_For the Table Book._
This celebrated scene of matrimonial mockery is situated in
Dumfrieshire, near the mouth of the river Esk, nine miles north-west
from Carlisle.
Mr. Pennant, in his journey to Scotland, speaks in the following terms
of Gretna, or, as he calls it, Gretna Green. By some persons it is
written Graitney Green, according to the pronunciation of the person
from whom they hear it:--
“At a short distance from the bridge, stop at the little village of
Gretna--the resort of all amorous couples, whose union the prudence of
parents or guardians prohibits. Here the young pair may be instantly
united by a fisherman, a joiner, or a blacksmith, who marry from two
guineas a job, to a dram of whiskey. But the price is generally adjusted
by the information of the postilions from Carlisle, who are in pay of
one or other of the above worthies; but even the drivers, in case of
necessity, have been known to undertake the sacerdotal office. This
place is distinguished from afar by a small plantation of firs, the
Cyprian grove of the place--a sort of landmark for fugitive lovers. As I
had a great desire to see the high-priest, by stratagem I succeeded. He
appeared in the form of a fisherman, a stout fellow in a blue coat,
rolling round his solemn chaps a quid of tobacco of no common size. One
of our party was supposed to come to explore the coast; we questioned
him about the price, which, after eying us attentively, he left to our
honour. The church of Scotland does what it can to prevent these
clandestine matches, but in vain; for these infamous couplers despise
the fulmination of the kirk, and excommunication is the only penalty it
can inflict.”
The “Statistical Account of Scotland” gives the subsequent
particulars:--“The persons who follow this illicit practice are mere
impostors--priests of their own creation, who have no right whatever
either to marry, or exercise any part of the clerical function. There
are at present more than one of this description in this place; but the
greatest part of the trade is monopolized by a man who was originally a
tobacconist, and not a blacksmith, as is generally believed. He is a
fellow without education, without principle, without morals, and without
manners. His life is a continued scene of drunkenness: his irregular
conduct has rendered him an object of detestation to all the sober and
virtuous part of the neighbourhood. Such is the man (and the description
is not exaggerated) who has had the honour to join in the sacred bonds
of wedlock many people of great rank and fortune from all parts of
England. It is forty years and upwards since marriages of this kind
began to be celebrated here. At the lowest computation, about sixty are
supposed to be solemnized annually in this place.”
_Copy Certificate of a Gretna Green Marriage._
“Gretnay Green Febry 17 1784
“This is to Sertfay to all persons that may be Cunserned that William
Geades from the Cuntey of Bamph in thee parish of Crumdell and Nelley
Patterson from the Sitey of Ednbrough Both Comes before me and Declares
them Selvese to be Both Single persons and New Mareid by thee way of
thee Church of Englond And Now maried by thee way of thee Church of
Scotland as Day and Deat abuv menchned by me