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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Antiquary, Volume 1, by Sir Walter
+Scott
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost
+no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use
+it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this
+eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Antiquary, Volume 1
+
+Author: Sir Walter Scott
+
+Release Date: August 16, 2004 [EBook #7003]
+Last Updated: February 22, 2010
+[Last Updated: March 17, 2012]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANTIQUARY, VOLUME 1 ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Widger
+
+
+
+Bookcover
+
+Spines
+
+
+
+
+THE ANTIQUARY
+
+
+BY SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART.
+
+
+Titlepage
+
+
+Frontispiece
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+VOLUME ONE
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
+
+CHAPTER FIRST.
+
+CHAPTER SECOND.
+
+CHAPTER THIRD.
+
+CHAPTER FOURTH.
+
+CHAPTER FIFTH.
+
+CHAPTER SIXTH.
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTH.
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+CHAPTER NINTH.
+
+CHAPTER TENTH.
+
+CHAPTER ELEVENTH.
+
+CHAPTER TWELFTH.
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
+
+CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+Bookcover
+
+Spines
+
+Titlepage
+
+Frontispiece
+
+The Antiquary and Lovel—the Sanctum
+
+Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour
+
+The Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour
+
+Eddie Ochiltree Visits Miss Wardour
+
+Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake
+
+St. Ruth (arbroath Abbey)
+
+The Ruins of St. Ruth
+
+
+
+
+
+VOLUME ONE
+
+           I knew Anselmo. He was shrewd and prudent,
+                Wisdom and cunning had their shares of him;
+                But he was shrewish as a wayward child,
+           And pleased again by toys which childhood please;
+           As—-book of fables, graced with print of wood,
+                Or else the jingling of a rusty medal,
+                Or the rare melody of some old ditty,
+           That first was sung to please King Pepin's cradle
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+The present work completes a series of fictitious narratives, intended
+to illustrate the manners of Scotland at three different periods.
+Waverley embraced the age of our fathers, Guy Mannering that of our own
+youth, and the Antiquary refers to the last ten years of the eighteenth
+century. I have, in the two last narratives especially, sought my
+principal personages in the class of society who are the last to feel
+the influence of that general polish which assimilates to each other the
+manners of different nations. Among the same class I have placed some
+of the scenes in which I have endeavoured to illustrate the operation of
+the higher and more violent passions; both because the lower orders are
+less restrained by the habit of suppressing their feelings, and because
+I agree, with my friend Wordsworth, that they seldom fail to express
+them in the strongest and most powerful language. This is, I think,
+peculiarly the case with the peasantry of my own country, a class with
+whom I have long been familiar. The antique force and simplicity
+of their language, often tinctured with the Oriental eloquence of
+Scripture, in the mouths of those of an elevated understanding, give
+pathos to their grief, and dignity to their resentment.
+
+I have been more solicitous to describe manners minutely than to arrange
+in any case an artificial and combined narrative, and have but to regret
+that I felt myself unable to unite these two requisites of a good Novel.
+
+The knavery of the adept in the following sheets may appear forced
+and improbable; but we have had very late instances of the force of
+superstitious credulity to a much greater extent, and the reader may be
+assured, that this part of the narrative is founded on a fact of actual
+occurrence.
+
+I have now only to express my gratitude to the Public for the
+distinguished reception which, they have given to works, that have
+little more than some truth of colouring to recommend them, and to take
+my respectful leave, as one who is not likely again to solicit their
+favour.
+
+
+To the above advertisement, which was prefixed to the first edition
+of the Antiquary, it is necessary in the present edition to add a
+few words, transferred from the Introduction to the Chronicles of the
+Canongate, respecting the character of Jonathan Oldbuck.
