The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
James Gall ( - c. 1620)
Merchant of Perth, well educated and highly respected (MacDonald, p. 117). James Cant refers to him as Mr. John Gall the younger (father of the same name) and describes him as a "handsome, facetious and learned" young gentleman, "well educated, of sweet dispositions and pregnant wit, and much esteemed," who died prematurely of consumption (v, vii). Cant derives his biographical assessment from living descendants of John Gall of Kinloch.Dictionary of National Biography entry: http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/142 Relationships: Henry Adamson (1581-1637) was a friend of James Gall
Linked print sources: as Mentioned or referenced by - The Origin and Growth of the Tradition 'Ecce Tiber! Ecce Campus Martius!' as applied to the Tay and the Inches of Perth.
as Subject of/in a document - The Muses Threnodie: or Mirthful mournings on the death of Mr. Gall, containing variety of pleasant poetical descriptions, moral instructions, historical narrations, and divine observations, with the most remarkable antiquities of Scotland, especially of Perth.
References in Documents:
MUSES THRENODIE,
OR,
Mirthfull Mournings, on the death
of Master
Containing varietie of pleasant Poëticall
descriptions, morall instructions, historicall narra
descriptions, morall instructions, historicall narra
tions, and divine observations, with the
most remarkable antiquities of
land
T
which ridicu
lously look, with the faces ofSphinges ,
Chimeraes ,
Centaures on their outsides, but
inwardlie containe rare
artifice, and rich jewels of all sorts, for the delight and well
of Man. They may deservedlie beare the word,
lously look, with the faces of
artifice, and rich jewels of all sorts, for the delight and well
of Man. They may deservedlie beare the word,
tus ut extra
Your two Champions, noble
di
scover to us many of the Antiquities of this Countrey more
of your auncient towne of
scover to us many of the Antiquities of this Countrey more
of your auncient towne of
setting downe her situati
on, founders, her hudge colosse, or bridge, walls, fousies[*]Scots: a fousie is a ditch , a
queducts, fortifications, temples, monasteries, and many
other singularities. Happie hath
on, founders, her hudge colosse, or bridge, walls, fousies
queducts, fortifications, temples, monasteries, and many
other singularities. Happie hath
beene in such a Ci
tizen: not so other townes of this kingdome, by want of so
diligent a searcher and preserver of their fame from oblivi
on. Some Muses neither to themselves, nor to others do
good; nor delighting, nor instructing; yours performe both:
And longer to conceale them, will be to wrong your
tizen: not so other townes of this kingdome, by want of so
diligent a searcher and preserver of their fame from oblivi
on. Some Muses neither to themselves, nor to others do
good; nor delighting, nor instructing; yours performe both:
And longer to conceale them, will be to wrong your
of her due honours, who deserveth no lesse of you than that
she should be thus blazoned, and registrate to posteritie, to
defraud your selfe of a monument; which after you have
left this transitorie world shall keepe your name and memo
rie to after times. This shall bee preserved by the Towne
of
she should be thus blazoned, and registrate to posteritie, to
defraud your selfe of a monument; which after you have
left this transitorie world shall keepe your name and memo
rie to after times. This shall bee preserved by the Towne
of
for her owne sake first, and after for yours. For
to her it hath beene no little glory that she hath brought
forth, such a citizen, so eminent in love to her, and so dear
to the Muses.
to her it hath beene no little glory that she hath brought
forth, such a citizen, so eminent in love to her, and so dear
to the Muses.
A
a Citizen of
ly
stature, and pregnant wit, much given to pa
stime, as golf, archerie, curling; and Joviall companie. A
man verie kinde to his friends, and a prettie poet in
liberall merriments, and tart satyres; no lesse acquaint
with PhilœnusAcidalian
Dame
For the mourner, he yet lives and mournes: and see
ing he is of purpose to set
forth the webbe of his life,
which is verie long, now almost an hundred elnes,
coun
ting an elne for a year, it is needlesse to speak of him
here, all know him
(that know him) to be a good man;
and hath beene occasion of mirth to many, to
none of
mourning, as
to him. It seemeth
sufficient, untill the time he him
self set out the historie of himself, to set
down here th
inventar of the ornaments of his Cabin, which,
by a Ca
tachrestick name, he usually calleth
This Inventarie we have in a torn, and worn copie,
and in respect there are some lines in it we can not read,
pray thee, gentle Reader, be content of that, that is to
the fore, till we can obtaine from
piece, which was alleaged to be written by
although, in veritie, the Author of this book did write
it, and as I think, not without
advice, and for his friends recreation.
