These extracts are also instructive:--"January 2, 1620.--Reportit that Andrew Law, being ane agit man grieve to ye Ladie Bass, was lying deidlie sik in ane hous. Ordainis to adverteis ane of the hostlairis to furnish him in drink and breid for a tyme, and out of ye box they suld gett payment, seing he was in great necessitie, being ane honest man. Ordainis also the Ladie to be adverteisit heirof." "January 30.--The said day given to them that furnishit drink to Andrew Law, being in great necessitie, 14s. 4d." In the treasurers' books of the time, entries frequently occur of sums paid to "twa hirpling women, sairly needing something out of the box," or to "a lass wi' a cruikit back-bane," or to "a laddie wi' black een and a white face." Space will not permit any treatment of the interesting subject of badges for the poor. One ludicrous incident in connection with a collection for the poor should be related. In Mr Sinclair's "Scenes and Stories of the North of Scotland" we read of a Highland minister who, notwithstanding an imperfect knowledge of the tongue, dared to make some announcements in Gaelic. He intimated that "on the following Lord's day there would be a collection for the poor of the congregation. But, alas, for him! he forgot how nearly alike in sound are the words 'bochd,' signifying poor, and 'boc,' which means a buck. The word he uttered was the latter instead of the former, so that he startled his audience by solemnly intimating a collection for the bucks of the congregation!" It seems that among the many and diverse poor none needed help more sorely or frequently than the schoolmaster. A flood of light is thrown upon his condition by such extracts as these:--"February 1, 1618.--The session ordainis that Mr James Macqueine, schoolmaister, sal have of everie baptisme 40d., and for everie mariadge half ane merk--viz., for ye proclamation 40d. and of ye mariadge 40d.--for his better help." "March 8.--Ordainis ye wemenis penalties that commits fornication to be given to Mr James Macqueine, schoolmaister." "August 1, 1619.--Given to Maister James Macqueine, schoolmaister, 4s., seing thar was verie few bairnis at the school." "August 29.--The qlk day given to Maister James Macqueine, schoolmaister, 24s., and 10s., being Cristen Stories penaltie, according to contract maid with him." "September 26.--Given to Maister James Macqueine, 25s., in regaird of his povertie, and in respect he was to go hame to ye Northe; in respect, also, of his reading in the kirk." "October 17.--The quilk day Mr James Macqueine, schoolmaister, desyrit earnestlie some support, that he micht pass to ye Northe, seing thair was few or na bairns at the schoole. The session heirwith advysit. Ordainis thre lib. to be given to him."