OS1/13/121/54F

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[Page] 54f
SUPPLEMENT TO [THE...]

[PAROCHIAL BOARD]

THE ABBEY AND MONASTERY RUINS.
SECOND NOTICE.
The object for which these explorations were
commenced, being to ascertain, as far as possible,
the ground plan of the monastery, and at same
time if there still existed any of the arch-roofed
rooms now underground. With this view an
opening was made in the walk at the east side
of the South Transept of the Monastery. After
digging down some five feet, the original side
wall of the Transept was come to, and found to
be 5 1/2 thick; also a partition or abutment wall,
3 feet thick, leading to the west. These walls
were all of the strongest masonry and of polished
ashler. After going down some 22 feet an arched
door-way was found, which led out to Mr Ma-
thieson's garden: on both sides of the abutment
wall, leading to the west room, were still found
appearances indicating that these places had once
had strong arched roofs, and there were still part
of the arch remaining. About the year 1819 we
knew a friend of ours happening to be in Mr
Mathieson's garden adjoining, * found in the
north-west corner, a once built-up doorway,
partly broken down. He got in, and along the
back or north wall of a dark apartment, was a
very large stone trough, from which it was con-
cluded this place was the monks' Lavitorium, or
wash-houses, as it was known to be in this part
of the Monastery, and as the Molindiner burn
passed near to this on its way to the Heugh
Mills, down in the Glen, and now in ruins. Very
likely the monks could arrange to have part of
the stream directed in through this part of the
building. In course of excavating at this place
we found a large quantity of the old grey slates,
burnt with fire, which, undoubtedly, once covered
the buildings in the neighbourhood; for on Fri-
day 28th March, 1560, the Abbey and Monas-
tery of Dunfermline was destroyed, partly by
fire and partly by pulling down, and no doubt
these burnt slates are the tale-tellers of the
doings on that fatal day. We also found a beau-
tiful carved right hand, as large as life size,
with a carved ring on the 3d finger, and a small
round hole betwixt the forefinger and thumb, as
if some ornament had once been placed therein.
Found also a piece of marble, beautifully carved
and richly gilt; many pieces of stained glass;
several pieces of the glazed floor tiles with which
the Abbey and Monastery were once floored.
We found another carved right hand similar to
the former one, but more perfect: this one had
also a carved ring on the 3d finger. Next
we found part of the arm of a statue, seemingly
to have been in armour; then an old antique
key, much rusted, and a number of other relics
of by-gone times. After taking all the necessary
measurements, and before filling in the rubbish
again, we cut on the upper stone of the abut-
ment wall next the corner. 'R. Robertson, Esq.
Lord Provost, 1855.': on the upper stone of the
side wall, second from the corner, 'Victoria I.
1855;' and on the stone next the corner, 'Ex-
plored in May, 1855, by W. Clark, jun. [junior].' which
some of the citizens will likely see some day
after this. Thereafter, the excavation was filled
in, and the walk levelled up as before.
On inspecting Mr Mathieson's garden, in
which that gentleman afforded every facility,
there is in the north wall, near the west end, an
opening having the appearance of a high, narrow
door-way, which leads to the north a few feet,
then turns to the east, and in some 12 feet, a
place was come to, which, in 1766, was in the
course of being rebuilt or repaired; the work-
men observing an unusual appearance in the
wall, broke into it, and found a recess. They
shortly came to a lady, built up in the wall;
her clothes spangled with gold, but on exposure
to the air went all to dust in a few minutes. It
has been conjectured by antiquarians, that this
lady was one of the many under the keep and
care of Secretary Pitcairn, in 1570, of whom
the evil tongue of that day was free, which often
made him vow vengence; hence the warning
stone over his door in the Maygate.
SEN VORD IS THRALL AND THOCHT IS FRE,
KEIP VEILL THY TONGE I COINSELL THE.
Nearly under the place where the lady was
discovered, we found a narrow opening in the
floor, about 18 inches square; got down through
it; found it to be a passage, but nearly filled up
with rubbish; got it cleaned out so far, and saw
it was built top, bottom, and sides, of fine solid
ashler stones: saw that an opening had once led
to the south, but now built up; also, that the
passage went to the east, but could only get
along a few feet from the roof having fallen in,
and was now completely filled up with rubbish.
In the act of coming out by the trap-door-like
aperture in the floor, found our feet suddenly
sink into a hole under where we stood; got
a large quantity of rubbish removed and found
a narrow passage leading to the west and towards
the once Southern Transept of the Monastery.
Part of the roof here also fallen in, but got it
cleared out: got in, and about 18 feet from the
entrance, found another passage leading upwards,
and seemingly full of loose stones; fixed up
pieces of wood in this part to prevent the stones
* In ancient times this Garden was called Bee
Alley Gardens in St Lawrence yards.

Transcriber's notes

Extract from report of meeting of Parochial Board.
Other topics election of members, setting of rates, election of committees, Sheriff Court.
Also on page Births, Marriages, Deaths; Grain Market Prices, and Journalism in New Zealand.