teares and mournings,
Amids the giddie course of Fortunes tur
nings,
Vpon his dear friends death,
Where his rare ornaments bear a part, and
wretched Gabions all.
Gabionshelp me him to mone;
of this book
did write the
Pantheon,
which was
fathered on
Divine Weeks. Here Sylvester is deferring to Sidney and his now lost and incomplete translation of the same. Sylvester likens his situation, as the inferior poet and translator, to that of the painters who refused to attempt completion of the painting of Venus that Apelles (widely understood as the greatest painter of Greek antiquity) left unfinished at his death. One of three references Adamson makes to this analogue.
A requiemsing unto that sweetest soul,
Clubs, you must no more prepare.
Loadstonesof
stones.
Burdownyee must bear, not on the flood,
Gabionslesse and more
tended Poet
When he shot
at rivers, used
to say
Have
it the knee of
Oríon.
it the knee of
Oríon
Crœsus
William
of the north
Chattan, and
Kay
thirtie and
thirtie.
where killed
was
Iames the
first
House, or Car
thusian mo
nastery, wher
buried was
the first, was
built by him
BritansIsle
Monsier,
Monsier, the true occasion, will I show.
Robert
Sylvius
Monsier, in hand to take
Monsier, mine heart's so sorie,
king, vve to the tovvn returned,
Monsier, the day is vvondrous fair,
Monsierarise, then ansvvered I, Who's there?
Monsier, the third time did it call.
Monsier, God speed.
Monsier, quoth
Monsier, said he, That's beene a mightie passion,
Master
Monsier, arise: then I awoke,
Woodbind of the wall
Monsier, sith that we have no better,
Creet, and worthie more than he,
Cretiansat their pleasure ly,
enemies of
ties of
land
worthies of
Edward
first; whose vertues great
Defender of the Faith,
God save our goodKing Charles ;
burgh
clowns half
asses.
Monsier, these fellowes stupid,
tale & good
ly man, M.
bonnie little
man.
Echofettred vvas in love,
Galstender minde,
learning.
can do.
Mecaenaslets not Poets die,
Omnis terrayou do call.
Monsier, my good
Geniussayes,
Monsier, but ah, mine heart can scarcelie sober!
Monsier, do not despare;
Monsieryee do far mistake it;
Galssweet words often do me comfort,
Geniustruely doth report
Geniustruely doth it know:
Rosie Crosse;
Masonword, and second sight,
of the bridge
of
Monsier, said
Monsier, I vvill show it you.
Monsierthis storie is too old,
Pights, which stood on
Pightsto brake,
work.
Cunidagbefore:
Castell-gavell, as yet is named.
Agricolawas seene,
Monsier, that we truely can alledge.
Gall
pearles.
Gall
William
Monsier, you vaig.
Monsier, Would you have it mended?
Monsier, be not so much annoy'd,
pelleth the
of
Forth,
renders the
government.
8. pag. 272.
Fortunshaving gain'd a faction,
Fortuneswheele.
ged three
months.
her wals ra
zed.
Fortunesfickle chance?
Edward
the third ta
keth captive
the
takes in
and rebuildes
her wals.
the second
beliggereth
by the
glas
of Rosse
Stuartfirst assayed
Rosse
dered by the
land men kill
a Burges of
by the citi
zens to
building of
the wals.
Monsier, as I have shown,
Monsier, needs none more at all
Burgesses all
chosen men
of greatest
manhood, for
defence of
that strength,
Buch. lib.16.
pag. 593
of the bridge
of
event.
on of the bat
tell.
entereth the
towne too
boldly.
fleeth.
riband.
