BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 34 3
we suppose the mistake of a figure, might be assumed as the occurrence referred
to; and, in 1550, a small squadron of ships having been brought to anchor at
Newhaven, the Queen Dowager embarked from thence on a visit to her daughter
in France.
The Society of Newhaven Fishermen, which serves the purpose of a benefit
society, while at the same time it protects the civil rights of its members, was
instituted by a charter from James the Sixth.’ The members number some-
There about two hundred and sixty. A noble feature in the character of the
Newhaven men is their sturdy independence of spirit, and the mspect which
they enforce as due to old age. Members
above sixty years of age are exempted from all burdens cannected with the
Society, without depriving them of any of its privileges. Every aged pauper,
if he fulfils the letter of the regulations so far as to appear on the ahare at the
landing of a boat, whether he lend his assistance or not, is entitled to a small
allowance from the produce. Even in their jollifications the aged are treated
with the utmost c%re by the younger portion of the canvivial party, a certain
number of whom are appointed, on great occasions, tcr observe when the old
fellows are sufficiently in their cups, and to see them conveyed safely home and
put to bed. On the annual choosing of office - bearers for the Society, the
newly elected box-holder, as he is called, treats the d d men to a dinner and
drink, when the veterans usually eujoy themselves pretty freely. On an occ*
sion of this kind, some years ago, the unit& ages of the five individuals who sat
at the convivial board amounted to four hundred and thirty years.
Though not greatly famed for their knowledge of books, sacred or profane, the
people of Newhaven have long maintained a church-going reputation. “Within
the bounds of the parish of North Leith,” says the author of a History of Leith,
“ the old church, in Dr. Johnston’s time, was much frequented by the primitive
natives of that celebrated village, who, being naturally gregarious, generally
formed the majority of its congregation, in which they constituted a marked
and not unpleasing feature ; nay, it was a sight of no ordinary interest to see
the stern and weather-beaten faces of these hardy seamen subdued, by the
influence of religious feeling, into an expression of deep reverence and humility
before their God. Their devotion seemed to have acquired an additional solemnity
of character from a consciousness of the peculiarly hazardous nature of
their occupation, which, throwing them immediately and sensibly on the protection
of their Creator every day of their lives, had imbued them with a deep
sense of gratitude to that Being, whose outstretched arm had conducted their
little bark in safety through a hundred storms. The fishermen of Newhaven
and their families were always looked upon by their worthy pastor with peculiar
kindness. He considered them in an especial manner under his charge and
protection, and accordingly treated them on all occasions with the most marked
They maintain their own poor.
1 Owing to varioua doubtful claims, the fishermen have, in more instances than one, been
obliged to resort to legal measures. Some of their law-suits were not likely to be decided 80 long
as the funds of the Society were nnexhausted.
