places that did it surroun'. 
 
 Strange things I saw as we came on, 
 
 By Balgownie's Brig crossed the Don ; 
 
 The new brig was then completit, 
 
 The road Avas nae made to meet it, 
 
 At the north end men were cuttin' 
 
 A yreat bank in order puttin', 
 
 A road to mak' up the incline. 
 
 Straight on the former road to join — 
 
 A nearer and a better route, 
 
 By auld brig half-a-mile about. 
 
 By Seaton House a brae came down 
 
 To the road leadin' to the town — 
 
 A fine road, nane could be faultin', 
 
 Better far than through the Aulton. 
 
 In bygone days folk had to gang 
 
 (Now better roads and nae sae lang, 
 
 Though somewhat steep), frae Lady ^Mill 
 
 Up to the top of Spital-hill, 
 
 Wlien there, glow'rin' right afore me, 
 
 Saw the reek, I thought would smore me. 
 
 And through ray fear began to speak, 
 
 Doubt'we '11 nae farer wun for reek ; 
 
 But aye as we to it came near, 
 
 Awa' afore 's it seemed to clear.
 
 36 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTITRE OF ABEnDEEN. 
 
 Safely got to Mealmarket Lane, 
 That was the name 'twas kent by then, 
 That name it did deserve it weel, 
 A market was for sellin' meal ; 
 In a large square, just off the street. 
 In covered sheds to keep off weet, 
 "VVi' open fronts, their stores to show, 
 In front a counter, weights below, 
 A beam and scales upon the top. 
 Was wholly used as a meal shop. 
 
 Now our journey came to a fix, 
 Horses unyoked at Xumber Six, 
 And stabled there till afternoon, 
 Gien lots o' meat and rubbit doon. 
 As well 's a drink and feed o' corn. 
 And rest fae fatigue of that morn. 
 So much for beast, so now for man : 
 Made for the inn, our only plan. 
 We now our breakfast sair was needin', 
 The horses m the stable feedin' ; 
 Our breakfasts soon we bolted down. 
 Then we set out to see the town. 
 And of what we saw mak' mention. 
 The first thing took our attention 
 Was the J^orth Kirk, just new biggit, 
 Wi' a spire and clock was riggit. 
 Gazed wi' wonder at the biggin', 
 +Spire and clock upon the riggin'. 
 And sic a height abeen the door. 
 The like I never saw before :
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 37 
 
 Admired pretty front and gable. 
 
 Eight to ken I wasna able, 
 
 "What way they sic a house could mak' ; 
 
 But for the claes she'd on her back, 
 
 They ragged were and worn bare, 
 
 It was rightly named the Eag Fair. 
 
 Baith sides of a lane hung wi' claes, 
 
 Maist of them had seen better days, 
 
 Been worn by the best in the Ian', 
 
 But now for sale as second han'. 
 
 Second han', what am I sayin', 
 
 First haiv' on the sheepies baein', ", 
 
 Then they came to be second hau' 
 
 "WTien they came to be worn by man ; 
 
 They first by sheep and silkworm worn. 
 
 Then came to dress the noble born. 
 
 Some of them in their day been gran'. 
 
 Now here for sale at the third ban'. 
 
 On gay braw folk they might been seen, 
 
 Xow in Eag Fair of Aberdeen 
 
 They are seen hingin' up for sale ; 
 
 If they could speak strange things could tell. 
 
 Now a bit farer up Queen Street 
 
 0' seein' sights I got a treat, 
 
 On explorin', now embarkit 
 
 In to see the Poultry ^Market ; 
 
 Saw for sale, butter, eggs, and cheese, 
 
 Sellers there (buyers ill t(j please)
 
 .38 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Sittin' wi' baskets in their lap, 
 Nae tables to set on the tap. 
 The butter wives sat on ae side, 
 The poultry sellers had to bide 
 A' out ower upon anither, 
 Didna weel agree thegither. 
 Hens would fiee about and flutter, 
 Raise a dust and spoil the butter ; 
 Also, geese and turkeys were for sale, 
 Sides of beef and sheep hingin' hale — 
 A queer-like place a'thegether. 
 Little protection frae the weather, 
 l^ae closed in front, but open sheds, 
 Some broken tiles abeen their heads ; 
 Such was the market at the time 
 As I hae tried to put in rhyme. 
 
 Folk would think my rhyme but silly 
 
 Kae to speak of "Turkey WiUie," 
 
 That aye about the market went, 
 
 A character a' body kent. 
 
 Ower his shouther turkevs hingin'. 
 
 Them into the market bringin'. 
 
 Some hung afore and some ahin', 
 
 Came on right well though he was blin'. 
 
 He doubtless lived a weary life. 
 
 Had si;ch a vixen of a wife, 
 
 While she sell't hen, duke, and turkey, 
 
 To carry them gart him work aye. 
 
 If he chanced to tak' a wrang road 
 
 Gaen or comin' wi' his load,
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 39 
 
 Up and shook him by the shouder, 
 
 "While her tongue gaed loud and louder, 
 
 And ca'd him mony an ill-faur'd name, 
 
 0' wliat was wrang aye got the blame. 
 
 And a loon ca'd " Jumpin' Kobbie " 
 
 In the market had a jobie. 
 
 Aye sellin' spunks, thread, and trapiiin' 
 
 Also blin', on folk aft rajjpin'. 
 
 Of market a' I miu' upon, 
 
 To something else maun now move on. 
 
 But for my guide my way I 'd loss, 
 
 "We now ^ome to the ]\[arket Cross ; 
 
 It stood then anent the Town-house, 
 
 A structure baith for show and use. 
 
 The head post-office it was made, 
 
 The letters took for folk in trade. 
 
 The arches o't were boarded ower, 
 
 A' but ane left, that was the door. 
 
 A man sat in 't a' day steady. 
 
 Letters to tak' and gie ready. 
 
 There wasna mony letters then, 
 
 Just a few among tradin' men ; 
 
 The cost of postage made them few — 
 
 Fourpence each office they came through. 
 
 Around the Cross was the Planestanes, 
 
 Fishwives came to increase their means, 
 
 And daily sat and sell't their fish, 
 
 A better place they couldna wish. 
 
 There the townsfolk came and bought them. 
 
 To the Planestanes came and sought tliem.
 
 40 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Fishwives wi' their snow-white mutches 
 Made a picture's finest touches, 
 Sittin' there sae clean and tidy, 
 Wi' their creels close by their side aye, 
 Fu' o' haddocks smokit yellow, 
 Ilk ane better than its fellow — 
 Kare treat for the breakfast table, 
 Cheap to buy them, a' was able, 
 Ifae curers then to buy them a' 
 And send them to the south awa'. 
 
 To Marischal Street we steppit ower, 
 
 Tlie only road then to the Shore, 
 
 Saw Shore Porters at heavy tasks. 
 
 Up the street haulin' great big casks 
 
 On a laigh buggy wi' four wheels, 
 
 Took a' their strength, though gey stout chiels ; 
 
 Carryin' great loads the Shore up frae, 
 
 By Marischal Street and Hangman's Brae, 
 
 Tired ere to the head they got it. 
 
 Were stout men, and would hae not it. 
 
 Down Marischal Street we took oiir trips 
 To see the Harbour and the ships. 
 Saw them lie 'mong mud and slime, 
 It being low-water at the time ; 
 Nae Dockgates to keep them afloat, 
 IS'ae water then would sailed a boat. 
 The Dee then ran down the centre, 
 'Mong the ships, when first I kent 'er ;
 
 I'AST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 41 
 
 Tide came up, set them in motion, 
 
 Sailing, out into the ocean, 
 
 And comin' in richly laden, 
 
 Mony ane to bless and gladen. 
 
 Maist naething then but sailin' ships, 
 
 Took fyles lang time to male' their trips ; 
 
 But twa steam boats could then be seen 
 
 Tliat did belong to Aberdeen, 
 
 They were not big, nor for speed famed, 
 
 "Velocity " and " BriUiant" named. 
 
 Employed then in London trade, 
 
 Clippers f' Fairy " and " Scottish .Mai<l,'" 
 
 Them twa maist carried a' the goods, 
 
 When win' blew fair oot o' the clouds 
 
 They werna lang upon the run. 
 
 As yet steam trade was nae begun 
 
 To ply atween the distant towns. 
 
 And gang the length in weekly rouu's. 
 
 The whale ships, laid up in winter 
 
 Till March sun began to bliuter. 
 
 American ships that sailed for wud, 
 
 Were lyin' up among the mud 
 
 As far up as tlie I'oyner-nook, 
 
 Where the water of Dee a turn took, 
 
 ('ame then straight ilown frae the Chain Brig, 
 
 Then to run eastward took a tij.', 
 
 Xeist in our inspectin" tourie 
 Saw the Canal frae Tnverurir,
 
 42 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OP ABERDEEX. 
 
 Was thought a wonder in its day, 
 Boats came by water a' the way, 
 Brought grain and farm produce down 
 Frae Port-Elphinstone to the town, 
 Here to ship and in granary store. 
 In Canal Basin near the shore, 
 The. boats were 'livered of their load, 
 Some kept in town, some sent abroad. 
 Were load again wi' coals and lime. 
 To load and 'liver took some time ; 
 Up the Canal wi' horse were towed, 
 Were nae wi' sails nor oars rowed. 
 Up through the locks didna come speed, 
 Some time they took to reach the head. 
 A swift boat for passenger follts, 
 But didna come below the locks, 
 Out to meet her folk did muster 
 1 A bit ayont Kittybrewster ; 
 To Port-Elphinstone got a sail 
 Back again when she turned her tail, 
 Nae very liigh her fares did fix, 
 'Near sixteen miles for one-and-six. 
 Twa horses, wi' boys on their back. 
 Did up and down her shortly tak', 
 The horses ran at a sharp trot. 
 So that 's a' about the Canal boat. 
 
 Now we 're off up Union Street, 
 The fast-fly in' mail coach to meet, 
 That into the town came boundin', 
 Wi' letters a' the way frae London.
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Folk tlieu turned out tlie coach to see, 
 Heard. her horn at the Brig o' Dee, 
 The soun' young and auld gart rin 
 To see the mail come dashin' in ; 
 Passengers nae aft had many. 
 On some days she scarce had any. 
 Her fares were high, past folks' power. 
 Her inside seats were only four ; 
 Uncomfortable travellin' then, 
 Frae the cauld naething to defen' 
 The outside seats upon the top 
 Frae bitin' cauld or fierce rain droj). 
 At the Koyal Hotel she stoppit 
 And the mail bags frae her droppit, 
 "\Vi' them lang time they didna loss, 
 "Were carried quickly to the Cross, 
 There bj^ the man to be loosed down 
 And distributed through the town. 
 Some were to ither towns sent fortli, 
 ♦Sent by mail coaches to the north ; 
 In town lang they didna tarr}'^, 
 Then they werena ill to carry. 
 They were sent north to many a place, 
 A mail daily ran to Inverness ; 
 To Fraserburgh and Petnrhead 
 They were dispatched wi' utmost speed, 
 In bags after sortin' process, 
 By coaches drawn by four horses. 
 Sometimes they were a grand display 
 Upon the King or Queen's birlhilay ;
 
 44 TAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDKEN. 
 
 Gaurds had on coats of scarlet red, 
 And ribbons braw at each liorse head. 
 And aften blew the bugle horn 
 In honour of the birthday morn. 
 
 Stage coaches in these days were seen 
 
 That daily came to Aberdeen, 
 
 On a' the turnpike roads did rin, 
 
 Parcels and passengers brought in, 
 
 In town had business to transact, 
 
 Then to their hames they took them back ; 
 
 I>ut their fares were unco dear 
 
 And nae ava did suit the peir. 
 
 Then mony ane came in on fit, 
 
 Couldna pay on to coaches sit ; 
 
 And then nane but the better class 
 
 Could on the road in coaches pa??. 
 
 \'l> L'nion Street v:g took a turn, 
 
 Saw the brig that spans Denburn ; 
 
 The open burn then ran below, 
 
 Upon its banks the grass did grow. 
 
 And Avas of use to many ane 
 
 To bleach their claes, was a bleach-green. 
 
 I Jut back again we had to turn, 
 
 Then little town ayont Denburn : 
 
 Out Piubislaw way, few houses there, 
 
 FerryhUl was of buildin's bare ; 
 
 T)e(! Village then stood by itsel',^ 
 
 I'y yards surrounded growin' kail ;
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 45 
 
 A dull and dreary place was then, 
 The houses filled by labourin' men. 
 
 A marshy howe 'twixt and Torry, 
 
 To look across made aiie sorry, 
 
 The whole howe, 'twas plain to see, 
 
 Had ance been covered by the Dee. 
 
 Up Commerce Street and Hangman's Biae, 
 
 Well tired of travellin' for a day. 
 
 The nearest road my guide did ken 
 
 Back we got to ^lealmarket Lane. 
 
 Through streets and lanes, foul and siiiikin', 
 
 What wny folk lived set me a thinkin', 
 
 They could endure the nasty smell. 
 
 Glad hadna to Ijide there mysel', 
 
 Aberdeen Avas foul and dirty 
 
 In the year of auchteen thirty, 
 
 Soon to leav 't my stars was thankin', 
 
 The horses yoked, came home spankin". 
 
 And Aberdeen, thought little o 't, 
 
 At least the parts that I was show'l. 
 
 So ends the past of Aberdeen, 
 
 The things in it that T liud seen. 
 
 To Aberdeen noAV come to dwell, 
 Its present state I'll try to tell. 
 So then I '11 speak as in my list. 
 Put things as in my visit first, 
 Ca' clean wi' me as I go on : 
 The first thing is new IJrig o' Don,
 
 46 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN, 
 
 A great advantage to the town, 
 
 Instead of by the auld brig roiin', 
 
 Awkward road, steep braes to climb, 
 
 In danger baith of life and limb ; 
 
 Xow a nice Avide an' level road 
 
 C)n which a horse can tak' a load, 
 
 Along the brig of five arches 
 
 Out and in the traffic marches. 
 
 A' out the road upon baith sides 
 
 Buildin' is makin' rapid strides ; 
 
 INIaist closely built in a' the way, 
 
 ]N'ew houses buildin' every day. 
 
 On that road many things are new. 
 
 Of them I mention shall a few : 
 
 A Barracks built, for the sodgers 
 
 There in trainiu' time are lodgers, 
 
 Aberdeenshire militiamen. 
 
 Keep 't for war time a ban' to len'. 
 
 After this the Cattle Market, 
 
 That wi' high dykes in is parket. 
 
 On "Wednesdays a market held 
 
 Of cattle in frae byre and field ; 
 
 On Saturdays are weekly cattle sales, 
 
 ■^riiat's brought to town by road and rails. 
 
 The Poorhouse neist, a buildin' large, 
 
 The pauper bodies tak's in charge ; 
 
 Big as it is it 's aye well filled. 
 
 To help the Poor Law has it willed ; 
 
 Aberdeen folk are rated Aveel 
 
 To pay meat, claes, and doctors' skeel.
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 47 
 
 A block of buildin's new complete 
 The ither side of Nelson Street. 
 In the bed of the auld Canal 
 (A far mair useful boon to all), 
 The Railway through aneath the road 
 Runs wi' many a heavy load. 
 
 A big School on the ither side, 
 Youths in the ways of learning guide, 
 A pretty house, and garden ground 
 In front and back doth it surround. 
 A new street aside it makin'. 
 To the J^inks a short cut takin'. 
 Will be a fine place of abode. 
 It 's to be named the Urquhart Road. 
 Then lioslin and Jasmine Terrace 
 On that side a gweed bit carries ; 
 A large woodyard and a sawmill, 
 "What once was gardens now dotli fill. 
 Yards where stones arc cut and polished, 
 Hath mair garden ground abolished ; 
 Twa large stone works carried on 
 To cut, to carve, and polish stone. 
 
 Then comes on to Mealmarket Lane, 
 A name now folk hardly ken, 
 A gran'er state of things to meet, 
 'Tis now named ^lealmarket Street ; 
 Of its meal maiket now strip't bare. 
 Numbered among the things that were,
 
 48 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OP ABERDEEX. 
 
 And in the place where it was held 
 
 They now up thrashing mills do build ; 
 
 A place it 's now of steam and fire, 
 
 And things they do male' out of wire ; 
 
 "Where once was heard the meal wives' clamour, 
 
 Xow is heard the blacksmith's hammer. 
 
 Anvil's din, and bellows blawin'. 
 
 Into useful things iron thrawin'. 
 
