f Perth.

Robert Mercer, the third laird of Innerpeffray, granted to the Abbot
and Convent of Inchaffray the right to fish for eels in the water at
Polpefery, within the lordship of Dullory. Eels, it appears, formed a
favourite article of food among all classes of the people. During the
season of Lent the monastic establishments throughout the country
consumed large quantities. The fish were captured principally by means
of weirs, the eel-skins being used for making bindings to flails. The
licence to the Abbey of Inchaffray is dated 1454, and is as follows:--

"To all who shall see or hear this charter, Robert Mercer of
Innerpeffry wishes eternal salvation in the Lord. Be it known to your
University that I, not led by force or by fear, nor fallen in error,
but determined by my pure and spontaneous will, with consent and assent
of Alexander Mercer, my heir, and with consent and assent of Andrew
Mercer of Inchbrakie, are pledged for a certain sum of money, have
given, granted, and by this my present charter have confirmed, in
perpetual and pure charity, for the honour of Almighty God, and the
glorious Virgin Mary, and the blessed John the Evangelist, for the
salvation of my soul, and of the soul of Janet, my spouse, and that of
Alexander, my heir aforesaid, and of all my successors, to the Abbot
and Convent of Inchaffray, and their successors, serving, or that shall
in future serve God in that place, entire liberty and perpetual licence
of fishing, by means of enclosures, nets, or whatever instruments are
necessary for catching eels and other fishes.... In witness whereof
the seal of me, Robert Mercer, and the seal of Andrew Mercer, my uncle,
are appended to my present charter, before these witnesses, Tristram of
Gorty, John Quhyston, Alexander Cardeny, William Bonar of Kelty,
Alexander Sharp of Strathy, an John Crab, shield-bearer, with many
others, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of June, in the year of
our Lord one thousand four hundred and fifty-four."[3]

The Library of Innerpeffray was founded by David, third Lord Madertie,
whose family is now represented by Viscount Strathallan. Lord
Madertie's grandfather, James Drummond, was the second son of David,
Lord Drummond, and was created Lord Madertie on 31st January, 1609. He
was educated along with James VI., and was esteemed by that monarch as
"a man of parts and learning," and became a special favourite of the
Court. By his marriage with Jean, daug