The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

The Hospital of Inverness. 99
It does not appear that any member of the Session
pointed out that, if " none of the hospitall poor did possess
the same," it was owing to the Session having omitted to
place any of them therein in accordance with the will of the
Alortifier.
Somewhat later, on 19th August, 171 2, the same Mr
Laying " signified that he had demitted his charge of the
Grammar School," and besides claiming ^,25 Scots, salary
due to him, he stated " that for his own accommodation he
had expended upon the chambers of the Hospitall, some
time possessed by him, the summ of fiftie-eight shillings
sevenpence sterling, craving payment and repetition." The
Session agreed to pay him the amount of salar\' due, but
were " to consider the other claim."
In the November of the same }'ear a dispute arose as to
the appointment of a new master to the Grammar School,
the Magistrates and Town Council claiming the exclusive
right, the Session a joint right with them. ]\Ir Stuart,
minister of the Third, or Gaelic, charge, protested, and
among other reasons gave this one, viz. :— " That the Session
have the right of disposing of the schoolhouse is clear by
Provost Dunbar's Deed of Mortification."
The course adopted to get over the difficult}- is amusing.
At the next meeting the Session considered " this protest,
but finding that the Magistrates and Town Council insisted
on their right, and had called a Mr James Mackenzie,
schoolmaster at Ferntosh, to be master of the Grammar
School here, and that without ad\ice or consent of the
Session, yet for peace sak and eviting of Jarres, the Session
have agreed to call the said Mr Jas. Mackenzie to be
schoolmr. at Invs., and referre him to the Presbytrie to be
tryed according to Act of Parliamentt hereanent."
A little later, but not during the treasurership of James
Thomson, we learn that on 19th January, 17 14, Mr Jas.
Mackenzie, schoolmaster, makes a claim for a year's salary,
and a Mr Alex. Mackenzie " petitions for i^5 Scots due to
him for attending the Grammar School during that interval!