 And in the street, a bit ferer down, 
 
 A sharp corner is made roun', 
 
 Xow there is built a Mission Hall, 
 
 AVliere is made known the gospel call. 
 
 The Noith Kirk now of claes is bare. 
 
 Clean sweep't awa' is the Eag Fair 
 
 The bonny kirk did ance disgrace. 
 
 Aye when she had on her weekly dress. 
 
 Friday aye was ane o' the days 
 
 That she had on her ragged claes ; 
 
 jS'^ow stan's a credit to the town, 
 
 Tells a' the folk that live aroun' 
 
 The time o' night and time o' day. 
 
 Of the wind blawin' points the way. 
 
 1"he Poultry Market 's now awa' 
 And in its place a buildin' braw. 
 Where sodgers learn to use their lim's. 
 And in gymnastics jump and clim's ; 
 A pretty door that opens wide, 
 A roomy biggin' is inside. 
 Lots o' tradesmen had a wark at — 
 Looks better than the auld market.
 
 PAST, PRE.SEXT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 4i> 
 
 A Xew ^larket folks' -wants to meet 
 Is now built off Union Street ; 
 Part o't in what is called the Green, 
 A market place in Aberdeen, 
 Till the New ^Market took its place. 
 Part of it yet, but now made less. 
 Xew Market is a nice buildin', 
 To the town great us8 is yieldin' ; 
 Buyers and sellers comfort hae, 
 Especially on a rainy day, 
 With a gwecd reef it 's covered in, 
 Sclates and spouts to male' water rin, 
 Xae Avet Hicir claes and spoil their goods 
 When rain is pourin' frae the cloods. 
 Its lower basement a stone fleer, 
 Things for sale are caller here ; 
 When the weather 's hot and sultry 
 Does fine wi' the fish and i)oultry ; 
 Game plenty aye is to be foun'. 
 Keeps best upon the caller groun'. 
 
 After seein' a' what 's below, 
 A braid stane stair then up maun go. 
 Eight in front a j)retty fountain, 
 The water up in air mouiitiu', 
 Down in pi-etty cistern fa's. 
 Vegetables cools, reets and shaws. 
 Keeps a'thing cool and caller lookin' 
 When in cistern gets a dookin' — 
 A' made of nicely polished stcen, 
 Near Peterhead has quarried liecn.
 
 50 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 ]S'ow up the visitor then lands 
 
 On the floor where the fountain stands. 
 
 At any end you may enter, 
 
 Twa double lines up the centre 
 
 Of tables, to lay out the things 
 
 The seller to the market brings. 
 
 At the end neist where the fountain stan's- 
 
 Are fruits frae this and ither lan's, 
 
 Brought here frae places where they grow% 
 
 Put temptin' up, a pretty show, 
 
 Each kin' when comes their season roun', 
 
 A' placed on tables slojjin' down. 
 
 At the end next Market Street 
 
 Mair useful things are got to eat : 
 
 Country wives wi' eggs and butter, 
 
 Each a seat, nane out can put her — 
 
 A show a' the rest surpasses, 
 
 Sonsy wives and bonny lasses — 
 
 Bright the golden butter shinin', 
 
 Snow-white towels baskets linin'. 
 
 They weekly on the Fridaj's come. 
 
 Some of them a long way frae homo. 
 
 A' up and down upon each side, 
 Market gardeners' stores displayeil 
 Of onions, carrots, leeks, and kail, 
 Potatoes, neeps, they hae for sale. 
 In their season fruits and flowers 
 Grow^n by sunshine and showers, 
 A pretty show male's of the place 
 When with flowers their stands they dress.
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 51 
 
 The butchers' stalls aroun' the wa' 
 
 Are ranged a' in a single ra\v, 
 
 Beef and 'mutton, a rich display, 
 
 Is to be seen there every day. 
 
 So that does complete tlie first floor : 
 
 Now to the gallery tak' a tour, 
 
 Up in them folk can always find 
 
 Great store of goods of ever}^ kind ; 
 
 Here a' trades are represented 
 
 In sma' shops that 's yearly rented. 
 
 Up the gallery stairs at the top 
 
 A book and stationery shop, 
 
 A great gKss front that does extend 
 
 The whole New Market's eastern end ; 
 
 Well stored wi' books of many kinds, 
 
 The student and the scholar finds 
 
 Helps here for their onward career 
 
 In learning, they can aye find here. 
 
 Now turning up aroun' the south side 
 Opens a prospect far and Avide, 
 A pretty row of shops appears, 
 And each its tenant's name it bears. 
 Fitted up with door and windows, 
 Open aye but on the Sundays. 
 liound the Avhole buildin' they extend, 
 A gweed lang gang to reach the end, 
 Though it appear droll and funny, 
 -Maist a'thing here is got fur monev. 
 
 Such is the New Market buildiu', 
 The town convenience yieldin',
 
 52 PAST, TRESEXT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Maist a'thing lliat the people need 
 Can be got there baith cheap and gweed. 
 A row of shops baith trim and neat 
 With fronts look out to Hadden Street, 
 In the basement floor was rigget 
 Years lang after it was bigget. 
 
 Xow I maun notice Market Street, 
 
 ^lade the town's growin' wants to meet, 
 
 A pretty street and braw and wide, 
 
 Buildin's gran' upon each side, 
 
 A better access to the Shore 
 
 Than the town e'er had before, 
 
 A better roa<l the Harbour frae 
 
 Than ]Marisclial Street and Hangman's Brae. 
 
 A thoroughfare right through the towu 
 
 Frae Broad ford a' the way comes down 
 
 To the new brig across the Dee, 
 
 A useful street it thus will be. 
 
 Some ugly arches at its head 
 
 Now away does it some gweed ; 
 
 If they would tak' down the ither — 
 
 Share the fate of its twin brither — 
 
 Xae awkward arches stanin' there, 
 
 With best of streets it might compare. 
 
 Gable now of National Bank, 
 
 A buildin' of the foremost rank, 
 
 Now of the arches tak's the ])lace, 
 
 Puts on the street a better f ice ; 
 
 Xae hamper now at turniu' loun' 
 
 When Market Str.'el intcudiK' duwu,
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. Ob 
 
 Folk now on with freedom marches, 
 Xae stop now with narrow arches, 
 Xae gweed of them or their fellows 
 r>ut at times for umbrellas. 
 They might hae kept off the shower 
 When rain came wi' a sudden pour ; 
 And then up the street was blockit, 
 Xae move on, was fairly chokit. 
 
 Xice shops and buildin's down the street, 
 Xow gaps built up and a' complete. 
 Xear at its foot a buildin 's famed, 
 Douglas Hotel has been named. 
 Has held its own in spite of fate : 
 And new hotels that 's built of late, 
 'I'hought that they a' the trade would tak', 
 Customers that went soon came back. 
 None of them a' can yet com[)ete 
 Vritli the hotel in .Market Street, 
 Famed for its liquors, teas, and coffees, 
 And handy too fdi' the Post-Office, 
 Where Fish Market was held before, 
 Xow stands to the hotel next door, 
 Is a great boon to business men, 
 And raak's them aye come back again. 
 I5e.st criterion of its use. 
 It 's aye a well frecpiented house, 
 Obliging landlord, kens his trade. 
 Was fully to the business bred — 
 That ither landlords do not hae, 
 Some ither business new come fae —
 
 54 PAST, TRESEXT, AXD FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Also his obligiii' lady, 
 
 Aye to give attendance ready, 
 
 To business baitli hae serv'd their time, 
 
 Mak's house to be conducted prime. 
 
 The Lords that roun' on Circuit come, 
 
 Douglas Hotel mak' aye their home 
 
 The time that they stop in the town, 
 
 "With honours ^larket Street led down 
 
 Back frae Court-house, where they have been 
 
 At Circuit Court of Aberdeen. 
 
 Post-Office next in order comes, 
 
 A house with windows, doors, and lums, 
 
 "Would have been a pretty biggin' 
 
 Higher up had been the riggin', 
 
 Mony ane looks on it sorry 
 
 It has nae anither story, 
 
 Mak's row of buildin's nae complete, 
 
 Spoils the appearance of the street. 
 
 Though outside it has little show, 
 
 A' on account of being low. 
 
 Inside it is a spacious house. 
 
 And nicely fitted up for use. 
 
 Tor room now they are at nae loss — ■ 
 
 What a contrast to the auld Cross 
 
 That ance transacted a' the trade 
 
 At that time was in letters made. 
 
 Better now and mair complete 
 
 Than former place at top of street, 
 
 Folk had to gang a' here and there. 
 
 Sometimes down, sometimes up a stair.
 
 PAST, PRESENT^ AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. i)5 
 
 Eut here a' business that folk hae 
 Without the counter goin' frae : 
 At one end postage stamps are sell't 
 And letters weighed, their postage tcll't, 
 To a' parts of the world send them, 
 Frae sxtra postage defend them. 
 In the middle money orders 
 To the kingdom's utmost borders ; 
 Money can be got or off sent 
 If parties' proper names be kent. 
 At the ither end the telegraph 
 ^lessages far and near sends afF, 
 And answers back come in nae time, 
 
 Thoughmessaee sent to foreign clime. 
 A lot of men it now employs. 
 And telegraphic message boys. 
 Numbers of clerks at work inside, 
 And sorters, letters to divide, 
 ♦Send each to its destination. 
 In mail bags sent to the station, 
 By railway to be sent flyin' 
 On to places distant lyin*. 
 Letters to in town deliver 
 Need some active men and clever. 
 Each day go three times through the town. 
 Each of them has his stated roun'. 
 
 Harbour now — what alteration ! 
 Bed of Dee a railway station ; 
 The Dee awa' frae doin' harm 
 Is now sent ower to Torry Farm,
 
 56 PAST, PRESENT, A\D FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Is tlie third course I'"ve seen her in 
 Since the first time I saw her rin. 
 Tlie harbour now of water full, 
 A ship can sail or boat can pull, 
 Xae mair left lyin' in the mud. 
 Tide kept in, now aye high flood. 
 Dock-gates been a costly matter. 
 Open only at high water ; 
 To let ships out as well as in. 
 Shut when tide begins out to rin. 
 Lots of steamers, now to be seen 
 In scores, belong to Aberdeen. 
 
 Steam now to London twice a week, 
 T'hirty-six hours the time they seek 
 For the voyage to London town. 
 And in same time frae that come down. 
 Quick they run, they do not tarry, 
 (roods and passengers they carry, 
 Hae a gweed trade, they mak' the notes- 
 The Aberdeen and London boats. 
 Twa steamboats, passengers, goods full. 
 Sail for J^ewcastle and for Hull, 
 Just once a week they mak' the trip, 
 Far quicker than a sailin' ship. 
 Twa steamers weekly trade between 
 Dundee, Liverpool, Aberdeen, 
 American goods to this brings. 
 Bales cotton, wool, and ither things ; 
 Frae Liverpool, the nearest port. 
 Things can be gotten of that sort.
 
 fAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 57 
 
 Passengers they also carry, 
 Folk in either place that tarry. 
 Steamboats frae Leith to places north — 
 'Twixt Orkneys and the Firth of Forth, 
 The Shetland Isles and ports between — 
 In passin' call at Aberdeen, 
 But long here they do not tarry ; 
 Goods, passengers, and mails they carry. 
 Lots of cattle bring frae the north 
 (The Shetland anes, but little worth). 
 
 Lots of steamers coals are drivin'. 
 Daily sailin' and arrivin' ; 
 Steamboats here scarce ever seen, 
 Xumbers belong to Aberdeen, 
 Are tradin' far to foreign climes, 
 Come only here at antrin times. 
 The sailin' ships are gettin' less. 
 Steamboats now comin' in their place. 
 Xaething now but steamers buildin', 
 Quick return to owners yieldin', 
 Maist a' of iron bigget now. 
 Supply of wood is gettin' through. 
 A few large ships yet sail frae here 
 In early spring time of the year 
 To North America for wood, 
 Twa voyages mak' when weather 's good. 
 Sma' crafts, maist of them rotten ships, 
 Can hardly bide to mak' their trips 
 'Twixt this and Sunderland for coal — 
 It 's here a crask and there a hole ; 
 
 E
 
 58 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 If tliey do cany on for lang 
 jMaist a' will to the bottom gang, 
 If men's lives were but well secured, 
 'Twould be nae loss, tliey 're well insured. 
 
 So much for ships with steam and sails, 
 !N"ow for traffic upon the rails. 
 Railways in a' directions rin, 
 Some going out, some coming in, 
 Baith goods and passengers they bring, 
 The mails, and many ither thing. 
 Improvement great on coachin' days, 
 Keeps folk dry, does not spoil their claes, 
 Tak's on folk quick frae jjlace to place, 
 Thinks naething now of time and sjiace ; 
 Tak's out aft coals, lime, and manure, 
 Great loads they drive by steam power, 
 Brings in grain, stones, trees, for coal props, 
 Rins night and day, maist never stops. 
 Lines run south, west, and to the north, 
 A' where the trade is the trouble worth. 
 
 Coniin' back to Union Street 
 
 Where King and Castle Street baith meet, 
 
 And lookin' down that thoroughfare. 
 
 Extends in length a mile and mair, 
 
 A pretty street and very wide. 
 
 With handsome buildin's on each side ; 
 
 It safely can a challenge gie 
 
 To a' towns in the kingdoms three,
 
 PAST, PUESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 59 
 
 Can nae produce a street so granel, 
 
 Of pranite built, to ages stand. 
 
 First is the Xorth of Scotland liank, 
 
 "With best of buildin's it can rank, 
 
 Ornaments the King Street corner, 
 
 Our good city doth adorn 'er. 
 
 Next the Town and County Buihlin', 
 
 To the town is grandeur yieldin', 
 
 A pretty house, cost lots of cash, 
 
 Far and near it casts a dash ; 
 
 Its spire is seen through a' the town 
 
 And far into the country roun' ; 
 
 A handsome clock up in the tower 
 
 Proclaims to a' the passin' hour, 
 Strikin' baith the hour and quarter, 
 Tells folk their time 's gettin' shorter; 
 Ey day sees the hours as they pass. 
 At night it 's lighted up with gas ; 
 Inside town's business transacket, 
 All into one house now packet ; 
 To them a' it affords a beild. 
 Circuit and Sheriff Courts are held, 
 Police Courts and Council meotinsirs. 
 Sharp punishments for wife beatings, 
 For thefts, assaults, and ither crimes. 
 Here are awarded often times. 
 Police, water, and other taxes, 
 And gas accounts (poor folk mak's us). 
 Must a' be punctual paid in here, 
 And a' must come, baith rich and peir.
 
 60 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 And mair things done I do not ken, 
 By lawyers and by legal men 
 That chambers have within the hoose — 
 So near the courts they are of use. 
 Eound at the back are prisons strong 
 For them that do their neighbours wrong,. 
 Being there confined for what they do. 
 Make them their evil lives renew. 
 
 Then down the street what pretty shops, 
 
 Maist a' four storeys to their tops, 
 
 Eanks and other business places, 
 
 A' built up, nae empty spaces. 
 
 Come now to top of Market Street, 
 
 Here with our noble Queen we meet, 
 
 A statue worthy of the town 
 
 Stands there, and Market Street looks down, 
 
 White marble, a pretty figure, 
 
 A life-size or somewhat bigger — ■ 
 
 Peterhead granite set upon, 
 
 A pretty carved and polished stone. 
 
 To East and West Kirks now move on, 
 
 Both pretty structures built of stone. 
 
 And reared on them a pretty spire, 
 
 Tieplacing one burnt down by fire. 
 
 A graveyard laid out trim and neat, 
 
 Nice fence and gateway to the street ; 
 
 Inside silent dead reposes. 
 
 Where life's scenes forever closes ; 
 
 Wrapt in death's slumbers, peaceful lie 
 
 Till the last trumpet sounds on high.
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. *)] 
 
 Passin' on to Union Brig, 
 
 Sees Pleasure Gardens neat and trig 
 
 Where open Denburn once did rin, 
 
 Now covered up, now closed in. 
 
 The "Wooded Bank of stunted trees 
 
 A prospect made the eye to please, 
 
 Flower plots and grasses sown down ; 
 
 Visitors who come into town, 
 
 When coming in with the north trains 
 
 See one of the town's ugly stains 
 
 Forever now removed awa', 
 
 And in its place a garden braw. 
 
 At the west end of Union Brig 
 
 A statue sits, nae worth a fig. 
 
 Of the late husband of our Queen, 
 
 'Tis a disgrace to Aberdeen ; 
 
 The good Prince deserved a better, 
 
 Town should try and mend the matter, 
 
 Could bettered be by painter's art. 
 
