Peace of the Kingdom 1411. where the Provest and many of the best Citizens did assist to gain the Victory of that day with the loss of their lives Also that fatall Battell of Pinkie where there were lost and killed many brave Towns-Men of Aberdeen that went thither though at so far a distance for the Honour of their Soveraign and of the Nation King CHARLES the first in the year 1633 at his Coronation in this Kingdom confirmed and ratified all our above written Priviledges and Liberties of new given and granted by his Royall Father and Progenitors with this addition making and constituting the Provest and Bailies Sheriffs within their Burgh and Freedom-Lands and the Priviledge of having an unground Malt-Market and honored PAUL MENZIES of Kinmundie then present Provest with the Honour of Knight-hood In the year 1649 when the Parliament of Scotland out of their dutifull Respects and Loyaltie to their undoubted Soveraign King CHARLES the second had proclaimed Him King of Great Britain France and Ireland and immediatly did choose Commissioners of all the three Estates of this Kingdom to invite their King to this his Ancient Kingdom to receive the Crown which had now of right descended to him from 108 Kings The Parliament made choise of ALEXANDER JAFFRAY of Kingswells Commissioner for Aberdeen to be one of the two Burrowes to go over to Holland to the King who was a Wise Pious and Discreet Man all his time And he to be faithfull to the City he had his Commission from intreated the Parliament to consider the most important Article in his Commission that so he might undertake that weighty Employment with the greater Alacrity which was to visit the counts of the extraordinary losses of Aberdeen relating to the Publick The Parliament had that respect to him and was so desirous to grant his so just demand that forthwith they did Deput some fit Members who after hearing and considering made their report and thereupon the Parliament by an Act did acknowledge themselves as the Representative of the Nation to be justly resting to the City of Aberdeen the summ of nine hundreth threescore and nine thousand Merks and did grant the Cess of the City to be allowed to them for as many Moneths as drew to eighteen thousand Merks because this great summ that was due to them had exhausted the summs of Money that was Mortified to Hospitals Schools the Colledge and the Common-Poor of that City and had ruined almost the Common Thesaurie thereof but this was all they could spare at that time till an opportunity might fall out to make them more full payment which hitherto hath ever failed and hath been the cause of the severall heavy burdensom Taxations that have of late years been laid on and of procuring that relief which hath been obtained thir five or six years bygone by the Magistrats who withall have made themselves lyable to the grudge of such as are so selfiish that before their particular suffer but a little they could let the Publick come to utter ruine and perish without remedy and unavoidably but of two evils the least is to be chosen But to return Our abovenamed Commissioner obtained also an Act of Parliament that no Souldiers should be quartered in Aberdeen for three years thereafter such was the great respect the Parliament had to him whereupon he went to the King with the rest of the Commissioners of the three Estates And after his return being Commissioner to the Convention of Burrowes at Queensferrie obtained half a merk down of Aberdeens proportion of the 100 Pound of Stent-Roll which was a great advantage to the City He being chosen that year Provest of Aberdeen went with the rest of the Commissioners the next year 1650 to the Hague in Holland where it pleased GOD so to prosper their endeavours as to bring the King home with them Aberdeen being the first City of the Kingdom he came to there he was received with all the Demonstrations of joy and cheerfullness that the Magistrats and Inhabitants could evidence as also the Silver-Keyes of the City were delivered to him by the Provest who tame sometime before to prepare for the Kings reception with an Eloquent and Pertinent Harrangue therewith made by Mr. James Sandilands of Cotton the Cities Recorder or Clerk In the end of February and beginning of March 1651 the King came to Aberdeen where he stayed a week at which time Mr. Robert Farquhar of Munie was Provest Alexander Jaffray who had been Provest the former year having been taken Prisoner at Dumbar-fight which was on the third of September 1650. the King was pleased to honour our then present Provest with the Honor of Knighthood together with Patrick Leslie of Eden who had been Provest some years before with the like Honor. As also in the Year 1681 GEORGE SKENâ— of Fintray was Honoured with the Title of Knighthood at EDINBURGH by JAMES Duke of Albany and York then Commissioner to the Parliament of SCOTLAMD for the late KING CHARLES the Second His ROYALL-BROTHER CHAP. VI. Concerning the STATE of ABERDEEN AS for the State of ABERDEEN if it be taken for the Yearly Revenue of their Thesaurie it is not so considerable as some lesser Towns in the Kingdom It is mostly exhausted in paying Stipendiaries and other incidencies especially since the time of Queen Mary at which time our Freedom-Lands and Salmon-Fishings were all fewed out to particular men which though it brought in considerable summs at first yet now the Fewes both of Lands and Waters are but very inconsiderable all of them extending but to seven hundreth sixteen Pounds ten shillings Scots money Yet that it may appear how considerable this City is in reference to the Kings Exchequer if we consider the Customs and Excyse of Merchant-Goods one with another as also the Excyse of Ale Beer and Aquavitae or Strong-Waters with the Yearly Supplie given to the King by Act of Parliament this City one Year with another will be of in-come to the Exchequer about thirty thousand Pounds of Scots money If this were duely considered it might easily be perceived that the Prosperity and Flowrishing of this City is of speciall concernment to the King and the Publick Interests of the Nation and incaice of its decay the prejudice of both will be no less considerable We acknowledge we have severall of the Chiefest Staple Commodities in the Kingdom as Plaiding Fingrams Stockings Salmond Stuffs Serges Sheep-skins and Lamb-skins When Plading was giving good price in Holland the old Conservator SIR PATRICK DRUMMOND frequenty reported that the Kingdom of SCOTLAND was more obliedged to the City of ABERDEEN for the abundance of money the Merchants thereof brought to the Nation then to all the Towns of this Kingdom besides but the Trade of this so profitable a Commodity is greatly decayed and become very low The Rivers of Dee and Don besides what is brought from Ythan and Ugie which two last Rivers belong to the Earle MARISCHALL and
whereof the Dean of Gild hath in his custody to which every person concerned to know its Vertues and how to use the same is referred CHAP. III. Concerning the Antiquity of ABERDEEN AS for the Antiquity of the City of ABERDEEN it is certain that Ptolomie the most Ancient Geographer who lived about 1500 years since in the dayes of Antonius Pius the Emperor in his Geographicall-Tables making a description of the Isles of Brittain to wit Albion and Ireland with the little adjacent Isles he calls this City Devana and the River adjacent thereto Diva whom Camdenus the English Historiographer in his Britannia cites for proving the Antiquity of Aberdeen whose words are these Devana Urbs per-antiqua a Ptolemeo nunc vero Aberdonia id est Devae ostium Britannica dictione ab ipsis Scotis appellatur So that for Antiquity this CITY may be reckned amongst the most ancient of this ISLE This City was Erected into a Burgh-Royall by Gregorius who for his Justice Temperance and Fortitude was surnamed the Great and was the 73. King of Scotland whose Honorable Acts both in Scotland England and Ireland are at length set down in Hector Boyes History and in Buchannans in the year after the birth of CHRIST 893 years So that since Bon-accord was erected in a Burgh-Royall it is seven hundreth fourscore twelve years this year being the year 1685. After the decease of the said King Gregory the Erection and Infeftments given by him to this City by the iniquity of the times and many incursions were lost for Edward the first King of England called Langshanks made it his work to burn and destroy all the old Evidents and Monuments within this Kingdom where ever he came or his Power could reach Moreover in the time of King David Bruce the City being surprysed with an Army of Englishes sent by Edward the third of England most of the Inhabitants Men Wives and Children were all put to the sword and killed the City burnt for six dayes together as Spotswood and Boyes Histories declare all our Registers and Old Evidents were destroyed about the year 1330 because the Citizens a little before had killed the Souldiers that keeped Garison in the Castle who had sorely opprest them and taken it and rased it to the ground It being then re-built upon the Hills where it is now seated having formerly been cituated from the Green and Eastward under the Hills except the Castle-gate hence it is called the New-Town of Aberdeen and not with relation to that Burgh of Barronie which is now the Bishops seat since is was translated from Mortlick in the time of King David anno 1137 according to Spotswood pag. 101. when Nectanus was Bishop the foundation of which Bishoprick was by King Malcome the second Anno 1010 at Mortlick In King James the fourth his time Bishop William Elphinston builded the KINGS Colledge in the Old Town that Town being seated near the River of Don about a 1000 space from Aberdeen is commonly called the Old Town of Aberdeen not as if it were of greater Antiquity then the Burgh-Royall of Aberdeen for I was informed by a very intelligent Gentleman near that place that there were some old Evidents designing it the Old Town of SEATOUN after the