+
+"I may here state generally, that although I have deemed historical
+personages free subjects of delineation, I have never on any occasion
+violated the respect due to private life. It was indeed impossible that
+traits proper to persons, both living and dead, with whom I have had
+intercourse in society, should not have risen to my pen in such works
+as Waverley, and those which, followed it. But I have always studied to
+generalise the portraits, so that they should still seem, on the whole,
+the productions of fancy, though possessing some resemblance to real
+individuals. Yet I must own my attempts have not in this last particular
+been uniformly successful. There are men whose characters are so
+peculiarly marked, that the delineation of some leading and principal
+feature, inevitably places the whole person before you in his
+individuality. Thus the character of Jonathan Oldbuck in the Antiquary,
+was partly founded on that of an old friend of my youth, to whom I am
+indebted for introducing me to Shakspeare, and other invaluable favours;
+but I thought I had so completely disguised the likeness, that it could
+not be recognised by any one now alive. I was mistaken, however, and
+indeed had endangered what I desired should be considered as a secret;
+for I afterwards learned that a highly respectable gentleman, one of the
+few surviving friends of my father, and an acute critic, had said, upon
+the appearance of the work, that he was now convinced who was the author
+of it, as he recognised, in the Antiquary, traces of the character of a
+very intimate friend* of my father's family."
+
+* [The late George Constable of Wallace Craigie, near Dundee.]
+
+I have only farther to request the reader not to suppose that my late
+respected friend resembled Mr. Oldbuck, either in his pedigree, or the
+history imputed to the ideal personage. There is not a single incident
+in the Novel which is borrowed from his real circumstances, excepting
+the fact that he resided in an old house near a flourishing seaport, and
+that the author chanced to witness a scene betwixt him and the female
+proprietor of a stage-coach, very similar to that which commences the
+history of the Antiquary. An excellent temper, with a slight degree of
+subacid humour; learning, wit, and drollery, the more poignant that
+they were a little marked by the peculiarities of an old bachelor; a
+soundness of thought, rendered more forcible by an occasional quaintness
+of expression, were, the author conceives, the only qualities in which
+the creature of his imagination resembled his benevolent and excellent
+old friend.
+
+The prominent part performed by the Beggar in the following narrative,
+induces the author to prefix a few remarks of that character, as it
+formerly existed in Scotland, though it is now scarcely to be traced.
+
+Many of the old Scottish mendicants were by no means to be confounded
+with the utterly degraded class of beings who now practise that
+wandering trade. Such of them as were in the habit of travelling through
+a particular district, were usually well received both in the farmer's
+ha', and in the kitchens of the country gentlemen. Martin, author of
+the Reliquiae Divi Sancti Andreae, written in 1683, gives the following
+account of one class of this order of men in the seventeenth century,
+in terms which would induce an antiquary like Mr. Oldbuck to regret its
+extinction. He conceives them to be descended from the ancient bards,
+and proceeds:—-"They are called by others, and by themselves,
+Jockies, who go about begging; and use still to recite the Sloggorne
+(gathering-words or war-cries) of most of the true ancient surnames
+of Scotland, from old experience and observation. Some of them I have
+discoursed, and found to have reason and discretion. One of them told
+me there were not now above twelve of them in the whole isle; but he
+remembered when they abounded, so as at one time he was one of five that
+usually met at St. Andrews."
+
+The race of Jockies (of the above description) has, I suppose, been long
+extinct in Scotland; but the old remembered beggar, even in my own time,
+like the Baccoch, or travelling cripple of Ireland, was expected to
+merit his quarters by something beyond an exposition of his distresses.
+He was often a talkative, facetious fellow, prompt at repartee, and not
+withheld from exercising his powers that way by any respect of persons,
+his patched cloak giving him the privilege of the ancient jester. To
+be a gude crack, that is, to possess talents for conversation, was
+essential to the trade of a "puir body" of the more esteemed class; and
+Burns, who delighted in the amusement their discourse afforded, seems to
+have looked forward with gloomy firmness to the possibility of himself
+becoming one day or other a member of their itinerant society. In his
+poetical works, it is alluded to so often, as perhaps to indicate that
+he considered the consummation as not utterly impossible. Thus in the
+fine dedication of his works to Gavin Hamilton, he says,—
+
+                     And when I downa yoke a naig,
+                    Then, Lord be thankit, I can beg.
