session-books, because of the pains which the clerk of the kirkmen taks in going thrice aboot the toune, and ance efternoon. This custom of giving sae mickle to the beadle has been ust of ald in this parish." In February, 1733, a certain Jean Hall, a pauper in the parish of Morebattle, dies, and on the 16th of the month James Robson, in Kirk Yetholm, receives L3, 14s. 3d. for "cheese, tobacco, and pipes" provided at the funeral. "The digging of the grave, the crying of deceased's effects at the roup, and the ringing of the 'passing-bell' are all provided for by the treasurer, out of his continually replenishing and inexhaustible kirk-box." At one time thirty shillings is given for a winding sheet for a "dead corpse" which came in on the sands of Aldhame, and, at another, twenty-five shillings is given for one for a man "quha came in Peffersand and was buryed the last week." Sometimes twelve shillings is given to a man for reading and singing at the communion, and, occasionally, as much as twenty pounds is given to buy a horse, "seing he had ane horse deid latly, and fallen abak in meins;" or there is given out of the penalties to Alexander Sherrie, "for mending and translating the pulpitt, ane dollar." (In the writer's article, "Witchcraft and the Kirk," in the present volume, reference is made to expenditure occasioned by the imprisonment and execution of witches.) Help is given to Dundee for a new harbour, to North Esk for a bridge, and to Glasgow because of a disastrous fire. Even "a collection for the Northern Infirmity" is mentioned, but this is an obvious reference to the Northern Infirmary. One closing quotation must suffice:--"May 2.--The minister also shew to the elderis that the bishop, at the last Provinciall Assemblie, haldin at Edinburghe, the twentie of April 1619, ordainis everie minister to bring ye contribution for ye students of ye new colledge in Saint Androis, and everie minister to give it to ye moderator of the presbiterie quhair he dwellis, that it micht be sent to Saint Androis. The minister shew to ye elderis that ye kirk of Tyninghame was ordainit to pay thre lib. yerlie. The elderis wer unwilling to grant thairto. The minister shew them that everie kirk was appointit to pay, and that he wald give 20s. out of his awin purse to that effect, seing thair was little in the box, and many puir in the parishe. They grantit thairto, bot with some regraits." "May 9.--The said day takin out of the box 34s., and 6s. of Jhone Walker's penaltie; and Maister Jhone (the minister) gave 20s. out of his awin purse to make out thre lib. to be given for ye qtribution to ye studentis in the new colledge at St. Androis." This is but one among many contributions made by the minister to fulfil obligations resting on the kirk. Witchcraft and the Kirk. BY THE REV. R. WILKINS REES.