Lands thereto adjoyning But the Bishop of Aberdeen hath had his residence there ever since his Seat was translated from Mortlick where there was a Magnificent Structure of a Cathedrall builded thereafter as also a stately Colledge custome and iâ—norance calls it the Old-Town of Aberdeen it having been Erected in a Burgh of Barrony in favours of the Bishop of the Diocess of Aberdeen It is reported that some call Aberdeen only Urbs a Town and the Old-Town where the Bishop's Seat is Civitas a City But I take that distinction betwixt a Town and a City as it relates to a Bishop's-Seat to be the spurious product of a Popish-Institution because many Towns were called Cities before there was a Bishop in the world A Town propperly reâ—ates to the Buildings and Houses a City denotes the Citizens and Free-men that are the Inhabitants But for this let these that would â—ppropriat the name of a City to a Bishop-Seat â—ead the Bishop of Cajetan de Institutione Reipub. â—â—b 1. Tit. 3. sub fine and he will show what 〈◊〉 City is CHAP. IV. Concerning the Government of the City of ABERDEEN WE have matter to bless GOD for the equall and just constitution of Government which is in our Ctiy and particular Common-Wealth granted to us by our KINGS and left unto us by our Worthy Ancestors which is thus Our Town-Councill is chosen yearly out of the whole Citizens and Burgesses of the City the Roll of our whole Brethren of Gild being first read at every Election of the Council which holds upon the Wednesday before Michaelmess-day there being a large Catalogue drawn up of all the Brethren of Gild amongst us every Person whom any of the Old-Councill desires to be lifted among these out of whom the New-Councill is to be chosen is presently set down in that new list and when the list is compleated by the reading over the whole Brethren of Gild of the Town there is an indefinit number set down upon a large sheet of Paper with lines drawen after every one of their names and this is given to the present Provest Bailies and whole Old-Councill that every one may make choise of thirteen Brethren of Gild to be named for the New-Councill for the year to come and most Votes or Marks make up the number Next they of the Old-Councill choose out of their own number four who are called the Old-four which being added to the former thirteen make up the number of seventeen Brethren of Gild. And lastly having got the Roll of all the present Deacons of Trades there are two of these Deacons chosen which make up the compleit number of ninteen for the Councill the year ensuing The new chosen Counsellors being all sent for and come in the afternoon the whole Old and New-Council with the six Deacons of Trades and the four Deacons of the Old and New Councill which make up ten Deacons of Trades and thirty Brethren of Gild making up in all the number of 40 Votes they altogether choose first the Provest then four Bailies a Dean of Gild a Thesaurer a Master of the Kirk-work and Bridge work a Master of the Mortified Moneys a Master of the Gild Hospital a Master of the Shoar called Master of the Impost and six single Counsellors who bear no Office but sit and Vote in all Effairs that come before the Councill with the two new Deacons of Trades If in this Election there fall to be one having equall Votes the Provest in this caice hath the casting Vote This way of Election was determined by the Convention of Burghs and ratified and approved by King James the sixth after the difference that â—ell out at the Common-Cause 1593. When any matter of more then ordinary
importance comes to be consulted off if the present Councill find it meet they call the former years Councill and joyne both in consultation and determination And if it be a business of setting on of a Tax or levying of Money whither for Nationall or Particular Usâ— or such like the consent of the whole City is called for in a Publick Head-Court conveened by Authority of the Magistrats where the reasons of the said Tax or Imposition are holden forth by the Provest c. unto them So by this it is evident to the Judicious that we have the best Ingredients and Advantages of all the severall sorts of Government And to compleat our Power our Provest and Bailies are made Sheriffs within their own City and Freedom-Lands by K. CHARLES the first 1633 by which our Citizens are fred from the Power of any Sheriff that at times have sought to oppress them yea to pannell them for life without a just cause as in Allexander Rutherford Provest his time when the Sheriff-Deput pannelled a Burger called Patrick Corser for resetting stollen Brass which he had bought on a Maâ—ket-day innocently and would not admit of surety for any summ of money whatsoever offered by the Provest the Sheriff having a pick against the man pannelled which the Provest perceiving that no reason could prevaill commanded Patrick Corser down staires upon any hazard that might follow and so fred him As also the Magistrats a moneth or thereby before the yearly Election cause the Drummer go through the Town inviting all the Inhabitants Free-men to come and hear the accounts of all the Office-bearers counted fitted and subscrived by the Magistrats and the rest of the Auditors of the counts chosen in the day of the Election for that end so that any that pleases may see how uprightly all the Towns-Revenues and Moneys received are bestowed CHAP. V. Concerning the Fidelity and Loyall-Duty which the Citizens of Aberdeen have alwayes payed to their SOVERAIGNES together with the gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief Magistrats thereof THis City having been erected into a Burgh-Royall by King GREGORIE the Great and Priviledged with many Donations by Him as some Notes and Scrolls bear Record gathered by the Recorders and Town-Clerks afterwards The Principall Evidents being destroyed in the common Callamities of these sad times formerly hinted at This City was had in speciall favour with many of the succeeding KINGS as by King William surnamed for his Valour and Fortitude the Lyon He built a Palace in Aberdeen where sometime he remained with his Court which afterward he dedicated to a new order of Friars called the Trinity-Friars for setting up an Abbacie for them two of that order which Pope Innocent the third had newly Erected being recommended by the Pope and sent from Rome To this Abbacie he gave Gifts and some Rents intending if he lived to give them greater this Order was erected 1211. Which Abbacie was burnt when the City was destroyed where now the Trades-Hospitall stands being re-edified but of late years by Dr. William Guild Likewise it is Recorded that the three Kings Alexanders had here in this City a pleasant Pallace which afterwards was translated to the Friars-Predicators or Dominicans Alexander the second did greatly adorn this City and give it Liberties and Priviledges the like with Pearth 1214 which was the first year of his Reign immediatly after the death of his Father King William Boyes holds forth in his History pag. 283. ver 65. That this KING came to Aberdeen with his Sister Isobell after he returned from England and honored it with many Priviledges as King Gregory King Malcome the second and David brother to King William had done before It is said he called this CITY His own City the Infefâ—ments of the said King Alexander the second under his Seal in green Wax is yet extant as a Record of the Priviledges given by Him to this City having by Providence escaped from the common Calamity King Robert Bruce in these most troublesome times wherein he began to Reign or recover his Kingdom out of the hands of Edward the first King of England being beaten severall times and finding all his attempts unsuccessfull retired to ABERDEEN as a place of safety where he found that his Enemies and his former bad success might be overcome for when he had no hope of his Effaiâ—s but despaired of all Victory intending to go out of the Kingdom till better times might fall out and get Forraign Forces for his assistance Incontinently the Citizens of Aberdeen came and exhorted Him to better hopes and more confidence and gave Him assistance both in men and money and followed him to the Town of Inverurie where they fought with the Enemie and obtained his first Victory whereof they were the speciall Instruments and Helps the King being so sickly that he was carried in his Bed as Boyes â—elates fol. 312. whence there began to be a method setled to recover the Kingdom By which service he was moved to bestow upon the City of ABERDEEN the whole Lands of the Kings-Forrest called the Stockâ—d-Wood with the whole parts and pendicles of â—he same with the Mills Waters Fishings â—mall Customs Tolls Courts Weights Meaâ—ures Free Port and Haven and all other Priviledges and Liberties whatsomever pertaining or that might pertain justly to a Royall-Burgh within this Realm Under the Reign of King David Bruce John Randell Earle of Murray being for the â—ime Governour of the Kingdom amongst â—his chiefest Designes for recovering the Kingdom he saw it was most expedient to pursue David Cumming Earle of Atholl whom King Edward of England had appointed Governour for him and having collected his Forces came â—traight to Aberdeen where notwithstanding â—he Tyrrany of the Enemies they were under â—he was informed where David Cumming was knowing their Loyaltie to King David Bruce â—heir Naturall KING and so straight way pursued him Some years after the Englishes having conâ—inued their Rapine and Cruelty in Aberdeen â—y keeping a strong Garison in the Castle the Citizens taking Counsell how they might free themselves of that Yoke and Servitude at last resolved to fall upon the Garison whom they cut off and thereafter levelled the Castle with the ground Whence it was that in honour of that resolute Act they got their Ensignes-Armoriall which to this day they bear witness that late Book of Heraldry set forth by Sir George Mckenzie of Rose-haugh Knight His Majesties Advocat who hath blazoned the Arms of Aberdeen particularly thus The Arms or Ensigns Armoriall of the Burgh Royall of Aberdeen beareth Gules three Towres triple towered in a double-Tressure counter flowred Argent supported by two Leopards propper the Motto in an Escroll above BON-ACCORD whence there are these Verses Arx triplex arcem testatur ab hoste receptam Hostis utrinque doces tu Leoparde genus Lillia cum Clypeo voti Rex pignora jussit Esse color fusi signa cruoris habet Haec
