Three generations

"BOBBING JOHN" 105
In the shadow of Largo Law lay Largo Bay, com-
memorated in an old song of more than local celebrity:
" I cuist my nets in Largo Bay,
And fishes I caught nine ;
Three to boil, and three to fry,
And three to bait the line."
The village of Lower Largo was the birthplace and
home (when he had a home) of Alexander Selkirk, the
original of Robinson Crusoe. His gun, his sea-chest,
and the cocoanut from which he drank were long kept
there as evidences of his connection with the place.
At some distance along the strath was Balcarres Craig
and the old house of Balcarres, in which Lady Anne
Lindsay wrote her song of " Auld Robin Gray."
In the old panelled dining-room of Grange two
panels opened from top to bottom to display an alcove,
with deeply scalloped shelves, painted white, on which,
and on a table beneath, which could be drawn out, the
family plate had been freely displayed on high days
and holidays. Such preparations must have been
made for the entertainment of " Bobbing John," the
eccentric Earl of Mar, who landed near the harbour,
and came up to the mansion-house of Grange for the
purpose of accomplishing the rising of the '"15."
The lairds from far and near were assembled, and
doubtless filled the long table running down from
the little white table and the shelves with the glitter-
ing plate. Alas ! it was another meeting of these brave
rebels, who had forsaken their homes to fight for the
Steuarts in that chaotic battle of Shirramuir, when —
" Some say that we won,
Some say that you won,
Some say that nane won ava man ;
But this I ken at Shirramuir,
A battle there I saw man."