(560) Sacred to the memory of James Taylor, Esq., solicitor, Banff, who died November 12th, 1813, aged 35, and of his infant daughter Jane, who died January 21st, 1812. Erected by his widow Jessie Angus. She died April 25th, 1854, aged 72.

(561) This stone is erected to the memory of Grizzel Urquhart, wife of George Lawtie, late of the Customs in Banff, as a tribute of respect and gratitude to an honoured parent from her surviving children. He died the 11th of March, 1799, aged 74.

(562) Departed this life on the 1st of January, 1798, aged 78 years, Isabella Donaldson, widow of Captain Charles Forbes of the 60th Regiment of Foot, who fell in battle at Ticonderago, North America, in the year 1758. Sacred also to the memory of James Reid, of this parish, who died 7th November, 1836, aged 78 years, and Anne Duff Forbes, wife of the above named James Reid, daughter of Captain Charles Forbes, who departed this life 6th May, 1838, aged 82 years.

(563) In memoriam amantissimi sui mariti Patricii Lowson mercatoris qui diem obiit supremum Feb. 3. 1722 erigendum curavit maestissima conjux Sarah Wood.

(564) [Some table stones lie in line in a south-westerly direction from the Dunlugus aisle. One has a Latin inscription, but so much worn as to be almost impossible to decipher.

A few disjointed and doubtful words may be given-"Gulielmus . . . eueis Banfensis

Sinon Abrahami defuncta sepulta fuisset .. chara uxor non habuisset
quoniam
redigendus... nocte dieque . . . tamen .

hoc pignus amoris

. ."]

(565) A. W. M. A. Memento Mori. [Rest illegible, except a modern addition "Prepare to meet thy God." This arched monument is on the east wall of the churchyard, facing the street.]

(568) Erected to the memory of Christian Wilson, who departed this life 12th March, 1823, aged 71 years. Here also rests the mortal parts of Jessie Wilson, younger daughter of John Wilson, Esq., Banff; a flower of fairest promise, and transplanted to Paradise above, 7 March, 1812, in the ninth year of her age. Also, the mortal remains of Captain John Wilson, of the ship "Deveron," much esteemed as a man and a gentleman; and of his beloved spouse, Margaret Wilson,-both dying at a great old age.

The

NOTE (Cf. p. 291 supra, sub 1751.) General Wolfe, the hero of Quebec, was in Glasgow in 1750, removed to Banff in 1751, and quitted Scotland in, or prior to, 1754. In the Antiquarian Museum, Edinburgh, are copies of twelve letters written by him, 1749-58, to Captain William Rickson, who died at Edinburgh in 1770. letters appeared in Tait's Edinburgh Magazine for December, 1849. One of the original letters, eleven pages in length, is headed "Banff, 9th June, 1751," and does not represent the writer in such a favourable light as might be expected:" It is not an hour since I received your letter. I shall answer all the parts of it as they stand in their order, and you see I lose no time because in a remote and solitary part of the globe I often experience the infinite satisfaction there is in the onely one way that is open to communicate our thoughts and express that truely unalterable serenity of affection that is found among Friends and nowhere else I should imagine two or three independent Highland companies might be of use [in America]; they are hardy, intrepid, accustomed to a rough country and no great mischief if they fall. How can you better employ a secret enemy then by making his end conducive to the common good? If this sentiment shou'd take wind what an execrable and bloody being shou'd I be considered here in the midst of Popery and Jacobitism, surrounded on every side as I am with this itchy Race . . . 'Tis doubly a misfortune to be banished without the relief of books or possibly of reading; the only amends that can be made to us that are sequestered in the lonely and melancholy W W

The Churchyard is now tastefully laid out and suitably enclosed. It was not always so. (Cf. I., 156 bis.) About 1815 it was reported that, after the demolition of the old church, the churchyard was improved by gravel walks, flower plots, and shrubs. In 1819 the sum of £62 was raised by voluntary subscription, the following circular having been issued :— "The Magistrates and Heritors having, in compliance with the wishes of the inhabitants, given directions for heightening and repairing the walls of the burial ground for the town and parish of Banff, and having recommended the adoption of certain measures for securing it against intrusion from the neighbouring houses, it now remains for the inhabitants of the town and parish, and all those who are interested in the burial ground, to provide for having all the filth and rubbish removed, which have so long disgraced it, for having a complete plan of it made to exhibit the rights of the different parties in it, as well as to provide for its future preservation." Some years after it was reported to be "very tastefully laid out," and a water colour view of it, taken at that time, is in possession of Mr. Leask, bookseller. In 1864 (see I., 375) further improvements were made, the sum of £400 having been subscribed. A substantial wall and railing was erected, with two handsome gates, &c. Special bequests have also been made to the churchyard. At the main entrance gate is an old carved stone inscribed "Janet Abercrombie." This stone belongs to the monument erected by her to the memory of her husband Robert Sharp, Sheriff-clerk. The principal carved stone at this gate bears a coat of arms, and the following inscription in clear well-cut capitals:-" Doctor. Alex.. Dovglas. Bamfiae. Praefectvs. et Vicecomitatvs. Commissarivs: hoc opvs. erexit. Anno. Dom. CIC. DC. L. VIII. 1.6.5.8." The words "hoc opvs" have been translated in modern times "the main gateway," but they admit of a different interpretation, as appears from the following.