hostes sensere Bona at Concordia virtue Qua res usquè viget publica culta domi In English thus The threefold Towres the Castle showes regain'd From Enemies who it by force mantain'd The Leopards which on each hand ye view The cruell temper of these foes do shew The Shield and Lillies by the Kings-Command As pledges of his great good-will do stand The Collour calls the Blood there shed to mind Which these proud Foes unto their cost did find And BON-ACCORD by which doth safely come To Common-Wealths establisht was at home I. B. And upon the reverse of the Seal of the said Burgh is insculped in a field Azure a Temple Argent St. Nicholas standing in the Porch Mytered and Vested propper with his Dexter-hand lifted up to Heaven praying over three Children in a Boylling Caldron of the first and holding in the Sinister a Crosier Ore these were the Old-Arms of the Burgh-Royall of Aberdeen as His Majesties Advocat in his book above-mentioned relates After the Castle was thus taken and ruined the English being deeply affected therewith as also with the loss of their men did gather their Forces together to avenge this Injury against Aberdeen The Citizens then following Joannes Fraser who Commanded these Forces that adhered to the Interest of King David Bruce did most stoutly fight the English in their own Church-Yard and although with much Blood and the loss of many of their men yet at last obtained the Victory Hence four years after Edward the third having sent a great Navie to recover his loss in thir Northern-parts his Forces fell upon Aberdeen after they had spoiled the Religious-Houses and the City they coming by surprize and greatly incensed for the loss of their men which they had sustained both in the Garison and in the forementioned Fight did cut off Men Women and Children none being spared except such as had by flight saved themselves they burnt the City six dayes together as hath been touched above and being thereafter re-built is ever after called the NEW-TOWN of ABERDEEN King David Bruce had ever after a great favour and respect for Aberdeen and sometimes dwelt in it and set up a Mint-House here as some peeces of Money not long since extant with the inscription of Aberdeen did testifie and the King did ratifie and approve of all the Donations of Lands Waters Fishings and all other Priviledges which King Robert his Father or any of his Predecessors had formerly given or granted to the said Burgh because of their good Service both to his Father and himself against the common Enemie Also all the King James's 1 st 2 d. 3 d. 4 th 5 th and 6 th did all ratifie and approve all these Priviledges and Donations of what ever any of their Predecessors had done before and some of them witnessed their favourable Respects to the Magistrats thereof upon severall occasions As for instance King JAMES the fourth upon a complaint made against SIR JOHN RUTHERFORD of Tarlane after one of the Elections when he had been chosen Provest having for many years enjoyed that Office The King wrot to the Town Councill desiring an exact account of the ground of the Complaint made against His Loved Familiar SIR JOHN RUTHERFORD as the Kings Letter dated November 5. 1487. recorded in the Towns Books doth bear Again King JAMES the fifth was often in Aberdeen and did singularly shew Favour and Respects to the Familie of the MENZIESES who for many years did wisely and happily Govern our City Also King JAMES the sixth did not onely confirme in Parliament all the Ancient Priviledges and Liberties given to this City by his Royall Predecessors but likewise when â—s by the Laws of this Nation the King might have exacted his Burrow-Mailes in Sterling-Money which would have been nothing else but the utter undoing and extirpation of this Re-publick He out of his Princely Clemency and Favour which he did ever bear to this his Ancient-City did of new again Re-erect and found the samen and did quite abolish and abâ—ogat the payment of Sterling-Money by dissolving the same from the Crown in Parliament so far as concerns this City allennarlly the like benefit being denyed to any other Burgh in the Kingdom as also disponning and giving of new the Burgh Common-Lands Fishings and all other Liberties thereof whatsomever for payment of current money allennarly And at the same time honored our then present Provest THOMAS MENZIES of Durne or Cults with the Title of Knight-hood in his own Privy-Chamber in the presence of the best sort of the Nobility of both the Kingdoms whom he acknowledged before them then present worthy of that honour be reason of his Birth besides the good service lately done by Him and the City of Aberdeen to the King by the gentle entertainment of his Honorable Servants who came at that time to visit Aberdeen by the Kings appointment 1617. This SIR THOMAS MENZIES of Cults having procured that Famous Pearl which was found in the Brook or Burne of Kellie as it runs into the River of Ythan which Pearle for beauty and bigness was the best that hath been at any time found in Scotland our said Provest having found by the Judgement of the best Jewelers in Edinburgh that it was most Precious and of a very high Value went up to London and gifted it to the King this was in the year 1620. Who in retribution gave him twelve or fourtteen Chalders of Victuall about Dumfermling and the Custom of Merchant-Goods in Aberdeen during his life But it pleased GOD he dyed at Wooller on the Border in England in his return home Nevertheless this did signifie the speciall Favour the King did bear to our then Provest though he did not live to enjoy the effects of the Kings Royall and Princely Respects This Pearle was reported to be one of the Jewells of the Crown of England Likewise when the King called the Commissioners of both Kingdoms to treat anent the Union betwixt Scotland and England ALEXANDER RUTHERFORD Provest of Aberdeen being one of the four chosen for the State of the Burrowes the King did put it upon Him to speak in behalf of the Burrowes who did acquite himself so satisfyingly to the King that pulling a rich Diamond Ring from his Finger he gave it him as a token of his Royall-Respects I have heard some relate that when he had delivered his discourse in our Scots-dialect which was not so intelligible at that time to the English Commissioners he spoke to the same purpose in Latine that the Bishops might understand then gave a like account to the Nobility amongst the English Commissioners in the French-Language which did affect the King with very much complacency who carried a singular Respect to the Subjects of this his Native-Country and Ancient Kingdom and made every thing acceptable that had a tendency to the repute thereof The Battell of Harlaw did witness the Zeal of Aberdeen against the Enemies of the King and for the
URIE much increased be What is the cause My dearest Town that thou Can no MIGDONIAN Pillars in thee shew Why doth there not in Buildings which are thine Some PYRAMIDE with splendid-Titles shine Why doth Heath-Shrubs thy lovely Houses stain To which the LAWRELL rather doth pertain Here formerly the BRUCE his Foe defeat And still hereafter Prosperous was his State Nere thee did STEWART beat the Rebells down And with their Blood HARLAW almost did drown Of thee if I do boast it is no shame In thee some speciall-Interest I claime The Land which Fewell furnisheth to thee It was the Land of My Nativity Near thee it was I first drew Vital Breath I wish near thee when Old to meet with Death BAMFF BAMFF near the Ocean doth thy self confess In Bulk then Trica or Hypaepe less Yet art acknowledg'd by the Neighbouring-lands To be their Regent and the Boyne Commands Nor Cornes nor Pastures wanting are to thee Nor stately Ships which do lanch forth to Sea Thou art adorned by a Temple-great And by the Muses and Astrea's Seat A place is near which was a Field untill Our Ancestors did raise it to an Hill Hither the Sea flows up to Diveron's-food A stately-Castle also on it stood A Warlick-Fort Its rubbish yet appears The rest 's consum'd by Time which all things wears The Buildings which joyn to the Mercat-place The Parian-Pillars which uphold them grace Strong for defence and specious to the sight In them doth dwell a Noble Ancient Knight A Vertuous People doth inhabite thee And this O BAMFF thy greatest Praise must be ELGIN To ELGIN's Praise the Ancient BAJAE yeelds HESPERIAN Gardens and brave TEMPE's Fields Both Sea and Land doth still Thy needs supplie That Fishes This Cornes doth afford to Thee CORCYRA Aples unto Thee hath sent DAMASCUS Pruns CERASUS Cherries lent The Bees seem to have left their ATTICK hyve And come to Thee their Honey-trade to dryve The Silver Streams of LOSSIE here doth glyde By crooked paths unto the Sea they slyde With Stately-Castles Thou' rt environed Within with pleasant Buildings garnished All Here is lovely and delights the Eye But the torne-Walls and Rubbish when you see Of that Great TEMPLE which e're yet appears Bid SCOTLAND now bedew Her Cheeks with tears INVERNESS A Town not far from Sea in fertile Land Even near unto Our North-most Coast doth stand With Palaces of KINGS thou' rt garnished And Lakes with Blood of PIGHTS oft coloured With Ness pure Streams thy Borders watered be Where Ships float and approach for serving thee This River freezeth not by Winter cold Its Water to the Sea flow uncontrol'd The Earth doth plenteous Harvest here dispense In spite of Northern Stars cold influence Thule and Iernie which thy Neighbours be And all the Northern Isles send Wealth to thee Forth long ago the chief Command doth claim And EDINBURGH