 With lively colours be made smart. 
 
 The pretty base it sits upon 
 
 Looks better made of polished stone • 
 
 When a' looks well about the place 
 
 It just is simply a disgrace, 
 
 With Palace Buildin's ower the way 
 
 It should be made to look mair gay. 
 
 Palace Buildin's, a pretty house. 
 Lately built here for show and use, 
 Fills up what was an ugly nook. 
 That frae the brig its grandeur took.
 
 62 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Here maist of human wants supplied, 
 And cauld and hunger baith defied — 
 Pratt & Keith supply tlie cluthin', 
 Lorinier (pretty shops they 're both in) 
 A dealer is in boots and shoes ; 
 8hop hair to dress and get the news ; 
 And shop sells machines for sewin', 
 Where in each a fair trade doin', 
 Fill up and mak' the floor complete 
 That 's on the level with the street. 
 Then up above a grand hotel, 
 "Where passin' travellers often dwell, 
 Come on business to the city, 
 That they 're few the mair 's the pity ; 
 And fam'lies passin' through the town 
 Find handy here to settle down, 
 "Whole suits of rooms they can have here^ 
 Great comfort too, and not ower dear. 
 Most airy place in a' the town, 
 And open view of prospect roun'. 
 See folks up the streets come trippin'. 
 See the Harbour and the shippin' ; 
 Xear Post-Office and the Station, 
 "Where to all parts of the nation 
 They can take train, or news get frae, 
 Delivered here three times a-day. 
 A spacious entrance, trim and neat, 
 Leads up stairs frae Union Street — 
 Better hotel, produce who can ? 
 And is kept here by Charles Mann.
 
 PAST, PRESEXT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 63 
 
 About Bridge Street must say a word, 
 
 An easy access does afford 
 
 Down to the Harbour and the Shore, 
 
 Improvement great since days of yore, 
 
 Xow a great accommodation 
 
 Leads traffic down to Eailway Station. 
 
 Across frae the Palace Hotel 
 
 Is a braw house where lodgers dwell, 
 
 That looks well, it 's nice and tidy, 
 
 And a new house will soon be ready. 
 
 With the hotel and new houses twa. 
 
 Bridge Street will now be gay and braw. 
 
 In Union Street further on 
 Are houses nice of granite stone, 
 But them we cannot notice all. 
 Must here speak of the Music Hall. 
 Is a large and roomy buildin', 
 Though but sma' revenue yield in' 
 To the company that built it, 
 Payin' job they have not felt it. 
 Sometimes a kirk, next a theatre, 
 Let to a' playactiu' creature ; 
 Sometimes a ballroom or bazaar, 
 A\']ierc folk gamblin' for prizes are, 
 AVith concerts and sometimes siugin'. 
 Anything a penny bringin' ; 
 To owners but a poor concern, 
 As to their cost they now can learn. 
 
 Twa kirks iie.xt claim our attention. 
 And must here of them make mention —
 
 6i PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Free Gilcomston and Free West, 
 Both spires tower above the rest, 
 At gable ends up been riggit, 
 Dark and dull, of freestone biggit. 
 Now come on to Union Place, 
 The width of street is here made less. 
 Next come on twa seats of knowledge, 
 Holburn Kirk and Free Kirk College, 
 Then pretty seats of gentlemen 
 Extend as far as Eubislaw Den, 
 Complete route in that direction. 
 Back for Castle Street inspection, 
 First comes a statue recordin' 
 Memory of last Duke of Gordon ; 
 And further up stands the auld Cross, 
 If taen awa' would be a loss 
 To the town's spacious Market Square ; 
 Upon twa sites it 's lang been there, 
 A very ancient arched structure, 
 A' carved roun' with many picture 
 Of our good, true, auld Scottish kings. 
 Upon it many ither thiiags 
 That bring to mind the days of yore. 
 That were our fathers' days before ; 
 They 're lasting as the granite stone, 
 And will be there when we are gone. 
 
 Now lookin' roun' the roomy Square 
 Some ancient buildin's we see there, 
 Seen generations. pass away, 
 Have seen some strange things in their day-
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. G5 
 
 Seen kings and queens come, pass, and go, 
 Seen nations rise and overthrow. 
 
 A pretty Square would grace the town 
 If some old buildin's were taen down, 
 Stan's a disgrace to Aberdeen, 
 Prevents the Barracks being seen, 
 Government should cause be thrown down ; 
 Buildin's to ornament the town, 
 Barrack buildin's, should stand there, 
 A pretty front to head the Square, 
 Correspondin' w^ith buildin's roun'. 
 Make the Square worthy of the town ; 
 A pretty sight the eye would meet 
 When folks come up Union Street. 
 
 Aye on the Fridays in the Square 
 Is held what may be ca'd Kag Fair, 
 With lots of claes, baith auld and new, 
 Weekly there exposed to view, 
 And many lots of useful things 
 That brokers to the market brings, 
 Cart loads of taties, caulF, and strae, 
 Come there on every market day. 
 Timmer Market held every year, 
 Brings to the town lots of wooden gear. 
 And also brings a large tmiiuut 
 Of chiMren's toys and garden fruit. 
 For feeing markets a fine place. 
 The town's confusion would mak' less,
 
 66 PAST, PRESENT, AM) FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 And nae block up the busy streets, 
 Wlien farmers and the servants meets 
 ( )n Fridays aye afore the term : 
 To shift the day would do nae harm, 
 And hold the markets in tlie Square 
 AYhen nae carts, stands, nor brokers there. 
 
 Aberdeen now, what a contrast 
 Compared with what 'twas in the past. 
 As I can mind, now fifty years. 
 In every street a change appears, 
 Auld buildin's daily takin' down, 
 New ones to ornament the town 
 Are-growin' up maist everywhere. 
 A stranger Avould mak' gape and stare 
 If he had been some years awa'. 
 So different frae what then he saw. 
 Out ower the way of Ferryhill 
 The ground is there of houses full. 
 Some pretty streets are now laid down, 
 Formin' a new pretty town ; 
 What formerly was nursery grounds, 
 Is now within the city bounds. 
 
 To meet the city's growin' need, 
 A nice Cemetery for the dead, 
 A pretty place beside the Dee, 
 Flowers and many a j^retty tree ; 
 Nice gravelled walks and plots of grass 
 Tak' folk's attention an tliey pass ;
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AXD FUTURE OF ABERDEEX. 
 
 Its beauties I can hardly tell, 
 A pretty, place is Allen vale. 
 Out way of Cults on Deeside Road, 
 Is many a braw place of abode ; 
 New streets are to be seen raakin', 
 And folk aye mair feus are takia', 
 On them pretty houses biggin'. 
 Granite wa's and sclated riggin'. 
 The present state of Aberdeen 
 To folk now livin' can be seen. 
 I need not saj' more about it. 
 That I 've done right I sair doubt it, 
 liy far mair learnin' I would need — 
 But tak' the will just for the deed. 
 
 The future now of Aberdeen, 
 As by the past and present seen, 
 I will mak' an attempt to tell, 
 Eut for nao prophet set mysel'. 
 And judgin' frae what I see now, 
 Can see what Aberdeen will grow. 
 Then first the boundaries of the town. 
 As what I think I will note down. 
 The course of J^ce will yet be shifted, 
 To Nigg Day it will be lifted, 
 Tlie southern bounrl'ry there will ha ; 
 And up the then straight cuurst; of 1 )eo, 
 Up the Dee with a flowin' tide, 
 And past the Cults as far 's Beildside, 
 Then off the country tak' a slice 
 And met the Don at Brig of Dvcc
 
 68 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 Thus form the boundary to the west ; 
 Inchide Blackburn, Dyce, and the rest, 
 Villages that on the west side lie, 
 Bound to Aberdeen firmly tie ; 
 Then down the Don into the sea 
 Will then the northern bound'ry be ; 
 Then in the sea shore a' the way, 
 Meet river Dee in the N'igg Bay, 
 Eastern boundary of the town mak', 
 And bind it solid and compact. 
 
 The Hill of Torry built upon, 
 
 And streets well paved with granite stone, 
 
 A good foundation for a town, 
 
 So high nae water it will drown. 
 
 Nice houses, high, with many storey. 
 
 Will soon be on the Hill of Torry, 
 
 Down frae the Chain Brig to the sea 
 
 A pretty town there soon will be ; 
 
 Be joined to town of Aberdeen, 
 
 With spacious harbour in between, 
 
 Full of shippin' berths, quays, and docks, 
 
 The tide kept in by means of locks, 
 
 Loadin' and 'liverin' to perform. 
 
 And sheltered well frae wind and storm. 
 
 Frae Point Law to the Chain Brig 
 
 Soon many wharfs and piers they '11 big ; 
 
 Frae Eegent Quay to Torry Farm 
 
 Whole space they will a harbour term. 
 
 Can nae be matched in kingdoms three, 
 
 Nor yet in ports ayont the sea.
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. GJ 
 
 Between the quays and rows of piers 
 Great warehouses built up in tiers 
 Of stories high above each ither. 
 Goods stored there keep frae the weather. 
 With road right through frae side to side, 
 By new brig across Dee, here wide. 
 Needs some arches ower to carry. 
 Better far than auld boat ferry. 
 Straight road to baith sides of the town, 
 Frae Nigg Bay Torryhill comes down, 
 Leads through the town right on to Dyce, 
 By rail, tramway, and 'busses nice ; 
 Frae the south boundary to the north 
 That way a few years will bring forth, 
 Steam tramways will be then run on 
 Frae Bay of iSTigg to Brig of Don ; 
 Frae Fittie and the Harbour mou' 
 To Wood side and Dyce run through ; 
 Run to Cults and the Brig of Dee, 
 Some young folks livin' yet will see. 
 Frae Queen's Cross out past Eubislaw Den 
 As far 's town's boundary doth exten', 
 Double line out Union Street 
 Till it the ither branches meet ; 
 Will a' in time be double rails, 
 The cars in rows at ither's tails, 
 Time nae blocked in passin' ither, 
 Tu and out go on together. 
 
 Frae wareliouses on the Indies, 
 Will in time be railway branches.
 
 70 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 
 
 And frae pier, -wharf, quay, and jetty, 
 Drive folk and goods through the city ; 
 To town's distant corners flyin'. 
 With goods in the Harbour lyin' 
 That steamers bring frae distant parts, 
 Woukl be too great for horse and carts. 
 In the town will new streets be made, 
 Be better for increasin' trade, 
 iVuld ugly houses be pulled down, 
 Stand a disgrace to any town ; 
 In their room built business places. 
 To the streets hae better faces, 
 Make Aberdeen a pretty town 
 That will beat a' the cities roun'. 
 
 The best street that 's in the city 
 Has a blot, which is a pity-- 
 The narrow brig across Denburn, 
 That mony ane mak's look and mourn, 
 To see such a nice pretty street, 
 Where coaches tremble when they meet. 
 Street's awkward grip in the middle. 
 Looks like waist of a bass fiddle, 
 Appearance bad in a dark night. 
 When rows of lamps are a' in light. 
 That will in time be rectified. 
 Brig will be made the street as wide ; 
 When pavement on each side complete, 
 Town may brag of Union Street. 
 
 Of Aberdeen, I 've tried to tell 
 About it what I ken niysel' :
 
 PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF ABERDEEN. 71 
 
 Of its past since first I kent it, 
 And now in nij^ book I '11 print it. 
 Its present, what I ken about, 
 Which is but little, I sair doubt, 
 It a niair learn'd man would need 
 To tell about it, ill and gweed. 
 I little ken about its College, 
 And its other seats of knowledge ; 
 Town's institutions for the poor. 
 And places where diseases cure ; 
 And many a public buildin' 
 Is to the town great good yieldin'. 
 
 * 
 
 Had I been rich I woidd hae seen 
 
 Public buddin's in Aberdeen — 
 
 I'd been invited in to see ; 
 
 But a poor workin' man, like me, 
 
 To see what does the town adorn. 
 
 Those in power would treat with scorn, 
 
 Were I to ask in to see them, 
 
 That I a bit rhyme might gie them. 
 
 If I inside them could look, 
 
 I might describe them in my book. 
 
 Send it out, let people see 't, 
 
 But I 'd pollute them with my feet. 
 
 So them a' I maun just let be 
 
 Till I get cash, then them I '11 see ; 
 
 Prophet nae honour has at hame, 
 
 Frae hame a bit he gathers fame. 
 
 I 've been invited out by lords, 
 
 To see a' that their place affords.
 
 7'2 CITT OF GLASGOW BANK. 
 
 Through a' their house and grounds I 've seen 
 Nae proud, hke folk of Aberdeen. 
 
 The future of the town to tell 
 
 Would maist need some prophetic spell, 
 
 To rightly tell what it may grow, 
 
 As it does lapse of time pass through ; 
 
 But judgin' by the change I see, 
 
 May hae some guess what it will be. 
 
 So wishin' a' thing for its gweed, 
 
 Its people work and daily bread, 
 
 A city be of granite stone 
 
 Lang after I am dead and gone. 
 
 A PLAIT TO ASSIST THE SHAREHOLDERS 
 OF THE GLASGOW CITY BANK. 
 
 To assist those that look blank 
 Upon the downfa' of the Bank, 
 On a plan I hae been thinkin' : 
 Let folk one week stop drinkin' 
 And gie them what they gie for drink, 
 Wouldna let them in ruin sink. 
 I'm sure if it were rightly kent 
 Wliat a large sum on drink is spent, 
 A sum would go far in this case 
 The poor shareholders to redress. 
 Ruined by the Glasgow City Bank 
 They would their helpers ever thank ;
 
 TARLAXD TEMPERANCE HALL. 73 
 
 ]\rair thanks they would get for so doin' 
 
 Than for givin 't to their own ruin. 
 
 If a week they 'd only stop it 
 
 ]\Iight be led to think and drop it, 
 
 By seein' what a sum tliey'd hae 
 
 If the cursed drink they would keep fae. 
 
 My friends, tak' my advice and try, 
 
 Ye many tearfu' een would dry. 
 
 And ye would soon increase your wealth, 
 
 And mair than that preserve your health ; 
 
 That happy state o' things comes roun' 
 
 Ye'll bless the Bank for comin' down. 
 
 t 
 
 OX THE XEW TE^IPERAXCE HALL 
 AT TAELAXD. 
 
 Ye folk of Tarland happy be. 
 Hearty thanks to your landlord gie, 
 And the Countess, his good lady, 
 Who for your good is ever ready 
 To help and to assist you ; 
 In the temperance ranks enlist you, 
 Keep you frae the accursed drink, 
 And snatch you frae perdition's brink — 
 We hae a sure warnin' given 
 No drunkard e'er will enter heaven. 
 What a happy world this would be 
 If of the drinkin' customs free ; 
 F
 
 74 TARLAND TEMPERANCE HALL. 
 
 0, what sad sights are daily seen 
 
 In this city of Aberdeen — 
 
 Men and women ever reelin' 
 
 Along the streets, nae shame feelin', 
 
 To get mair drink ever schemin', 
 
 And their Maker's name blasphemin'. 
 
 It is awfu' like to hear them, 
 
 Mair so when the young are near them ; 
 
 What an example to their bairns. 
 
 What auld folk do the young ones learns 
 
 And carefully their families train 
 
 For place of everlasting pain. 
 
 The public-houses are the cause, 
 
 Break heaven's sacred holy laws : 
 
 What temptation is for folk set — 
 
 At every door they drink can get ; 
 
 If public-houses were restricted, 
 
 Mair temperance hotels erected, 
 
 With healthful amusement inside, 
 
 Tea and coffee in them provide, 
 
 Folk might be induced to gang. 
 
 Keep a spare hour frae seemin' lang. 
 
 What a pleasant sight it would be 
 
 The workin' man to nightly see 
 
 The publics shun, the temperance choose 
 
 To refresh and himself amuse. 
 
 Comin' hame refreshed and wiser, 
 
 Mornin' finds a healthful riser 
 
 Fitted to fulfil his duty, 
 
 Now of temperance sees the beauty ;
 
 TARLAND TEMPERANCE HALL. (O 
 
 Blessin' them that did invent them, 
 Or to assist their help lent them. 
 
 What a pity our lawgivers 
 
 Allow drink to run like rivers 
 
 Tlirough the length and breadth of the land, 
 
 To stop the flood should give command ; 
 
 Eevenue frae ither sources 
 
 Than frae drink and public-houses 
 
 j\Iight be devised and carried out, 
 
 Would not such evils bring about ; 
 
 Oovernifient in sin is steepit, 
 
 Xeeds such evils up to keep it. 
 
