jungles." In the beginning of 1809 he was appointed one of the commissioners of the Court of Requests in Calcutta, which office gave him harder work than any post he had previously occupied, and called forth all his knowledge of the languages of Northern India. This was perhaps the happiest period of Leyden's life. At the Asiatic Society he became the intimate friend of Sir Henry Colebrook, its president, and he kept up a regular correspondence with Malcolm, Mackintosh and Erskine. Here he worked hard at Persian, Arabic, and Sanscrit, and completed two grammars of the Malay and Prakrit languages. Leyden's last appointment in Calcutta was that of Assay Master in the Mint, which he held for about two years. In 1811 Leyden received the appointment of interpreter and naturalist to Lord Minto's expedition against the Straits. He left Calcutta and joined the naval force at Madras, and thence to Penang and Malacca. Here he had the happiness of again meeting his friend Sir Thomas Raffles. On the 4th August the fleet anchored in the bay of Batavia, and preparations were made for landing at Chilingyi, ten miles to the east of the town of Batavia. Leyden, eager and excited, was the first man to touch the ground, leaping into the surf. After Batavia was taken, Leyden lost no time in searching for books and MSS. which could throw light on the literature of the Javanese. There was a library in the town reported to be rich in MSS., and Leyden set out for it, but on his way visited a low room in one of the Dutch public offices, in which several rare Javanese curiosities were said to be kept. This room had long been shut, and the air in it was absolutely pestilential. In this place Leyden caught an attack of ague and fever which prostrated him at once, and in three days carried him off. He died on the 28th August, 1811, in the thirty-sixth year of his age. His devoted friends, Lord Minto and Sir Thomas Raffles, carried him to the grave, and laid him in his last resting place on that "distant and deadly shore."

How many languages did Dr. Leyden know? This subject was discussed at length in an able and interesting article on Dr. Leyden which appeared in the Calcutta Review in 1858. The writer of that article, in comparing the linguistic attainments of Leyden and Sir William Jones, is inclined to give the palm to the latter, who knew profoundly twenty-eight languages. It is conceded, however, that Leyden was acquainted with thirty four languages and dialects, out of which it may be said that he knew profoundly twenty-one. With some of the tongues mastered by Leyden, their obscurity rendered it extremely

difficult to obtain positive proof of his linguistic ability, and there is more certain evidence of the extraordinary knowledge of tongues possessed by Cardinal Mezzofanti, which comprised an acquaintance with one hundred and fourteen languages, and a perfect knowledge of seventyeight! But it must be remembered that the Cardinal died when seventy-four years old, and that Leyden was cut off at the early age of thirtysix. Alas, poor Leyden! Had he been spared he would doubtless have become the supreme authority on the Malay languages, but he died at the moment when his life's work seemed about to bring him fame, which would have placed him on one of the highest pedestals among Scottish worthies. Leyden published little, only a few papers, embedded amongst the obscure volumes of "Asiatic Researches" "The Malay Annals," and a part translation of the "Memoirs of Baber, Emperor of Hindostan,” conducted with, and completed by his friend, William Erskine. These, with the two Malay grammars, are all that is left of his work. Leyden was more linguist than philologist. Hence the footprints he has left upon the sands of time, are the ballads and poems of his early days, before he started upon his Indian career in the pursuit of the Oriental treasures, which to him alone appeared worthy of his life's enthusiastic study.

CARFAX.

We are indebted to Mr. James Crighton of Edinburgh for his kindness in placing at our disposal the photos accompanying this paper.--ED., B.M.

Gretna Green and its Marriages.

'HE old-world village of Gretna Green stands on the boundary of the two kingdoms, and within easy touch of "Merry Carlisle." The village proper consists of a street or so of white-washed houses, beyond which stretches Solway Moss, the scene of many a Border foray.

About a mile west, on the edge of the Firth, where the tide almost laps the door steps, is the quaint village of Browhouses, where are to be found descendants of the hardy fishermen mentioned in Redgauntlet, and who vied with the inhabitants of Springfield and Gretna in the lawless occupation of smuggling, by which the Borderers maintained themselves for a century after the union put an end to the international feuds and foray.

