IN the Glasgow Courier of the 24th of May, there is an account of the manner in which the Emperor Alexander, and Dr Weilly, his chief physician, on a journey thro' Poland, succeeded, after four hours perseverance, in bringing to life a poor man apparently dead. Dr Weilly is a native of this place, who has raised himself wholly by his own merit. His parents still reside here, and he has four brothers alive. The eldest is a schoolmaster in Dundee; the Doctor is next; and the three youngest are shipmasters in this town. Therefore, Sir, if you would give this story a corner in your next ma gazine, it will be doing a favour to many of your readers.

J. M.

Kincardine, June 1806. Letter from James Grange, Esq. to Dr William Hases, Treasurer of the Royal Humane Society.

"DEAR SIR, March 24.1806. "His Imperial Maj sty the Emperor Alexander, in one of his journeys through Poland, solely by his own perseverance and personal exer. tion, restored to life a peasant of that country, who had been drowned a considerable time. This very in teresting occurrence came to my knowledge during my late stay at St Petersburg, and took place between

Kovna and Wilna (in Lithuania) ot the banks of the little river Wilia, whence the last-mentioned town derives its name.

"The Emperor, from some cause or other, immaterial to the present subject, had conconsiderably devanced his attendants; and being led by the winding of the road within a short distance of the above-mentioned river; and perceiving several persons assembled near the edge of the water, out of which they appeared to be drag. ging something, he instantly alighted, and, on approaching the spot, found it to be the body of a man apparently lifeless. Prompted by humanity alone, and without any assistance than that of the ignorant boors around him, to whom he was no otherwise known than that his uniform indicated an officer of rank, he had him conveyed to, and laid on the side of a bank, and immediately proceeded with his own hands to assist in taking off the wet cloaths of the apparent corpse, and to rub his temples, wrists, &c.; which his Imperial Majesty continued for a considerable time, using every other means, though destitute of every medical assistance, that appeared at the moment most likely to restore animation; but all without effect. In the midst of this occupation, the Emperor was joined by the gentlemen of his suite, among whom were the Prince Wolkousky and Count Liewen (two Russian noblemen) and Dr Weilly. his Majesty's head surgeon, an English gentleman, whose professional abilities are so well known (at least on the continent), that they need no comment; which latter always travels with, and indeed never quits His Majesty at any time.Their exertions were immediately added to those of the Emperor; and on the Doctor's attempting to bleed the patient, His Majesty held and rubbed his arm, and gave every other assistance in his power. However, that and all other means they could

devise proved equally ineffectual; so much so, that after three hours' fruitless attempts to recover him, the Doctor declared, to the extreme chagrin of the Emperor, who was by this time become very anxious about it, to be his opinion, that life was quite gone, and that it was useless preceding any farther. Fatigued as he was with such continued exertion, the Emperor could not rest satisfied, without entreating Dr. Weilly to persevere, and to make a fresh attempt to bleed him. The Doctor, though (as he has declared to me himself, and from whose own mouth I have these particulars) he had not the slightest hope of being more successful in this than in former ones, proceeded nevertheless to obey the positive injunction of his Imperial Majesty; when the whole of them (the Noblemen, &c.) making a last effort in rubbing, &c. the Emperor had, at length, the inexpressible satisfaction of seeing the blood make its appearance, accompanied by a slight groan. The emotions of his Imperial Majesty on this occasion, the Doctor informed me, are not to be described, and, in the plenitude of his joy, he exclaimed, in French,"Good God! this is the brightest "day of my life and the tears, which instantaneously sprang into his eyes, indicated that these words came from the heart.

"It is useless to say, my dear Sir, that their exertions were, as you may suppose, redoubled, and finally crowned with complete success; but I must not forget to add (as, in justice to his Imperial Majesty, no trait however trifling, ought to be omitted, which reflects such honour on his feelings as a man) that, on Dr. Weilly's looking about for something to stop the blood with, and tie up his arm, the Emperor, without any hesitation, instantly took out his handkerchief, tore it in pieces, and with his own hands bound the poor fellow's arm

with it (whose gratitude and astonish. ment, when informed to whom he was indebted for his life, you may easily conceive ;) and remained with him till he saw him quite recovered, and conveyed to a place where proper care would be taken of him; besides ordering him a considerable present of money, and having since otherwise provided for him and his family.

"The accompanying snuff-box*, on which this interesting event is faithfully though roughly delineated (the poor inhabitants of that part of Poland being no great artists,) was sketched at a neighbouring town, for the purpose of commemorating his restoration; and is one of four presented, on the occasion, to the prin cipal actors in it, namely his Imperial Majesty and the three gentlemen above mentioned, who are (though not very correctly, it is true) repre

sented on it.

Knowing my attachment to every thing in the least connected with that truly amiable and good Prince or his actions, Dr. Weilly was kind enough, at my request, to present me with it; and though I would not part with it on any other account, I think it cannot be better disposed of, than by taking the liberty of offering it to you, Sir, to the end that so striking an example of humanity, perseverance, and philanthropy, in so exalted a character, may not be en tirely lost to the world, and to posterity. Requesting you to excuse the hasty, imperfect way in which I have endeavoured to natrate this very affecting transaction (to which I feel myself totally incompetent to do adequate justice), allow me to assure you, Sir, of the sentiments of respect and esteem with which I beg leave to subscribe myself, dear Sir, yours most faithfully,

JAMES GRANGE."