yeelds not to thee the Name Of the Chief CITY yet they eve◠shall Thee an EMPORIUM of this KINGDOM call Both Nature and the Genius of the Place Have with this Honour joyned thee to Grace INVERLOCHIE This Town where KINGS did dwell now utterly Is ruin'd and its Ashes here do lye Consuming time Its Forts hath undermin'd Which Pights could not when they 'gainst It combyn'd If yet there Here remain a Marble-Stone Let Muses grave this Lasting Verse thereon Let none henceforth prefer safe Peace to War The Evils of That do This exceeed by far War to this Town a Mother was but Peace A Step-Dame hath become unto this Place These are all the Towns upon which DR ARTHUR JOHNSTOUN wrote His EPIGRAMS though there be many Towns that are ROYALL-BURGHS in SCOTLAND to the number of three-score and two Severall of which are comprehended under that Designation of the Coast-side Towns of Fyffe as Dysart Kircaldie Anstruther Easter Burnt-Island Ennerkything Kinghorn Pettenweem Dumfermling Anstruther Wester Cryle Culrose and many more such like Towns on which He wrote no Epigrams THE CONCLUSION Containing some few Lines Composed by MR. WILLIAM DOWGLAS Advocat in EDINBURGH upon the CITY of ABERDEEN APELLES stareing long did look upon The Learning Policy and Generous Mind Of that brave CITY plac'd 'twixt d ee and DONE But how to Paint IT HE could never find For still HE stood in judging which of Three A COURT A COLLEDGE Or A BURGH IT be The Contents or Index of the SURVEY of ABERDEEN CHAP. I Concerning the Situation of Aberdeen Its Longitude and Latitude Pag. 209 CHAP. II. Concerning the Description of Aberdeen 212 CHAP. III. Concerning the Antiquity of Aberdeen 222 CHAP. IV. Concerning the Government of the City of Aberdeen 226 CHAP. V Concerning the Fidelity and Loyal-Duty which the Citizens of Aberdeen have alwayes payed to their Soveraignes together with the gracious Rewards conferred thereon and the signall Evidences of Honour put upon many chief Magistrats thereof 230 CHAP. VI. Concerning the State of Aberdeen 244 CHAP. VII A Catalogue of these who have been Provests in Aberdeen whereof any record may be had either by Scrolls Charters or Infeftments before or since the burning of the said City 246 CHAP. VIII The Epigrams of Dr. Arthur Iohnstoun Physician in ordinary to King CHARLES the first upon the City of ABERDEEN 256 CHAP. IX Dr. Iohnstouns Epigrams upon severall of the Royall-Burghs in this Kingdom as may be found in his Poems printed at Middle-Burgh 1642. Translated into English by I. B. 261 FINIS It is expected that the Courteous Reader will be pleased before He peruse this Book to take notice of and correct with His Pen these few Escapes of the Press for the most Exact and Vigilant will have some whereby He will be keept from a Stop when He comes to Them in His ordinary Reading Page Page Line Errors Corrected 131 16 17 Corporation Corruption 139 2 agreement arguments 155 11 Politita Politica 194 7 Volens Voleur 252 24 qua quo †or Gradles †the COLLEDGE
Councils by Lot as Florence and Sienna which often proves dangerous The Venetians mix Lots and Elections together unto this day of purpose to bear down Ambition whereby great Concord is preserved and their State hath flowrished wonderfully having stood above eleven hundred Years And if the Zeal of these Wise and Potent Cities for the preservation of their Civil Liberties be such in the care they take in their Elections though these things amongst us be of so far less importance even beyond all comparison yet Christians in their Sphere though never so low ought to be no less carefull to bear down Sin and to be tender of the Honour of GOD which suffers not a little often times by these things Wherefore I must recommend it to be thought upon in an effectual way being confident the KING Parliament and Council will be ever ready to ratify what may be in this for the Honour of GOD and the good of such a part of the body of the Kingdom CHAP. VIII Anent Sloath and Neglect in Rulers and their publick Administrations THe next evil a carefull Senate and faithfull Rulers should beware of both in themselves and others of whom they have the charge as they would wish matters go well is Neglect and Sloth It s too common a fault amongst many in publick trust they look more to the Dignity then Duty of their Charge but a person whom GOD hath called will make conscience of their Imployment and mind their business and study a faithfull discharge of their Duty 2. Chron. 19.3 It s said that King Jehosophat prepared his heart to seek GOD which is as much as to say he seriously bethought himself how he might most advance the Honour of GOD in that high station the LORD had placed him in and we have excellent fruits of that seriousness mentioned 2. Chron. 17.6 7 8. And 2. Chron. 19.4 and to the end of that Chapter 2. Where this Sloth and Neglect hath place there is no good minded nor acted even although men be of great and pregnant Parts otherwise whereas carefull and diligent Persons though they may be far short of that quickness and abilities which others have yet may do more good and to better purpose prosecute their business then they from whom more might be expected It s reported that the Famous and most Eloquent Orator Demosthenes had no great promptness or naturall parts but onely by Pains and Industrie became to outstirpt all in Greece yet when provocked he would speak nothing immediatly till he had premediated in his Nocturnall Lucubrations what he was to say which occasioned Pythius an Athenian Orator to say That Demosthenes Orations did smell of a lamp Also when expediency would require that he should speak for himself ex tempore Demades behooved to plead for him who was very prompt and did excell all others in an extemporanean discourse being by Nature and Ingyne far above all others in Athens tho by pains and industrie Demosthenes did far outstrip them all It falls often out that painfull and diligent men will do far more then many that are of much greater naturall Parts for care and diligence will supply what is wanting in Nature and Engine on the contrare these oâ— sharpest Wits trusting to the strength of their Parts oftentimes are slothfull and lazie while they remain too confident in their Gifts of Nature 3. My meaning is not here to condemn seasonable and suteable divertisment for I know the nature of man is such that his Spirit cannot alwayes keep upon bend except it debilitate and loss its vigor and activity for Nature it self craves refreshment by sleep in the night after the travell in the day so the Earth ceaseth to bring forth her Herbs and Fruits at all Seasons but being spared be the cold nipping frosts of Winter returns with new strength to shut forth her tender buds in the Spring It s reported in Ecclesiastical History that when some persons came to see John the Apostle through the Fame they heard of his Holiness and Gravity they found him feeding a Bird who perceiving they wondred some what at him as being disappointed of their expectation takes the Bows which were in their hands and asks them why they did not alwayes keep them bended They answered it would weaken them much and render them more unfit for service when they should have use for them even so said the Apostle must I take some divertisment else my Spirits should fail 4. Augustus Caesar having changed Capreae for the Island of Inarime with the Neapolitans that he might retire thither for his health did build there a glorious PALACE which he made use of for honest recreations when wearied with business Recreations are not onely lawfull but expedient yea sometimes necessary but when men are too much in them and at unseasonable times they are sinfull and very unbeseeming any but especially publick persons for then not onely is time lost but oft times needfull and weighty business neglected justice delayed the poor and oppressed not relieved Even as Tiberius abused that Island exceedingly which Augustus did use soberly for he went thither to befool himself thorow sordid neglect and sloth and when he was to depart from Rome set out an Edict that none should call for him and sent some of his Train before that all who in his journey thither were like to meet him might be put out of the way and no person to come to him that being entered this Isle he might lay all care of the Empyre aside whereby he permitted Armenia to be taken by the Parthians Mysia by the Dacianes and Sarmatianes and France by the Germans with great disgrace and hazard of the whole Empire He in the mean time taking liberty through the secrecy of the place which was guarded on every side with high Rocks and no entry thereto but a narrow shoar did abundantly and freely discover the ill dissembled vices of his mind And with Pomponius Flaccus L. Piso spent both dayes and nights in feastâ—ng and drinking To the One he gave the Province of Syria to the Other the Government of the City of Rome calling these his most joviall Friends and Companions for all seasons His greatest delight of that Isle was that there he could execute his cruelty more easily wherein he took singular pleasure for whom ever he did hate after most exquisite and long torments he caused throw them into the Sea It s sad when the lawfull recreations of some are turned into such excess by others that they become their shameful snares and sins 5. Demetrius King of Macedon in the beginning of his Reign was exceedingly given to sluggishness and delighted onely in solitary idleness that it was very hard and difficult to get access to him which was the more recented by his Subjects that King Philip had been so accessible that any might have got audience from him at all times It fell out that an old woman finding the King not busie requested
