Note 3 — MEMOIR OF JAMES BOSWELL.

In reference to Thomas Boswell the following entries appear in the Treasurer’s books:—May 15th, 1504. “Item, to Thomas Boswell he laid downe in Leith to the wife of the kingis innis and to the boye ran the kingis hors 18s.” Aug. 2, 1504. “Item, for twa hidis to be jakkis to Thomas Boswell and Watte Trumbull, agane the Raid of Eskdale [an expedition against the Border thieves], 56s.” January 1, 1504-5. “Item, to Thomas Boswell and Pate Sinclair to by thaim daunsing geir, 28s.” December 31, 1505. “Item, to 30 dosane of bellis for dansarris, delyverit to Thomas Boswell, £4 10s.” In his “Collection of Criminal Trials,” Mr. Pitcairn, who quotes these entries, supposes that Thomas Boswell held the position of royal minstrel. In this office he was probably the successor of Sir William Rogers, chief musician to James III. Rogers, like Boswell, obtained from his sovereign a grant of lands in guerdon of service. He suffered a violent death in 1482. (“Traquair Papers,” quoted in Chambers’ “History of Peeblesshire,” Edinb., 1861, 8vo., pp. 81-86.)