Gretna Green, once a burgh of barony, with market cross and cattle markets, was originally chosen as a place of safety for flying debtors and runaway couples from England solely on

account of its favourable location. The famous coach roads of Old England joined at Carlisle. Gretna was the first relay station north of the city, and was reached by a broad highway which crossed the Esk and Sark, between which lay the historic "Debatable Land." Once over the middle of the Sark, debtors, or lovers, were safe from all pursuers, having come under the welcoming shelter of Scottish law.

Though Gretna had been a favourite haven for absconding debtors from early in the 17th century, it would seem that the court of Hymenia did not originate till 1738, though irregular marriages were known in Border parishes long before this date. One Scott and his wife opened a place at the Rigg, in the neighbourhood of Gretna, and celebrated marriages between runaway couples about the year 1753. Scott was succeeded by an old soldier, named Gordon, who when officiating wore a huge cocked hat, and a girdle about his waist with a ponderous sword.

The first irregular marriage, however, of which there is any authentic record, did not occur till about 1771, and is said to have originated in the difficulties placed in the way of ardent lovers getting married right away by English law.

This marriage was between John Edgar and Jean Scott, from the adjoining county of Cumberland. Tradition has it that this couple, instead of coming by the coach-and-four, came by boat across the Solway. They were overtaken and upset by the fierce incoming tide, whose violence drowned one of their pursuers, and caused the others to give up the chase. They reached Browhouses bedraggled in brine and sand, and finally made their way to Gretna, where they were married by Joseph Paisley, who became the most notorious man of his time in Scotland, and the best execrated individual known to the annals of English social anathema.

The Edgar and Scott marriage was so interesting, and so widely heralded, that Gretna Green soon became the Mecca for hunted lovers. Peers and judges began their married life here, and in after years many a broad acre and envied title depended simply on the proof of Gretna weddings.

There were other places on the Border where "Marriages o'er the March," were celebrated, but Gretna has always been the most notorious, and for more than a century occupied a world wide fame. As Newcastle became famous for coals, and Sheffield for cutlery, Gretna became famous for runaway marriages. The only rivals of any importance were Coldstream and Lamberton, Lord Chancellors Eldon and Brougham having been married at the former, and down

till 1885 the latter displayed a sign with the words "The House for the Border Marriages."

It seems to be an almost universal notion that the officiating priest at Gretna was a blacksmith, and that the privilege of marrying couples was hereditary in his family. This impression is altogether wrong, for, as matter of fact, there were more than one priest, and sometimes he was found as a toll-keeper, ferryman, landlord, and shop-keeper. Paisley, already mentioned, sold tea, tobacco and snuff, and smuggled whisky, and became known as "the blacksmith," probably from the speed with which he riveted the bonds of runaway couples.

After the exploiting of the Edgar and Scott marriage he became the self-constituted "Bishop of Gretna." He secured the Maxwell residence, which was found inadequate for the accommodation of Sir William, and converted it into a huge inn. Here for many years the majority, and the most aristocratic, of the marriages took place.

From his first marriage to the time of his death, in 1814, it is computed that the traffic brought annually to Gretna and Springfield £20,coo in fees and expenses of those who pursued runaway couples. The fees are said to have ranged from five to five hundred guineas.

Another priest who married Paisley's daughter, and acted as parson for twenty-five years, is said to have united more than three thousand couple s of all ranks and grades, the greatest number being one hundred and ninety in 1825; the average between 1829 and 1835 being over one hundred and sixty per year. Whilst tradition says that one lord paid as much as eighty guineas, the average fee has been estimated at fifteen guineas, such high fees naturally attracted competition in the trade.

He

The hereditary line of "Bishops of Gretna," established before Joseph Paisley's death, fell on David Laing, an Ulster Irish pedlar. was married to a grand-daughter of Paisley's, and possessed so hard a character and fists that none dared to dispute the legitimacy of the succession with him. He died in 1827, and his son, Sim Laing, became third "Bishop." He carried on and fattened on the traffic till 1856, when somewhat of a check was given to the marriages by the passing of the Act which required one of the contracting parties to have resided twenty one days in Scotland. In consequence of this check, one priest is said to have petitioned the House of Commons for an allowance of £500 per annum, as compensation for having ruined his trade.