that Superstition hath served to greaten more Towns in many Kingdoms of the World then the true fear of GOD and that love that should be amongst Christians Witness Rome which is so much frequented upon the imagination of her pretended holy places and false relicts of Saints departed and the supream Authority of her Ecclesiastical Affairs and her Judaick Jubilies by which and many more such like Impostures she hath made many Nations drunk with the Wine of her Fornications and Whoredomes and thereby keeps her self in such greatness till the LORD by powring out the vialls Rev. 16. burn and consume that seat of the Beast Many other Cities and Towns are also greatly frequented upon superstitious Accounts by Strangers as Loretto in Italy S Michael in France Compostella in Spain and many other places altho rough and almost inaccessible But now when Light hath discovered these Antichristian-Delusions I think we should study upon more Christian Accounts to invite Strangers as was said in the beginning of this Chapter by being through divine Grace a holy People living in the true fear of GOD and in love to his holy Image where ever it is to be seen by an holy and blameless Conversation Though there be a difference in Judgement in most Cities now in Brittain let it be our care to love all Men and seek thee good of every one if so be the LORD may bring them to the knowledge of Himself and the acknowledgement of the Truth and walk according to that rule Phillip 3.15 16. This as it is very sutable to Christian Charity and that meekness and moderation that becometh the Gospell so it is very conducible to the greatning of a City and Common-wealth CHAP. XIV Concerning Merchandising HAving touched some Generalls necessary for the prosperity of a Town in the last Chapter I come now to speak of some of them more particularly at some more length and the first is Merchandising Rulers ought to have a speciall care to give all due encouragement to Trading that can be thought upon for by it a Burgh is mostly distinguished from a Countrey-Village rather then by strong Walls or Fortifications as some distinguish without Trade a Town were little better so that Traffick is the very essence and by it the Being and Vitalls of a Burgh or City is mantained First It therefore concerneth Magistrats and Councill to assist yea to own as their propper Concernment all the Intetests that may impare or prejudge the Traffick in all Staple-Commodities when the Supream Authority makes any Act or are like to do any thing that may damnify the same as in highting Customs or Bulzeon These things would be adverted to and all opportunities carefully attended when matters of that nature may be best helped especially at Parliaments for this there is a great necessity to make choise of understanding able and active men to be Commissioners at such times otherwayes it may fall out to be done at such a time that possibly cannot be gotten helped in an Age. Secondly It were good to look well upon all these wayes whereby Trade is prejudiced amongst our selves as to take condign order with Foreâ—allers of Mercats and such raisers and highters of the prices of common Commodities and these that studie to enhance one particular Commoditie in their hands that they may sell and oppress others at their pleasure and many more wayes which others can more easily fall upon that are better acquainted nor I am with the like Thirdly It were very commendable for all that have charge in a City not onely to look to these particulars above mentioned but to be carefull that the Dean of Gild and his Councill of Assessors to whom it would be very propper may set themselves to fall upon the best Overtures for removing of impediments and advancing all means that may make every Trade whether of Scottish Commodities outward or such Forraign Commodities as are brought homeward to prosper and flowrish and then the Councill after mature deliberation had that the means be propper and may be practised without the breach of any duty to the setled Laws of the Kingdom may put to their Authority and so effectually prosecute the samen that no covetous or selfish stickler that may possibly find himself hem'd in from his avaricious and greedy way may be able to gainstand what the Councill hath enacted for the Good and Prosperity of the whole Merchants in common Hobbs in his 2 d. part of his Rudiments of Dominion sayes to this purpose That every Society of men that live in a Corporation together intending the Publick Good of the whole would not rest upon a bare consent to prosecute that and unless there be restraints for fear of punishments on those that out of selfish ends c would obstruct the Wee ll of the Publick so that all mens particular Wills must run in the Will of the Councill or such as are the Governours viz. the major part thereof Fourthly I will not take upon me to mention any particular ways how Traffick may be advanced in Towns it being more propper for a Dean of Gild Court which would be needfull to be alwayes of the ablest and most judicious of the Merchants and such as are of most publick Spirits yet it may not be amiss to offer these things to consideration Consider to what good improvement one man as I have seen in my time did bring the Manufacture of Stockings viz. G. P. in Aberdeen whereby there was a Trade in some measure keeped up not onely with Merchants at the South and West but also with severals that carie them both to England and Ireland and if one man by his own private Industrie did bring the Countrey People to such a perfection in good Stockings what may a Corporation do if a serious care were had for such improvements in this and many other things Secondly Seeing we have Commodities of our own Nation sufficient to bring us home all necessaries from France Holland and the Nations on the Baltick-Sea to serve our Towns and Countries about us onely we have little of our own to send to London and our Neighbour-Nation of England wherefore such of our Nation as travel thither are constrained to caâ—ry in Money to their great expense and hazard â—or to draw Money upon Bill at a dear rate To prevent this if it shall please the LORD who hath in his good Providence united both Nations under one KING as well as in one Protestant Religion and Language to take off these Acts which are made to obstruct the mutuall Freedom and Trade betwixt the Kingdoms or to make up a compleat Union which were rather to be wished it were most expedient to consider what Commodities we have in our Countrey that would go best off there as our Linning-Cloath Linning-Yairne Stockings of all sorts and syzes Furrs Feathers c and such like things as active Merchants might easily find out and would need to keep a good Correspondence at
requires Also Rulers would guard against all abuses and oppressions committed readily by Tradesmen upon new Intrants whereby they are brought so low in their condition and so plunged in debt before they can be free in their Tradâ— that they are hardly able in many years to recover and get themselves out of burden CHAP. XVII Concerning Planting both for Profit and Pleasure HAving touched severall things that may seem worthy of a Councils consideration for making a Town flowrish in the foregoing Chapters or Partitions I cannot ommit to offer it to their Judgments to deliberat if it be not very expedient both for profit and pleasure to consider how their Cities may be beautified with Planting of usefull Trees in all places in and near the Town where it may be most conveniently had for it is no small reproach upon the generality of our Nation that our People are so negligent and careless in this particular notwithstanding of the great contentment and satisfaction that may be reaped thereby for Planting is not onely delightfull to the eye and in a manner exhilirating the heart of every beholder by its beauty and greeness inviting the cheerfull Birds to chant and express their melodious Notes to the great refreshment of the hearers oft tymes but also in few years due diligence and care being taken to plant them aright and to prune and keep them they are very usefull for publick and private use as need and expediencie shall require We find that the most flowrishing and rich Nations have great abundance of many soâ—ts of Planting and that not onely by Nature but by Art and Industrie of the Inhabitants and Divine Providence hath evidenced her bounty in a liberall measure to us in that matter no less then to others our Neighbours round about us as may be witnessed by the many Woods and Forrests that have been well furnished with Oakes Elmes Firrs Ashes c. and Fruit-Trees which in every generation are much destroyed and cut down and few or none to repair them and how can we but undergo the just reproach of a careless and lazie People in this thing and the rather that no Laws and Acts of Parliament made by our Gracious and Vertuous KINGS and Estates of the Kingdom particularly by K. James the 5 th in his 9. Act of Parl. 4. and our late K. Charles the 2 d. Parliament 1. Act 41. cannot prevail It is obvious to the sence of every beholder what an Ornament Planting is to Great mens houses who are worthie of their due commendation that have taken paines herein I think it worthie the considering that when GOD created Man in his primitive Innocency and Integrity he placed him in a Garden and put that exercise upon him even in a sinless state to dress and keep it Gen. 2.8 15. whence it may be observed that Planting and the care thereof is an exercise not unbecoming the best of Saincts nor the Greatest of men we may see many Proofes oâ— this as First in that Good and Holy Man that found Grace in GODS sight when all the World save a few with him perished Gen. 9.20 And Noah began to be an Husband man and he planted a Vyne-yard Secondly Abraham the Friend of GOD and Father of the Faithfull Planted a Grove in Beersheba and called there on the Name of the LORD Gen 21.33 Next King Solomon a Great and Wise KING Eccles. 2.4 5. I made me great Works I builded me Houses and planted me Vyne-yards I made me Gardens and Orchards and I planted in them all kind of Fruits So Uzziah delighted in this Employment 2. Chron. 