Abbildungen der Seite
PDF
EPUB

bondage. A man and his whole posterity could be gifted by one to another like so many beasts of burden. There is a charter with the specific title de Servis; and this contains a donation, by the King, of Gillandream Macsuthen and his children, in perpetuam elemosinam, to the monks, about the years 1171-1178, fol. 13. David gives Ragewin, Gillepatric and Ulchill for ever to the church of the Holy Trinity of Dunfermline, my own men," fol. 7.

66

as

The master, it appears, was entitled to any acquisition the slave or bondman might make, and to the property he enjoyed. David grants that the abbot and monks shall have" omnes homines, cum "omni pecunia eorum (wherever they may be,) that were on the lands on that day when they were offered up "and given to the church of the Holy "Trinity." It is certain that such persons could not change their residence, that they were bound to remain on the Jands. A charter by David, is entitled de fugitivis qui vocantur Cumberlachi, and there is also one by William, de fugitivis qui vocantur Cumerlaches. Whether these were a particular description of bondmen, or acquired that appellation from being fugitives, or whether it was the surname of a distinct family of bondmen, if surnames were then generally known, I shall not presume to decide. In the latter charter they are denominated Cumerbas and Cumerlachos. In the former, the king commands the restoration of all cumerlachi to the church of the Holy Trinity, "and all the slaves (servi) "which my father, and mother, and bro"thers have given to it; and the cu “merlache, from the time of king Ed.

gar until now, with all their money." fol. 7. There are, besides, various other writings concerning fugitives. It is not easily ascertained whether the homines nativi, servi, ligii homines, were the same at such an early period, or what was the difference characterizing them. In the year 1275, lands are resigned into the king's hands, cum om“nibus hominibus et cotariis eodem die

66

46

in eadem terra manentibus, et cum "tota posteritate eorum, in perpetuum ;" and the king, by the next charter, dispones these lands to the abbey, cum omnibus ligiis hominibus ad dic"tam terram pertinentibus," fol. 17.Lands are frequently conveyed cum na

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

tivis, in the thirteenth and fourteenth century. In the year 1278, Sir Ranulph de Strathechyn resigns the lands of Beeth Waldef into the king's hands, cum omnibus hominibus et cotariis,” fol. 17.

[ocr errors]

The right of property in such bond. men could equally be the subject of legal trial as that in an animal, in a house, or an estate. There is a memorandum entered in the chartulary, that, on the 12 of May 1340, a jury was empanneled on a question of this nature, before the Sheriff of Fife, in the churchyard of Crail....." Transiit hæc assisa, inter "venerabilem patrem Alexandrum, Dei gratia Abbatem de Dunfermline, et "Duncanum tunc Comitem de Fiff, super Alano quondam filio Constantini "et duobus filiis, vid. Ricardo et Alano, qui se dicebant homines predicti "Comitis: sed per fidelem assisam, fide "dignorum et nobilium, eodem die facti "erant homines ligii predicti domini ab"batis," fol. 98.

66

66

[ocr errors]

As bondage was thus transmitted by inheritance, it was important to preserve the lineage of the bondmen; several síngular instances of which are found in the chartulary. These are genealogies, written in a hand approaching to the earlier part of the fourteenth century. It is difficult to read them both on account of their numerous contractions, and from the injury which the chartulary has there sustained. P. 40

One remarkable circumstance attendant on these genealogies, is the apparent alteration of the surname in the course of succession: at least, it is not clear that the surname of the ancestor was retained by his posterity.

With regard to the obligations of the monastery towards its own bondmen, there is some elucidation contained in the verdict of a jury, as early as the year 1320. This jury, which consisted of eight persons, sat in the chapel of Logyn, on a question between the abbey and the men of Tweddale belonging to it. The latter, in the first place, demand that the abbot shall appoint a bailie of their own race, who shall repledge them to the court of the monastery; to which it is answered, by the jury, that such a bailie should be given to them, not only from feudal right, but from use and wont. Secondly, they require, that if any of their race shall be verging on

want,

want, or disabled by old age, that they be maintained by the monastery; to which the jury reply, on their oath, that the monastery is not bound to do so from strict law *, but from regard, as they are men belonging to it. Thirdly, if one of their race shall slay a man, or commit any other crime, for which he may be reduced to seek the immunity of the church, and shall retire to the monastery of Dunfermline for safety, that so long as he remains there, he shall be defended from the property of the abbey; to which the jury answer, that, as the monastery would do so to a stranger, much more must it be done to their own man. Fourthly, they demand, that if any one of their race commits homicide, and pays a composition for it, the abbot and monks shall contribute twelve merks to discharge the composition. But on this, the jury declare," that they never heard of such a thing in all their lives," fol. 3.