Up till very recently (he may be still), the fourth "Bishop of Gretna was alive, in the

person of William Laing, a postman. The following is a copy of a certificate which he granted to a couple after performing the marriage ceremony in 1890. "Kingdom of Scotland, County of Dumfries, Parish of Gretna.

These are to certify, to all whom it may concern; that from the city and county of from the parish of

and in the county of --, being now both here present, and having declared to me that they are both single persons, have now been married after the manner of the laws of Scotland. As witness our hand at Gretna this" then follow date, names of witnesses and officiating priest.

Although different priests had different methods, as a rule, the marriage ceremony consisted of a declaration by the contracting parties before witnesses. It is said that a revised and abbreviated form of the Church of England service, with canonical dress, was sometime used.

When Gretna Green marriages were at their height the priests were numerous, and their number brought down the fees even as low as half-a-crown. One of the functionaries who broke stones on the verge of England had the best of the trade for a time. He accosted every party as they passed, and strove to bargain with them. At one time there is said to have been twelve tippling houses, with as many rival priests, some of whom merely gave marriage lines, whilst others jabbered a sort of service. Sometimes the ceremony, however rude, was scarcely concluded when the pursuing family coach galloped upon the scene. Explanations were asked, angry words, even blows, passed, the marriage was acknowledged, the certificate produced, and the father had to return to his desolate spouse with the sad news that he was too late.

A very large number of marriages took place at the Carlisle Fairs, especially at Whitsunday and Martinmas, when Cumberland swains, excited with drink, would take a hurried trip across the Border, and get married at the toll-bar, the first house in Scotland. John Murray, who was parson here for many years, was a stone-mason, and is said to have married more couples than all the other priests put together, and to have left a large fortune. In the course of fourteen years he is credited with having united eight thousand couples. His marriage registers still exist, and these show that his last years' transactions were something like eight hundred.

Among the notable persons married at Gretna may be mentioned that of Lord Burghersh, afterwards Earl of Westmorland, with the only daughter of a wealthy London banker in 1782. The run

away pair were overtaken by the enraged father on the road between Carlisle and Gretna, but Lord Burghersh shot down one of his horses, and the marriage was celebrated before he could overtake them again.

Curiously enough, a grand-daughter of the heroine of the above adventure was married at Gretna in 1845. This was Lady Adela Villiers, whose elopement with Captain Ibbeston caused such a sensation in the fashionable worid.

Here Lord Erskine, Lord High Commissioner in 1818, wedded late in life, his second spouse, Sarah Buck; and here, too, in 1826 were married Edward Gibbon Worsefield, and Ellen Turner-a marriage that next year brought the bridegroom and his brother three years' imprisonment for abducting the rich heiress, after a celebrated trial at Lancaster. The priest of Gretna Hall died from a cold caught at this trial.

Many more notable marriages took place at one or other of the marrying shops." Lord Cochrane, the celebrated naval officer, was married by Laing to Katherine Barnes; Viscount Deerhurst, who is said to have paid a hundred pounds to the priest, was wedded to Lady Mary Beauclerk. One of the last noteworthy weddings was that of the Marquis of Hastings with Lady Florence Paget, daughter of the Marquis of Anglesey, who were married by Murray at the toll-bar.

As may be easily imagined, the "Bishops of Gretna" witnessed some tragic scenes, and could tell some curious stories. Here is one related of Joe Paisley, one of the earliest and most famous of the priests. On one occasion his services were required by two couples who were in a desperate hurry, and after the ceremony it was discovered that by some mistake the bridegrooms had got mixed-in fact that the wrong couples had been united. 'A-weel," said Paisley, "jest sort yersels.”