26 10. He had Husband-men and dressers of Vynes c. Yea our Blessed LORD JESUS did honour this Industrie by his frequenting the Garden Joh 18.1 When JESUS had spoken these words he went over the brook Cedron where was a Garden into which he entered with his Disciples Ver. 2. And Judas also who betrayed him knew the place for JESUS oftentimes resorted thither with his Disciples I could name many Great men that have taken pleasure in Planting as Cyrus the younger King of Persia who planted Orchards and Gardens with his own hand See Cicero de Senectute p. 210. But I shall forbear to insist onely desiring our Cities and Towns may seriously consider the profit and pleasure and that it will very far counterballance the expense and paines by a constant and yearly recompense I mean a well furnished Garden and Orchard when carefully keept and waited upon Therefore I shall close this purpose with a friendly desire that all Magistrats and Town-Councils may seriously consider how they may in this give best obedience to the laudable Acts and Laws of the Land and with most profit and satisfaction to their respective Incorporations and that it may be remembered when Adam sinned he was sent forth from the Garden of Eden to till the ground which was a more painfull and inferiour employment and not permitted to enjoy that sweet and refreshful mansion of the Garden It was a part of Gods Curse upon a land when Trees were smitten and taken away from it Exod. 9.25 Amos 4.9 Joel 1.12 And it is a promised Blessing To plant Gardens and eat the fruit of them Jer. 29.5 Amos 9.4 Ezek. 34.27 Therefore these Precepts may be pertinently applyed to this purpose Tit. 3.14 Let ours also learn to mantain good Works for necessary uses And that of Philip. 4.8 Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoevâ—r things are of good report if there be any vertue and if there be any praise think on these things Much of our Corne-fields about some Towns have been improven for Herbs and Roots by common Gardners and why not some of the choisest Soyles and Situations be also made use of for pleasant Gardens and fruitfull Orchards which are to be seen frequently in well ordered and flowrishing Towns abroad to their great profit health and delight without their Towns and few of our Nation have little worse Grounds for such things save that Walls and Dykes may be found expensive and sparing many unnecessary superfluities in other things and bringing home Tyle for ballast in Ships from Holland c may help that and the profit accrewing by a fruitfull and well ordered Orchard in a few years will recompense all expensses with GODS blessing abundantly CHAP. XVIII Concerning Charity and care of the Poor THough there may be many Duties incumbent upon Magistrats and Town-Councils who are Governours of Cities and Burghs which the judicious will understand as their occasions and stations will discover unto them that there is one Dutie which is none of the least that all are bound to consider because the Supream Governour of Heaven and Earth takes speciall notice thereof and hath carefully recommended to all his People and that is a tender care over and a cordiall Charity towards the Poor See for this Deut. 15.7
the Hands work the Feet walk and goe about business c whereby the Stomack might be brought to utter indigencie and want through famine it is easie to conjecture how soon the Hands should hang down the Feet wax feeble the Eyes become dim c. The application of this is clear that it will be no otherwayes with every Member of the Common-wealth where the Publick is neglected It was the sense of this as I hinted before that made the Generous Romans after the Batâ—ell of Cannae every one both Senators Knights and Privat-Citizens to cast in their Privat-Wealth into the Common-Thesaurie when it â—as quite exhausted yea this made the Tradesmen as Measons and Carpenters c to employ their pains and labours without wages in that â—xtremity for the Good and Preservation of their City by which Publick spiritedness they â—on recovered their pristine Glory Renown and Wealth being thereby delivered by the â—rovidence of the ALMIGHTY from that â—minent danger which then did threaten â—eir utter ruine by a powerfull and prevailâ—g Enemie Hanniball and his victorious Army See Walter Raleighs History and Florus Let all therefore consider if a Town or Common-wealth be under a great decay and heavy burdens that are like to ruine the same if surable and seasonable remedies be not provided whither it be not as needfull for Citizens to deny themselves and give up their private interests to be disposed of for relief of the Publick as it is for a diseased person that is threatned with death by a deadly disease to submit to let blood and to purging evacuations though the potion were never so bitter and unpleasant to the taste especially if there be hope of health and life thereby We must not be as Children who are led meerly by sense but as Men who by Reason can deny Sense and force themselves to submit to such Medicines as may effectuat the cure though never so unpleasant to the pallat It is therefore an unbeseeming thing in any to grudge at any Impositions that may relieve the Publick Burdens of the Common-Wealth And surely those Towns whose Inhabitants voluntarly consent to such reliefs without the Imposition of the Supream Authority are highly to be commended as Dundee and Glasgow such cannot but flowrish and prosper as is to be seen by the considerable acquisitions which the City of Glasgow hath made within thir few years yea in building a new Town at the mouth of their River with all accommodations for Trade c. I could be glade that all the Citizens in this Kingdom would but inform themselves of the publick spiritedness of that People thir many years by gone and emulat with them and to give but one instance of this In the time when the Englishes had the Government of this Nation when Gess and Excyse was great they of their own accord did agree to pay six Shillings-sterling upon every Boll of Malt whereby they payed all the publick Dues and the whole Sallaries of their Stipendiaries and had their Publick Revenue of their Thesaurie still free from any out-givings all that time whereby they shortly after acquyred Lands of great Rents An Old-Provest of that Town J. G. told me that though they were divyded among themselves in some things yet if any one should make a motion that might tend to the Publick Good they all agreed as one man So that it may be said in some respect of them as Florus in his second book Chap. 6. said of Rome after the Battell of Cannae O populum dignum omnium faevore admiratione hominum compulsus ad ultimos metus ab incepto non destitit de sua urbe solicitus that is O people worthy of the favour and respect of all men and of their admiration though redacted to the last extremity yet carefull of their Town If such a Spirit did act the Citizens of our Nation our Towns would be in a more prosperous condition by far then they are and in order to this I will lay before you this consideration either ye are Citizens born or not If ye be Natives it is but naturall to all men to love the place of their Nativity Many have not thought their Lives dear to them and to undergo all perills and hazards for the Honour and Well-being thereof according to that old saying Dulce est pro Patria mori It is gratefull to die for their Native-Countrey And they that are not born but now made Free-Citizens may mind that their Children are born there and Parents for most part travell and toyl for their Children and so in freeing the Publick Debts and Burdens ye free your Posterity of Burdens But some possibly may jealous the Administration of their Magistrats as unfaithfull c. To which I can say having severall years born Office in our own Town I never knew any cause for such a thought nor that ever a Magistrat was so base as to be guilty of such a Crime which the Romans called Crimen Peculatus when Magistrats or others took of the Publick Money to make their personall gain which is to be abhored by GOD and Man and is enough to procure a Curse upon them and their Posterity who ever should be guilty of such baseness I have read of severall brave Men amongst those we call Heathens that have been Persons of greatest Trust who have been so faithfull that rather then appropriat of the Publick to their privat use they have preferred to dye poor so that they have been buried on the Publick Expense and their Children educated and provyded by the same means It ought to be far more abhorrent to these that profess Christianity But because it is frequent with many to admit of a dissatisfaction with their Rulers and apprehend their might be had many fitter to Govern then they who are present Incumbents I suppose if they had their choise it would fare with them as it did with the People of Capua when they were about to have murthered their whole Senat had not Clavius Pacuvius who had great respect amongst the People desired them being conveened in a Publick Assembly to fall upon the choise of a New Senat before they destroyed the Old There was not a man that any could name but he was rejected by the multitude for some fault or other or as base and unworthie wherefore he prevailed with them to spare the Senators and to take a new triall of them I apprehend it would be even so in many Cities where the people are most dissatisfied with their present Magistrats are they could agree amongst themselves Therefore seeing the best of men are but men let none discover their fathers nakedness but patiently and charitably bear with human infirmities and all concur in their stations to seek the Wellfare of the Publick CHAP. XXIX Some Overtures humbly offered to the Nobles and Gentrie of the several Shires in Scotland HAving written some Memorialls for the Burghs of this Nation I crave favour that