+
+Again, in his Epistle to Davie, a brother Poet, he states, that in their
+closing career—
+
+                     The last o't, the warst o't,
+                         Is only just to beg.
+
+And after having remarked, that
+
+                  To lie in kilns and barns at e'en,
+                  When banes are crazed and blude is thin,
+
+Is doubtless great distress; the bard reckons up, with true poetical
+spirit, the free enjoyment of the beauties of nature, which might
+counterbalance the hardship and uncertainty of the life, even of
+a mendicant. In one of his prose letters, to which I have lost the
+reference, he details this idea yet more seriously, and dwells upon it,
+as not ill adapted to his habits and powers.
+
+As the life of a Scottish mendicant of the eighteenth century seems to
+have been contemplated without much horror by Robert Burns, the author
+can hardly have erred in giving to Edie Ochiltree something of poetical
+character and personal dignity, above the more abject of his miserable
+calling. The class had, intact, some privileges. A lodging, such as
+it was, was readily granted to them in some of the out-houses, and the
+usual awmous (alms) of a handful of meal (called a gowpen) was scarce
+denied by the poorest cottager. The mendicant disposed these, according
+to their different quality, in various bags around his person, and thus
+carried about with him the principal part of his sustenance, which he
+literally received for the asking. At the houses of the gentry, his
+cheer was mended by scraps of broken meat, and perhaps a Scottish
+"twalpenny," or English penny, which was expended in snuff or whiskey.
+In fact, these indolent peripatetics suffered much less real hardship
+and want of food, than the poor peasants from whom they received alms.
+
+If, in addition to his personal qualifications, the mendicant chanced to
+be a King's Bedesman, or Blue-Gown, he belonged, in virtue thereof,
+to the aristocracy of his order, and was esteemed a parson of great
+importance.
+
+These Bedesmen are an order of paupers to whom the Kings of Scotland
+were in the custom of distributing a certain alms, in conformity with
+the ordinances of the Catholic Church, and who where expected in return
+to pray for the royal welfare and that of the state. This order is still
+kept up. Their number is equal to the number of years which his Majesty
+has lived; and one Blue-Gown additional is put on the roll for every
+returning royal birth-day. On the same auspicious era, each Bedesman
+receives a new cloak, or gown of coarse cloth, the colour light blue,
+with a pewter badge, which confers on them the general privilege of
+asking alms through all Scotland,—all laws against sorning, masterful
+beggary, and every other species of mendicity, being suspended in favour
+of this privileged class. With his cloak, each receives a leathern
+purse, containing as many shillings Scots (videlicet, pennies sterling)
+as the sovereign is years old; the zeal of their intercession for the
+king's long life receiving, it is to be supposed, a great stimulus
+from their own present and increasing interest in the object of their
+prayers. On the same occasion one of the Royal Chaplains preaches a
+sermon to the Bedesmen, who (as one of the reverend gentlemen expressed
+himself) are the most impatient and inattentive audience in the world.
+Something of this may arise from a feeling on the part of the Bedesmen,
+that they are paid for their own devotions, not for listening to those
+of others. Or, more probably, it arises from impatience, natural, though
+indecorous in men bearing so venerable a character, to arrive at the
+conclusion of the ceremonial of the royal birth-day, which, so far as
+they are concerned, ends in a lusty breakfast of bread and ale; the
+whole moral and religious exhibition terminating in the advice of
+Johnson's "Hermit hoar" to his proselyte,
+
+                   Come, my lad, and drink some beer.
+
+Of the charity bestowed on these aged Bedesmen in money and clothing,
+there are many records in the Treasurer's accompts. The following
+extract, kindly supplied by Mr. Macdonald of the Register House, may
+interest those whose taste is akin to that of Jonathan Oldbuck of
+Monkbarns. BLEW GOWNIS.
+
+    In the Account of Sir Robert Melvill of Murdocarney,
+    Treasurer-Depute of King James VI., there are the following Payments:—
+
+                              "Junij 1590.