Religions sake,
Iohnstoun
Monsier, men of renown
Gall
Gall
Monsier, Your antiquitie
Gall
at
the truth.
Speytowre window did behold
"These foxes which do lurke within these holes,
"Delighting in the earth like blinded moles,
"Drown'd in their lusts, and swimming in their pleasures
"Whose God their belly, whose chief joy their treasures;
"Who caused have our death, shall hunded be
"Forth of these dens, some present heere shall see
"The same ere it be long, then shall yee say,
"Its for Gods truth that we have dyed this day.
"And all these sumptuous buildings shall be cast
"Down to the earth, made desolat, and wast:
"This to performe Gods zeale shall eat men up,
"To fill the double potion in their cup:
"The apples then of pleasure, which they loved
"And lusted after, shall be all removed.
"Yea scarcely shall they finde a hole to hide
"Their heads (thus by the Sprite they testified.)
"And in that day true Pastours shall the Lord
"Raise up to feed his flock, with his pure word,
"And make Christs people by peculiar choice
"Dignosce the sheepheards from the hyrelings voice.
chaplan.
Massenor
Dirigédurst sing.
eth, idols are
and religious
places.
Nehushtan.
house thrown
down.
Iohnstons
huntsup.
God save the Companie.
.Saint Iohnstouns Ribands meet for thee
Iohnstons
loup
Empedoclesmay leap in
Aetnaburning,
Cocleshome returning,
description
of two sorts
of arches.
Mylne!
Ladies steps,
on
Inde,
world.
Colossus, and the grove,
Iove,
tombe which hings in airCarian
Cabinetsrich store,
Muses, we do travell more
Excludit sa
nos Helicone
poetasDemo
critus , Ho
nos Helicone
poetas
critus
rat. in arte.
Auroradid inlight the sky.
Gall
Hey the day now dawnes, so was my song,
The day now dawnes, Arise good Master
Monsier, I heare you call:
Hay the day dawnes;
Solsrayes
Heroand
Gall
Monsier, your table hung on
Gall
Monsier, quoth he, I pray thee ease my spleane,
Hay the day now dawnes,then up I got,
Dragon hole,
gowle.
castle.
die
the
cied.
LawTay did vve hye,
Monastries, with Churches fair
Charterhousetoward the southvvest stood,
BlackFriersChurch did stand;
Ladies Church, Saint
pell transpor
ted to
from
Monsier, said
Monsier, if you will try,
Monsier, quoth he,
made idols,
and devils.
nunrie, vvhere the holy sisters
Fratresin their misters.
Isle
ship.
Dickesons
Gall
ing to
not recorded
and why.
Monsier, said he, that's not a thing to grieve at,
Monkstowre, builded round; a wall of power
hall.
.Perths Whithall
Iames the Sixth
was Burges made and Provest;
Burgesoath, and did inrole
the sixth
vest of
Burgesscrole
Parcere subjectis, & debellare superbos.
Monsier, said
Monsier, That point I will not touch,
Gall
Monsier, welcome
Gall
Monsier, come good
Gall
Cabinin a band,
Gabionhints in hand.
Sergeant Majorthey elected,
vertue.
Gall
thren trees.
Monsier, behold these trees, so great and tall
Earne
Pightsgreat Metropolitan,
Pightsin honour of their King,
Iovesbird should soare into the skye,
Bellerophonand
Rocking stone;
Dirt partes Companie.
stone of Bal
vaird.
Phaenixin its kinde,
Etitesratling stone I knocked,
Cabinetcould it conteine!
called Luth
MethvenCastle
Henrieseventh
garet Teu
ther
Iames
Kenmore
Mailer, and came home by
Ovidthus did we declare,
chaire.
Mottorare incisde thereon,
This is the stone, if fates do not deceave,
Where e're its found the Scots shall kingdome have.
Earthen Mount,
Pightswere utterlie undone
Pightsseven times quaild,
Pightsneere
Donskins
castle on
sinoun hill
cave.