spots is that we can fill up part of our time with study. When I am in Scotland I look upon myself as an exile,with respect to the inhabitants I am so, for I dislike 'em much; 'tis then I pick up my best store, and try to help an indifferent education and slow faculties, and I can say that I have really acquired more knowledge that way than in all my former life. ... I went to London in November and came back by the middle of April."

General Wolfe's regiment lay at Aberdeen in 1753, for in the "Black Kalendar of Aberdeen" it is stated that some of his soldiers then practised church music very creditably, and the Synod of Aberdeen procured the discharge of a soldier from Lieut. Col. Bland that he might teach music. Whether Wolfe was at Culloden has not been finally determined, nor is it known whether he was the "Major Wolfe" whose conduct at Aberdeen, as narrated in the "Jacobite Memoirs of the Rebellion of 1745-46," has been unfavourably commented upon. One thing is clear, namely, that it would require considerable skill to reconcile Southey's estimate of his character with the foregoing letter."Throughout his letters," says Southey, "Wolfe appears to have been a considerate, kind-hearted man, as much distinguished from most of his contemporary officers by humane and gentlemanly feeling as by the zeal with which he devoted himself to his profession. All that has hitherto been known of him tends to confirm this view of his character (Cf. Chambers's Book of Days, I., 37.)

Among the Rose MSS., Advocates' Library, Aberdeen, is a letter to John Alexander Cameron, Esq., from George Imlach, written evidently early in the present century, in which the writer says:-"Here is a selected bundle of matériel for our "Gutterbluid" history

I enclose a Bijou of the late Lord James in his youth [a letter from Lord Macduff, 1762]. In our history we must remark the shameful spoliation, by that departed sinner, of the monument of Provost Douglas, from our churchyard, and now tacked to the back of his Mausoleum, where it does not willingly stick, for it is coming away from the wall of its own free will and accord. He covered the original inscription by a freestone plate, with an inscription about the place of the Carmelites, &c. Old Allaster will tell you all about it. It was carried off by the Earl's myrmidons, sub silentio noctis. I made Lord Fife's people believe the other day that the Provost's ghost turned the vase into the river."

The reference in the last clause is thus explained :-" at which place [near the Mausoleum] Earl James the First erected an urn, in which the ashes of the monks were enclosed" (Imlach, 1868). See also p. 7, supra.

Nicol's "Banff and Neighbourhood," 1879, states that "over the grave of Douglas was the figure of a knight, which has now disappeared." On another page the same writer states that "a relic of St. Mary's Chapel is built into the back of the Mausoleum, an arched vault, with the recumbent effigy of King Robert Bruce in armour. Carving round the rim of the arch, representing the vine, is in beautiful preservation, and the base stones are richly carved in panels. One bears in Latin the text-' Beati mortvi qui morivntvr in Domino; a laboribvs svis requiescvnt et illorum opera eos sequuntvr. Apoc.' 'Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; they rest from their labours and their works follow them'; another has the St. Andrew's Cross in bold relief, but excepting one letter the inscription that had covered the face of the cross is obliterated; and other panels bear 'Memento Mori,' with sandglass, skull, crossbones, bullrushes, and other emblems of mortality."

The supposed effigy of King Robert Bruce is actually that of Provost Douglas, the monument here described having been erected probably in his lifetime. It was erected about the time of the Auchmedden tomb and effigy in the old churchyard, and bears a great resemblance thereto.

There now lies before the writer a recently-taken photograph of the Douglas tomb, built into the wall of the mausoleum. The monument is

disfigured by the insertion in the recess of a large slab with the following inscription:" This mausoleum is erected on the place where stood a chapel dedicated to the Blessed Virgin by King Robert Bruce, MCCCXXIV. The adjacent grounds were also devoted by his Royal Charter for the building and support of the monastery of the Holy Brethren of Mount Carmel."

It would be interesting to ascertain if behind this slab is the original epitaph to the memory of the worthy Provost, especially as the date of his death cannot be ascertained. He married Isabella Chisholm, relict of Mr. Alexander Craig, and had a daughter Christian born in 1628, and Jean born 1630. "He became Sheriff of the county and met his death. at the hand of an assassin. Returning home one day, in the forenoon, from the Court-room, he was stabbed from behind by a man who was selling peats in the street. The dirk passed through the Sheriff's body, and came out at his breast. The murderer mounted the horse that had carried his peats, galloped up the Strait Path, and making his escape, was never heard of again."-(Nicol's "Banff and Neighbourhood," 1879.)

