to the Court of Queen Elizabeth, by whom he was induced to urge the prosecution of the complaint by the Regent against Queen Mary. On returning to Scotland with Sir Edward Wooton, Queen Elizabeth's Ambassador, he aided in promoting the alliance between the two Governments. In 1589 Sir Lewis accompanied King James to Denmark, on the occasion of his marriage to the Princess Anne, and returned in the following year to Scotland, along with the Royal party. Sir Lewis Bellenden was, like his King, a believer in witches and wizards; and, in the autumn of 1593, while residing in his own house in the Canongate, he consulted a noted wizard called Richie Graham, whom it was said could, among other wonderful things, "raise the devil." This feat had apparently been attempted, but in whatever shape or form his Satanic Majesty appeared, the result so "terrified Bellenden that he took sickness, and thereof died."*

Sir Lewis was succeeded by his son James, who married a sister of Lord Roxburghe. On Sir James' death, his son William was a minor, and his uncle, Lord Roxburghe, along with Lady Broughton, were appointed his guardians. Sir William Bellenden, Superior of Broughton, and proprietor of that estate and others, was also Superior of the Burgh of Canongate, and as such granted various charters and renewals to the Incorporations of the latter. He attempted, as already mentioned, to interfere with the election of the Magistrates, but was successfully

*

Sir John Scot's "Staggering State of Scots Statesmen," p. 131.

opposed. In 1627 Lord Roxburghe, who had acquired from his nephew the unsold portions of the lands of Broughton and Superiorities, as well as those of the Canongate,-on 15th August, 1630, obtained a charter from the King, by which the Burgh of Canongate was incorporated with the Barony of Broughton, and made to hold of a subject Superior. Lord Roxburghe's mansion was situated in the Canongate, and the title thereto had certain privileges of a peculiar nature. He was a favourite of King James the Sixth, to whom, and his son King Charles, he was a consistent and loyal subject. When Lord Roxburghe, he accompanied King James to England on his accession, and was created Earl of Roxburghe in 1616, and appointed Keeper of the Privy Seal. In consequence of aiding in the attempt to rescue King Charles from the hands of the Parliamentary leaders, he was deprived of the office of Keeper of the Privy Seal, and only survived for a few months the execution of his King and patron.

A great portion of the lands and Barony of Broughton and Superiorities, having been acquired by the Governors of George Heriot's Hospital, the Governors of that Institution, in the year 1636, made arrangements with Lord Roxburghe, whereby a transfer of those held by him, as well as his rights as Lord Superior of the Burgh of Canongate, was effected in their favour. The majority of the Governors being Magistrates of the City of Edinburgh, it was considered advisable to obtain the Superiorities of the Canongate for the City; and on payment of a small sum to the Governors of the Hospital, they were accordingly

transferred to the City of Edinburgh, and the transaction subsequently ratified by Parliament.

The City of Edinburgh thus became, and still continues to be, the Superiors of the Burgh of Canongate; and, as such, had right to hold Courts and exercise all the civil and criminal jurisdiction and powers formerly possessed by the Superiors of it and the Barony of Broughton, through their representative, the Heritable or Baron Bailie.

CHAPTER V.

THE MAGISTRACY-EXTRACTS FROM MINUTES-ACTS-CASES BROUGHT BEFORE THEM-ETC.

T

HE Magistrates were particularly zealous in maintaining their own dignity and that of the individual members of the Council of the Burgh, and in meting out due punishment to those who attempted to dispute their authority, or did not show proper respect. Under date 25th January, 1575, there is on the margin of the Minute the following :-" Gilbert Wat, to sit doune on hes kneis and ask forgiveness." The Minute itself then proceeds: "The quhilk daye Gilbert Wat, flesheour, bein wardit within the Tolbeuth of this Burghe for the injuring and blasphemying of James. Harte, Baillie, as the said Gilbert confessit, he was ordanit to sit doune on hes kneis and ask the saidis James Harte's, Baillies', and Counsaill's forgiveness, and in lyke maner to do the saymn on Setterdaye nixt to cum in the Session of the Kirke; and the said Gilbert obleist him of his ain consent that gif ever he be

convic in the lyke offence to onie Magistrate of this Burghe, to tyne hes fredome and remove himselfe furth of this Burghe during the Baillies' and Counsaill's will." On 24th February following, the "Magistrates ordanit Johnne Smythe, baxter, to remain in ward durin their will for the injuring of George Skaithie, Treasurer, in their presens, saying to him all things he spak wes ane lot of lesings, and thairfore decernit him to paye an unlaw of fiftie schillins; and in case of the saidis Johnne committin the lyke faut in ony tyme cumin, neir to bruik office in the Counsaill thaireftir."

Smith was Deacon of the Baxters, or Bakers, and the representative of the Incorporation at the Council Board. He had differed in opinion from the worthy Treasurer of the Burgh, and had given utterance to expressions derogatory of the wisdom and truthfulness of the statements made by him,-an offence which, though committed by a brother Councillor, could not be overlooked by the Magistrates.

Several persons had been charged and convicted of "injuring or blasphemying" the Bailies and other officials of the Burgh, and as these offenders had increased, the worthy Bailies and Council, considering that a small fine was ineffective, adopted more severe

measures.

"7th August, 1582, anent injuring or blasphemying of the Bailies.-The quhilk daye, Johnne Achesoun, Johnne Schoirt, Mr. Johnne Harte, Andro Borthwick, Thomas Hunter, Johnne Kello, Johnne Smyth, Johnne