The tinkler-gypsies . hardy andmanly administrators of the primeval and funda-mental law of the realm had to appear beforetheir evolved betters (?), and were subjected tothe indignity of a plebeian 7/6 or five days. That is how Tinklers occasionally misbehavethemselves nowadays, but they almost invari-ably confine such attentions to those of theirown class—and after all it is not the worst wayfor such people to settle their disputes. By way of contrast one may profitably at thisjuncture allude to the description (as containedin MDowalls History of Dumfries^ p. 512 etseq ) of the Kennedies, who
The tinkler-gypsies . hardy andmanly administrators of the primeval and funda-mental law of the realm had to appear beforetheir evolved betters (?), and were subjected tothe indignity of a plebeian 7/6 or five days. That is how Tinklers occasionally misbehavethemselves nowadays, but they almost invari-ably confine such attentions to those of theirown class—and after all it is not the worst wayfor such people to settle their disputes. By way of contrast one may profitably at thisjuncture allude to the description (as containedin MDowalls History of Dumfries^ p. 512 etseq ) of the Kennedies, who made Mid-Annandale their chief haunt, the Gordons whose tents were chiefly set up in Dtyfesdaleand on the Galloway side of the Nith, and theBaillies who roamed about in all directions and•were ranked as the upper ten of the Tinklertribes : And truly to see a band of Bailliesmounted on horseback attired in coats of scarletor Lincoln green, rufiled in front and at thewrist, booted and spurred, with cocked hats for. Phuto by Pretty Partners. Miss Bryden. 2 12 The Tink/er-Gvpsies. head gear, armed with swords and pistols, andfollowed by hunting dogs, was an imposingspectacle that went far to vindicate their claimto high descent and gentle blood. To complete the contrast let us turn again tothe sad case of Jock Johnstone, briefly alludedto in chapter iv. Jock Johnstone belonged toa humbler Tinkler gang than the Baillies, andhis tragic end will help to illustrate the darkerfeature of so frequent occurrence in Gypsy life ofbygone days. The Gypsy race have a badrecord for such crimes, but in judging of themlet us not forget that unjust laws and a weak,vacillating, and grossly unequal administrationthereof did much to foster a spirit of revenge inthe hearts of Gypsies, and to bring about suchcrimes :— On the 7th March, 1732, John (or, as hewas usually termed, Jock) Johnstone was, withseveral other Tinklers, found guilty by the Kirk-cudbright Justices of being an Egyptianvagrant a
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