I may with freedom make this address to You in laying humbly before you suggestions which being better pollished by your mature and sharper Understandings may tend to the Universall Good of the whole Kingdom In order to which I wish you all consider that its the fear of the LORD that teacheth Wisdom without which no project nor purpose can attain a blessed success or arrive at a happy end It s onely they that acknowledge the LORD that have the promise to be directed and guided in their paths It were a great Mercy to this Land if this were practically beleeved by all especially by you who may greatly influence your inferiours and it were but a sutable effect of that Gospel-Light which hath shined in most parts of this Nation since the reformation and to stir you up the more effectually to this Look back and consider the many Mercies the LORD GOD hath bestowed upon this Land since ever we were a People that though we be far short of many other Nations in outward advantages yet it hath been our happiness to receive both Honour and Spirituall Blessings beyond the most in Europe for both which I shall give some instances As for Honour it was the Glory of our Naion after long and many bloody conflicts with the Romans to set bounds to the Roman Empire that we had matter to say as GOD Himself said to the Sea Job 38.11 Hitherto shalt thou come but no further and here shall thy proud waves be stayed Though it s our duty to say as Psal. 115.1 Not unto us O LORD Not unto us but unto thy Name give Glory For though this was the LORDS mercie yet he made use of the valour and conduct of that renowned King Corbredus surnamed Galdus the twentyfirst King of Scotland and the courage and valiant indefatigability of your noble Ancestors so that the Roman-Armie consisting of above ten Legions or sixty thousand men when they first came under the Command of Julius Agricola they were so beaten and worn out by the Scots and Pights that they came to twenty thousand who came to be so beleaguered within their trenches and brought to that straite that they sent their Ambassadors to our King who commanded in Chief which because it may be looked upon as a greater Glory in the Vulgar esteem then any other Kingdom in Europe can boast of I have thought fit to insert their address and speach here as not unworthy of record which is as followeth Upon this occasion having granted them liberty and cessation of Armes there came four Grave and Venerable Men from the Roman-Camp cloathed with Roman-Gowns no less decent then gorgious to these confederated Kings sitting in the Assembly of the Nobility of both Nations when they approached to the presence of the Kings did prostrat themselves upon the ground who immediatly at the command of these Kings being raised up one of them who was appointed as Spoksman said Most invincible PRINCES the Roman-Army and their Commanders though Conquerors â—f the World implores Your Favour whom they â—ave these many years prosecuted by Hostile-War â—nd humbly begs your pardon and mercy Neither â—ould there any thing fall out amongst such glorious Actions for your Honour and Renown or more worâ—hy of memory amongst your Posterity then that the Roman-Ambassadors should have fallen down at our feet to whom all Kings and People being subâ—ued are forced to pay obedience Ye have overâ—ome us we acknowledge with you is the power of â—ur Life and Death by reason of the anger of the Gods whom we have found to be highly offended for â—ac War which we have most unjustly engaged you â—â—to Use these at your own pleasure so as 〈◊〉 may advance your Glory and Renown All we â—eg is that ye may overcome your wrath who have â—vercome the Conquerors of the World Or if ye â—ill rather choose to be subdued by your passion kill â—very one of us to the last man for we cannot deny â—â—â—t we have deserved it But it is a small matter â—â—at ye who inhabit the uttermost ends of the earth â—ould conquer by your Valour all other Mortalls by â—hich ye do transcend the highest pitch of Human â—ower but it will be yet more when ye have overâ—â—me many more powerfull if yet ye shall preserve â—ive so many brave men We have felt the force of your armes we have felt the wrath of the Gods we humbly implore we may feel your Mercy and Clemency and because we acknowledge our selves beaten and rendered unto you what ever conditions of Peace ye shall appoint us we are willingly to accept These things being said they all weeping did throw themselves down at the feet of thesâ— Kings and with many tears prayed they would spare their conquered and submissive Petitioners And intreated they might be satisfied that thâ— Gods had so aboundantly avenged themselveâ— upon them for this unjust War and the impious wrongs they had done unto them This is particularly related by our Scots Historian Hector Boyes in the life of this King Corbrâ—dus Galdus who asserts the most he had seâ— down concerning our conflicts and wars witâ— the Romans he had it not onely from thâ— Famous Brittish Historians but from the Romaâ— Writters themselves particularly from Coâ—nelius Tacitus Lampridius Herodianus Paulâ— Diaconus Elius Spartanus Strabo c as maâ— be seen in Boyes his Epistle Dedicatory to K. Jamâ—â— the fifth Now I suppose that neither France Spain Germany nor England c can boast of sucâ— an Honour as the LORD GOD did heâ— by put upon this our Nation according aâ— Honour is ordinarly esteemed by the most 〈◊〉 people of the world Scaliger in his Epitaph upon Geo. Buchanan our â—ountrey-Man and our Historian closes it up â—ith thir two lynes Imperii fuerat Romani Scotia limes Romani Scotia eloquii finis erit Again as to Spirituall Blessings consider â—cotland was amongst the first of the Nations â—ho embraced the Christian-Religion which â—as at the time when Donald the first did reign 〈◊〉 Scotland about the Year 187 after CHRIST'S â—irth And also were amongst the first that â—id forsake the Idolatrie and Superstition of the Roman-Antichrist and all this by the speciall Mercy and Providence of GOD who all aâ—â—ngst hath given eminent evidences of his great â—egard and compassion unto Scotland both beâ—ore Christianity was embraced and when we â—ere Heathens and also when we were lying â—nder the darkness of Popish-delusions as was â—imessed by our deliverances from the Tyrraâ—y of the Danes obtained by signall Victories â—nder severall of our Kings of some of which â—he Famous Predecessors of the Families of â—rroll and Marischall were eminently instruâ—entall at Luncartie and Barrie And from the powerfull invasions of the â—orvegians under Acio who was defeated by King Alexander the third and from the miâ—â—culous deliverances from the unjust and horâ—â—d devastations by the Edwards the first second and third of England by the incomparable Valour of William Wallace
recollect what I knew or had read concerning it at least since the fatall Overthrow thereof in the dayes of King David Bruce about the year 1330 by the totall burning of it and the universall slaughter of those that did not escape And finding that Sir Robert Sibbald Dr. of Phisick the Kings Geographer by a warrant from Authority had emitted an Advertisement for a true information of the several Shyres Burghs Universities c of this Kingdom I looked on it as a fit Opportunity to communicat what I knew unto â—ou that ye might dispose thereof â—s ye should see meet I have thereâ—ore set down a Survey of Aberdeen at some length that all may see â—nd perceive what a City it is and â—ath been not onely for consideâ—able Buildings but also as to the â—enown of its Inhabitants If there â—e ought judged worthy of Praise â—r Remark ye may look upon that â—s an incitement for imitation and â— quickning motive for your Posâ—erity to endeavour a studious Proâ—ress in the commendable wayes of Vertue for here may be seen the â—minent Evidences of that Loyaltie which was conspicuous in your Ancestors Also the Princely Rewards and Royall Marks our â—overaignes did bestow upon your City and Magistrats Here also may be seen the assiduous care and diligence our Magistrats have at all occasions evidenced for advanceing Vertue and what might tend to the Honour and Reputation of the City If Rome had matter to glory of her Heroes in severall Generations Aberdeen hath not wanted occasion to speak well of many of her Rulers in diverse Ages I love not to be guilty of giving the least appearance of evil or what may savour of flatterie or ostentation One thing I aim at is that ye may out-vye all that have gone before you in Vertue Wisdom Fidelity and care of the Wellfare of your Common-Wealth And in a word that I may say as the Wise-man said of the Vertuous Woman That your own works may praise you in the gates which is the earnest desire of Right Honorable A cordiall Well-wisher to the prosperity true Honour and Wellfare of ABERDEEN and all its Rulers PHILOPOLITEIUS Epistle to the Reader COURTEOUS READER IT may be lookt upon by some that this Survey of Aberdeen may savour of Ostentation seeing there are few or perhaps no other Town in the Kingdom that is descryved or hath any of their Acts published To which I may say that such vanity in so doing far from my mind seeing there is nothing more ordinarie amongst all Nations then to set down what hath been the most remarkable Providences of GOD to their Countries and Places of their Nativity whereby Posterity may observe the Mercies of the LORD to their Ancestors the neglect or ommission of such thankfull remembrances is threatened Psal. 28.5 Because they regard not the Works of the LORD nor the operations of his hands he shall destroy them and not build them up Amongst the many sins for which the LORD is pleading a controversie with this Nation this may have its own weight that we are not thankfull that the LORD did furnish us with well Qualified and Able Men to bear rule in Cities and Shyres which when they are removed without successors sutable to fill their roomes is no small stroak on a Nation according to Isa. 3.1 2 3. For behold the LORD the LORD of Hosts will take away from Jerusalem the Mighty Men and the Man of War the Judge and the Prophet the Prudent and the Ancient the Captain of â—iftie and the Honorable Man the Counsellor and the cunning Artificer and the Eloquent Orator Wherefore