+
+    "Item, to Mr. Peter Young, Elimosinar, twentie four gownis of blew
+    clayth, to be gevin to xxiiij auld men, according to the yeiris of his
+    hienes age, extending to viii xx viii elnis clayth; price of the elne
+    xxiiij s.                              Inde, ij cj li. xij s.
+
+    "Item, for sextene elnis bukrum to the saidis gownis, price of the elne x
+    s.                                     Inde,viij li.
+
+    "Item, twentie four pursis, and in ilk purse twentie four schelling
+                                        Inde, xxciij li.  xvj s.
+    "Item, the price of ilk purse iiij d.       Inde, viij s.
+
+    "Item, for making of the saidis gownis       viij li. "
+
+    In the Account of John, Earl of Mar, Great Treasurer of Scotland, and of
+    Sir Gideon Murray of Enbank, Treasurer-Depute, the Blue-Gowns also appear
+    thus:—
+
+
+                              "Junij 1617.
+
+   "Item, to James Murray, merchant, for fyftene scoir sex elnis and aine
+   half elne of blew claith to be gownis to fyftie ane aigeit men, according
+   to the yeiris of his Majesteis age, at xl s.  the elne
+                                        Inde,vj c xiij li.
+
+    "Item, to workmen for careing the blewis to James Aikman, tailyeour, his
+    hous xiij s.  iiij d.
+
+    "Item, for sex elnis and ane half of harden to the saidis gownis, at vj
+    s.  viij d.  the elne                 Inde,xliij s. iiij d.
+
+    "Item, to the said workmen for careing of the gownis fra the said James
+    Aikman's hous to the palace of Halyrudehous xviij s.
+
+    "Item, for making the saidis fyftie ane gownis, at xij s.  the peice
+                                        Inde,xxx li. xij s.
+
+    "Item, for fyftie ane pursis to the said puire menlj s.
+
+    "Item, to Sir Peter Young,li s.  to be put in everie ane of the saidis
+    ljpursis to the said poore men j cxxxl jj s.
+
+    "Item, to the said Sir Peter, to buy breid and drink to the said puir men
+    vj li. xiij s. iiij d.
+
+    "Item, to the said Sir Peter, to be delt amang uther puire folk j cli.
+
+    "Item, upoun the last day of Junii to Doctor Young, Deane of Winchester,
+    Elimozinar Deput to his Majestic, twentie fyve pund sterling, to be gevin
+    to the puir be the way in his Majesteis progress    Inde,iij c li. "
+
+I have only to add, that although the institution of King's Bedesmen
+still subsists, they are now seldom to be seen on the streets
+of Edinburgh, of which their peculiar dress made them rather a
+characteristic feature.
+
+Having thus given an account of the genus and species to which Edie
+Ochiltree appertains, the author may add, that the individual he had
+in his eye was Andrew Gemmells, an old mendicant of the character
+described, who was many years since well known, and must still be
+remembered, in the vales of Gala, Tweed, Ettrick, Yarrow, and the
+adjoining country.
+
+The author has in his youth repeatedly seen and conversed with Andrew,
+but cannot recollect whether he held the rank of Blue-Gown. He was a
+remarkably fine old figure, very tall, and maintaining a soldierlike
+or military manner and address. His features were intelligent, with a
+powerful expression of sarcasm. His motions were always so graceful,
+that he might almost have been suspected of having studied them; for
+he might, on any occasion, have, served as a model for an artist, so
+remarkably striking were his ordinary attitudes. Andrew Gemmells had
+little of the cant of his calling; his wants were food and shelter, or
+a trifle of money, which he always claimed, and seemed to receive as his
+due. He, sung a good song, told a good story, and could crack a severe
+jest with all the acumen of Shakespeare's jesters, though without using,
+like them, the cloak of insanity. It was some fear of Andrew's satire,
+as much as a feeling of kindness or charity, which secured him the
+general good reception which he enjoyed everywhere. In fact, a jest of
+Andrew Gemmells, especially at the expense of a person of consequence,
+flew round the circle which he frequented, as surely as the bon-mot of
+a man of established character for wit glides through the fashionable
+world, Many of his good things are held in remembrance, but are
+generally too local and personal to be introduced here.