P. 46.

ap

The abbots of Dunfermline, it pears, were not sparing of the right of excommunication, which they found a convenient instrument for protecting and extending their property. The following gives a curious account of a transaction of this nature:

Memorandum, that in the year of God 1342, on Wednesday before the feast of St Bartholomew the Apostle, Alexander, by the grace of God, abbot of Dunfermline, went down to the south side of the Queensferry, at request of James de Dundas, concerning an amicable termination of a dispute that had arose between him and the abbot, on account of his molesting the abbot's men and boats landing at two rocks within the flowing of the tide, as they were wont to do. However, James de Dundas had alleged these rocks to be his property; though the abbot, his predecessors, and the monastery, had quietly and peaceably enjoyed the right of landing there beyond the memory of man and on this had a charter from king David their founder and first patron, as al so the confirmations of various kings, His successors, and several Popes, as the abbot then exhibited, in presence of the

* Ex debito.

subscribers, namely, Magister Johannis de Gaytmilk, Alamus de Liberton, Michaelis Squier, Radulphus Clericus, Johannis de Herth, Alanus Dispenser, Ricardus filius Willielmi Scrimsour, Robertus, Young, Johannis filius Henry, Johannis de Lochilde, Radulphus Gourley, and many others, inhabitants of the Ferry. James de Dundas had, on account of his molestation, incurred the general sentence of excommunication contained in the confirmations of the popes, which he had during some time obdurately resisted, until, on the before mentioned day, he humbly supplicated the abbot, sitting along with some of his council on these rocks, as being in possession of them, that he would absolve him from the sentence of excommunication, and he should abstain from molesting the men and boats in future.The abbot yielding to this humble supplication, absolved him from the sentence of excommunication, as far as lay in his power, on finding security to ab stain from the like molestation; but, diately again incur the same censure, were it ever repeated, he should immefol. 118. P. 56.

Mr D. collects also some facts with regard to prices,

Among the more inconsiderable facts that the chartulary may tend to illustrate, is the relative value of money, and the price of provisions: likewise the advance on other commodities in 1409, which is distinctly specified. The period is not exactly known, when, as already mentioned, an ox of two years old was estimated at four shillings. In 1507, the wages of a joiner were 20 merks, a chalder of meal, and 3 bolls of malt yearly; for which Symon Karnour binds himself to the monastery for life,

[blocks in formation]
[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

A Very great difficulty attends the communicating religious instructions to young persons.- "Parents, and teachers," observes Mrs Hamilton," sometimes flatter themselves with having thus stored the minds of children, when, in reality, it is the power of memory alone that has received any benefit from their exertions."The work before us seems admirably calculated, by exercising the judgement, to prevent the miserable effects which every one must have perceived to commonly flow from the system pursued in this country, in instructing the young in the principles of christi anity. Mrs H. speaks of being " thoroughly grounded" in the church catechisms; we fear that such grounding is too generally nothing more than a mere matter of frote, and we would recommend this work to the attentive perusal of every one engaged in the education of youth, on which they will find the doctrines and precepts of the gospel explained in a way peculiar in a way peculiarly plain and perspicuous.

[ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

Scottish Literary Intelligence.

A General Narrative of Shipwrecks and Disasters at Sea, according to the most authentic accounts, ancient

and modern, will speedily be published, in three volumes, 8vo.

Mr James Wardrop, Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, and of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, will speedily publish, in 8vo. Observations Cancer. This work contains the hison the Fungus Haematodes, or Soft tory and appearance, on dissection of the Fungus Hoematodes, or Soft Cancer, in several of the most important organs of the body, illustrated by cases and plates...

Mr Thomas Brown, Surgeon, Musselburgh, has in the press, an Inquiry into the Antivariolous power of Vac

cination.

