A STRANGE CATCH

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 25, 30 January 1929, Page 13

A STRANGE CATCH

Who knows what history or romance may be associated with the strange catch made recently by a Scottish trawler while fishing some 50 miles south-east of Aberdeen. From the green depths of the North Sea was brought of all things—a "greybeard" which, as my older readers will know (says a contributor to the Edinburgh "Weekly Scotsman"), is an old type of earthen drinking-jug or vessel, made to hold a considerable quantity of "honey dew" in those times when the national product was more popular, potent, and cheaper than it is to-day. The "greybeard," which was exhibited at Glasgow fish market, stands nine inches high and is made of brick-coloured ware. It bears the usual representation of. an ancient man with flowing board, and is distinguished by the addition of a family crest. Although, broken in part and encrusted with barnacles when found, the vessel is stated to be in good condition, and is probably 300 years old. The drinking vessels of our grandfathers had curious shapes. : I remember seeing a strange "decanter" in a farmhouse in a "far awa" district of the west of Scotland which was placed before a couple of weary hill trampers. "Bring ben the mell," ordered the gudeman, and the serving lass entered bearing an earthen jar shaped like the'heavy mallet used by masons.