I hope none will misconstruct me â—or making a respectful remembrance of these whom the LORD honoured and doth at this time honour â— be worthy Magistrats of our Town in their day and generation for it is said Prov. 17.6 The Glory of Children are their Fathers Another Reason is that it may be these who are in Authority in the Nation over us nay be induced to have a respect to some Great Persons who in their place deserve to be honored with all that respect which is due yet not to the â—rejudice of the interest of Burghs To obviat which judge it not amiss to shew forth what good subâ—â—cts and of what due esteem a Burgh or City â—ight to be had in that in times of greatest need â—ave been so usefull in their Soveraignes-Service â—â— particularly Aberdeen hath been many times â—â— History and Records can witness It were to be wished that all the most considerable Burghs in this Kingdom would set apart some of their ablest Men to collect out of their ancient Records what hath been most remarkable in their Towns in former Ages or at present that the Nation might be convinced of their usefulness and of that respect and honour that ought to be put upon them so as it might be seen they ought not to be born down or discouraged when any weighty Concernment of theirs comes in question Upon these accompts I have made this short Essay hoping at least it may be a motive to induce and stir up a more accurat Pen to be employed in this or the like not onely in reference to our City but also to the rest of the Cities and Towns of the Nation who without vanity shall subscryve my self at present according to truth PHILOPOLITEIUS A succinct SURVEY Of the Famous CITY OF ABERDEEN CHAP. I. Concerning the Situation of ABERDEEN Its Longitude and Latitude ABERDEEN is a City in the North of Scotland near the mouth of the River of Dee within the Province of MARR which is a part of the Shyre thereof It lyeth within the North Temperat Zone though much inclyning to the colder side thereof being much nigher to the Pole then to the Equinoctiall-Line for its Latitude or distance from the Equinoctiall-Line is 57 degrees and 10 minuts and its distance from the Pole is onely 32 degrees and 50 minuts It s Longitude or distance from the Meridian of the Canarie Islands is 22 degrees and 30 minuts It is a Parallell or equall Latitude and climate with the Merchant-Isles in Nova-Britannia in America the Southmost cape in Norway called the Noas of Norway Stockholme in Swedland Lavonia and the middle parts of Russia and territories of Muscovia in Europe the Cosacks and other middle Countries in Tartary in Asia In which Parallell the longest day is of length in Sun-shine 17 hours and 40 minuts being within the tenth Climate reckning the first Climate to begin where the longest day is 13 hours long and every Climat to be that space in Latitude wherein the longest day is half an hour longer and consequently the length of the shortest day at Aberdeen is 6 hours and 20 minuts viz. as much as the longest day wants of 24 hours From the first day of the moneth May to the twentytwo day of July it is constant day light the Sky all that time never fully setting even at midnight for the
their Name and Fame on high They are a courteous People and a Kind Men of aspiring Spirits and noble Mind Riches which doth the baser sort enslave They have them but they them as servants have If Worth have place of Cities this may be Entitled Queen and claim Sov'raigniti ' All other Cities Mortalls bear but This Of Demi-Gods and Hero's Parent is I could add many more Verses in Latine and English upon ABERDEEN but being loath to nauseat the Reader I forbear I have some Verses made in Latine by Mr. JOHN JOHNSTOUN and also some Latine-Verses upon the Learned-Men that lived in this same Age but shall forbear to multiply these Poeticall-Elogies let these suffice to stir up the Citizens and their Posterity so to behave themselves in all their deportments as they may most imitat their Worthy-Ancestors in every Vertue purely imitable and not be accessory to occasion the old Renown and Esteem that ABERDEEN had gained to fail in their Persons CHAP. IX Dr. IOHNSTOUNS Epigrams upon several of the Royall-Burghs in this KINGDOM as may be found in his Poems printed at Middle-Burgh 1642. Translated into English by I. B. HAving taken pains to write this Survey of ABERDEEN My Respects to the other Burghs are such that I have prevailed so far with my good Friend MR. JOHN BARCLAY Person of Cruden as to Translate the Epigrams of DR ARTHUR JOHNSTOUN out of Latine into English to show my Good-will and Desire and to evidence my real Respects to them when I can but catch an occasion The ability of the TRANSLATOR and HIS Justice may be seen in the Latine and English Translation of His Epigrams on Aberdeen which may serve as an Embleme to the rest that follow and as the Burghs of the Kingdom see it needfull they may set able Persons on work to satisfie the desire of the Printed Advertisement and Queries thereof set forth by SIR ROBERT SIBBALD Physician in ordinary and Geographer to the late KING CHARLES the Second within the Kingdom of SCOTLAND for answering the then KINGS Mynd in reference to the compleating the Description of this Kingdom Tho these Epigrams being Printed in Latine might satisfie Strangers yet I suppose they will be no less acceptable to our own Countrey-men to have them in English hoping the discreet Reader will not impute the Superstitious or Hyperbolicall-Expressions which appear in these Epigrams to Me or the Translator seeing the Author of them in Latine who was one of the most excellent Poets of his time did expect the Common-Liberty allowed to Such EDINBURGH That EDINBURGH may view the Heav'n◠at will It s built upon a lofty rysing Hill The Fields and Rivers which its Handmaids be It thence views and the Tributary-Sea Here where the Sun displayes its morning-light The Palace doth present it self to sight That Princely-Dwelling under Arthures-seat Adorn'd by most Ingenious Art of late Toward the West the raised Castle stands Which with its Thunders giveth loud Cōmands A Church appears in middle of the Town Which is this Cities and the Earths-Renown A Structure rear'd by Ancient Pietie Within its Walls all things most stately be Its gilded top which is of Marble-fine Shap'd as an interwoven Crown doth shine The Hall of Judgement by the Temple stands A Building of most curious Artists hands Each Citizen hath such an House that It Might PEERES of highest quality befit The threats of Foes do not make Them affrayd Nor need They be by their Assaults dismay'd Tiber doth Rome the Sea doth Venice fright But EDINBURGH defyes the Waters might Trust Me no City worthier is to be With presence grac'd of ROYAL-DIGNITIE And for a KINGLY-CITY none can wish A Seat that 's more convenient then this The TRANSLATORS Addition Of late pure Waters hither are convey'd The Citizens are thereby well supply'd Who views the distant Springs from whence They run The Conduits which are deep under ground The Wells which in the Street these Streams do fill Will judg't a Work of more then human-Skill LEITH LEITH by that Water which is nam'd by thee To thee a thousand Favours granted be Thy bosome is a safe and happy Port To which a thousand Veshells do resort Thou art a Pilot-Town thy Ships are such As are ambitious to out-sail the Dutch The utmost parts of Earth thy Sailes descry Through Eastern and through Western-Seas they fly Thou knows the paths by which the glorious Sun Fullfills His Course and where the Moon doth run And where the sparkling Stars themselves do roll And counts the shyning Signs of either Pole When in the Ocean thou displayes thy sail Both Wind and Waves to thy Commands do vail Thou worthy Town who hast the Sailing-Art From Typhis learn'd or didst to Him impart LITHGOW LITHGOW's a Noble Town first look upon Its coastly Temple built of polisht Ston For splendor doth the PALACES near by With It contend which Other shall outvy These Towred-Buildings which more precious are Then both the houses of the Sun by far An unwald Lake is near unto the Town Wherein the scaled-Flocks float up and down When Grampion-Arms their Enemies defeats These Ponds afford them their Triumphal-Treats This of the Kings-Lake doth enjoy the name As Caesar that in company did claim The Lucrine-Lake for Luxurie serv'd more But LITHGOW's yeelds the most delicious Store STIRLING Who is by Verses able to set forth Or to declare the lovely STIRLINGS worth Our KINGS oft in this place of safety Secure into their little Cratches ly Its Air is pure by Heav'ns near influence From Foes assaults no Town hath more defence A Castle on two Rocks stands here so fair That with Tarpeian-Joves it may compare The Arched-Bridge here meets FORTH glyding-Streams And to its Vault obeysance from 't doth claim As in the Phrygian-Coasts Maeander runs And winds it self about in various turns The River here doth force its Passage so Flowes and returns is tossed too and fro The Traveller whose found of daily change And through the Earth with tedious steps doth range When hither he doth happen to retire This Town and Countreys Wealth he doth admire These strange things do deserve the sweetest layes But Warlick-Vertue mertits further Praise The Roman pride how oft hath STIRLING queld Their Conquering Swords IT more then once repell'd The Flood wherewith this Cities-fields are wet Did bounds to their O're-running Empire set PEARTH BERTH first now PEARTH thou Town of Ancient Fame Art called by a great APOSTLES Name In Praise thou do'st deserve to have thy share For Cleanliness and for thy Wholsome Air And for that River by which thou do'st stand Whose Streams make fertil all its Neighbouring Land These ruines of thy Bridge we yet do see It s well cut Stons thy Wealth do testifie The swelling Floods their force upon it spent The Showres made them impatient of restrent Their violence so HEAV'N will'd did break down That sumptuous BRIDGE the Glory of thy TOWN The Grampian Poets to commend there 's