 Far less taxes would be required 
 
 If folks' minds wi' drink were not iired ; 
 
 Leads them into horrid, awful crimes, 
 
 Street brawls, and murders oftentimes. 
 
 By drink, peace, and order oft destroyed, 
 
 For which police must be employed 
 
 Effects of drink to try and stay ; 
 
 Taxes must be a' them to pay. 
 
 Drink fills our hospitals and jails, 
 
 Poorhouses maist rin over whiles. 
 
 And madhouses for the insane, 
 
 A' by taxes we must maintain. 
 
 Were the drink trade removed awa' 
 
 We would be rid maist o' them a', 
 
 Then peace and order be enjoyed 
 
 And tradesmen better be employed ; 
 
 ^Mercliants far mair trade would liac 
 
 If folk the drink were keepit fae ;
 
 76 TARLAND TEMPERANCE HALL. 
 
 Mair cash the folk would hae to buy- 
 Goods that the workm' men supply, 
 And thus create a brisk demand, 
 "Would work supply to many a hand, 
 And save as well great lots o' grain 
 Is on our food supply a drain, 
 Between distillin' and the brewin' 
 Helps to work the nation's ruin. 
 Just only let folk pause and think 
 What cash is yearly paid for drink — - 
 One hundred and fifty million, 
 Mair than Bank of England's bullion. 
 
 Drink is, I'm sure, the nation's curse. 
 Of a' crimes and evils it 's the nurse ; 
 Auld Clootie says, " Let be the drink, 
 It 's earth and hell's connectin' link." 
 If the drink had its freedom given 
 But unco few would get to heaven, 
 It leads the folk frae gweed awa', 
 And in the end 's the loss of a'. 
 Ye Tarland folk, just think on this 
 If ye wish to inherit bliss ; 
 Stop the drink, become teetotal, 
 Patronize the temperance hotel. 
 Then daily will your thanks be gien 
 To Lord and Lady Aberdeen.
 
 THANKSGIVIXG FOR AX ABUNDANT HARVEST. V i 
 
 A THANKSGIVIXG FOR THE LATE 
 ABUXDANT HARVEST OF 1878. 
 
 Ye folk in country and in toun 
 Be thankful when the hairst comes roun', 
 "When the crop 's secured in plenty, 
 Man and heast to feed on dainty ; 
 To kind Providence thankful feel, 
 That th.us with food supplies us weel ; 
 The eaijth its fruits will not afford 
 Unless it 's bless'd by Xature's Lord ; 
 A man may sow and do his best, 
 A fruitful season does the rest. 
 Men may plant and the seeds sow, 
 A single plant they can't make grow, 
 And all their work is spent in vain 
 "Without sunshine and showers of rain ; 
 Were these withheld from dry parch'd earth, 
 Of meat supply would soon be dearth. 
 AVithout spring's reviving wonders, 
 Man and beast would die by hunders ; 
 With balmy summer's rip'ning powers, 
 And its soft and genial showers. 
 Autumn finds us with food in store, 
 For which we should our God adore ; 
 From whose hand all our blessings flow. 
 To Him our gi-atitude should show. 
 And thanks and praise give to His name, 
 "Wlio thus sustains our body's frame.
 
 THAKKSGIVING FOR AX ABUNDANT HARVEST, 
 
 Some folk there be that I hae keiit, 
 If ane to see their farmiu' went, 
 "\Vi' pride tak' credit to themsel', 
 About their beasts and craps would tell, 
 As if their great skill in fairmin' 
 Did this state of things determine ; 
 Gainin' a successful battle, 
 Eaisin' crops and rearin' cattle, 
 By their own management done it, 
 Never own't a blessing on it. 
 To them I'd say, tak' time and view 't, 
 "Without a blessing could you do 't 1 
 Ah ! helpless man, it 's past your power 
 To bring to earth a single shower ; 
 Did not the clouds down moisture drop, 
 A' your fine doin's soon would stop. 
 "Would soon be taught in Nature's school- 
 Without kind providence to rule, 
 "What could man poor and helpless do, 
 A single blade could nae make grow ; 
 "With a' your vain and empty boast. 
 Your toil and labour would be lost. 
 
 AYere not to earth a blessing given, 
 Nae sunshine nor rain from heaven, 
 A dry parch'd land this soon would be, 
 "SYe a great famine soon would see ; 
 Nae food for man nor yet for beast, 
 But on east wind would hae to feast. 
 Let us the God of Nature praise, 
 "VMio by His power our crops doth raise.
 
 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 7^ 
 
 By which we do our cattle rear. 
 With grateful hearts let us draw near, 
 And own the power to which -we owe 
 Corn for man, grass for beasts to grow. 
 For these blessed gifts of heaven. 
 Let our daily thanks be given ; 
 To Him by whose goodness we live, 
 Let us eternal praises give. 
 
 A VISIT Tb KEITH-HALL, SEAT OF THE 
 EARL OF KIXTORE. 
 
 The year of auchteen seventy-eiglit 
 Of time's fast ever onward fliirlit. 
 In August month, the hindmost day, 
 For Inverurie took my way. 
 By invitation kindly sent. 
 Out to Keith-hall I duly went, 
 The seat of the Earl of Kintore, 
 I never had been there before. 
 At the station was at a loss 
 To ken where I the line should cross, 
 And find a road to tak' me down 
 Eight to the place where I was boun', 
 Thought I 'd hae an unco bother, 
 Nae kennin ae road by another ; 
 But as I the road was speirin' 
 A man chanced to be in hearin',
 
 80 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 
 
 Who there asked some questions at me, 
 That a' to rights shortly set me — 
 If frao Aberdeen train came with ] 
 And also, if my name was Smith 1 
 If I on to Keith-hall was boun' 1 
 As he was sent to tak' me down, 
 By the Earl sent to guide me there. 
 And gave me cash to pay my fare — 
 First class fare he made me tak', 
 None of the siller he 'd hae back. 
 
 Took me a footpath through the woods, 
 So close we scarce could see the clouds, 
 A gravelled walk, right nice and trig, 
 Across the Ury by a brig ; 
 Was made of wood, I 'm maistly sure, 
 Well dressed, and painted white and pure. 
 Ury was that day in a spate, 
 Owerflowin' banks with rains of late. 
 Amongst majestic trees we came 
 That here surround the Earl's hame, 
 A grand old mansion through the trees 
 On a slight risin' groun' I sees. 
 I was awe struck at the gran' sight, 
 To enter it I maist took fright, 
 But keepin' close ahin my guide, 
 Ere I weel kent I was inside 
 And handed to the butler's care ; 
 While round I did with wonder stare, 
 Astonished to such grandeur see. 
 There a'thing new and strange to me.
 
 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 81 
 
 Stumpin' ben, bitin' at my thoom, 
 I soon was in his Lordship's room, 
 Where I stood and stared with wonder, 
 Books aroun* me by the hunder. 
 His Lordship, soon as he saw me. 
 Kindly by my name did ca' me, 
 A hearty welcome to me give, 
 I will mind on as lang 's I live. 
 A nice gentleman, free of pride, 
 He would walk with me side by side ; 
 "What a contrast to some that be, 
 That wojjld not look nor speak to me, 
 Think not of the same stuff made, 
 And wish to be of me well rid. 
 
 His Lordship wished me to take meat, 
 And kindly said a lunch I 'd eat ; 
 Having lately had my dinner, 
 Did Avith thanks decline tbc honour. 
 His Lordship said, " If that case be, 
 You '11 take a more substantial tea." 
 Then asked me to Avith him go out 
 And see the grounds a' roun' about, 
 A straight course we then did make 
 Down through the flowers to see the lake : 
 I was bewildered Avith the scene, 
 I glowered around with dazzled een ; 
 The Avalks and flower beds so grand, 
 I thought I Avas in Fairyland, 
 A'thing in such perfect order, 
 Such nice Avalks and flower border ;
 
 82 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 
 
 The lawn between tliem closely shaved, 
 And at the foot the Avater laved 
 Of a nice, clear, freshwater lake, 
 That did a charmin' picture make. 
 Down by its side, on rustic seat, 
 A while to rest and ease our feet 
 "We sat and cracket like pen-guns ; 
 About the dukes and pretty swans 
 Were sailin' on the pretty lake ; 
 A pleasure boat, a sail to take, 
 Oft on the bonny lake was rowed, 
 Was there in a nice boathouse stoAved. 
 
 When we had seen a' that was there, 
 Back to the mansion did repair, 
 Where the gardener he was ready 
 (A nice, decent man, and steady), 
 To guide me through the pretty grounds. 
 That hae cost some scores of pounds 
 To put them all in such order. 
 Every bonny Avalk and border. 
 We passed the ancient Druid stone, 
 With figures cut its sides upon, 
 A monument of ages past. 
 For ages yet to come will last. 
 Placed in the centre of a mound, 
 With a deep moat encirclin' round. 
 'Nae doubt a castle had there stood 
 Sometime between this and the flood, 
 In warlike times of feuds and strife. 
 When might was right, war to the knife
 
 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 83 
 
 Was tlie then order of the day, 
 To live unscathed, black mail must pay. 
 We stood and looked upon the scene, 
 And mused on what might there has been. 
 "Nae doubt but there are some records 
 Been keepit by its ancient lords — 
 I 'd like well if I could see them, 
 And be made acquainted wi' them. 
 
 To modern things we now did pass, 
 And saw the houses roofed with srlass 
 To rear up fine fruits and flowers, 
 Would not stand the winter showers, 
 But heated up baith niglit and day 
 Make climate same as they came frae. 
 Saw oranges grow on their trees, 
 A sweet perfume gave to the breeze ; 
 Peaches hung, maist ripe and ready, 
 Like to the cheeks of pretty lady ; 
 Vines, with grapes in clusters hingin'. 
 Makes the wine sets folk a singin', 
 Makes liglit and glad the hearts of men — 
 Auld Noah it made drunk we ken — 
 And many other rare kinds of fruit 
 That 's nae just common here about, 
 Natives of some far warmer clime, 
 Some ripe, others in course of time. 
 Eare flowers in rich profusion, 
 A' regular ranged without confusion 
 A magnificent si'^ht to see. 
 Especially to the like of me
 
 •84 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 
 
 That 's not oft seeiu' such display, 
 The like to see I never may. 
 The vegetable gardens neist 
 Was to my eyes a splendid feast, 
 Nice onions, carrots, neeps, and kail, 
 And things their names I cannot tell. 
 
 In terraces the gardens lie, 
 
 A fine effect to please the eye, 
 
 A flight of steps up ascendin', 
 
 Frae the one to other tendin'. 
 
 The gravelled walks so nice and clean, 
 
 JSTae weeds unsightly to be seen, 
 
 But a' are clean and keepit weel, 
 
 Tell of the gardener's care and skeel. 
 
 Outside the gardens roun' about. 
 
 With taste some plots right nice laid out, 
 
 Full of things that 's often wanted ; 
 
 Others some with trees are planted 
 
 Frae countries far ayont the seas. 
 
 And planted here the eyes to please, 
 
 Frae California, France, and Spain, 
 
 India, China^ a ad Japan, 
 
 Frae Australia and Peru, 
 
 And other countries nae that few. 
 
 And next I saw the gardener's prizes, 
 Drinkin' cups, a' shapes and sizes, 
 Salvers, teakettles, and teapots. 
 That had cost a lot of notes.
 
 A VISIT TO KEITH-HALL. 85' 
 
 And their value not be over-rated — 
 Silver and with silver plated — 
 A credit to his pains and skill, 
 And Avorthy well the place to fill ; 
 Fruits and flowers bringin' to a state 
 That but few can with him compete. 
 
 When we surveyed had a'thing roun', 
 We to the mansion next went down, 
 Wliere was a good substantial tea 
 In the library waitin' me. 
 It was g(>od, and I was hungry, 
 So to see 't I was not angrv ; 
 I did full justice to the same, 
 And then set out to try for hame. 
 
 His Lordship was there to meet me, 
 Did with utmost kindness treat me. 
 I never will forget the day, 
 Nor yet the very handsome way 
 I was received by Lord Kintore, 
 Though I should live for evermore. 
 The gardener then got new commands. 
 After good-by and shakin' hands, 
 To convey me to the station. 
 For hame see me set in motion. 
 So many thanks to Lord Kintore, 
 Never had such a treat before. 
 Not better been, nae lee I '11 tell, 
 Though I 'd a lord been like himsel'.
 
 86 THE GRAND DUCHESS OF HESSE-DARMSTADT. 
 
 A LAMENT FOR THE GRAXD DUCHESS 
 
 OF HESSE-DAEMSTADT 
 
 (our princess Alice). 
 
 Ye people of every station, 
 Lament all the British nation, 
 Lay aside envy and malice, 
 Lament for the Princess Alice ; 
 Beloved by all right-thinking minds. 
 And many eyes the salt tear blinds — 
 For the good and gentle lady, 
 In kind deeds was ever ready. 
 
 0, cruel death ! what have you done 1 
 To snatch away the pleasant one 
 Just in the very prime of life, 
 The loving mother and the wife, 
 A husband's heart with grief hath torn, 
 And lovely children to him born. 
 Their anguish cannot be expressed, 
 A loss can never be replaced. 
 A grief to our beloved Queen, 
 A loving daughter to her been ; 
 Isow frae her removed away. 
 We trust to realms of endless day. 
 She 's now beyond the reach of pain, 
 Our loss, her everlasting gain, 
 Joined her two loved ones gone before. 
 And father dear she did adore.
 
 THE GRAND DUOHESS OF HESSE-DARMSTADT. 87 
 
 She 's now "with them in heaven blest, 
 In heaven's time joined by the rest, 
 Lived lovingly while here below, 
 Their Father's house at last will go. 
 A united family will be 
 In bliss again when death sets free ; 
 Divided never be again. 
 Free from sorrow, death, sin, and pain. 
 In endless bliss forever be, 
 Their loving Saviour always see, 
 Though high their station lias been here, 
 Exalted 1;hen to higher sphere. 
 
 To Her i\Iajesty shock severe. 
 Occurring same day of the year 
 The good, the kind Prince Albert died, 
 Makes her grief more acutely tried. 
 Short-sighted rnortals that we be. 
 Great heaven's ways we cannot see : 
 The good are early called away, 
 "While wicked folk get longer stay, 
 Extending long their day of grace. 
 To fit them for a happy place, 
 And even at the eleventh hour 
 They may make their salvation sure. 
 
 ^lay this teach all that death is sure 
 To all alike, both rich and poor, 
 ^Mortals must go when Heaven calls, 
 The tree lies the same way it falls :
 
 88 BIRTH OF AX HEIK TO HADDO HOUSE ESTATES. 
 
 Lesson, to be up and doin', 
 
 Lest delaying be our ruin. 
 
 We see the young, the middle aged, 
 
 Oft in grim fight with death engaged, 
 
 And in the grave consigned to lie, 
 
 As ■well 's the old that soon must die. 
 
 To write this a painful task has been. 
 So now I '11 say, God bless our Queen. 
 
 OX THE EIETH OF A SOX AXD HEIR TO 
 THE HADDO HOUSE ESTATES. 
 
 Methlic, Tarves, Tarland rejoice, 
 With mirthfu' strains lift up your voice , 
 Ye tenants cry and shout for joy 
 At the birth of the infant boy, 
 That, if his precious life be spared. 
 Some distant day wUl be your laird : 
 Direct line of the Gordon name, 
 And aye mak' Haddo House his hame. 
 Where his forefathers lived and died. 
 Their tenants' friends aye staunch and tried. 
 To them the Gordon name is dear, 
 Xow for a change they need not fear, 
 And thankful for the pretty boy — 
 A father's pride, a mother's joy ; 
 And see him up to manhood grown, 
 When years of childhood past have flown ;
 
 BIRTH OF AN HEIR TO HADDO HOUSE ESTATES. 89 
 
 A good kind landlord may be seen, 
 Like former Earls of Aberdeen. 
 Well may the tenants all rejoice 
 When they see this branch arise, 
 That 's sprung direct frae the auld stock, 
 For ages back have stood the shock 
 Of tune's still ever-changing scenes, 
 And yet the good old name retains. 
 Done their best for their country's good. 
 Their tenants' friends have firmly stood ; 
 Liked to see aU thriving round them. 
 That allninder them aye found them. 
 Aye favours to dependants give, 
 Their motto was " Live and let live." 
 Ho ! thrice welcome little stranger, 
 Ye have now removed the danger ; 
 If your infant life be spared, 
 At Haddo House nae ither laird 
 Will now for lang assume the sway. 
 The Gordon name be there for aye. 
 In heaven's favour may he grow. 
 As this life's vale he passes through ; 
 As he strength and wisdom gathers. 
 Follow the footsteps of his fathers. 
 
