The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

5IO The Highland MontJily.
land adjoining Broadstone, in 1792, Captain Godsman being
appointed arbiter. The room formerly used as a writing
school was set as a shop at 50s yearly, the Session not being
liable for any repairs. There was a correspondence relative
to the removal of the books belonging to the Library,
apparently to presses in the new Academy, in 1793 ; and
this seems to have taken place, as the Treasurer was
directed, in 1794, to pay five guineas to Mr Thomas Fraser,
of the Academy, for his trouble in arranging the books.
The Hospital garden was let on lease at ^3 5s per annum,
in iSoo, with a view to fruit trees being planted therein,
with power to the Session to resume at the end of 4 years,
if they should have cause to allot the subject and garden
for a public Poorhouse. At the same meeting, " consideration
of the spire on Provost Dunbar's subject was deferred
till the next."
It is evident that the Kirk Session still were, as they
had long been, the sole managers for the poor of the parish.
We find them, in 1800, treating with the managers of the
new Chapel of Ease for the payment of £'i sterling per
annum, towards the support of the poor, but reserving to
themselves the powers vested in them, to be exercised
afterwards, if they should see cause.
In the same year, the Session record their regret that
the state of the Hospital funds does not permit them to
increase the number of pensioners, quoting a statement of
average income and expenditure, with only a small credit
balance ; but in 1802, after voting the usual thanks to their
Treasurer, they find that their funds are in a thriving state,
and resolve to add three additional pensioners, two of them
to receive los and one 5s per quarter.
On Bailie Young's death, they duly record their obligations
to him, as having " discharged his trust as Treasurer
with much humanity and fidelity. His strict attention to
have the funds under his management annually examined
made them prosper in his hands."
There can be no doubt but that the habit of constantly
bringing all matters connected with the trust before the
Session for their authority and instructions, and Baih'e
Young's own business capacity and advice, had a most
beneficial effect upon the stock, and the submission of
annual accounts prevented their unwittingly making their
outlay exceed their income.
But Bailie Young was not only of very great service to
the Hospital funds during his life ; he was also a gn^at