Institute by Mr. Dundas.[1] We have now to relate, by the kindness of that gentleman, another very curious discovery, made some years since upon the estates of the late General Durham, in the same county. Our best thanks are also due to Mrs. Durham, of Largo House, with whose obliging assent the valuable antiquities, forming the subject of the present Notices, have been entrusted to us for exhibition; and the accompanying representations have been prepared by Mr. Shaw for the gratification of our readers.
The village of Largo, situated on a bay on the northern shores of the Firth of Forth, was, doubtless, on account of its sheltered position and good anchorage, at all times a frequented and important haven. The bracelets above mentioned, were found on the sandy shore of this harbour, at or near a spot marked by tradition as a site where treasure had previously been brought to light. The singular discovery of silver ornaments or armour, the particulars of which have been very kindly communicated by Mr. Dundas, was made about three miles from the coast, on the estate of Largo, northward of the Bay. The precise facts connected with the discovery have not been ascertained: the precious deposit lay in a tumulus, known by the name of "Norrie's Law;" the person by whom this valuable hoard was disinterred is still living, and in good circumstances; he resides at Pitlessie, in Fife, but, as too frequently occurs in cases of treasure trove, the circumstantial details are lost in impenetrable mystery.[2]
The supposition that the remarkable collection of silver relics discovered at Norrie's Law, were, in fact, parts of warlike equipment, a notion suggested, possibly, by some local tradition regarding a chieftain there interred,[3] appears to have been received on the authority of Mr. Robertson, a silversmith in the neighbouring town of Cupar, who was the chief purchaser of the precious metal.
It is greatly to be regretted that the circumstances under which the discovery occurred, render it impracticable to obtain a circumstantial and scientific account. Twenty years had elapsed after the opening of the tumulus, when the atten-
- ↑ See p. 53, in this volume of the Journal.
- ↑ It is singular that even the year in which the find took place, does not appear to be positively ascertained. Mr. Buist states that it occurred "about 1819;" but, in Mr. Chalmers' Monuments of Angus, the year 1817 is named as the time of the discovery.
- ↑ See the account of such a tradition, stated to have subsisted in the neighhourhood, given at the close of that Memoir.