 May heaven guide the darling youtli, 
 Aye lead him in the ways of truth ; 
 Guard him in a vile world of sin, 
 May he a virtuous life begin ; 
 In favour be with God and man. 
 And understand salvation's plan ; 
 o
 
 So BIRTH OF AN HEIR TO HADDO HOUSE ESTATES. 
 
 Early choose tlie safe and only path 
 That leads to life away from wrath. 
 May prove himself a worthy son, 
 His duty do till life be done ; 
 Across life's stormy ocean past, 
 In heaven be received at last. 
 
 Ythan, send up your thanks, 
 Another lord to grace your banks. 
 Will you now pleasure great afford ; 
 For ages past ye 've had a lord 
 To honour with his presence near. 
 Beside you spent part of the year. 
 Ye had a blythe and joyful day 
 The noble Countess came to stay, 
 "When the Earl had brought her home, 
 And by your side at times to roam ; 
 To see her almost wild with joy. 
 Ye '11 dance to see the lovely boy, 
 Which in due course will come 
 To live in his forefathers' home. 
 The noble race continued on— 
 Father succeeded by the son. 
 
 l*yfH'.-*r 
 
 i^-
 
 THAXKS FOR A BOX OF GAME. 91 
 
 THANKS FOR A BOX OF GAME FEOM 
 HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 Ah ! -what- is this 1 a box of game — 
 It must be mine, it bears my name j 
 I am gey proud just of the same — 
 
 Xow let me see 
 Frae what gweed friend it to me came, 
 
 That 's kind to me. 
 
 Frae I^ddo House, I see its gien 
 
 By Lord and Lady Aberdeen. 
 
 They each have proved to be my frien' 
 
 In many ways, 
 I '11 thank them till my life gangs deen — 
 
 Just a' my days. 
 
 Neither need to beg nor borrow 
 (That is often done with sorrow), 
 Dinner sure I 'm of to-morrow, 
 
 A noble feast, 
 Off a hare shot in a furrow, 
 
 A sonsy beast. 
 
 And other fleein' birds forbye, 
 Will be right nice baked in a pie. 
 Or cooked in any way you try, 
 
 Mak' dainty fare. 
 Even folk up in life's scale high 
 
 Could wirfh nae mair.
 
 92 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 And I will prize the gift the niair, 
 Such things come nae oft to my share ; 
 Xae used to feed so rich and rare, 
 
 Xae often seen, 
 iSly table aye of such meat bare. 
 
 Yet nae complain. 
 
 From grateful heart my thanks I send 
 To all that are to me a friend, 
 And helping hand does to me lend, 
 
 I wish them weel, 
 By such kind deeds a happy end 
 
 In time they '11 feel. 
 
 At Haddo may the game be plenty, 
 
 ' And make to them dinners dainty ; 
 
 Ey sportsmen on pleasure bent aye. 
 
 Quick be nabbit, 
 Xow and then to me be sent aye, 
 
 Hare or rabbit. 
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE— SEAT OF THE 
 EAEL OF ABERDEEX— IX 1878. 
 
 A BIT rhyme I am now to spin. 
 But scarce I ken how to begin. 
 The thing I 'm going to tell about 
 AYould need an abler pen, I doubt,
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 93 
 
 But I will try and do my best ; 
 Eead what there is, suppose the rest. 
 A great event in my life's course, 
 A visit out to Haddo House, 
 By invitation kindly gi'en 
 By Lord and Lady Aberdeen, 
 September month, the fourteenth day, 
 I '11 be exact with what I say, 
 The year auchteen seventy-eight, 
 That was the very day and date. 
 
 I left 4iome and occupation 
 
 Out by train to Udny Station, 
 
 Where, sent by his Lordship's command, 
 
 A conveyance did waiting stand 
 
 To take me on to Haddo House, 
 
 That place we reached in due course. 
 
 There my difficulty begins. 
 
 Eight to tell a' the outs and ins 
 
 I saw about that bonny place, 
 
 Lang the hame of the Gordon race. 
 
 Was received by kind waiting men. 
 
 And to a room conducted ben. 
 
 Who a' attention did gie me 
 
 Till his Lordship wish'd to see me ; 
 
 Then Avas led out upon the green 
 
 To meet the Earl of Aberdeen. 
 
 There I his Lordship first time met. 
 
 And did a hearty welcome get 
 
 To see the house and pretty grounds — 
 
 Had cost many thousand pounds
 
 94 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 To put them in such nice order. 
 Gravelled walks and flower border. 
 
 I looked around me with surprise, 
 
 I hardly could believe my eyes 
 
 That I still on this earth did stand, 
 
 Transported to some fairy land 
 
 By some unearthly power I' d been, 
 
 Before I 'd half the rare things seen. 
 
 So many pretty things I saw, 
 
 Kear took my senses clean awa'. 
 
 Upon the lawn before the hoose, 
 
 Saw everything so neat and spruce ; 
 
 "Water up in air was mountin' 
 
 Frae a pretty polished fountain ; 
 
 Pretty flower beds here and there, 
 
 And close shaved lawn round everywhere. 
 
 Just like any Brussels carpet, 
 
 A finer one was never warpit. 
 
 AVhen my surprise was wearin' ower. 
 
 And steady could around me glower, 
 
 And ither things began to see, 
 
 His Lordship kindly asked at me 
 
 If I would like to see the lakes 1 
 
 As he in them an interest takes. 
 
 He thought I would like to see them, 
 
 And become acquainted wi' them. 
 
 I said I would delighted be. 
 
 The pretty lakes to go and see ; 
 
 But as I of them didna ken, 
 
 He kindly sent one of his men,
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 95 
 
 One of the keepers of his game, 
 
 To let -me see the road to them. 
 
 He was a nice, attentive chiel, 
 
 Who told and showed me a'thing weel. 
 
 About the trees we had a talk 
 As we went down the pretty walk ; 
 I delighted was with what I saw, 
 Could scarce be got to come awa', 
 So many fairlies to see here. 
 And then the park that feeds the deer 
 Xext did our attention claim — 
 Thinks I, I am now far frae hame, 
 Afar in some wild Hielan' glen, 
 And far fiae the abodes of men. 
 When I saw the bonny creatures, 
 Shy and timid in their natures, 
 Then found I was not far frae hame, 
 They were so quiet, nice, and tame. 
 
 When down a bit I was conveyed, 
 One of the lakes I then surveyed ; 
 Saw there some pretty swan, 
 Fear'd not at the approach of man. 
 Sailing in majestic grandeur. 
 As did a nice goose and gander ; 
 Kumerous ducks, wild and tame. 
 Made that bonny lake their hame, 
 Contented with their happy lot. 
 Nothing to fear but being shot.
 
 96 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 Twa pleasure boats and a canoe 
 Lie there for use as well 's for show, 
 In a nice boathouse built of wood, 
 With wooden piers the landing good. 
 In one of them a sail to tak', 
 The man said he 'd safe bring me back, 
 He bade me one of them enter — 
 On the water I 'd not venture, 
 Had not pluck to be a sailor, 
 Either in a sutor or a tailor, 
 That I doubt ye would not get — 
 That is my case at any rate. 
 
 Now on a wooden seat sat down, 
 Where lofty trees did us surroun'. 
 We sat and gazed upon the scene, 
 Trees on each side, the lake between. 
 It was a splendid sight to see. 
 And looked grand, at least, to me. 
 Then after restin' for a time, 
 In which I read some bits o' rhyme. 
 That I thought best, out of my book, 
 As we sat in that shady nook. 
 To my guide that was strange and new. 
 He said my rhymes were very true 
 Upon the subjects that they touched — 
 He sat and heard like one bewitched. 
 
 Eut we on again must travel 
 On a walk of finest gravel.
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 97 
 
 The roads and walks are a' the same, 
 
 Fine- seats to rest on sides of them ; 
 
 They are so ni;merous and so lang, 
 
 'Twould take a week through them to gang. 
 
 "When to gang round them I did speak, 
 
 Guide said, " Ye '11 need to bide a week." 
 
 Trampin' on upon anither tack, 
 
 We came upon anither lake, 
 
 By far better and far bigger, 
 
 And of a mair romantic figure. 
 
 A pretty sheet of water pure, 
 
 I could ^ae gazed on 't by the hour 
 
 And never tired, it was so grand, 
 
 Surrounded by the higher land. 
 
 On which the old and noble trees. 
 
 Their heads Avere noddin' to the breeze 
 
 And hangin ower the pretty lake, 
 
 Did a most pleasant picture make. 
 
 In its midst a wooded islan'. 
 
 Bright with verdure green was smilin' ; 
 
 Swans, geese, and ducks were also there. 
 
 Both wild and tame, a score and mail-, 
 
 A quiet seclusion did enjoy, 
 
 No poachers dared them to destroy ; 
 
 The keepers aye Avere on the watch, 
 
 A poacher there they soon would catch. 
 
 Also a boathouse here I saw. 
 In it pleasure boats ane or twa, 
 I have no doubt but there will be, 
 I did not wish to go and see.
 
 98 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 I would not of this make mention, 
 Other things took my attention, 
 Made me hurry on to see them, 
 And a short inspection gie them. 
 "We passed the lake at lower end, 
 Our walk a bit on to extend. 
 An old castle, now in ruins 
 By the effects of time's doin's, 
 ]S"ext did our attention claim, 
 Castle of Kelly was its name ; 
 In years now lang past and gone, 
 As we judged by the crumbling stone ; 
 Had in its day been of some strength, 
 But after time of such a length, 
 So little about it I ken. 
 Leave 't to antiquarian men 
 To read up and speak about it, 
 As what I 'd say folk might doubt it. 
 Leaving the ruins as they are, 
 We did not proceed that way far. 
 Saw twa cottages of wood built. 
 In one of them my guide he dwelt ; 
 Very nice cottages they were, 
 Keepit in full state of repair. 
 His Lordship likes to see his men 
 In comfort keep't, their wants to ken, 
 And what he sees they are in. need 
 Is to them done or sent with speed. 
 
 There of the Ythan had a view, 
 
 That here to me seemed strange and new ;
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 99 
 
 She almost comes close to the place 
 As she rlns on her seaward race. 
 Far enough in that direction 
 "We were now with our inspection, 
 So turned about and back again 
 The same way we before had gane. 
 Back to where pretty trees did thrive, 
 Along what is called the Green Drive, 
 Travelled on it a good long while. 
 The wood we entered by a style. 
 So close the trees were overheed, 
 I of my gflide now saw the need 
 (Out there I fear I had not -wun, 
 As I saw neither wind nor sun), 
 Out of that soon we found our way 
 Into the dazzlin' glare of day. 
 
 But now in walks and shaven plot. 
 
 Former fatigues we soon forgot, 
 
 And pretty grounds now walkin' through, 
 
 The mansion house came into view, 
 
 To which I was led in again 
 
 By my guide and some servin' men, 
 
 Wlio showed me such attention 
 
 That of them I must make mention. 
 
 To dinner next I was led ben, 
 
 The road mysel' I did not ken. 
 
 Could not get on without a guide, 
 
 So many doors stood open wide. 
 
 In wrong ones I 'd been sure to stray, 
 
 And in the end Avould lose my way ;
 
 100 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 But by my guide's able leadiii'. 
 Was led to what I was needin' — 
 A nice hunger-staunchiu' dinner, 
 Served up in a handsome manner, 
 To wliich I am^jle justice did, 
 Attendants did not need me bid ; 
 I hungry was, the meat was gweed, 
 I soon had a substantial feed, 
 Swilled down with a good glass of ale, 
 Well satisfied I found mysel'. 
 
 When from dinner I did retire, 
 I found by his Lordship's desire. 
 Another man to be my guide 
 To where the gardener did abide, 
 That I might see the gardens braw 
 Before I left to come awa'. 
 Up through pretty flowers we went. 
 And walks, the like I never kent, 
 We came to the gardener's dwellin'. 
 Where my guide was for him callin'. 
 Saw his wife, a decent woman, 
 Who said soon he Avould be comin' 
 To show the beauties of the place. 
 So says my guide, " If that 's the case, 
 He in the gardens will be throng, 
 We '11 not need to detain him long ; 
 We '11 to the gardens straight repair, 
 And maybe we will meet him there." 
 After seein' their handsome hame, 
 We bade goodbye unto the dame,
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 101 
 
 Proceeded then up to the gate, 
 And there by chance the gardener met. 
 My guide then tell't him our story, 
 At which he said he was sorry 
 He had so little time to spare, 
 A fine flower was needin 's care, 
 "Would take his time fast as able, 
 To grace this day's dinner table. 
 He said my guide would do as weel, 
 Of what we 'd see he had some skill, 
 'Twas long since to the place he came. 
 Head keeper of his Lordship's game. 
 
 But as the day was now far spent, 
 Into the gardens straight we went. 
 And there I stood with sad surprise 
 As the bright scene before me lies. 
 Frae the gate at which we enter, 
 A nice walk runs up the centre, 
 Both sides lined with pretty flowers, 
 Grown by sunshine and warm showers. 
 Lots of vegetaljles planted, 
 And for cookin' often wanted ; 
 "What pretty onions, leeks, and kail, 
 Carrots, neeps, mair than I can tell, 
 Growin' there in rich profusion. 
 So close, almost in confusion. 
 From them a' we did shortly pass 
 To houses walled and roofed with glass, 
 Full of fruits, flowers o' rare worth, 
 That will not grow in open furth.
 
 102 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 In cold days heated up with steam 
 Till they a warmer climate seem. 
 Grapes in big clusters hingin' roun', 
 With weight the vines were bendin' down ; 
 Plums and peaches, the taste to please, 
 Tomatoes, figs, and bread fruit-trees, 
 Pine apples, melons, and nice pears, 
 A' well trimmed up with gardener's shears 
 Eare and choice fruits, and the tree fern, 
 And things I have their names to learn 
 Are there by scores and by hunders, 
 Teeming earth's iDrolific wonders. 
 
 "When we had seen a' that was there, 
 "We saw we had some time to spare ; 
 Now being out of the garden bounds. 
 Surveyed some more surroundin' grounds. 
 Outside behind the garden wall. 
 Are houses where the workmen dwall 
 That daily work about the place. 
 The gardens and the walks to dress. 
 Snug, pretty cottages they were. 
 That speak well of his Lordship's care 
 And comforts of his Avorking men, 
 A' that right weel his servants ken ; 
 That they are well, they are believing. 
 Scarcely ever think of leaving. 
 A long walk by his Lordship planned, 
 To look at now took us in hand, 
 A pretty walk and well laid out, 
 The best, I think, the jDlace about.
 
 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 103 
 
 It frae the gardens takes a roun', 
 Then- to the house it straight leads down 
 Between twa rows of pretty trees, 
 For lang have stood the wintry breeze. 
 So down we came that splendid walk, 
 And about it had a talk ; 
 Then saw and walked upon the green 
 That lately was the lively scene 
 Of the tenants' princely dinner, 
 The Earl being their entertainer ; 
 To show 's goodwill and his respect, 
 He did them there that day collect. 
 
 Having some little time to spare, 
 
 We to the gun-room did repair, 
 
 Saw the sporting guns and rifles, 
 
 A' right nice guns they were, not trifles. 
 
 Both single and double barrels, 
 
 "Were not made for nation's quarrels ; 
 
 Cartridge-filling machine I saw. 
 
 At once a hunder out can draw ; 
 
 Deers' heads, witli foxes' heads and tails, 
 
 Upon the Avails were fixed with nails. 
 
 Gas stove for heating up the room. 
 
 And nice and clean swept with a broom. 
 
 But as the time did onward flee, 
 
 Into the house I went to tea. 
 
 Was led into the house again 
 
 By some one of the serving men. 
 
 To the tea-table by him led. 
 
 And with nice dainty things was fed.
 
 104 A VISIT TO HADDO HOUSE. 
 
 "When tea was done, I was ready 
 K'ow to go and see the Lady, 
 As a man did notice gie me 
 That the Countess wished to see me ; 
 Eight glad I was that she had sent 
 To come before I homeward went. 
 To see the handsome pretty lady, 
 In her room I found her ready 
 A hearty welcome to gie me, 
 Ajid said she was glad to see me ; 
 She kindly for my welfare speirt, 
 That I was well, was glad to hear 't. 
 
 Next throughout the mansion shown, 
 
 From room to room in order goin'. 
 
