JOHN BURNESS ("THRUMMY CAP"). R EADERS of this Annual will remember that in 1911 I threw out a hint in which my literary friend, Mr Alan Reid, F.S.A.Scot., concurred, that a suitable memorial ought to be erected in St. Peter's Cemetery, Aberdeen, to perpetuate the memory of John Burness, author of the well-known poem, Thrummy Cap," which has delighted thousands of readers. It is now my pleasant duty to place on record that the idea took practical shape, and that following the satisfactory settlement of negotiations as to lair, headstone, and other rights, a worthy memorial has been duly erected. This took place on 27th June, 1912, without any formal ceremony. The prime mover in the scheme was Mr A. Nicol Simpson, F.Z.S., through Messrs Kinnear and Falconer, solicitors, Stonehaven. This firm communicated with Mr Harvey Hall, advocate, Aberdeen, the agent for the proprietor, Mr Henry William Knight Erskine. It should also be mentioned that the generous donors had the advice and active interest of the able cemetery superintendent, Mr James Duncan Ewing. The monument, which is of a very unique design, was cut by Mr William Taggart, Allenvale Granite Works, Aberdeen. It is of Kemnay granite, and, with the exception of a finely-axed sunk panel in the centre, is all of rustic work. The lower part is square, while the top forms a semicircle. The letters are leaded and easily read. 66 Since the foregoing was penned we have had the pleasure of examining the original manuscripts of Burness's works. The paper-mark is " 1796, by Taylor & Co." They were formerly in the possession of the late Mr James Rettie, jeweller, Aberdeen, himself the author of a very esteemed Aberdeen book issued in 1868, and entitled Aberdeen Fifty Years Ago. From a small bibliographical note in his were never looked at since 1803 until I took possession of them." He also goes on to say that 'Andrew Jervise (the celebrated antiquary, 1820-1878) is exceedingly anxious to raise a stone above the cousin of Burns, and that the same gentleman tells him all the MSS. are in print." That was written in 1870. Shortly after Mr Rettie's death the manuscripts were sold, and were acquired by Mr William Walker, Aberdeen, the wellknown author of Bards of Bon-Accord. This author gave a splendid critical estimate of Burness's literary productions in the book mentioned, besides quoting sundry passages from his published works. The book of manuscripts, quarto in shape, of size 8 x 61", and consisting of 72 folios, of which only one is amissing, is beautifully bound, and a careful examination of our great favourite, "Thrummy Cap," shows that the printer had been at work marking the style of type to set it up in. The manuscripts are bound together in the following order :- (1). Charles Montgomery : A Tragical Dramatic Tale, written in the manner of George Barnwell, as it was performed at the Masons' Hall, Lerwick, in Shetland. By John Burness, author of the "Tragedy of Sir James the Rose;" Thrummy Cap-a Tale;" &c., &c. 1799. (2). Prologue. 66 Written by Mr Morton and spoken by Mr M'Intosh, Lerwick, April 18th, 1798; at the end of which Burness tells us he was at that time a soldier in the late Angus Fencible Volunteer Corps of Infantry, then quartered in Fort Charlotte. (3). Thrummy Cap: A Tale, in the Broad Scotch Dialect.... 1799. At the end the intimation: N.B.-This tale was printed at Dumfries in the year 1796. (4). Poems in the following order :-(a) The particulars of a short voyage that the author made from Arbroath to Aberdeen, on board the Jannet and Mary; J. Burlay, Master; November 10th, 1791. (b) An Ode on the Frailty of Human Life. (c) An Evening Meditation. (d) On Seeing the Leaves fall from the Trees. At the end of which he has: N.B.