Subject_1 DECISIONS of the LORDS OF COUNCIL AND SESSION, reported by SIR JOHN LAUDER OF FOUNTAINHALL.
M'Lean v. Beck and Others
Date: 10 January 1694
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Halcraig reported Mr M'Lean, dancing-master, and master of the revels, against Beck, and the other musicians who have erected the concert of music; craving that they ought to be licensed by him, before they could set up and exact money; seeing his office was to inspect and regulate all games and sports, and see that nothing immoral or indecent should be allowed.
The Lords, having perused M'Lean's gift, they found music indeed contained in it, but that it was inserted in that clause anent tragedies, comedies, and other theatrical scenes where music is always used, as also at puppet-plays; but that the liberal science of music itself was not comprehended in his gift: especially seeing musicians were not subject to the master of the revels abroad, where that place was better known than with us; and that he only used it to drain money from them, without restraining immoralities, if they paid him.