 Oh ! what a lot of pretty things 
 
 That the command of money brings, 
 
 "What pretty pictures there I saw, 
 
 "Were hung about upon the wa' — 
 
 Lords and ladies, fair to look on, 
 
 Long since to the ither world crone. 
 
 The well-stored library I saw. 
 
 The room that pleased me best of a' ; 
 
 There I woidd get store of readin'. 
 
 The thing I am aye sair needin'. 
 
 I often find that a great want, 
 
 As I of books am very scant ; 
 
 A loss I find it many times 
 
 "\"\nien I am writing out my rhymes. 
 
 Tlien I was glad the place to see 
 
 To Heaven's King they bow the knee.
 
 A VISIT TO UADDO HOUSE. lO-" 
 
 And they sing to Him songs of priii-sc, 
 In family prayer their voices raise, 
 And taught beyond this earth to look 
 By lessons from the sacred hook ; 
 That they their precious souls may save, 
 And live in bliss beyond the grave. 
 Tlie new chapel erecting there 
 "Will be the place for family prayer. 
 Oh, what a tine world this would be, 
 Did we more family altars see ! 
 
 Lots of n^ore thmgs were to be seen, 
 But as my time was nearly deen, 
 I fear I '11 need to end ray rhyme 
 And go and see 't some other time ; 
 The other lake I 'd like to see, 
 A pretly lake 's a treat to me. 
 My time, I found, was fairly ower, 
 And a conveyance at the door 
 To take me to Udny Station, 
 "Where the train in expectation 
 "Was to take me to Aberdeen 
 To meditate on what I 'd seen. 
 So ends a day I '11 mind upon 
 So lang as life with me runs on, 
 I never can forget the way 
 That I was entertained that day 
 By Lord and Lady Aberdeen, 
 Their like is not often seen. 
 Of stinkin' pride tliey are quite free, 
 When they 'd look ou the like o' me. 
 ij
 
 lOG TO TTHAX WATER. 
 
 Some, with not half what tho.y possess, 
 And many with a good deal loss, 
 That would disdain Avith me to speak, 
 Far less my company would seek. 
 Should this my Lord and Lady please, 
 ^i'liey '11 say to me, " Come back and see 
 
 TO Y T H A ^^ W A T E R. 
 
 ]\1y gweed auld frien', Ythan, rejoice. 
 
 And with gladness lift up your voice ; 
 
 Xae ither river that I ken 
 
 Has been sae honoured by great men 
 
 And gentle ladies, gweed and fair. 
 
 Like diamonds costly, rich, and rare. 
 
 Your hanks for lang hae studded been. 
 
 And many ups and downs ye 've seen. 
 
 For many years now past and gane, 
 
 Sae laiig it 's out o' mortal ken. 
 
 Frae the Deluge I might suppose 
 
 Ye to a river's rank arose, 
 
 And down through ]\Iethlic's howes ye ran. 
 
 Lang afore the abodes o' man 
 
 Upon your banks came into view, 
 
 Your course ye seaward did pursue. 
 
 A place of note stan's on your banks, 
 AYi' best o' modern mansions ranks,
 
 TO YTHAX WATER. 10< 
 
 Has lang the liame been o' a lord, 
 The best that Scotland does afford, 
 The cpuntr3''s welfare had at heart, 
 In her government took a part, 
 And aye took measures for her gweed, 
 For what things she stood maist in need ; 
 Happy aye would auld Scotland been 
 Sic statesmen had she always seen. 
 
 I might gang back for many year, 
 But o' their history I 'm nae clear, 
 And f^rrer back can nae record 
 Than grandsire o' the present lord. 
 Whose memory stan's on Ythsie's hill, 
 And keep in mind for ever will 
 The honoured late lamented peer. 
 And seen by a' baith far and near. 
 Who will lament their landlord gone 
 When they see that tower o' stone. 
 Their loss would been mair hard to l)ear 
 Had they a landlord got to fear. 
 Been keepit down wi' iron rule. 
 And made them sing wi' care and dool — 
 But honour to the Gordon name, 
 They hae got landlords aye the same. 
 Who well can act a noble part, 
 Their tenants' welfare hae at heart. 
 They ever think and act upon, 
 As well as them that 's dead and <^oug. 
 
 o 
 
 But 0, Ytlian, tliough thus ye've seen 
 Their landlords pass ane after ane,
 
 108 TO YTHAN WATER. 
 
 Yet a great comfort yet ye hae 
 
 To see a branch that root sprung frae 
 
 Grow up to fill the vacant place, 
 
 By a' beloved nane the less. 
 
 The tenantry upon your banks 
 
 May a' pit up tlieir fervent thanks, 
 
 As well as those ye dinna see. 
 
 May a' unite, may a' agree. 
 
 With you abundantly rejoice, 
 
 That they hae got sae rich a prize 
 
 As the gweed lord at Haddo House, 
 
 That there now rules and is the source 
 
 Wlience flows all their prosperous state 
 
 In the future, as well 's of late. 
 
 In proof o' what I hae here said. 
 
 Look at the demonstration made ; 
 
 The tenants showed true and ready. 
 
 To welcome hame the gentle lady 
 
 Their much -loved lord had to them brouo;ht. 
 
 That he had chosen (happy thought) 
 
 To cheer and bless his noble home, 
 
 Baitli now and for lang years to come. 
 
 To be such will be the prayer 
 
 O' a' connected wi' them there. 
 
 O, Ythan, such a great turn out 
 Ye never saw, I sairly doubt, 
 Since that noble lordly buildin' 
 (Joy and pleasure to you yieldin') 
 Was built in years now lang gane by 
 Upon your banks that near han' lie.
 
 TO YTHAN WATER. lOD 
 
 Placed there by the commanding word, 
 Ancestor o' the noble lord 
 That lives now in that bonny place, 
 And mak's your grandeur nane the less. 
 "When word came frae the happy pair, 
 The noble lord and 's lady fair, 
 "Were coming to their future hame, 
 Lang honoured by the Gordon name, 
 The tenants mustered out in force. 
 Each mounted on a well fed horse^ 
 A cavalcade o' near live hundcr 
 Came'on wi' noise like thunder. 
 They in the road came ridin' on 
 As far as Newseat o' Tolquhon, 
 And mony ane upon their feet 
 Came out that day their lord to meet ; 
 Glad he was among them to abide. 
 And bringin' liame his bonny bride. 
 "With hearty shouts they rent the air 
 As soon 's they saw the happy pair, 
 A lang life, and welcome hame, 
 Frae ilka heart right loyal came ; 
 "Wi' flags and streamers wavin' round 
 Frae a' lumheads and vantage ground, 
 "Was never seen sic great display 
 As was got up there that happy day. 
 Ye Ythan, sparkliu' in the sun, 
 Rejoiciu' in the glorious fun, 
 And almost stoppit in your cour.=;e 
 "When ye came anent Haddo House,
 
 110 TO YTHAN WATER. 
 
 And dancin' in your banks \vi* glee, 
 Such happiness around to see. 
 As landlord and his tenants a' 
 Together close and closer draw, 
 Each for ither's welfare care, 
 Each pittin' up a silent praj'er. 
 The tenants wishin', on their side, 
 For their gweed landlord and his bride 
 A lang, lang life o' happiness 
 Among them in their bonny place ; 
 Their landlord and his noble lady. 
 On their part aye wishin' steady 
 Everything for their tenants' gweed. 
 Great store o' health and daily bread. 
 Each in their place to live contented, 
 Friendship 'twixt them be cemented 
 Aye firmer as the years roll on, 
 Their interests aye be joined in one. 
 But, 0, Ythan, I hae mair to say 
 About another grand gala day. 
 The noble lord and his lady. 
 Always kind, and ever ready 
 To their tenants to show respect, 
 To a OTeat dinner did collect 
 Them a' upon the bonny green, 
 A show the like was never seen. 
 Nine hunder farmers were convened, 
 A' tenants that their lands contained, 
 With cottagers and crofters baith, 
 A' that his Lordship sat aneath.
 
 TO YTIIAX WATER. Ill 
 
 Maist o' tliem had been a' tlieir lives, 
 Came wi' sax launder o' their wives, 
 As their landlord did them summon 
 To come, ilka man and woman. 
 
 A large marquee and canvas tent 
 Eight on frae Aberdeen was sent, 
 Lots o' waiters frae that sent on 
 The assembled guests to wait upon. 
 I'o a', frae great unto the least, 
 The gweed things o" tliat sumptuous feast 
 For theiH there that day provided. 
 And wi' nae spairiu' han' divided ; 
 Hale sheep and big oxen roasted ; 
 Hens, geese, ducks, and turkeys toasted ; 
 Big salmon, as ye may well ken, 
 Taen out o' you by servin' men ; 
 AVi' dumplin's, puddin's, and fruit pies, 
 Well baked, and o' a monstrous size ; 
 AVi' liquors gweed to swill them doun, 
 !Xae stintit drap was handit roun'. 
 
 When a' had eaten well their fdl 
 ■O' a'thing gien them wi' gweed will, 
 The tables cleared o' fragments left, 
 But nae o' a' gweed things bereft, 
 On them soon was set the toddy. 
 And a glass to everybody 
 To fill up and mak' a' ready, 
 Health to pleilge the noble lady
 
 112 TO YTIIAN WxVTEH. 
 
 That holds the rule o'er Britain's Isles, 
 
 And keeps at bay the foenian's wiles 
 
 That -would seek Britons to enthrall, 
 
 But by her rule repels them all 
 
 A lot u' niair toasts were taen up 
 
 And drunk to wi' a flowin' cup 
 
 A' in their order as they came, 
 
 And well responded to the same. 
 
 But the great toast o' the meetin', 
 
 O'er a' ithers far competin', 
 
 Was the health and happiness 
 
 Of the noble owners of the place — 
 
 Earl and Conntess of Aberdeen, 
 
 Was with a hearty cheerin' gien. 
 
 And loudly called for one cheer mair 
 
 Tor the Earl and his lady fair. 
 
 " Hip, hip, hurrah ! " for three times three, 
 
 " Lang may they live and happy be," 
 
 Was the wish and fervent prayer 
 
 0' a' the tenants that day there. 
 
 So closed a day will ever live. 
 
 When thought upon will pleasure give. 
 
 As lang as life wi' them remains, 
 
 A' in Haddo House domains. 
 
 Also respect and honoiu- yieldin' 
 
 To masons engaged buildin' 
 
 A chapel to complete the place, 
 
 Showin' them nae devoid o' grace, 
 
 I5ut like the patriarchs of old, 
 
 As in the Scriptures we are told,
 
 TO YTHAN WATER. 113 
 
 That aye where they pitch'd their abodo 
 They raised an altar to tlieir God. 
 What an example gweed to see 
 Those high in station bow the knee 
 To Lord of Lords and King of Kings, 
 The giver free of all good things 
 To use and richly to enjoy, 
 For good their riches to employ. 
 And keepin' aye the end in view 
 
 When an account for how they do 
 
 Will be of every one demanded, 
 
 And in. wetd or woe be landed 
 
 Accordin' as they hae done liere, 
 And distributed to the peer. 
 
 As stewards of riches lent tiiem 
 
 By Him who to this world sent them. 
 
 Likewise the workmen at the place 
 
 Were treated wi' respect nae less, 
 
 A gweed hearty dinner gien them, 
 
 Nae cost sjjared to entertain them, 
 
 T>ut treated like as brither men, 
 
 As they respect them back again ; 
 
 Some o' them been there a' their lives, 
 
 A warm hame to bairns and thcu" wives. 
 
 O, happy folk and happy laird. 
 
 To hae o' ilher such regard. 
 
 N"ow, Ythan, such a happy day 
 Yor lang ye 've nae chanced to hae, 
 And lang may ye wish it to be 
 Till ye the like again may see,
 
 114 TO YTHAX WATER. 
 
 As that right well ye ken implies 
 Till ane or baith parties dies 
 (That 's been the cause o' that display 
 Upon your banks the other day). 
 But in their higlily honoured home 
 Live for mony lang years to come 
 In peace and happiness and love, 
 Till called to a blest home above, 
 Ee your wish and earnest prayer 
 Aye for the newly wedded pair. 
 
 j\fany a braw place in your course 
 Ye see, but nane like Haddo House. 
 I 've oft thought I would like to see 't, 
 And better become acquainted wi' 't, 
 But my station and low degree 
 Keeps me frae what I 'd like to see. 
 
 So, Ythan, dear, I '11 say good-bye, 
 And may your bed be never dry. 
 But rinnin' on while ages last, 
 Contented where your lot 's been cast. 
 I wish you well wi' a' my pith, 
 Ever your true frien', Jeamie Smith. 
 
 P.S.— But, Ythan, I must nae forget 
 
 About the scholars' handsome treat. 
 Great numbers were invited there. 
 Made to partake o' dainty fare. 
 Fruit, tea, and mony things forbye, 
 To suit the taste and please the eye.
 
 BIRTH OF AN HEIR TO BALMEDIE ESTATES. 115 
 
 Amusements and games made ready 
 
 By his Xordship and his lady, 
 
 And prizes gien to those that won, 
 
 To jump, to dance, and races run. 
 
 A pleasant afternoon they spent. 
 
 The day was done afore they kent. 
 
 In after life they will loolc back 
 
 Wi' pleasure on this generous act. 
 
 When done, three hearty cheers were gien 
 
 For Lord and Lady Aberdeen. 
 
 OX THE BIRTH OF A SOX AXD HKIK TO 
 THE BALMEDIE ESTATES, BELHELVIE. 
 
 Sometime back, self constituted, 
 
 Of events to tell about it, 
 
 As rhymer I took in hand 
 
 To tell what happens in the land 
 
 Among my patrons, kind and gweed. 
 
 That condescend my books to read, 
 
 Pay me well for what I send them, 
 
 For Avhich may a' gweed attend them — 
 
 Little ither for a livin' 
 
 Than what kind friends to me givin'. 
 
 An event, the cause of much joy. 
 Birth of an heir, a pretty boy. 
 To the estate of Balmedie. 
 ^Ir. Lumsden and his lady
 
 116 BIRTH OP AX HEIR TO BALMKDIE ESTATES. 
 
 Will now be quite proiul of the same, 
 
 (,'ontinue on the family name, 
 
 Lang in the place has honoured been. 
 
 Three generations now I 've seen, 
 
 By a' their tenants well beloved, 
 
 As out and in 'mongst them they moved ; 
 
 Aye landlords to their tenants gweed, 
 
 Giving free what they saw them need — 
 
 Happy tenants and happy lairds, 
 
 That have of ither such regards. 
 
 When glad news came to Balmedie, 
 Tenants turned out quick and ready 
 To show their gladness and their joy 
 At the birth of the infant boy, 
 Keep up a name they hae regard, 
 Be in some future time their laird, 
 lUit wishing that a distant day, 
 Well pleased are with the laird they hae ; 
 But well assured a day will come, 
 When to his fathers gathered home. 
 Will hae one of the honoured race 
 'Mong them as laiid to tak' his place. 
 
 To seen the land the ither day. 
 With wavin' flags and streamers gay, 
 One would hae thought the folk gane mad. 
 Held holiday, they were so glad. 
 Maist every house had up a flag. 
 The poorest, though 'twas but a rag,
 
 BIRTH OF AN HEIR TO BALMEDIE ESTATES. \l] 
 
 At their lumlieads were erected, 
 To show hi)w their laird respected, 
 And their love for his good lady, 
 Aj'e their friend, stauncli and steady, 
 By his kind waj-s affection won, 
 And above a', their youthful son. 
 
 Upon a hill a pile they raised, 
 
 And there at night a bonfire blazed 
 
 {The bonfire on the Hill of Keir 
 
 jNIade the dark niglit like noonday clear), 
 
 In honour of the happy day, 
 
 While around were folk "lad and gav. 
 
 In full bumpers that did o'errun, 
 
 Pledged their laird, lady, and young son, 
 
 Wishin' them health and happy days, 
 
 As on through life they wend their ways, 
 
 Prayin' far oil" may be the day 
 
 Till the young laird assumes the sway. 
 
 But glad when parents' life is done, 
 
 Father succeeded by the son ; 
 
 If heaven spares the darling boy, 
 
 See him grow up will be their joy. 
 
 As he strength and wisdom gathers, 
 
 Move in footsteps of his fathers, 
 
 Will their love and affection claim. 
 
 They dearly love the Lumsden name, 
 
 AVish nae ither to rule o'er them, 
 
 Sons of fathers gone before them. 
 
 If tenants' prayers hae effect. 
 