+
+Andrew had a character peculiar to himself among his tribe for aught I
+ever heard. He was ready and willing to play at cards or dice with any
+one who desired such amusement. This was more in the character of the
+Irish itinerant gambler, called in that country a "carrow," than of the
+Scottish beggar. But the late Reverend Doctor Robert Douglas, minister
+of Galashiels, assured the author, that the last time he saw Andrew
+Gemmells, he was engaged in a game at brag with a gentleman of fortune,
+distinction, and birth. To preserve the due gradations of rank, the
+party was made at an open window of the chateau, the laird sitting on
+his chair in the inside, the beggar on a stool in the yard; and they
+played on the window-sill. The stake was a considerable parcel of
+silver. The author expressing some surprise, Dr. Douglas observed, that
+the laird was no doubt a humourist or original; but that many decent
+persons in those times would, like him, have thought there was
+nothing extraordinary in passing an hour, either in card-playing or
+conversation, with Andrew Gemmells.
+
+This singular mendicant had generally, or was supposed to have, much
+money about his person, as would have been thought the value of his life
+among modern foot-pads. On one occasion, a country gentleman, generally
+esteemed a very narrow man, happening to meet Andrew, expressed great
+regret that he had no silver in his pocket, or he would have given him
+sixpence.—"I can give you change for a note, laird," replied Andrew.
+
+Like most who have arisen to the head of their profession, the modern
+degradation which mendicity has undergone was often the subject of
+Andrew's lamentations. As a trade, he said, it was forty pounds a-year
+worse since he had first practised it. On another occasion he observed,
+begging was in modern times scarcely the profession of a gentleman; and
+that, if he had twenty sons, he would not easily be induced to breed one
+of them up in his own line. When or where this laudator temporis acti
+closed his wanderings, the author never heard with certainty; but most
+probably, as Burns says,
+
+                   —he died a cadger-powny's death,
+                          At some dike side.
+
+The author may add another picture of the same kind as Edie Ochiltree
+and Andrew Gemmells; considering these illustrations as a sort of
+gallery, open to the reception of anything which may elucidate former
+manners, or amuse the reader.
+
+The author's contemporaries at the university of Edinburgh will probably
+remember the thin, wasted form of a venerable old Bedesman, who stood
+by the Potterrow-Port, now demolished, and, without speaking a syllable,
+gently inclined his head, and offered his hat, but with the least
+possible degree of urgency, towards each individual who passed. This man
+gained, by silence and the extenuated and wasted appearance of a palmer
+from a remote country, the same tribute which was yielded to Andrew
+Gemmells' sarcastic humour and stately deportment. He was understood to
+be able to maintain a son a student in the theological classes of the
+University, at the gate of which the father was a mendicant. The young
+man was modest and inclined to learning, so that a student of the same
+age, and whose parents where rather of the lower order, moved by seeing
+him excluded from the society of other scholars when the secret of his
+birth was suspected, endeavoured to console him by offering him some
+occasional civilities. The old mendicant was grateful for this attention
+to his son, and one day, as the friendly student passed, he stooped
+forward more than usual, as if to intercept his passage. The scholar
+drew out a halfpenny, which he concluded was the beggar's object, when
+he was surprised to receive his thanks for the kindness he had shown to
+Jemmie, and at the same time a cordial invitation to dine with them next
+Saturday, "on a shoulder of mutton and potatoes," adding, "ye'll put on
+your clean sark, as I have company." The student was strongly tempted
+to accept this hospitable proposal, as many in his place would
+probably have done; but, as the motive might have been capable of
+misrepresentation, he thought it most prudent, considering the character
+and circumstances of the old man, to decline the invitation.
+
+Such are a few traits of Scottish mendicity, designed to throw light on
+a Novel in which a character of that description plays a prominent
+part. We conclude, that we have vindicated Edie Ochiltree's right to the
+importance assigned him; and have shown, that we have known one beggar
+take a hand at cards with a person of distinction, and another give
+dinner parties.
