The famous school of masonry at Antwerp sent out a number of excellent architects during the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries.

One of these, on coming into Scotland, assumed the name of Murdo.

He was a Frenchman, born in Paris, as we learn from the inscription left on Melrose Abbey, and he died while building that noble work: it is as follows:-- "John Murdo sumtyme cait was I And born in Peryse certainly, An' had in kepyng all mason wark Sanct Andrays, the Hye Kirk o' Glasgo, Melrose and Paisley, Jedybro and Galowy.

Pray to God and Mary baith, and sweet Saint John, keep this Holy Kirk frae scaith." [3] The discovery of the Black Band Ironstone by David Mushet in 1801, and the invention of the Hot Blast by James Beaumont Neilson in 1828, will be found related in Industrial Biography, pp.

141-161.
[4] Note to Lockhart's Life of Scott.
[5] This was stated to the present writer some years ago by William Murdock's son; although there is no other record of the event.
[6] See Lives of Engineers (Boulton and Watt), iv.pp.