The Sun.
London, England, 1824-07-30 00:00:00

JOHN O'GRQAT'S HOUSE.

JOHN o'GnoAT's House is a memorable place,
in the parish of Canisbay, in Caithness, in Scot-
land, which, perhaps, owes its fame less to the
circumstance of it local situation, at the northern
extremity of the island, than to an event which
it may not be improper to relate, as it inculcates
an useful lesson of morality. In the reign of
JAMES the Fourth of Scotland, three brothers,
MALCOLM, GAVIN, and JOHN DK GROAT, (sup-
posed to have been originally from Hollandd
arrived, in Caithness, with a letter from that
Prince, recomrnen ding them to the countenance
and protection of his loving subjects in the
county of Caithness. These brothers pur-
chased some land near Dungisbay-head, sod
in a short time, by the increase of their
families, eight different proprietors of the
name of GROAT possessed the'se lands in equal
divisions. These eight families having lived
peaceably and comfortably fora number of years,
established an annual meeting to celebrate the
anniversary of the arrival of their ancestors 00
the coast. In the course of the festivity on one
of these occasions, a question arose respecting
the right of taking the door, the head of the table,
and such points of precedency, (each contending
for the seniority and chieftainship) which in'
creased to such a degree as would probably have
proved fatal in its consequences, had not %/out(
DE GROAT, who appears to have acquired great
knowledge of mankind, interfered. He expo'
tiated on the comfort they had heretofore enjoyed,
owing to the harmony which had subsisted
among them ; he assured them that, as soon a°
they appeared to quarrel, their neighbours, wh°
had till then treated them with respect, would
fall upon them, and expel them the country He
therefore earnestly requested them, by the ties of
blood and their mutual safety, to return quietly to
their several homes, and pledged himself that he
would satisfy them on all points of precedency,
and prevent the possibility of such disputes at
their future anniversary meetings ; they all ac*
quiesced, and departed in peace. In due tinge
JOHN DE GROAT, to fulfil his engagement,
built
a room distinct from all other houses, in an octa-
gonal figure, wish eight doors, and having placed
a table of oak of the same shape in the middle;
when the next meeting took place, he desired
each of them to enter by his own door, and Wait
at the head of the table,he himself occupying the
last. By this ingenious contrivance, the har-
mony and good humour of the company was-re-
stored. The building was then named Jong'
O'GROATS' HOUSE, and thongh nothing retrials"
but the foundation of the building, the Place
still retains the name, and deserves to be remem•
bered, for the good intentions and good sense
which gave it origin.

Cambray proposed marriage to a young Manton-
MIECDOTE.—A few weeks ago a blacksmith At.
maker, to Whom he had long paid his attentions.
Being a good looking youth, his offer was Ac-
cepted, the notary sent for, and the marriage con-
tract drawn up, but one of the articles not hap-
peening' to please the lady, site eipreased her
disapprobation with so much asperity, that the
son of Vulcan taking her by the arm, led her
to the door;deClaring he was determined 'not to
marry a spitfire. The notary complained of
having been called on to no purpose. 44 Stay w;
while," says the Cambrasian, " I'll try and tint),
a wife," and immediately departed. While
going along the ramparts he met a pretty ser-
‘'atitg
atn tn-4
irlc,o
'nwveitrislwiohall6le commenced the fol•
lowing Are you good tem.
pored ?"
Oh,. yes ! you may inquire of till
mistress." "
46 Are you prudent ?" cc I have never
yet had a sweetheart." cc Are you inclined
to marry ?" " Yes, if I find a man to lay
liking."
are very well." Come along with me,
4, What do you think of me ?" 64 Oh
then
cc,
r
the contract is read
then ;
ccy ; we have nly sign , Stop at least till have put mysoelf en toilette, 6‘ No, no, you will do very well as you are; tou
I am afraid the notary will be out of patience.'
Apropos, what is your name ?" cc Annette."'—
" And mine Francais. Take my arm, and jet us
make haste." They arrived at the house tege'"
titer, signed the contract, and in a few days were
married ; and we are assured this singular union
has not been once troubled by a dispute.

COWES, JULY 28.—Yesterday a bargeman .
the employ of Mr. WAY, of Newport, wns ceeding up the Medina, his foot slipped, he I.le'
overboard, and was unfortunatel drown" ;
y
the body was found last evening. A tnelancholl
accident happened likewise near the Needless
man, boat contaioing two Ladies and a Gent`"
man, in attempting to cross the b of the 11
cutter, belonging to this port, wasows run down, and
one of the boatmen, a fine young man, about 18
years of age, sunk with the boat,
afterwards. The rest were providentially 53"
by the vessel. a d was not seed",

HI 11,TM.
On Sunday, at Little Hamton, Sus/az, the Lads of okul
Mapes Enaor, Esq.-of a son and
On the 28th inst., Airs. Grant, of No.o Ruston
heir.
roy-Nuure, of a daughter. -place, Fitt"

On Thursday, the MARRIED.
29th inst., t Clifton chrch, b theV,;:,
Liscombe Clarke, the Rev. Charles Henry Ridding, to ~
lotte, daughter of the Rev. T. Stonhouse Vigor, of the Yur crescent.
On the 28th inst., at Richmond, Surrey, John Dickittfgl:
of liroad-street-buildings, London, Esq., to Catherine Verbese
eldest daughter of the late Michael Andrew Verbeke, Lo-
den, Esq.
On the 29th inst., at Camberwell Mr. John Brown, suir'?";
of Camberwell, to Sarah Anne eldest daughter of the 14t
Richard Cooke*, Esq., of Rush hip,

DIED.
On the 26th inst., at her house, at Cardiff, Miss Mien diet
of John Nathaniel Miers, Esq.
of (3atioston Lodge, -thaTv,
gansliire. In her were combined all the virtues that adorn
inanity, and 'her death is a general and afflicting loss. •
In the 25th year of his age, on board his hinjestY'l.hl:
on the, 4th of May hut, Lieutenant John William Thou,
Victor,
at 'Port St. Antonio,' -Prince's Island, COtillt of e :Afrino.
eldest son of Lientertant.fleneril Thotiunt: bort
A t Hastings, on the 28th inst., Lucy,, the lady of, J„,,°
Eastivick;]Esq., of 'Hans-place, London, Age" 'Amps,
On l'ltesdarlast, Battersea,. after ***let illness, ,
Maris, the wife.Of Genie Bicknell, kiq., aged 24.
• r

fp; Tia:PIROPItig,TP4g, Itgle
OF iCE,' 112, bi J."B. -(1 Ant rAI 24*

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