Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (First volume)

EXPLOSION OF GUNPOWDER AT LEITH 419
from the powder worke in Leith and left in ane entry
accidentally fired, overturned the house where they were, and
shattered severall other houses up and down the town of Leith,
and killed about 8 persons and hurt severall others ;1 this the
third judgement by fire on Edenr and Leith in on year and a
halfe’s time.
Thursday, july 9th.—I prayed and spake to the sins of the
land all the fornoon and in the aftarnoon preacht on psa. 28,5;
it was a nationall fast.
Sunday, \9.th.—Lectured on acts 10 ; pre. on luke 11, 21.
Wedensday, 15th.—I was att stenton being the fast day befor
the sacrament. I was a hearer.
Saturnday.—I was there also, and on the lords day july 19 I
preacht withowt and served two tables, and on moonday 20th
I preacht on psa. 66, 16 ; this was also a sweet time and day
of the gospell.
Wedensday, july 22.—Was a pbitry day att Dunbar, I had
the addition on 1 pet. 5, 11.
Sunday, 26.—At home lect. on act 11, and pr. luke II, 21,22.
Fryday, july last.—The Earle of Hadington tooke journey
to the bath in England, Sr John Anstruther 2 with him.
Aug. 2.—Lect. on ditto, preacht on gal. 6, 14.
9th.—Lect. on acts 12 ; preacht on psa. 119, 11.
This weeke our harvest began.
l&th, Thursday.—I was called to be with my neighbour Mr.
Matthew Reid minr att north berwick when his wifs 3 breast
was to be cutt of a cancer for a second time ; but the physicians
thought fitt to delay it for some time, and take further adwice
1 A petition from the inhabitants of Leith was laid before the Lords of Council
on this occasion, in which it was stated that the damage done by the explosion
amounted to .£36,936 Scots, ‘ by and attour ’ the injuries done to several back-
closes and lofts, household furniture, and merchants’ goods. The proprietors of
the wrecked houses were for the most part unable to repair them, and the
petition asked that a collection on their behalf might be made throughout the
kingdom at the doors of the churches, a request which was granted.
2 Sir John Anstruther, knight, eldest son of Sir William Anstruther of that
ilk, and Lady Helen Hamilton, fourth daughter of John, fourth Earl of Had¬
dington, and a cousin-german therefore of Thomas, sixth Lord Haddington. He
succeeded his father as baronet in 1711, and died in 1746.—Burke’s Peerage.
3 Anna, daughter of Robert Atchison of Sydserf; see note, p. 409.
1702