+
+I know not if it be worth while to observe, that the Antiquary,* was not
+so well received on its first appearance as either of its predecessors,
+though in course of time it rose to equal, and, with some readers,
+superior popularity.
+
+* Note A. Mottoes.
+
+
+
+
+EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION TO THE ANTIQUARY.
+
+"THE ANTIQUARY" was begun in 1815; the bargain for its publication by
+Constable was made in the October of that year. On December 22 Scott
+wrote to Morritt: "I shall set myself seriously to 'The Antiquary,' of
+which I have only a very general sketch at present; but when once I get
+my pen to the paper it will walk fast enough. I am sometimes tempted to
+leave it alone, and try whether it will not write as well without the
+assistance of my head as with it,—a hopeful prospect for the reader!'"
+It is amazing enough that he even constructed "a general sketch," for
+to such sketches he confesses that he never could keep constant. "I have
+generally written to the middle of one of these novels without having
+the least idea how it was to end,—in short, in the hab nab at a venture
+style of composition" (Journal, Feb. 24, 1828). Yet it is almost
+impossible but that the plot of "The Antiquary" should have been duly
+considered. Scott must have known from the first who Lovel was to
+turn out to be, and must have recognised in the hapless bride of
+Lord Glenallan the object of the Antiquary's solitary and unfortunate
+passion. To introduce another Wandering Heir immediately after the Harry
+Bertram of "Guy Mannering" was rather audacious. But that old favourite,
+the Lost Heir, is nearly certain to be popular. For the Antiquary's
+immortal sorrow Scott had a model in his own experience. "What a romance
+to tell!—and told, I fear, it will one day be. And then my three years
+of dreaming and my two years of wakening will be chronicled doubtless.
+But the dead will feel no pain." The dead, as Aristotle says, if they
+care for such things at all, care no more than we do for what has passed
+in a dream.
+
+The general sketch probably began to take full shape about the last day
+of 1815. On December 29 Scott wrote to Ballantyne:—
+
+          DEAR JAMES,—
+               I've done, thank'God, with the long yarns
+                   Of the most prosy of Apostles—Paul,1
+               And now advance, sweet heathen of Monkbarns,
+                  Step out, old quizz, as fast as I can scrawl.
+
+In "The Antiquary" Scott had a subject thoroughly to his mind. He
+had been an antiquary from his childhood. His earliest pence had
+been devoted to that collection of printed ballads which is still
+at Abbotsford. These he mentions in the unfinished fragment of his
+"Reliquiae Trotcosienses," in much the same words as in his manuscript
+note on one of the seven volumes.
+
+"This little collection of Stall tracts and ballads was formed by me,
+when a boy, from the baskets of the travelling pedlars. Until put into
+its present decent binding it had such charms for the servants that it
+was repeatedly, and with difficulty, recovered from their clutches. It
+contains most of the pieces that were popular about thirty years since,
+and, I dare say, many that could not now be procured for any price
+(1810)."
+
+Nor did he collect only—
+
+                      "The rare melody of some old ditties
+          That first were sung to please King Pepin's cradle.
+
+"Walter had soon begun to gather out-of-the-way things of all sorts. He
+had more books than shelves [sic]; a small painted cabinet with Scotch
+and Roman coins in it, and so forth. A claymore and Lochaber axe,
+given him by old Invernahyle, mounted guard on a little print of Prince
+Charlie; and Broughton's Saucer was hooked up on the wall below it." He
+had entered literature through the ruined gateway of archleology, in the
+"Border Minstrelsy," and his last project was an edition of Perrault's
+"Contes de Ma Mere l'Oie." As pleasant to him as the purchase of new
+lands like Turn Again, bought dearly, as in Monkbarns's case, from
+"bonnet lauds," was a fresh acquisition of an old book or of old armour.
+Yet, with all his enthusiasm, he did not please the antiquaries of his
+own day. George Chalmers, in Constable's "Life and Correspondence"
+(i. 431), sneers at his want of learning. "His notes are loose and
+unlearned, as they generally are." Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, his
+friend in life, disported himself in jealous and ribald mockery of
+Scott's archaeological knowledge, when Scott was dead. In a letter of
+the enigmatic Thomas Allen, or James Stuart Hay, father of John Sobieski
+and Charles Edward Stuart, this mysterious person avers that he never
+knew Scott's opinion to be held as of any value by antiquaries (1829).