 Providence will the youth direct
 
 118 ox ARCHDEACOX BISSET OF LESSENDRUM. 
 
 In the right path that he should go 
 Through all his life while here below ; 
 And when his time on earth is done, 
 His place be filled up by a son, 
 Keep ever up the Lumsden name, 
 Generations to come the same, 
 And one of that name ever be 
 Aye at Ealmedie by the sea. 
 A nice place, and growin' better 
 By the mason, wright, and slater ; 
 A pretty house will soon bi; there. 
 With pretty grounds and gardens fair, 
 Delightful residence will be, 
 And prospect of the boundless sea. 
 Long may they live it to enjoy, 
 Laird, lady, and their lovely boy. 
 Aye walking in the \\ ays of truth, 
 Example to the darling youth. 
 And when their time on earth is done. 
 Leave honoin-ed name unto their son. 
 
 OX THE DEATH OF THE EEV. AECHDEACON 
 M. G. F. BISSET OF LESSEXDRUM. 
 
 Another of my patrons gone. 
 All passing off, one after one ; 
 Ten of my former patrons gweed, 
 Alas ! now numbered with the dead.
 
 ox ARCHDEACON BISSET OF LESSEXDRUM. Ill) 
 
 Each had to go, their time was come, 
 
 Grim Death has called at Lessendrum 
 
 And taen awa' my gweed auld frien', 
 
 That twice had me donations gien — 
 
 Nae trifle, but a gweed roun' sum, 
 
 Was sent to me frae Lessendrum. 
 
 Eeverend Archdeacon, now awa', 
 
 Was ever good and kind to a' : 
 
 Whate'er their creed he did not mind, 
 
 He as their brother man was kind. 
 
 The love to man he did accord, 
 
 Showed forth his great love for his Lord, 
 
 Who sa^d, " Love God with strength and mind, 
 
 And to your brother man be kind." 
 
 Acting on this plan to the end, 
 Ever did my departed friend. 
 To all was his assistance given 
 Whatever road they took to Heaven ; 
 If they straight in that road hold on, 
 And looked to Christ before them gone, 
 Travelling on by faith and prayer, 
 Their different roads would a' meet there — 
 Before the throne woidd meet at last, 
 Where all life's cares and troubles past. 
 
 Such was the creed of him tliat 's gone, 
 His master's work hath faithful done, 
 Through a long life has done his best, 
 Kow sweetly will enjoy his rest ;
 
 120 ox ARCHDEACON BISSET OF LESSENDRUM. 
 
 With his Saviour (here did love) 
 Will spend eteruity above. 
 Now a' his toils and troubles ower, 
 Safe landed on that hajjpy shore, 
 See the reward of all his toil 
 In many happy ransomed soul 
 Brought home by what of Christ he told, 
 Xow safe in the good shepherd's fold. 
 Tenants will miss him sad and sair, 
 He of their wellbeing had a care ; 
 The time he their landlord has been 
 Many ways proved himself their frien', 
 Made them a comfortable home, 
 Told them oft of a world to come, 
 By many a line and many a text. 
 Their friend for this world and the next, 
 Did their souls and bodies regard, 
 Proved himself a most worthy laird ; 
 Sincerely for him now they '11 mourn, 
 From them gone, never to return. 
 
 And many one beyond his lands 
 Received great favours at his hands, 
 To them oft in great straits did come, 
 Will miss the laird of Lessendrum, 
 Who was right well beloved by a', 
 Baith near at hand and far awa'. 
 Sure folk of Huntly and Drumblade 
 For him will tears of sorrow shed. 
 Nae mair his venerable form 
 (Welcome baith in sunshine and storm)
 
 ox WILLIAM LESLIE OF NETHERMUIR. 121 
 
 "Will gladden with his presence near, 
 With, words of comfort come to cheer 
 When sad and downcast in their minds, 
 The good old man some comfort finds. 
 They '11 mind the way he cheered them on, 
 And prayed for them at mercy's throne, 
 Their lot made bright in many ways. 
 And now they '11 bless him a' their days. 
 "When in Heaven they meet him there. 
 Will him thank for their souls' great care. 
 
 While ^11 will thus with sorrow mourn. 
 And eyes to his successor turn 
 For comfort in their hour of need, 
 And be to them a landlord gweed, 
 And be their friend as far 's he can, 
 Be a good son of so good a man, 
 Friend of them he did befriend, 
 To them a helping hand extend ; 
 In my individual case. 
 Aye be to me a friend nae less. 
 
 OX THE DEATH OF WILLIAM LESLIE OF 
 NETHERMUIR. 
 
 All will lament with me, I 'm sure, 
 Mr. Leslie of Xetlierinuir, 
 Now gone the way of all the earth. 
 We hope now to a better berth — 
 I
 
 122 ON WILLIAM LESLIE OF NETHERMUIR. 
 
 A man, rose frae the workin' class, 
 And far ahead of them did pass. 
 A workin' mason first was bred. 
 At the time a poor payin' trade. 
 By great exertion and by skill, 
 And a determined onward will, 
 He rose to be a man of note, 
 Left a name will not be forgot. 
 But will mourned be by mony ane 
 In country and in Aberdeen ; 
 Be missed by a', baith rich and poor, 
 The good, kind laird of Jll'J'ethermuir. 
 
 His tenants a' will miss him sair, 
 He of their welfare had a care, 
 "Wished to see them thrive and get on, 
 And money make, as he had done. 
 Gave a' assistance in his power 
 To let a' live on ISTethermuir : 
 But they have yet his kind lady, 
 "Will be their friend and help steady, 
 AVho with him for their comfort cared- 
 0, lang may she be with them spared. 
 
 Although bent on money mak'in', 
 And of it aye gweed care takin', 
 He was nae miser with his gear. 
 He liberal was aye to the peer. 
 The truth of that I well can tell, 
 Sent a donation to mysel'
 
 ON WILLIAM LESLIE OF NETHERMUIR. 123 
 
 To help me in these hard-up times 
 To pay the pi^intin' of my Ehymes. 
 Another of my patrons gone, 
 I doubt I '11 come but poorly on 
 "With my next book, now near ready, 
 But I will trust to his good lady. 
 A' what he did, she '11 do the same, 
 Keep up the credit of his name, 
 Leave nane to sadly mourn his death. 
 But bless him with their latest breatli. 
 He in his day had honoured been, 
 The highest seat in Aberdeen 
 For years he with acceptance filled, 
 For city's good the best he willed. 
 Freedom and keys of Aberdeen 
 He honour had to give our Queen 
 (As was the Provost's wont and use), 
 As she came through from Haddo House. 
 A prince once as his guest had gone, 
 That came to lay foundation stone^ 
 Harbour of Aberdeen's north pier, 
 Of north-east storms to keep it clear. 
 And honoured statesmen, higli in power, 
 Have gone to feast within his bower — 
 A man honoured and respected, 
 Oft to posts of trust elected ; 
 An office-bearer in liis kirk. 
 Aye faithful in liis holy work, 
 With 's worldly substance helped her on, 
 She '11 miss him sair now that he 's srone.
 
 124 ON WILLIAM LESLIE OF NETHERMUIR. 
 
 With workiii' hard and doiu's best, 
 
 He sweeter will enjoy his rest. 
 
 When his toils are now past laid, 
 
 By heaven's king it will be said, 
 
 " Well done thou servant good and true, 
 
 My delight is in such as you ; 
 
 To you, heaven's joys I do accord. 
 
 Enter now the joys of your Lord." 
 
 The lonely lady left behind, 
 To comfort her be heaven kind. 
 From all her sorrows give relief. 
 Support her in her day of grief, 
 Till life be spent she come to die, 
 Join her loved husband up on high, 
 Where they united will remain, 
 ISTever divided be again. 
 Through endless ages will rejoice. 
 Endowed with life that never dies, 
 Their loving Saviour ever see, 
 And in his presence ever be ; 
 Now freed from sorrow, death, and sin. 
 And from a wicked heart within. 
 In robes of white they '11 ever stand, 
 And roam in bliss that happy land. 
 
 m^' 
 
 i^
 
 LAMENT FOR CAPTAIN GORDON OF CLUNY. 12 
 
 A LAM EXT FOR THE LATE 
 CAPTAIN JOHX GOEDOX OF CLUXY, &c. 
 
 Lament wi' grief ye Cluny lands, 
 Alang \vi' Slains and Forvie's sands, 
 Buckie lands, and Isles o' the west, 
 Kinsteary land, and a' the rest. 
 Death has deprived you o' a frien', 
 Your loss is nae yet fully seen ; 
 A gw§ed, a kind, indulgent laird. 
 That for his tenants had regard ; 
 Had tliey but the least want express't, 
 Was soon and willmgly redress't ; 
 If he but saw that they had need. 
 Any improvement for their gweed. 
 His purse was aye at their command. 
 Through a' the corners o' his land. 
 To do gweed he aye was ready, 
 Baith him and his gentle lady. 
 They many kindly actions did, 
 Will come to light that yet is hid. 
 Wi' the stiff clayey soil o' Slains 
 He neither spared purse nor pains, 
 And like to balHe a' did seem, 
 He sent and ploughed it up wi' steam. 
 A' the fishermen on his lands 
 Had many favours at his hands ; 
 Harbours he built where he saw need, 
 And many things did for their gweed.
 
 12G LAMENT FOR CAPTAIN GORDON OP CLUNY. 
 
 To save their lives in time o' storm, 
 Wi' liberal hand he did perform, 
 And his gweed Christian lady- 
 Was like to him, ever ready, 
 Aye buildin' schools where she saw need, 
 Without respect o' sect or creed ; 
 She nae preference to any showed. 
 By her were a' alike endowed. 
 For their eternal welfare cared. 
 May she among them lang be spared. 
 See fruits spring up a hunder fold, 
 Mair precious than the finest gold. 
 Will last when earth and all its store 
 Will be consumed and is no more. 
 Short-sighted mortals canna see 
 What for their gweed is best to be. 
 We would murmur, and say why 
 Has the good man so soon to die 
 When so much good is being done 1 
 Men's interests cared for, their souls won. 
 By the example that they see 
 Of those that in high station be, 
 As well 's o' them a lesson learns, 
 Looks to a future life's concerns. 
 
 The good and true right-hearted man 
 Has oft a short allotted span 
 Gien to him here upon this earth, 
 Till taken to a better berth, 
 Maun leave all, in dust lie down, 
 And exchange for heavenly crown.
 
 LAMENT FOR CAPTAIX GORDON' OF CLUNY. 127 
 
 The vain allurements o' this scene 
 Come oft them and their God atween ; 
 The good is oft quickly taen away, 
 While wicked men get leave to stay, 
 Their life prolonged down here below, 
 In hopes they ']1 turn before they go, 
 Extending lang their day o' grace, 
 And fit them for a better place. 
 If they repent they will most sure 
 Be saved, even at the eleventh hour. 
 
 The late laird's gweed deeds to tell ower 
 
 Is a task far past my power. 
 
 In history they '11 ever shine. 
 
 By mony ane be kept in min'. 
 
 I never can in time forget, 
 
 How Slains' library up he set 
 
 In a way quite unexpected. 
 
 For years it had been neglected. 
 
 The books been sad and sair abused, 
 
 Cared for by nane, by a' ill-used ; 
 
 Wi' careless usage sadly torn, 
 
 The bindin's aff o' them maist worn, 
 
 Keepit in a most unsuitin' place. 
 
 On a damp wa', in a damp press. 
 
 Maist o' them in want o' bindin', 
 
 To do that nae money findin', 
 
 The whole concern nearhan' failiii', 
 
 To raise 't up nae way for tell in'. 
 
 When like to fa' to rise nae mair, 
 
 And be among the things that were.
 
 128 LAMENT FOR CAPTAIN GORDON OF CLUNY. 
 
 The kind, gweed laird o' Slains appeared, 
 
 And it through danger safely steered, 
 
 And set it upon its feet again. 
 
 In a' its usefulness to men. 
 
 Pounds he gave, and that nae a few, 
 
 The books to get re-bound anew, 
 
 In a place get them right keepit. 
 
 Where they 'd nae wi' damp be steepit ; 
 
 A man set ower to keep it right, 
 
 0' a' the books to keep a sight, 
 
 And gie to a' folk that need them, 
 
 Books to take hame and read them ; 
 
 A yearly sum for them set by 
 
 To keep them goin', nae useless lie. 
 
 That I 'm well pleased, is nae wonder, 
 
 When I 'm its first and only founder. 
 
 I spared nae time nor yet expense, 
 
 Although some at it took offence 
 
 When called upon wi' it to help. 
 
 I persevered despite their yelp. 
 
 And got to it many a shillin' 
 
 Frae them that for gweed were willin'. 
 
 I soon had a sum o' money — 
 
 A ten-pound note I got frae Cluny. 
 
 To make the money bigger still, 
 
 A five-pound note came frae Parkhill ; 
 
 Cash frae tenants on their grounds 
 
 Made up the sum to sixty pounds. 
 
 Folk should do gweed where'er they gang 
 
 Should they stop short or stop they lang, 
 
 o>
 
 LAMENT FOR CAPTAIN GORDON OF CLUNY. 129 
 
 I dwelt for nine lang years in Slains, 
 To do some gweed I took some pains, 
 Got a library set on foot, 
 I '11 nae repent as lang 's I 've wit. 
 
 I hope, my lad}^, you 'Jl accept 
 
 Frae me, nae just a great adept 
 
 In rhymin' up in prose or verse^ 
 
 I canna be called a poet scarce, 
 
 Eut fain wi' you I 'd sympathize, 
 
 As far as power m me lies, 
 
 And your great grief wi' you to share, 
 
 Ye hae been called upon to bear ; 
 
 Though hard to bear, yet may you see 
 
 A loving Father's hand to be, 
 
 For wise reasons He has seen best 
 
 To call your husband to his rest. 
 
 Kow, we trust, in his heavenly home, 
 
 "Where no disease nor death can come, 
 
 I5ut perfect joys for ever flow. 
 
 Freed from the cares of life below. 
 
 Each ransomed soul doth quickly fly 
 
 Up to its blissful home on high. 
 
 Though high theu" station has been here, 
 
 Higher in that exalted sphere. 
 
 They will in endless honours roll, 
 
 A satisfled, a happy soul. 
 
 Had they it now o' their choicin' 
 
 Things o' earth they 'd be despisin', 
 
 Just mere playthings aiid childish toys 
 
 When compared wi' their present joys.
 
 130 LAMENT FOR THE EARL OF FIFE. 
 
 When a' the changes o' this life, 
 When a' the battles and the strife, 
 A' the mortal ills o' life are past, 
 And the dread moment comes at last, 
 When the grim king to you draws near, 
 May you look on him wantin' fear, 
 Only come you to escort home 
 To where all good people come, 
 And meet your husband there on high, 
 No more to part, no more to die, 
 But changeless all for aye remain. 
 Where joys and bliss for ever reign. 
 
 A LAME XT FOR THE LATE EAEL OF FIFE. 
 
 Ah ! Death, you 've busy been of lato 
 Eemoving men of high estate, 
 Ye rich and poor make all alike, 
 None can escape when you do strike. 
 Into this world by man's sin brought, 
 Among men ye have sad havoc wrought ; 
 By you all mankind have to die. 
 Get your commission from on high ; 
 No wealth nor power can stay your hand. 
 Both poor and nobles of the land 
 Must go when you do on them call — 
 Such is the common fate of all.
 
 LAMENT FOR THE EARL OF FIFE. 131 
 
 Death, you have now deprived of life, 
 The good, the noble Earl of Fife, 
 A loss be felt both far and wide 
 By all that in his lands abide. 
 They Avill for him sincerely mourn, 
 Gone from them, never to return ; 
 A good, kind landlord to them been, 
 Stood them and many ills between, 
 Had many favours ht his hands 
 Through all his extended lands. 
 Aye scheming something for their gweed, 
 And giying what he saw them need. 
 Teiiants' welfare had aye at heart, 
 Did to them well a landlord's part. 
 In House of Lords be felt a blank. 
 Country his services have to thank, 
 Both for his time and talent lent. 
 Did 's best for Scotland's government ; 
 Supported measures for her good, 
 Industries and supply of food, 
 Twa things she most depends upon, 
 She will now miss his counsel gone. 
 Good statesmen true she ill can spare, 
 To steer her right needs a' their care — 
 The late Earl gone did well his part, 
 And for him now her grief is smait. 
 