Mr George Dyer, who, as many of for some time engaged in preparing a our readers probably know, has been work on public Libraries, has suspended the publication of that work, as he finds several years will be necessary to complete his researches. Mr Dyer is now preparing to publish an edition of his poetical works, in four volumes 12mo; in which, as friends of genius, we heartily wish he may meet with

success.

Literary Intelligence, ENGLISH and FOREIGN.O .:

[ocr errors]

THE late interesting and eventful are about to be illustrated in a series of Campaigns in Spain and Portugal, Letters, by Dr Adam Neale, physician to the forces, and F.L.S. They will contain a full account of the operations of the British armies under Sir Arthur Wellesley and Sir John Moore, from the day preceding the Battle of Vimiera, to the battle and embarkation at Corunna ; ble retreat from Sahagun. The author, with an interesting detail of the memorawho sketches beautifully, will enrich the work with twelve Engravings, by

Heath,

Heath, from drawings made on the spot, illustrative of the campaign.

Mr De Luc, is about to publish an, Elementary Treatise on Geology, containing an examination of some modern geological systems, and particularly of the Huttonian Theory of the Earth. This work is translated from the French manuscript of M. de Luc, by the Rev., Henry De la Fite, M.A. of Trinity College, Oxford, and will form an octavo volume.

The coloured Engravings, in imitation of the drawings by the Rev. W. Bredford, of the Costume, Character, and Country in Spain and Portugal, made during the campaigns 1808 and 1809, are in great forwardness.

Mr Galt, who has for some time been engaged in researches among the national records, is preparing a work illustrative of the Life of Cardinal Wolsey, and those corruptions in the church, which led to the Reformation, and the general change which at that period took place in the political system of Eu

rope.

Mr Greig, of Chelsea, has announced a work on Astronomy, on a new plan, whereby that science is rendered simple and easy. The chief Constellations are to be exhibited (in a manner similar to geography) on separate maps, with their etymology, boundary, the stars to the 4th mag. introduced; and the declination, right ascension, culminating, &c. of the principal star in each specified, with remarks, &c,

[ocr errors]

Mr Thelwall is preparing for publication, an Essay on the Causes and Probable Consequences of the Decline of Popular Talent; addressed to the serious consideration of those classes of the community, the individuals of which may be expected to aspire to the distinctions of the senate and the bar, &c. The work will contain a full discussion of the principal desiderata, in the existing systems of liberal education, and critical delineations of the characters, talents, eloquence, and oratorical endow. ments of Messrs. Burke, Pitt, Fox, &c. Mr Thelwall has also in the press a formal announcement (intended to be circulated through all the colleges, public institutions, and literary societies of the United Kingdom) of the Plan of his Institution for the Cure of Impediments, Cultivation of Oratory, and Preparation

of Youth for the departments of active life; together with proposals for the further extention of the advantages of his system of instruction. This institution has now been established in Bedford Place, Russell Square, for upwards of three years; and during that time it was asserted, that no person with any species of impediment, defect, or foreign or provincial accent, has been under instruction, even for th the shortest period, without receiving essential benefit; nor has any one persevered for any reasona❤ ble time in the plans of the institution, without attaining an effectual and radi cal cure.

1

Dr Clough, physician man-midwife to the St. Marylebone General Dispensary, &c. will on Monday the 8th of May, at ten in the morning, commence his course of Lectures on Puerperal Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology, at his house, No. 68, Berner's-street.

The Rev. Joseph Wilkinson is about to publish by subscription, Select Views in Cumberland, Westmoreland, and part of Scotland, exhibiting the most pictu resque situations in these counties.

Dr Serny is about to publish a treatise on local inflammation, more particularly applicable to diseases of the eye, wherein an improvement in the treatment of those diseases is recommended, founded on numerous cases under the author's own care.

[ocr errors]

Mr Yorick Wilson, veterinary surgeon of Lemington, near Warwick, has in the press an improved practical treatise on Farriery, entitled the Gentleman's Veterinary Monitor. It is the result of his own experience in the various diseases of horses, and prescribes humane and rational methods of cure, without the assistance of a farrier. It likewise, treats on breeding, training, purchasing, riding, management on a journey, in the stable, &c.