INSCRIPTIONS WITHIN THE PARISH CHURCH.

(1) A marble tablet on the south wall to the right of the pulpit with the following inscription:— "To the memory of Alexander Cassy, Esq., a native of the town of Banff, who died at London on the 4th of October, 1822, aged 69 years. In token of gratitude for the munificent donation bequeathed by him towards the support of the 'poor, aged, and infirm and helpless orphans and deserted children born within the precincts of the Royal Burgh of Banff.' The inhabitants of the town of Banff by voluntary public subscription have caused this monument to be erected. MDCCCXXV."

(2) On the south wall to the left of the pulpit is a marble monument, surmounted by an urn and figure in bas-relief, with a tablet inscribed :-"Johanni Cruickshank A. M. annos amplius quadraginta Rectori Academiae Banffiensis erudito ac fideli discipuli qui operam sub eo literis dederunt grato animo inducti hocce monumentum ponendum curarunt. MDCCCXXXIV."

(3) On the west wall is a marble tablet bearing the family arms, and motto "Audentes fortuna juvat," and with the following inscription :-" Sacred to the memory of Sir Robert Turing, of Foveran, Baronet, who departed this life the 21st October, 1831, aged 85 years. The earth has claimed her own: the mortal clay

Must share the general destiny, decay!

Life has gone forth, and we must yield the grave

What human love essayed in vain to save.

'Tis but a little dust that moulders here,

The Christian's soul has sought the Christian's sphere.

The good have many friends; and he who sleeps
Beneath this stone, was one the mourner weeps;
Regretting, not repining at the doom

Which gave the aged rest, though in the tomb.
And now, with the deep love of many years,

With earnest prayers, and meek though bitter tears,

To mark the memory of a father's claim,

His children raise this tablet to his name."

(4) On the east wall under the gallery, to the right of the pulpit, is a fine piece of sculpture by Bacon, representing a soldier leaning over a funeral vase in an attitude of grief, and underneath a tablet inscribed :-"This monument is erected in addition to one in the Cathedral Church of Calcutta by Sir David Ochterlony and the officers of the army under his command to the memory of Lieutenant Peter Lawtie, of the Corps of Engineers in the Army of Bengal, only son of the late G. U. Lawtie, Esq., and Sarah, his wife, who, at the age of 23, at the close of the 1st campaign of the Nypal war, to the successful termination of which, his exertions had eminently contributed, fell a victim to his devotion in the service of his country. Beloved, respected, and admired. Born at Banff, February 25th, 1792. Died May 5th, 1815." [His arms are appended, and the motto: Sola bona quae honesta.]

(5) Of five richly-stained glass windows by Messrs. Ballantyne of Edinburgh inserted in 1877, one is a memorial, by the congregation and others, of Rev. Dr. Bremner, the design of it being derived from the parable of the Sower. Along the base is the inscription"In memory of Rev. Robert Bremner, LL.D., Minister of Banff, 1844-72."

(6) A handsome marble monument in the Gothic style contains a finely chiselled three-quarter face medallion of the esteemed and accomplished physician, Dr. Milne, and faithfully represents his features in his later years. The tablet is thus inscribed :-"In Memory of Henry Milne, M.D. The eighth son of John and Jean Milne. He was born at Mill of Boyndie, May 11th, 1812, was educated at King's College, Aberdeen, and at Edinburgh University, and for about 30 years carried on a leading Practice in this Town and County. An able Medical Practitioner, he soon became still better known as a skilful surgeon, and, since his death, his reputation as one of the most successful Lithotomists of his time in Scotland has been recorded in the leading Surgical Journal. Endowed with a buoyancy of spirit and genuine kindliness of manner, he had the faculty of inspiring confidence and hope in his patients to a rare degree. His services were ever freely at the command of the poor. He reaped the affection of the community. After prolonged illness, heroically borne, he died at Bridge of Allan, May 27th, 1887. His mortal remains were interred in the churchyard of Logie. He was survived by his wife, Eliza Keith, also by their only child, and her husband, and some members of their family, his loss being deeply lamented by relatives and friends. This tablet is placed here in recognition of his personal virtues and professional merits, as well as in token of affection, by his sole surviving brother, George Milne, 1888.*

*This family has been connected with the town for about 300 years, the name first mentioned being David Mylne, 1552. In 1605 there is reference to Robert Mylne at the Gellymill of Down, and later to his son Patrick at Mill of Montcoffer, at which places they seem to have had small farms. Patrick Milne afterwards became a burgess, and resided in the house he purchased in Banff, his signature appearing in 1643 and 1645. His son James went to reside at Mill of Blairshinnoch about 1680, and afterwards at Mills of Boyndie. By his wife Agnes Hacket he had a numerous family. Of this stock came Rev. James Milnes, Chaplain to the 87th Regiment, and his sons Lieut-Col. Colin James Milnes, C.B., and Keith Milnes, W.S. The Town Treasurer in 1682 was a William Mill. James