Domestic Annals of Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution, Volume 2 (of 2)Chambers, Robert
History
Domestic Annals of Scotland from the Reformation to the Revolution, Volume 2 (of 2)
Chambers, Robert
Scotland -- History -- 16th century; Scotland -- History -- 17th century
So lately as 1659, a Scotch gentleman is found communicating to a
friend a receipt for that _Powder of Sympathy_ which in a somewhat
earlier age in England was held as qualified for the cure of wounds. It
was in the following terms: ‘Take of asphodel Romano, and set it under
the sun in the canicular days till it become in white ashes, or like
white powder. That done, put it in a box. Then to apply: Take the blood
or matter of the wound, on a clean linen, and lay on a little of the
powder to the blood or matter; and keep the cloth in a box, where it
may neither get much cold nor much heat. This done, dress the wounded
person every day once, and keep always linen cloths above the wound.
But let no linen cloth which hath been used or worn by any woman come
near the powder or wounded person. Observe this secret, and keep it to
yourself.’[171]
* * * * *
[Sidenote: OCT.]
In the course of this month, a number of hares came into the city of
Edinburgh, even into its central parts, the High Street and Parliament
Close, ‘to the great admiration of many.’ ‘The like was never heard nor
seen before.’--_Nic._ This singular circumstance was probably in some
way a consequence of the dry nature of the season.
* * * * *
[Sidenote: NOV.]
At this time commenced the series of alleged incidents constituting the
once famous history of the DEVIL OF GLENLUCE.
[Sidenote: 1654.]
A poor weaver, named Gilbert Campbell, at Glenluce in Galloway, had
given offence to a sturdy beggar, named Agnew, ‘a most wicked and
avowed atheist, for which he was hanged at Dumfries.’ The wretch went
away muttering that he would do the family a mischief. Whether before
or after Agnew’s death does not appear, the weaver and his family began
to be annoyed with whistling noises, and by petty acts of mischief--as
the mislaying and destroying of little articles, and the throwing of
stones and peats, all by unseen hands. Their clothes were sometimes
drawn from them as they lay in bed. At the suggestion of some
neighbours, Campbell sent away his children, and for the time peace
ensued. So it was, after all except Tom had been brought back, and _not
so after Tom had returned likewise_; but, to shew that this was a point
of indifference, when Tom had been again sent away in the keeping of
the minister of the parish, the annoyances recommenced. This lad, it
may be remarked, said he had heard a voice warning him not to go back
to his father’s house; and when he did return, he was ‘sore abused,’
and thus once more driven away.
[Sidenote: 1654.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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