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

INTRODUCTION
The ms. of Francis Masterton’s Remarques is in the form of
a small unbound note-book of thirty-two pages, measuring six
by three and three-quarter inches. In the first instance, the
front cover or first page has been left blank, and the title
and writer’s name have been inscribed on the second page.
The Remarques begin on the third page.
An examination of the ms. suggests that no part was written
prior to the close of 1699, and that the entries down to that
date or the close of 1700 were made practically at one time.
The subsequent entries, and the notes regarding the births,
deaths, and marriages of members of the Masterton family,
written on the first page and below the writer’s name on the
second, appear to have been added at intervals.
From ‘ the happie restauratione of King Charles the Second
1660,’ referred to in the title, the Remarques are carried down
to the death of Francis Paton at Stirling, on 14th November
1719, when the writer was over seventy-seven years of age. Were
it not that the title contains, in the word ‘ happie,’ an expres¬
sion of sentiment, these first and last entries would be perfectly
typical of both the matter and the manner of the volume, for
in it events of every degree of importance are noted with equal
brevity and impartiality. The year 1679 affords a good
example: 4 Bothwel Bridge rebellion of ye whigs and defeat
2 June ;x my dochter Kathrin born 26 Novr; Sharp Archbishop
of St. Andrew, murther, 29 May.’
The volume is likely to prove more serviceable in supplying