*Now in the possession of Dr. Hawes.

CLOSEBURN, i. e. Cella Osborni. The Romans always pronounced the letter C in the same manner, as we pronounce K and the word Cella is not pronounced Sella, but Kella.The true etymology of the name of this parish is Cella Osborni, i. e. the Chapel of Osborn.

KILPATRICK, i. e. Cella Patrici, the chapel of Patrick. The remains of this chapel can still be distinctly traced. It has given name to the farm on which it stands, as also to the very ancient family of Closeburn, who for time immemorial (till within these twenty years past) were possesed of the most considerable part of the parish.

KILFADDOCK, i, e. Cella Faddoci, the chapel of Faddoch. It has given name to a small farm adjoining to that of Kilpatrick. Tradition is silent respecting this chapel, nor does any vestige of it remain.

CROALCHAPEL. This chapel has given name to a small village in the immediate vicinity of Closeburn lime works. The foundations can still be traced.

This parish has been fruitful in saints and chapels, but the preponderating saint appears to have been St Osborn, and it is probable the present parochial church stands in the ruins of his chapel.

CLOSEBURN-CASTLE. This vene rable edifice is still in a good state of repair. It is very strong, and from its situation almost impregnable.

Before the loch was drained, it must have been nearly surrounded with water, except at one narrow point, where tradition says there was a draw bridge. The peainsulated spot on which the castle stands, measures about five acres, and was often resorted to by the tenants of the estate, with their cattle to avoid predatory incursions. The time when this castle was built is uncertain, but it must be of considerable antiquity. The Kilpatricks of Closeburn are in possession of a charter granted by Robert Bruce, a Roger Kilpatrick was present with him when he slew Cummin at Dumfries. The King came out of the church, and said, "I think I ha'e slain Cummin." Says Roger, "have you left the business with "I think?" on which he went in and dispatched him. From this exploit the Kilpatricks have their motto, viz. "I "ha'e sicker'd him."

CLOSEBURN-TOWN. There is now only a cottage or two standing, and these are of modern execution. The ruins of an old house called the Vault are still very distinct. Within these 36 years it was inhabited by a Joiner. At a little distance stands the market cross still very intire. There is not the least doubt but this was the market town of the barony. The vault aforesaid consists of an upper and lower apartment, and has been very strongly built. The writer of the statistical account of this parish probably alludes to this vault when he says,

"The old castle of Closeburn is in ruins." The situation of this building, in a plain field overlooking the market ground, as also its diminutive size, render it improbable, that it was the family residence. It is most likely the lower appartment was

a pri.

a prison, in which those who com mitted any outrage at the market were confined; and the upper apart ment destined for the residence of the Baron Bailie, and the temporary accommodation of the Chieftain, when he attended the market.

DULLART, i. e. Dull-Ward. Tradition say's there was a prison here, though no vestige of it remains. If it was so, the name is easily account ed for. The farm of Dullart adjoins to Cree-hope (not Chrichup, as generally written) linn; and abundance of recesses for a prison may have been found there Dull enough. This ety. mology appears to me very doubtful, and therefore I have contented myself with mentioning it, without laying any stress on it.

CAMP-HILL. As the name clearly. imports, there has been a camp on this hill of an elliptical form, and of considerable dimensions. The forti fications consist of an earthen rampart and fosse. This hill has given name to the farm on which it stands, as also to a river about half a mile distant, commonly, though very erroneously, called Campbell Water. The name of the hill, the farm on which it stands, and the river which both skirts, and intersects said farm, are radically the same. This camp appears to be of great antiquity, for no tradition exists respecting it.

TEMPLE LAND. On a projecting point towards Kirk-Bog, on the banks of Camp-hill water, and within half a mile of the old kirk of Dalgarnoch, stands a druidical temple. If not lately demolished, two of the circular stones are still standing. I have surveyed them an hundred times, and hope they still remain. It is situat ed, as all the druidical temples in that vicinity are, within sight of Tynron Dun, where tradition says the druidical primate kindled his fire, on the stated festivals in honour of Belus. This temple has given name to the farm on which it stands. July 1806.

GABIN MUIR.

The last-mentioned cairn stands on this muir. Gabin or Gavin muir is about six miles in length; and from the one extremity to the other, the vestiges of a Roman road may be traced. How it came to be called Gabin muir is not known. The road across this hill opened a passage for the Romans from the fertile district of Annandale, to that of Nithsdale; and led directly from Burnswark to the strong Roman Fort in the neighbourhood of Drum. lanridge, named Tibberii Murus, but now corruptly named Tibbers Muir. A road of such importance, and across a rugged and heathy mountain, was likely to be often disputed; and such in fact seems to have been the case, from the great number of sepulchral tumuli which every where present themselves, but particularly towards the summit, where it is likely the conflict would be most obstinate. This scene has often recalled to my mind these beautiful words of Ossian, "Where the gray stones rise among the heath to mark the grave of departed heroes." Perhaps some Roman General may have been

slain