I need not add, that this benevolence of his lordship was followed
with a most bountiful alteration towards the captain from all
present, in so much that, before the regiment was removed from the
town, we had the satisfaction of seeing him at divers of the town-
ploys, where he received every civility.



CHAPTER XXX--THE TRADES' BALL



At the conclusion of my second provostry, or rather, as I think,
after it was over, an accident happened in the town that might have
led to no little trouble and contention but for the way and manner
that I managed the same. My friend and neighbour, Mr Kilsyth, an
ettling man, who had been wonderful prosperous in the spirit line,
having been taken on for a bailie, by virtue of some able handling
on the part of Deacon Kenitweel, proposed and propounded, that there
should be a ball and supper for the trades; and to testify his sense
of the honour that he owed to all the crafts, especially the
wrights, whereof Mr Kenitweel was then deacon, he promised to send
in both wine, rum, and brandy, from his cellar, for the company. I
did not much approve of the project, for divers reasons; the
principal of which was, because my daughters were grown into young
ladies, and I was, thank God, in a circumstance to entitle them to
hold their heads something above the trades. However, I could not
positively refuse my compliance, especially as Mrs Pawkie was
requested by Bailie Kilsyth, and those who took an active part in