BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 17
No. CLXXV.
JAJYIIE DUFF, ALIAS BAILIE DUFF.
THIS is the full-length Portrait alluded to in a former notice of the Bailie.
The fool is here portrayed in all the pride of magisterial greatness, with his
cocked hat and wig, and the brass insignia of office suspended round his neck.
Nor did he assume his imaginary dignity without occasionally attempting to put
his authority into practice ; and, where respect for his official greatness might
have failed, a dread of his irascible temper and strength of arm generally succeeded.
The scenes of the titular Bailie’s judicial exploits were principally confined
to the Cowgate, and the tributary wynds and alleys which intersect it. At the
head of this famed thoroughfare one day a parcel of boys were annoying a
drunk person, when the Bailie came up and dispersed them, saying, with his
accustomed oath, “Can ye no let alane the puir idiot ! !”
The Bailie was one of those fools who was not easily to be done, or diverted
from his purpose. The late Mr. Reekie, then Deacon of the Glaziers, had
on some occasion promised Jamie a reward of twopence for a trifling service.
Wishing to tantalise the fool a little, he for some time evaded, and latterly
refused to comply with the demand. This did not appear at all like justice
in the eyes of the magistrate; and he resolved to compel payment in his
own way. It so occurred that the
Deacon, in the way of his profession, was one morning perched upon a ladder
against the window of a house at the foot of the Old Fishmarket Close, when
the Bailie was passing, whose quick eye at once discovered the debtor. He
instantly laid hands upon the ladder, and began to shake it with increasing
violence, while he bawled o u d “ Tippence, noo, Deacon ! Tippence, Deacon ! ”
The Deacon was fairly caught, and there was no time for parley. “ Gie him
tippence ! for ony sake gie him tippence !” roared the Deacon from his altitude.
A bystander furnished the coppers, and relieved the Deacon, who descended
amid shouts of laughter.
The Bailie did not always receive the respect due to his civic authority, and
was not unfrequently annoyed by the mischievous youths of the Old Towu.
They were aware, however, of the propriety of keeping a respectable distance
from the object of their sport, and his vengeance commonly fell upon the
innocent and unwary ; for, when the Bailie was irritated, he struck the first
person he met, whoever the individual might be.
On one occasion, the Bailie having been dreadfully tormented by his
A suitable occasion soon presented itself.
VOL. IL D
