THE ARMS OF BRIGHTON.

N the opposite page will be found an illustration of the arms of Brighton, in accordance with our undertaking last month. The blazon is, Arms: Argent, two dolphins naiant sable, a border azure, charged with six martlets or. Crest: On a wreath of the colours, two dolphins in saltire heads downwards sable, between as many branches of coral gules. Motto: "In Deo fidemus." The date of the grant was April 14, 1897.

Though Brighton has been a corporation for some length of time, it is only, as will be seen, quite recently that it has possessed lawful armorial bearings. Until the issue of the patent granting the foregoing arms, the town had been making use of a design which simply showed the two dolphins. We know of no particular reason for the selection of the dolphins beyond the maritime situation of the town. The bordure charged with the six martlets, which has now been added, is doubtless a reference to the arms which were granted to the West Sussex County Council.

Before its regeneration, Brighton indulged itself in the luxury of a royal helmet. Why this was the case it is difficult to imagine, unless it be a reference to the popular nickname of "Royal Brighton." A radical change in the new grant has been made in reference to the crest; formerly a star of some kind was in use. This for some inscrutable reason was placed upon the helmet without the interpolation of a wreath. Such modesty was charming after the appropriation of the royal helmet.

STORY OF THE SURNAME OF BEATSON

(continued).

HESE terrible threats seem to have had some effect in quieting the Border, but they certainly failed to suppress the Batisons or to drive them out of Eskdale, for there they are found residing, probably in peace and quietness, in 1584. Thomas Musgrave, in a letter to Burleigh, says: "Eske is a fayre river and cometh through Esdell untill it come near a place called the Sougholme Castill and is Scottishe, inhabyted with Battesons of Esdell;" and in the assurance of Liddesdale, made at the Harmytage Castle on December 18, 1584, the names occur of David Batie of the Black Eske, Mongoes Jamie Batie, Nichollas John Batie, John Batie of the Crose, and Nycoll Batie of Whisgyll, all of whom gave assurance of good behaviour for themselves, their tenants and servants. Nevertheless, they seem to have been soon led again into mischief by evil-minded associates.

In 1587 the Laird of Prendicke and Henry Collingwood, of Ryle, complain of John Bateson, called John of the Score, and John Armstrong, called the Laird's Jock, and four other Armstrongs, and 500 men who ran a day foray on June 23, and carried off 600 kye, 600 sheep, 35 prisoners, and insight worth £40 sterling. A few years after this Sir Walter Scott, of Branxholm, complains that Johnne Batiesoun in the Scoir, Nickie Batisoun his son, David and Archibald Baitiesonnis, his brothers, all dwelling in Eskdale, reft from Somerville, forth of the lands of Meineinchald, 26 cows and oxen, 2 horses and a staig; and from Mowbray 10 cows and oxen, and I mare, with the plenishment of his house worth 100 merks. Being called as baillie of Melrois to answer for the Batisouns, he declares that not he but Lord Maxwell is answerable. Moreover, that though he, the complainer, is baillie of the Abbey of Melrose, yet the inhabitants of Eskdale never acknowledged him in the said office, but, on the contrary, have committed "divers herships and oppressions upon him and his servants, for which there is deadly feud now standing, more especially between the said Sir Walter and the Batiesons of whome the said persons, viz., John Batieson of the Scoir, etc., are principals."1

On November 26, 1598, the King, with avise of the Lords of the

1 Register of Privy Council of Scotland, vol. v., p. 331; H.M. Register House, Edinburgh, 1877.