“ It would be a tedious task to relate a tenth part of the anecdotes which might be told of John Kippen. Suffice it therefore to say, that he was one of those geniuses who are rarely to be met with It has been already stated that he was strong and muscular, but he was also nimble and agile to a degree scarcely to be credited. His ready wit made his company courted by people of all ranks. ”

“ Do they cost any man any thing? No. Why then should any man claim a property in them more than me. I have learnt to kill game, and I will catch them, in spite of every opposition," Such were the doctrines held by this man, and, strange to tell, that his character was never impeached even by his enemies, for any breach in moral honesty in any other way whatever. This propensity of his, however frequently brought him to trouble, for the gentlemen on whole grounds John sported, were of very different opinion open this point ”

“ He was told no bail would be taken. John then looked very earnestly at his master, and said, Sir, my shoes are very bad, I believe they will not carry me to Perth, I would be much obliged to you, if you would exchange shoes, as I see yours are very good. O yes, said the Farmer, and immediately pulled off his shoes. John was held so hard by the officers at this time, that he had no alternative but press his own shoes off his feet by placing the toe of the one, against the heel of the other ”

“ No man could be better calculated for an enterprise of this kind, than John Kippen, He was nearly 6 feet high, had a fine open countenance, was of a strong, muscular, athletic make, and besides his natural acuteness, he had by this time, though only twenty one years of age, learnt a good deal of smartness by travelling to and from England. ”

“ The landlady's humanity was by this time roused, she ran to the bar for a bottle of brandy & gave John a hearty glass to keep him from fainting, & afterwards she treated him with bread and cheese, and would not take any thing from him but payment for the ale, Some readers may be inclined to censure poor John for this piece of duplicity, but it ought to be considered that it was only a little art which was applied on purpose to gain him necessary refreshment for his money. ”

“ For this purpose officers were frequently sent from Perth to apprehend him; but he as frequently eluded their vigilance. At last it was determined that he should be imprisoned; and for this purpose two well known desperate sheriff officers were sent in company to his house in Methven to apprehend him. He happened to be at the harvest work at this time, about three miles from Methven. Connachar and Campbell the two officers, enquired at all the neighbours for John, but no one would tell them, and they were obliged at last to have recourse to a constable, in order to obtain information. ”

“ They accordingly found John at work in a field two miles west from Methven They immediately seized him, one on each arm, & were carrying him forward in triumph, when they met the honest farmer with when Kippen had been at work, going to the field. The Farmer then stopt them, and asked the reason for taking away his servant? John told him it was on account of the fishing. The Farmer said he would give bail to any amount for him, rather than he should go to prison. ”

“ Being always active and lively, he was frequently taken out by the young gentlemen in the neighbourhood to assist them in the diversions of the field and the river, and he soon became an excellent sportsman. ”