History of Leith, Edinburgh

Regiment of Fencibles, for a mutiny in the city of Glasgow, four of whom received sentence of death, tree of which received a pardon at the place of execution. for more click here

Come all you brave hearts of Gold,
Let’s learn to be merry and wise
For it is a true saying of old,
Suspicion is doubtless disguis’d :
Whatever we say or do,
Let’s not drink to disturb our brain;
But laugh for an hour or two,
And never be Drunk again.
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This is a rather unusual broadside in that it reads much like a scene from a musical play, with several characters involved in the story. Written in verse form, the opening line of the dialogue reads: ‘Whaur gat ye the bawbees? / My boy Tammy’. A note below the title states that these lyrics should be sung to the tune, ‘My Boy Tammy’. Although no date is given, a footnote states that it was published by ‘SANDERSON, Printer, 36. Cowgate-head, Edinburgh’. for more click here

Born near Loch Broom, Wester Ross. Studied at Aberdeen University and at Divinity Hall and New College Edinburgh. Participated in the Disruption in the Church of Scotland and the subsequent founding of the Free Church in May 1843. for more click here

This comic dialogue begins: ‘Dramatis Personæ, – FALKLAND, BELCOUR. / Enter Belcour and Falkland, / Falk. What, Belcou! how are you my friend? you look sad. / Bal. no. do I?’ The broadside was published by William Shepherd at the Poet’s Box, 182 Overgate, Dundee. It does not carry a price or a date of publication. for more click here

This humorous ballad begins: ‘Of all the simple Things I know, / To rub o’er a whimsical Life, / There’s ne’r a Folly half so true, / As that very bad Bargain a Wife’. It is undated. No tune is given.

The institution of marriage is lampooned in this piece. The author bemoans the loss of the ‘mad Frolicks’ of his past, and speaks fondly of his batchelor days, which apparently were spent womanising and drinking. Now, he says, ‘I us’d to top a Bottle or two, / But now drink small Beer with my Spouse’. He has been fettered by the chains of marriage he feels like ‘like a Fox that is hamper’d . . . forc’d to creep in to my Hole’. for more click here

ENGLAND may or may not win the World Cup this summer but they are rightfully considered heroes for inventing football. However there is growing evidence that reveals the true pioneers of the game are from Scotland.

Research conducted by the Scottish Football Museum consistently shows how many of the true creators and ambassadors to today’s style of play were coaches and players north of the Border. The museum’s curator, Richard McBrearty, offers a compelling account from his seven years of evidence-gathering:

“It was only after we did a lot of research that we started looking into these so-called English or British pioneers (of football) and we found out that these were actually Scots,” he says. “That’s a story that hasn’t been told – a story that actually surprises even ourselves. We knew Scotland had an important role, but we didn’t appreciate how important Scots were. for more click here

This cartoon shows several ministers dancing wildly while a judge waves a sword at them from an open doorway. Its caption reads: ‘THE REEL OF BOGIE!! / A CLERICAL DANCE. / Sometimes danced as a Foursome, sometimes as a Threesome, and sometimes as a Twoseome Reel. / “As Charlie [sic] glowr’d amazed and curious, / The mirth and fun grew fast and furious” – Burns.’ The cartoonist’s initials are given as ‘D.D.’ The lithographer was W. Nichol and the sheet was published by A. Lesage of 21 Hanover Street in Edinburgh. It may date from between 1833 and 1842, when Lesage is known to have had premises there. for more click here

The Library holds the surviving records of many of the old Scottish trade incorporations. Dating from the 15th to the 19th centuries, these include records of the Perth Hammermen, the Edinburgh Candlemakers, the Linlithgow Shoemakers, and the Skinners of Kelso. for more click here

Come Willie I’ll tell you the News
and they are very good,
The Frost has hindred the plows
And all the Poor wants Food,
How mickle Meal hae ye?
And where will ye gang we’d?
We will not yet Supplie,
Till they be almost Dead,
Will ye be rul’d by me,
And I will lead the way,
And we will send to fee,
On every Merkat day.
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