served since the Porteous mob, in 1736, on which
he was discharged, with a pension for life. (E&.-
Ju& Arhertiser, No. 26 I 9,)
?On Tuesday (19th of May, r789) the three
companies of the City Guard were reviewed by the
magistrates on the Calton Hill. The men now
composing this corps have all been in the army
(except a few), and the captains having all served
in the line last war, a remarkable improvement
and dexterity were observed in their maneuvres
.and exactness of firing. The magistrates compli-
- ~ ~-
Highland bard Duncan Macintyre, usually called
Bunacha Bhan. This man, really an exquisite
poet to those understanding his language, became
the object of interest to many educated persons in
Perthshire, his native county. The Earl of Breadalbane
sent to let him know that he wished to
befriend him, and was anxious to procure him
some situation that might put him comparatively
at his ease. Poor Duncan returned his thanks,
and asked his lordship to get him into the Edinburgh
Town Guard-pay 6d. a day ! ? Donacha
THE GUARD-HOUSE AND BLACK TURNPIKE &rom an Efching6y rams Sktm ofRn6irLzw.)
anented the commanding officer, and gave a handsome
donation to the men for their behaviour.
The magistrates have ordered the night sentinels
to be furnished with rattles, similar to those of the
watchmen in London, in case of fire or riot, for
the purpose of early assistance from the main
guard.? (fiid., 1789.) All the officers wore bullion
epaulettes and gilded gorgets.
?The guard! the guard!? was the common
street cry for succour. ?A humble Highlander
considered it as getting a berth when he was en-
Zisted into the Edinburgh Guard. Of this feeling,?
says Chambers, ? we have a remarkable illustration
in an anecdote which I was told regarding the
Bhan died in 1812, in the 89th year of his age,
and was laid in the Greyfriars? churchyard. When
the old Guard paraded in the Parliament Close, on
the day after the battle of Falkirk, more than
one musket in the ranks was found to be foul, a
significant sign that they had been used against the
redcoats the day before. Writing, in 1817, of .
these veterans, Scott says, ?A spectre may, indeed,
here and there be seen of an old grey-headed and
grey-bearded Highlander, with war-worn features,
but bent double by age, dressed in an old-fashioned
cocked hat, bound with white tape instead of silver
lace, and in coat, waistcoat, and breeches of muddy
coloured red, bearing in his withered hand an ancient
The Guard.] DISBANDMENT. 137 - _ _ .
Square, as if the image of a Stuart were the last
refuge for any memorial of our ancient manners.?
In that year the Guard was finally disbanded,
THE CITY GUARD-HOUSE. (After Key.)
and fifes played slowly and sadly-
? The last time I cam? o?er the muir.?
Scott mentions this, but he little knew that two
weapon called a Lochaber axe. Such a phantom and the modem police took its place. The last
of former days still creeps, I have been informed, duty performed by these old soldiers was to march
THREE CAPTAINS OF THE CITY GUARD. (AflerKay..)
Gcorgc Pitcairn, died 1791 ; Gmrge Robertson, died 1787 ; Robert Pilkns, died 1788.