Here is another related by Elliot, a prominent parson. A middle-aged gentleman came from Yorkshire, and was married to a lady much younger than himself. The bridegroom turned out to be a widower, and was in a great hurry to leave the scene of the nuptials. An hour or so after they had gone, another pair arrived, and it came out that the lady was the only daughter of the bridegroom who had just left. On reaching Carlisle the father found a note informing of his child's escapade. Ordering fresh horses he hastened back to Gretna, but was too late. The father was in a terrible rage, and insisted on his daughter returning home with him. She, however, elected to stay with her farmer husband. Elliot, in the course of the quarrel, learned that the old man had married his deceased wife's

sister. Taking the side of the young couple, he declared that if he had known he would not have performed the ceremony. "Give me back

the marriage lines, I'll hand you back your money, and wash my hands clean of the whole business," said Elliot. But the angry father refused, and left Gretna "growling like a bear with a sore head."

As

It may surprise many of our readers to know that even now marriages are performed at the notorious little village of Gretna Green. recently as the month of June a couple were wed from a Border town-the bride being a descendent of the most famous author of the century. But the scenes and excitement of olden times are past and gone, and the place is now only remembered on their account. No longer is a carriage and four seen dashing up to the toll or the Ha', as in the days when the furnace for forging the matrimonial chains was in full blast, closely followed by distressed or angry The marriages of to-day are prosy enough. At times there may be a dash of romance about them, but there is nothing to furnish the novelist with a fitting conclusion to an exciting chapter, wherein the fugitives are pursued at an untold rate of speed and expense, and where the priest, who having heard the rattle of wheels, the clatter of hoofs, and the blowing of horns, stands ready to perform the marriage ceremony with the utmost dispatch.

parents.

G.M.R.

The Ballad of Captain Jobn.

Ho, Captain John, will ye marry me now,
Wi' your red coat an' your swurd ?
Yes, Nancy, my love, I'll soon be hame,
An' I'll take ye at your word.

Now, Captain John, you've never come hame,
I wonder where ye can be.

I've sought ye east, I've sought ye wast,
Wi' the saut tear in my e'e.

Ho, my love Nance, I've gane to France,
But I'm thinkin' muckle o' hame ;

I may be away for a year and a day,
But you're aye to me the same.

Oh, Captain John, come hame, come hame,
For I've dreamed a terrible dream;

I saw ye in Tweed amang the deid,
An' ye couldna get owre the stream.

The pyets hae come, and the pyets hae gane,
An' the deid's ta'en owre the hill;
Away to the place where the Rhymer's race
Are lyin' sae cauld an' still.

The castle ha' an' the castle wa'
Are hung wi' signs o' wae,
When Captain John at last got hame
On a dreary November day.

My father dear nae mair I'll see-
The father sae dear to me-

But I'll take his place and the best o' his race
I ever will try to be.

He keepit his word, hung up his swurd,
An' he's ta'en to farmin' keen.
An' sic a braw place!

For beauty an' grace The like o' it never was seen.

Ho, Nance, my lass, the time'll soon pass
When I'm ready to take ye hame
To Chesters Ha', the brawest o' a'

That's ca'd by the Rhymer's name.

But the pyets hae gane, an' the horses hae come,
The grey and the white, alack!
Oh, wae's the day for ever an' aye,

Gin he jump upon their back.

There was awesome fear, baith far and near,
When the horses gaed through the gate,
Lest Captain John should jump upon
Their back and meet his fate.

Oh, wae's the day for the white an' grey
That ever they Chesters saw,
When Captain John to the hill gaed on
Wi' his face as white's the snaw.

Oh, wae's the day, for ever an' aye,
That heard the eerie cries

When Captain John stepped on the stone-
A fearsome noise, a low, low moan,
As he fell never mair to rise.

Border Books.

A MIST FROM YARROW: A STORY OF THE HILLS. By A. J. B. Paterson. (Edinburgh: Oliphant, Anderson, & Ferrier). This simple and beautiful story takes us at once away to Yarrow. The charm of that romantic region comes over us whenever we open the little volume with its mention of the sights and sounds of nature-the croak of the raven, the birr of the night-hawk, the bleat of the moorland sheep, the far away bark of the shepherd's dog across the water, and the croon of the cushiedoo among the wind-stirred firs and larches. These, however, are but the setting of the storya story of the sunshine of affection, of rivalry and jealousy, of a gruesome deed, a criminal trial, an unlooked-for revelation, of the final lifting of the mist that brings peace and happiness to the young lovers who, after all their trials, now "stood in the silver light of the morning, clad in the freshness of renewed life." We congratulate the author on the pleasure that the perusal of this story must have given to its readers, and we venture to express the hope that the cordiality of its reception, by press and public, may induce Mr. Paterson to try his hand, ere long, at another Border Story.