 But why thus for him sadly mourn 1 
 To the bright side now let us turn. 
 The good Earl did his duty here. 
 Translated now to higher sphere
 
 132 LAMENT FOR THE EARL OF FIFE. 
 
 After earthly toil (done his best), 
 Has, we trust, entered on his rest ; 
 Done duty to his fellow-man, 
 Accepted of salvation's plan. 
 Has run his race, and won the prize. 
 With his Saviour in the skies — 
 On earth did serve with ardent love. 
 Will spend eternity above ; 
 Would not exchange his present state 
 For a world's pomp and riches great, 
 Would not return to earth's vain show 
 For all the kingdoms here below, 
 Of all pain, sin, and sorrow free. 
 Loving Saviour ever see. 
 
 Another cause mak's grief the less, 
 One of the name to take his place, 
 A landlord good to tenants be. 
 An exact counterpart they '11 see 
 Of the good Earl that now is gone. 
 Father's footsteps followed by the son, 
 Will do to them what joy affords. 
 Take his place in the House of Lords, 
 Good landlord and statesman be, 
 Measures for country's good agree. 
 Devoted to his country's good, 
 And tenants' friend hath firmly stood, 
 Be ever named in after life 
 As a true and good Earl of Fife ; 
 When all life's toils and troubles o'er, 
 Join his forefathers gone before
 
 LAMENT FOR THE EARL OF FIFE. 133 
 
 In that other world, bright and fair, 
 
 Where no sad partings ever there, 
 
 But undivided dwell for aye 
 
 In realms of everlasting day. 
 
 To sorrowing friends left behind, 
 
 Heaven send consolations kind. 
 
 May see a Father's hand in this, 
 
 A friend removed from earth to bliss. 
 
 Heaven doth but its own restore;. 
 
 Not to them lost but gone before, 
 
 In Christian race may urge them on, 
 
 And meet their friends to heaven gone, 
 
 United stand the throne before. 
 
 When things of earth and time 's no more. 
 
 This call to one of noble birth 
 Shows no respect to sons of earth, 
 As well 's the poor the rich must die. 
 Descend to grave from station high. 
 If to them be riches given. 
 Account will be required by heaven 
 Of how on tliis earth have spent them, 
 To the poor and needy lent them.
 
 134 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATRONS. 
 
 A EHYMIXG LIST OF THE KIND PATRON'S 
 OF MY EOOK OF RHYMES, 
 
 PUBLISHED IN 1874. 
 
 I 'm rhymer now, as may be seen, 
 To Prince Leopold and the Queen ; 
 Mrs. Buchan of Auchmacoy, 
 Miss Buchan's favour I enjoy; 
 The j\Iisses Turner of Menie 
 Hae gien me mony a penny ; 
 Lady Clark of Tilly pronie 
 Has been kind with shillin's mony ; 
 The good Lady Dingwall-Fordyce, 
 For my book sent something nice ; 
 Dowager Countess of Aberdeen 
 Has to me very liberal been ; 
 Misses Leslie of Powis House, 
 Their purse strings hae broke loose 3 
 Mr. Lumsden of Balmedie 
 Has been my friend, firm and steady ; 
 Lady Lumsden, Belhelvie Lodge, 
 A handsome sum she did not grudge ; 
 Lady Leith, owner of Leith-hall, 
 With a good sum did on me call ; 
 Frae Keith-haU, the Earl of Kintore 
 Sent me shillin's mair than a score ; 
 Lord Saltoun, House of Philorth, 
 A handsome sum to me sent forth ;
 
 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATRONS. 135 
 
 Colonel Gordon of Fyvie laird, 
 Did also for me show 's regaird ; 
 J. H. Udnj' of XJdny's Green, 
 Has shown himself to me a frien' ; 
 "VViUiam Henderson, Devanha House, 
 To me his money 's been of use ; 
 Thomas Douglas, of the Hotel, 
 Of what he gave I 'm proud to teU ; 
 William Yeats of Auquharney's land, 
 He gave to me with liberal hand ; 
 Sir William Forbes, Fintray House, 
 A good round sum to me let loose ; 
 Geor^ Thompson of Pitmedden, Dyce, 
 Sent to me a donation nice ; 
 Robert 0. Farquharson of Haughton, 
 Did not pass me with money none ; 
 William Cunliffe Brooks, Glentanar, 
 Used me in a genteel manner ; 
 Hardy liobinson of Denmore - 
 Sent to me shiUin's half a score ; 
 Late Colonel Forbes, Eothienorman, 
 Was great good to me performin' ; 
 John Miller, Chemical Works here, 
 Helped me on with my career ; 
 Newell Burnett, Cairnton Cottage, 
 Sent me what would buy my pottage ; 
 Martin Pirie, of Stoneywood, 
 Has proved himself a patron good ; 
 David Seton, Mounie, Daviot, 
 Book for naething would not have it ;
 
 136 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATRONS. 
 
 Alex. Nicol, Murtle Hoose, 
 He helped me to cook my goose ; 
 Captain John Gordon of Cluny, 
 When he lived he sent me money ; 
 Henry Gordon, laird of Manar, 
 Did not me from his purse debar ; 
 John H. Milne, land of Craigelly, 
 Liberal was to me in really ; 
 Hugh G. Lumsden of Clova land 
 Did also me with money stand ; 
 Captain Duif of Hatton Castle 
 Helped me with debt to wrestle ; 
 J. W. Pease, Cardovan Lodge, 
 To my appeal did quickly budge ; 
 The Hon. G. Skene of Montcoflfer, 
 Shabby sum he did not offer ; 
 The late laird of Eothiebrisbane, 
 With me on trifles did not stan' ; 
 Major Thomas Leith, Pitmedden, 
 Gladdenin' rays was on me sheddin' ;] 
 The now honoured Marquis of Lome 
 Showed that he was liberal born ; 
 Walter Leslie of Drumrossie 
 Helped me a bit up the closie ; 
 T. J. E. Innes, Netherdale, 
 On with my task gave me a spell ; 
 Alexander Baird of Urie 
 Came down with a golden showerie ; 
 William Leslie of Wartle laird, 
 His money with me liberal shared ;
 
 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATROXS. 137 
 
 A. Kilgour of Loirston, Cove, 
 Up with my book gave me a shove ; 
 Edward Pease, Kindrachet Cottage, 
 I '11 mhid on, though in my dotage ; 
 F. Garden Campbell, House of Troup, 
 He did not let my spirits droop ; 
 Sir R. Abercrombie, Forglen, 
 Is one of the right kind of men ; 
 The Lord Macduff of Geldie Lodge 
 Did not leave me alone to trudge ; 
 James W. Barclay, Auchlossan, 
 By him I was nothing lossin' ; 
 Archdeacon Disset, Lessendiuiii, 
 Sent on to me a handsome sum ; 
 Alex. P. Hogarth, Seaton, 
 Gave to me a handsome treatin' ; 
 A. S. Wilson, North Kmmundy, 
 Help'd me up with my fund aye ; 
 General Disney Leith of Blackball 
 Handsome responded to my call ; 
 Lord Inverurie, Dunuichan House, 
 Sent cash that was to me of use ; 
 Harry Lumsden of Pitcaple 
 Sent to me a liandsome "apple" ; 
 !Macpher3on-Grant, Ballindalloch, 
 "With laughter made me Sfpialach ; 
 Colonel Dull", laird of Knockleith, 
 Gave money of some Lrngth and breadth ; 
 William Leslie of Xcthermuir 
 Made on me fa' a siller shower ;
 
 138 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATRONS. 
 
 William Newall of Blairfindy 
 
 "Was with money very kind aye ; 
 
 James Florence, number Ten Queen's Road^ 
 
 Sent money on to my abode ; 
 
 James Davidson of Balnagask, 
 
 For help in vain I did not ask ; 
 
 Francis G. Fraser of Findrack 
 
 A liberal sum he sent me back ; 
 
 Charles Dairy m pie, Kinellar, 
 
 Gave me onwards a propeller ; 
 
 Lord Clinton, House of Fettercairn, 
 
 A liberal man I then did learn ; 
 
 Captain C. B. Fisher, Murcar, 
 
 Was with me a fellow-worker ; 
 
 The noble Earl of Aberdeen 
 
 Is about the best man I 've seen ; 
 
 Baronet Sir Dudley Maijoribanks, 
 
 For what he sent deserves my thanks ; 
 
 Lord Eosebery, Dalmeny Park, 
 
 Gave me a push on with my wark ; 
 
 William Ferguson, Kinmundy, 
 
 Gave out by baith door and window ; 
 
 Major Turner of Turnerhall 
 
 Aye added to the rollin' ball ; 
 
 James Sim, the late laird of Cornhill, 
 
 Gave me a little with good will ; 
 
 James Shepherd, Aldie, Cruden, laird, 
 
 Showed unto me his kind regard ; 
 
 John F. White, flour merchant here, 
 
 Likes well to help the honest peer ;
 
 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATROXS. 139 
 
 Alex. Smith, at the Gas "Works, 
 Is nae miser, but out he forks ; 
 John Begg, of Lochnagar Distil', 
 His mite sent to me with good will ; 
 J. F. Leith, M.P., Aberdeen, 
 A little help has to me gien ; 
 A. Macdonald, Field, & Co., 
 They did not let me empty go ; 
 Andrew Farquharson of Whitehouse 
 Me a donation down did douse ; 
 \Yilliam Hall, shipwright, Aberdeen, 
 To me a good friend has been ; 
 Colonel Innes of Learney 
 "With cash heaped up the cairn aye ; 
 Peter Morison, the Lime Co., 
 He has not been to me a foe ; 
 James Matthews, King Street, architect, 
 Was better than I did expect ; 
 J. A. Sinclair, of Scotland Bank, 
 Among my friends I now must rank ; 
 H. Wolridge Gordon, Esslemont, 
 With his full purse came to the front ; 
 Robert Catto, laird of WalHleld, 
 Did unto me the right thing yield ; 
 George Emslie, that lives at Kintore, 
 With his money swelled up my store ; 
 A. Duthie, shipbuilder, Fittie, 
 Helped me on a little bittie ; 
 George Paterson, the Deeside Lodge, 
 He did not treat my call as fudge ;
 
 1 40 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATRONS. 
 
 Andrew Mitchc4], late Foveran House, 
 Sent what would buy a brace of grouse ; 
 Daniel Mearns, a merchant here, 
 To send me cash he did not fear ; 
 James Cumine, House of Rattray, 
 Helped nie to defend my battery ; 
 Colonel Farquharson, Tnvercauld, 
 Was to me a friend, true and bauld ; 
 Doctor Beveridge, in Aberdeen, 
 Has proved himself to be my fricn' ; 
 Colonel Fraser, Castle Fraser, 
 Up my Muse has helped to raise 'er ;. 
 George Williamson of Littlewood 
 Has with his money done me good ; 
 William Hutcheson of Caiingall 
 Has sent money to where I dwall ; 
 A. Boyd, St. Fergus, Castlebrae, 
 The same I have got money frae ; 
 J. R. Mackenzie, of Thorngrove, 
 A gey good friend did to me prove ; 
 James Crombie, late of Govalbank, 
 Was good to me, I 'II feel the blank ; 
 A. Douglas Ainslie, Delgat}'', 
 For the hard-up he shows pity ; 
 Robert Smith, laird of Glenmillan, 
 To help me was very willin' ; 
 John Fyfe, of the Kemi ay Quarries, 
 To do good he never tarries ; 
 Walter Scott, Glendronach Distil', 
 The money sent did me nae ill ;
 
 A KHVMIXG LIST OF MY PATRONS. 141 
 
 Gilbert Wilkinson, Monaltrie, 
 Is not neither mean nor paltry ; 
 John F. Lumsden, House of Aucliray, 
 Helped in my strait to put it by ; 
 Captain Farquhar, House of ]\[uiresk, 
 To help me on unlocked his desk ; 
 John L. lioss, of Arnage estate, 
 Gave me a very handsome treat ; 
 John Fowler, laird of Easter Skene, 
 Stood mc and poverty between ; 
 Alex. Scott, Towie-Barclay, 
 Lighted up where I saw darkly ; 
 J. Forbes Mitchell, of Thainstoiie, 
 On me he has with favour shone ; 
 Eobert Tindal, of Stonehaven, 
 Has a nice donation given ; 
 Major Ferguson, Coynach Brae, 
 I have some money gotten frae ; 
 "William Black Ferguson, Invery, 
 To thank him well I '11 ever try ; 
 John Park, merchant in Fraserburgh, 
 Pulled me out of despondin' slough ; 
 Admiral Farquhar, Carlogie, 
 His cash made me blythe and bogie ; 
 William Dunn, Huntly's Battle Hill, 
 His cash did mc with pleasure fill ; 
 William iSIaitland, of Shannaburn, 
 Did me a very handsome turn ; 
 William Findlay, Six Garden Place, 
 Helped me on in my rhymin' race ;
 
 142 A RHYMING LIST OF MY PATRONS. 
 
 Colonel G. Kiiilocli of Park, 
 To me made light where it was dark ; 
 Alexander Stuart, Laithers, 
 Gave to me nae stupid blethers ; 
 William M'Kenzie, of Fintry, 
 A nice donation gave to me ; 
 R. G. Gordon, Letterfourie, 
 Rained on me a gentle showerie ; 
 E. Lumsden, House of Ferryhill, 
 Did to me not that very ill : 
 Simpson Sheplierd, of Drumduan, 
 Did something to prevent my ruin ; 
 
 D. L. Shirras, House of Tullos, 
 
 Sent cash, and tlien twa books follows ; 
 Francis L. Pirie, Waterton, 
 He wished to see me gettin' on ; 
 J. Davidson, Inverurie, 
 Wished my way pleasant and flowery ; 
 J. F. Lumsden, Albyn Terrace, 
 Seemed my adventure to caress; 
 Edward Fiddes, of One Queen's Road, 
 Wished to help me to bear my load ; 
 James Nicolson of Glenbervie 
 Wished me success to deserve aye ; 
 John Fraser of the Derncleuch 
 Helped me to climb Parnassus' heuch ; 
 
 E. B, Stuart of Crichie Dens 
 Well me rewarded for my pains ; 
 John Stewart, Banchory Mansion, 
 My rhymin' efforts did sanction ;
 
 A RHYMING LIST OF IIY PATRONS. 145 
 
 William James Tayler, Eothiemay, 
 Helped me to keep the wolf at bay ; 
 Duncan Forbes of Balgownie 
 Bade me ride my rhymin' pony ; 
 George Donald, senior Baillie, 
 Friends like him I would wish daily ; 
 James Park, Fraserburgh, in the north, 
 To me a man of sterling worth ; 
 Doctor Fiddes, Union Street, 
 He sent for me with him to meet ; 
 David Dewar, of Castle Street, 
 Helped to set me upon my feet ; 
 Alex. Simpson, Firs, jNIurtle, 
 Fed me up like ony turtle ; 
 E. B. Home, Eight Queen's Terrace, 
 Me and my book on would carry 's ; 
 James Henderson, Garden Teriace, 
 Helped to keep me aff the paris' ; 
 J. Mitchell, laird of Glassel, 
 To my cap he sent a tassel ; 
 Golonel Chambers, Huntly Lodge, 
 He sent me cash without a grudge ; 
 Doctor Stewart, dwells at Heathcot, 
 Showed he had not me forgot. 

 
 144r TO MY KIND PATRONS. 
 
 TO MY KIXD PATEONS. 
 
 t 
 
 If former patrons would assist 
 With trifle sma'. they 'd never miss 't 
 (It 's mony sma's mak's up a great), 
 Would now put me out of my strait. 
 Liberal as with my bookie last, 
 Then a' my troubles would be past, 
 If me their aid kindly lent it, 
 Soon my bookie I 'd get printit ; 
 If I 'd but siller of my ain, 
 I for help would nae be prayin', 
 Eut that 's the thing I do not hae, 
 Depend on what I friends get frae. 
 Cobblin' auld sheen, nor much of that, 
 It will be lang ere I get fat : 
 Cobblin', at best, but a poor trade, 
 Nae better though new boots I n ade. 
 Poor the livin' of a soutar, 
 Wife he 'd need to live without 'er. 
 Can scarce get meat just to himsel', 
 A bachelor he 'd need to dwell, 
 Of a family need never think, 
 And, above a', keep frae drink.
 
 This book IS DUE on the last 
 date stamped below. 
 
 10M-11-50!2555)470 
 
 REMINGTON RAND rNC. 20
 
 
 PR Smithj- _ 
 
 ^53^ Hame-spun rhymes . |||^|||g|m 
 
 ?^ 375 499 
 
 PR 
 
 5U53 
 
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