-The foregoing poems were printed likewise at Dumfries, along with " Thrummy Cap.” (5). The Recruit: A Scotch Musical Interlude, as performed at the Theatre, Great Britain, by the late Mr Gavin Turnbull, Comedian. And (6). Prologue to the Gentle Shepherd. By Mr Gavin Turnbull, Comedian. Spoken by him at the Theatre, Dumfries, previous to the representation of that celebrated pastoral. It now falls to the writer to give a complete collation of the various editions of Burness's works he has handled, and also to mention in whose custody they now remain for examination, and it is quite possible several readers of this Annual may have editions printed and circulated by printers in the South. If so, I shall be glad to have bibliographical memoranda concerning them, as the New Spalding Club, Aberdeen, have in active preparation a complete bibliography of the shires of Aberdeen, Banff, and Kincardine, and the subject of this short article comes under the scope of the projected work—the editor being Mr James Fowler Kellas Johnstone, Aberdeen. The list appended is in chronological order :— 1815. The Northern Laird and His Tenant : A Tale. By John Burness, Private in the Forfarshire Militia. Founded on facts, and comprehending a brief summary of all that happened during the Rebellion in Scotland in the years 1745 and 1746, before and after the Battle of Culloden. (Dublin: Printed by Findlay & Sergeant, Army Printers, Barrack Street. 1815.) Price, Fivepence. 8vo., 6 x 33, 24 pp. [This copy was formerly in the possession of the late Alexander Walker, LL.D., who died at Aberdeen, 10th February, 1903, but was purchased at his sale by King's College, Aberdeen, 1903]. 1819. Plays, Poems, Tales, and other Pieces. By John Burness. Quotation from Robert Burns. (Montrose : Printed by Smith & Hill. 1819.) 8vo., 319 pp. [Some account is given of the author on pp. v.-vi., and is dated Stonehaven, May, 1819].-Mr JOHN VALENTINE, Old Aberdeen. A C. 1823. The Ghaist o' Garron Ha': or Imposture Detected. 66 of Thrummy Cap," &c., &c. To which is added The when his 66 66 66 1842. Thrummy Cap: A Tale, in the broad Scotch Dialect. The Northern Laird and his Tenant: A Tale. Gregor and Flora, a Scottish Tale, in Hudibrastic rhyme. By John Burness. (Aberdeen: George King, St. Nicholas Street, and Robert King, Peterhead. 1842.) 16mo., 89 pp. Printed by G. Mackay, Thomson's Court, 61 Broad Street, Aberdeen.— Mr WILLIAM WALKER, Aberdeen. 1861. Thrummy Cap: John Burness. Street. 1861.) A Tale, in the broad Scottish Dialect. By (Aberdeen : Andrew Wilson, 43 Castle 8vo., 12 pp. Imprint on last page: Printed by A. King and Co., Broad Street.-KING'S COLLEGE LIBRARY, Aberdeen. C. 1880. Thrummy Cap and the Ghaist: A Tale, in the broad Scottish Dialect. By John Burness, author of "The Northern Laird and his Tenant," Yule," &c., &c. Eight lines of verse from The Lamb Leader. (Aberdeen Printed by William Lindsay, 30 Market Street). 8vo., 16 pp., n.d.-ROBERT MURDOCH LAWRANCE. By 8vo., C. 1890. Thrummy Cap: a legend of the Castle of Fiddes. John Burnes. (Aberdeen: Lewis Smith & Son.) 15 pp., n.d. Contains sketch of the author at the back of the title page.-KING'S COLLEGE LIBRARY. Aberdeen. C. 1899. Adventures of Thrummy Cap: A Tale, in the broad Scottish Dialect; also The Ghaist o' Garron Ha', or Imposture Detected. 8vo., 38 pp., n.d. On verso of title-(Aberdeen Printed by W. Jolly and Sons, 23 Bridge Street.) Prefixed is an account of the author.-ROBERT JOHNSTON ROBERTSON, Aberdeen. 1893. Adventures of Thrummy Cap: A Tale in the broad Scots Dialect. By John Burness. 8vo., 15 pp., n.d. It was apparently issued by Messrs Lewis Smith & Son, M'Combie's Court, Aberdeen, in 1893, as it is bound up with The Life and Death of Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's Fool," dated 1893. Contains sketch of the author at the back of the title page, and is adorned with two lithographed illustrations by Messrs Taylor and Henderson, Aberdeen. They a e-(1) Thrummy Cap, and (2) Castle of Fiddes, Kincardineshire the scene of the legend of Thrummy Cap.-KING'S COLLEGE LIBRARY, Aberdeen. ROBERT MURDOCH LAWRANCE. |