Mr Weston has translated one of the Imperial Poems of Kien Long, men.. tioned by Voltaire, in his Epistle to that Emperor, and found on a China Vase, in Mr W's Collection. An Engraving of the Vase will be prefixed to the work.

[ocr errors]

The Fifty-two Lectures on the Church Catechism, by the Rev. Sir Adam Gordon, will be published this month in two volumes,

Letters of Mrs Elizabeth Montagu,

with some of the letters of her correspondents, will shortly be published by Matthew Montagu, Esq. M.P. her nephew and executor.

Dr Carey has in the press, and will speedily publish an Essay, and familiar Introduction to English Prosody and Versification, on a novel but simple plan; besides descriptions and analyses fthe different species of English verse, with preparatory exercises in scanning; it contains practical exercises in versin. cation, progressively accommodated to the various capacities of youth, in the successive stages of scholastic education; the whole calculated to produce correctness of ear, and taste in reading or writing poetry. For the convenience of teachers, a Key to the Exercises will be added. Dr Carey is also preparing for the press, an Easy Introduction to Latin Versification, on a nearly similar plan.

The Travels of Lycurgus, the son of Polydectes, into Greece, Crete, and Egypt, in Search of Knowledge, is print

[ocr errors]

The Rev. Thomas Gisborne has in the press, an octavo voluine of Sermons, chiefly designed to illustrate Christian Morality.

Dr Edward Popham, of Chilton, Wiltshire, has nearly ready for publica`tion, Remarks on various Texts of Scrip. ture, in an octavo volume.

A Series of Letters on Canada, will shortly appear from the pen of a gentle. man lately resident some years in that country.

A Commercial Magazine has now been published for some months, and promises to be useful to the trading world. It contains:

1. Original Communications on the Rise, Progress, and present State of Trade in general; including an Account of the Productions and Manufactures, and of the respective Exports and Imports from and to various parts of the World.-2.Historical Details on the Ori gin, Progress, and present State of the Commerce of Great Britain; comprising Particulars concerning the Nature, Produce, and Manufactures of each Coun. try, together with Topographical Sket ches of the principal Manufacturing Towns.-3. Accounts of the Chartered Trading Companies, of Great Britain, such as the Bank, East India Company,

&c. &c. In alliance with the subject, wilt be detailed the Rise and Progress of Corporations, the History of their Char

ters; and their effects on the Towns that are under their power.-4. Communications on the Free Trade of Great Britain, and on new Channels for British Goods.-5. Natural History and Culture of those Articles which constitute the principal Objects of Trade, both Foreign and Domestic, Cotton, Tea, Su. gar, Wool, Tin, Iron, Coal, &c.-6. Legal Intelligence; which not only exhibits a Summary of every new Law or Order in Council, relative to Trade, Taxes, Commerce, or Manufactures, but also concise Reports of all material Cases adjudged in the different Courts of Law, during the current month. Together with

a short Statement of the Law of Debtor

and Creditor, Promissory Notes, Bonds, Assignees, Bills of Exchange, Trustees, Constables, Overseers, Churchwardens, Executors, the Duties of Excisemen, Masters and Servants, Factor and Agent, Landlord and Tenant, Partners, Insurance and other legal Duties, which in any way affect the Merchant, Trader, or Manufacturer.-7. Hints and Cautions to Apprentices, Servants, and young Tradesmen, connected with their future Prosperity in Business; including Anecdotes and Biographical Sketches of Merchants, Traders, or Manufacturers, whom their industry and prudence have raised to wealth and eminence.-8. A Monthly Retrospect of Politics, so far as they have any influence on Commerce.-9. Analysis of new and valuable Books, published on Subjects relative' to Commerce, Trade, or Manufactures.

10. Miscellaneous -- which Head contains Lists and Abstracts of all new Patents for the Improvement, or promoting the Security of Arts, Trade, Manufactures, and Commerce-The Prices Current-State of Markets-Exports and Imports-Lists of BankruptsMeetings of Creditors-Dividends, Dissolution of Partnership, &c. Together with Abstracts of the Regulations for the Excise and Customs, Calculations suited either to Wholesale or to Retail Trades, the most commodious time for making Shipments to different Countries to the most advantage, Hints and Instructions for the detection of Frauds in Trade, and on the impolicy and danger of illicit Trade, &c. &c.

POETRY.

« ZurückWeiter »