HANDY CYCLISTS' GUIDE. By James Robson. (Hawick Vair & M'Nairn). The extraordinary development of cycling within the last year or two has led to the growth of a literature of its own, in the form of maps and guides specially designed and written for "travellers by the wheel." We have before us one of these guides containing, as stated on the title-page, “"descriptive notes of the various cycling routes within a thirty miles' radius of Hawick." The author is Mr. James Robson, known to the readers of The Border Magazine as the historian of the Border Battles and Battlefields. Though the guide-book is of very tiny dimensions, it is yet full of everything that the cyclist wants to know-distances, hotels, places of interest along the various routes sketched out, etc. It is illustrated, too, by wood-cuts. Mr. Robson's handy guide should be put into the vest-pocket of every cyclist ere he mounts his "steed" for a spin across the Border Country.

THE LIFE AND TRAVELS OF MUNGO PARK IN AFRICA. (Edinburgh: W. & R. Chambers, Ltd.). It was a happy thought which induced the publishers to issue this new edition of Mungo Park at a time when African affairs are engaging so large a share of public attention. The famous Borderer's experiences of travel and exploration in Africa are read to-day with as much interest as they were when first published. This new edition is brought up to date by a well-written Introduction giving a biographical account of Park, his descendants, and the explorations that have been undertaken since the traveller's untimely death. The last chapter of the book contains a summary of the present position and trade of the Niger territories. The volume is enriched by a number of illustrations, and is, we think, admirably suitable for school prizes and birthday presents to boys.

THE STORY OF SIR WALTER SCOTT'S FIRST LOVE. By Adam Scott. (Edinburgh: Macniven & Wallace). There are at least two classes of readers to whom this attractive volume will be welcome. Those who are not very well up in their Scott, will find much pleasure in the narrative of Sir Walter's first affair of the heart: while those who imagine that they know all about Scott already, will be much delighted to have the story re-told by this new student of Waverley literature. Mr. Adam Scott has done his work carefully and conscientiously "compilation" he modestly calls it-and though we may not be able to arrive at the same conclusions as he does, we yet cannot refrain from expressing the pleasure which the perusal of this volume has given us. We can cordially recommend it to our readers as a valuable contribution to the literature which has for its subject and centre the author of the Waverley novels.

REMINISCENCES OF INNERLEITHEN AND TRAQUAIR. By Thomas Dobson. (Innerleithen: R. Smail & Sons). When we arrive at the close of a book, and find that we have marked a score or so of passages for reference or quotation, it may safely be affirmed that the work is one of no common interest. This remark applies, in a very marked

degree, to the volume now under notice. The sister or twin parishes of Innerleithen and Traquair may consider themselves fortunate in having so genial and worthy a chronicler as Mr. Dobson. After describing their natural features, and touching upon their classical, historical, and ecclesiastical associations, Mr. Dobson proceeds to relate his personal recollections, and here he is in his element. Village worthies and parish characters come before us on every page. The anecdotes we had marked for quotation must all be sacrificed to the exigencies of space, and left out in the cold. For that very reason, however, we have the greater pleasure in directing our readers to the book itself. They will find it full of stories and reminiscences of old Scottish life and character, the types of which are all passing rapidly away. As a specimen of local printing, with its portrait of the author, and the reproduction of Mr. Colledge's photo of the "Auld Brig," the volume is one which reflects much credit on the publishers, Messrs. R. Smail & Sons.

TAE. "Ettrick" in last month's Border Magazine says, "in a number of songs written by Robert Tannahill, and published in 1876, edited by David Semple of Paisley, the author used tae instead of to." Now, there is an edition of Tannahill, edited by Philip A. Ramsay, and published in 1838, but not one instance of tae" for "to" occurs in it. This proves, I think, that the author did not use this objectionable word, and that it is due very much to careless editing and careless printing.

J. C.