Hometo fair;
Homein Heaven,
Gabions, to bemoane:
Gabions, and cry,
Law-Tay, and stay
Gabionsstay,
Cabine, farewell
Gabionsall,
Gall
Gabionshelp me him to mone;
of this book
did write the
Pantheon,
which was
fathered on
Divine Weeks. Here Sylvester is deferring to Sidney and his now lost and incomplete translation of the same. Sylvester likens his situation, as the inferior poet and translator, to that of the painters who refused to attempt completion of the painting of Venus that Apelles (widely understood as the greatest painter of Greek antiquity) left unfinished at his death. One of three references Adamson makes to this analogue.
of this book
did write the
Pantheon,
which was
fathered on
Clubs, you must no more prepare.
Loadstonesof
stones.
Burdownyee must bear, not on the flood,
tended Poet
When he shot
at rivers, used
to say
Have
it the knee of
Oríon.
it the knee of
Oríon
Monsier,
Monsier, the true occasion, will I show.
king, vve to the tovvn returned,
Monsier, the day is vvondrous fair,
Monsierarise, then ansvvered I, Who's there?
Monsier, the third time did it call.
Monsier, God speed.
Monsier, quoth
Monsier, said he, That's beene a mightie passion,
Master
Monsier, arise: then I awoke,
Woodbind of the wall
Monsier, sith that we have no better,
clowns half
asses.
Monsier, these fellowes stupid,
tale & good
ly man, M.
bonnie little
man.
Monsier, these fellowes stupid,
tale & good
ly man, M.
bonnie little
man.
Echofettred vvas in love,
Galstender minde,
learning.
can do.
Mecaenaslets not Poets die,
Monsier, my good
Geniussayes,
Monsier, but ah, mine heart can scarcelie sober!
Monsier, do not despare;
Monsieryee do far mistake it;
Galssweet words often do me comfort,
Geniustruely doth report
Geniustruely doth it know:
Rosie Crosse;
Masonword, and second sight,
of the bridge
of
Monsier, said
Monsier, I vvill show it you.
Agricolawas seene,
Monsier, that we truely can alledge.
Gall
pearles.
Gall
William
Monsier, you vaig.
Monsier, Would you have it mended?
Monsier, be not so much annoy'd,
Monsier, as I have shown,
Monsier, needs none more at all
Burgesses all
chosen men
of greatest
manhood, for
defence of
that strength,
Buch. lib.16.
pag. 593
on of the bat
tell.
entereth the
towne too
boldly.
fleeth.
Gall
Gall
Monsier, Your antiquitie
Gall
at
the truth.
Speytowre window did behold
description
of two sorts
of arches.
Mylne!
Excludit sa
nos Helicone
poetasDemo
critus , Ho
nos Helicone
poetas
critus
rat. in arte.
Auroradid inlight the sky.
Gall
Hey the day now dawnes, so was my song,
The day now dawnes, Arise good Master
Monsier, I heare you call:
Hay the day dawnes;
Solsrayes
Heroand
Gall
Monsier, your table hung on
Gall
Monsier, quoth he, I pray thee ease my spleane,
Hay the day now dawnes,then up I got,
LawTay did vve hye,
Monastries, with Churches fair
Charterhousetoward the southvvest stood,
BlackFriersChurch did stand;
Ladies Church, Saint
pell transpor
ted to
from
Monsier, said
Monsier, if you will try,
Monsier, quoth he,
made idols,
and devils.
nunrie, vvhere the holy sisters
Fratresin their misters.
Isle
Monsier, said
Monsier, That point I will not touch,
Gall
Monsier, welcome
Gall
Monsier, come good
Gall
Gall
thren trees.
Monsier, behold these trees, so great and tall
MethvenCastle
Henrieseventh
garet Teu
ther
Iames
Kenmore
Mailer, and came home by
Ovidthus did we declare,
chaire.
Mottorare incisde thereon,
This is the stone, if fates do not deceave,
Where e're its found the Scots shall kingdome have.
Hometo fair;
Homein Heaven,
Gabions, to bemoane:
Gabions, and cry,
Law-Tay, and stay
Cabine, farewell
Gabionsall,
Gall