+They probably missed in him "a sort of pettifogging intimacy with dates,
+names, and trifling matters of fact,—a tiresome and frivolous accuracy
+of memory" which Sir Arthur Wardour reproves in Monkbarns. Scott, in
+brief, was not as Dry-as-dust; all the dead bones that he touches come
+to life. He was as great an archeologist as a poet can be, and, with
+Virgil, was the greatest antiquary among poets. Like Monkbarns, he was
+not incapable of being beguiled. As Oldbuck bought the bodle from the
+pedlar at the price of a rare coin, so Scott took Surtees's "Barthram's
+Dirge," and his Latin legend of the tourney with the spectre knight, for
+genuine antiquities. No Edie Ochiltree ever revealed to him the truth
+about these forgeries, and the spectre knight, with the ballad of
+"Anthony Featherstonhaugh," hold their own in "Marmion," to assure the
+world that this antiquary was gullible when the sleight was practised by
+a friend. "Non est tanti," he would have said, had he learned the truth;
+for he was ever conscious of the humorous side of the study of the
+mouldering past. "I do not know anything which relieves the mind so much
+from the sullens as a trifling discourse about antiquarian oldwomanries.
+It is like knitting a stocking,—diverting the mind without occupying
+it." ("Journal," March 9, 1828).
+
+Begun about Jan. 1, 1816, "The Antiquary" was published before May 16,
+1816, when Scott writes to say that he has sent Mr. Morritt the novel
+"some time since." "It is not so interesting as its predecessors; the
+period does not admit of so much romantic situation. But it has been
+more fortunate than any of them in the sale, for six thousand went off
+in the first six days, and it is now at press again." The Preface of the
+first edition ends with the melancholy statement that the author "takes
+his respectful leave, as one who is not likely again to solicit favour."
+Apparently Scott had already determined not to announce his next novels
+("The Black Dwarf" and "Old Mortality") as "by the Author of Waverley."
+Mr. Constable, in the biography of his father, says (iii. 84): "Even
+before the publication of 'The Antiquary,' John Ballantyne had been
+impowered by the Author to negotiate with Mr. Murray and Mr. Blackwood
+for the first series of the 'Tales of my Landlord.'" The note of
+withdrawal from the stage, in the first edition of "The Antiquary,"
+was probably only a part of another experiment on public sagacity. As
+Lockhart says, Mr. Murray and Mr. Blackwood thought that the consequent
+absence of the Author of "Waverley's" name from the "Tales of my
+Landlord" would "check very much the first success of the book;" but
+they risked this, "to disturb Constable's tenure."
+
+Scott's temporary desertion of Constable in the "Tales of my Landlord"
+may have had various motives. There was a slight grudge against
+Constable, born of some complications of the Ballantynes' affairs.
+Perhaps the mere amusement of the experiment on public sagacity was one
+of the more powerful reasons for the change. In our day Lord Lytton and
+Mr. Trollope made similar trials of their popularity when anonymous, the
+former author with the greater success. The idea of these masquerades
+and veils of the incognito appears to have bewitched Constable. William
+Godwin was writing for him his novel "Mandeville," and Godwin had
+obviously been counselled to try a disguise. He says (Jan. 30, 1816) "I
+have amused my imagination a thousand times since last we parted with
+the masquerade you devised for me. The world is full of wonder. An old
+favourite is always reviewed with coldness. . . . 'Pooh,' they say;
+'Godwin has worn his pen to the stump!' . . . But let me once be
+equipped with a significant mask and an unknown character from your
+masquerade shop, and admitted to figure in with the 'Last Minstrel,' the
+'Lady of the Lake,' and 'Guy Mannering' in the Scottish carnival, Gods!
+how the boys and girls will admire me! 'Here is a new wonder!' they
+will say. 'Ah, this is something like! Here is Godwin beaten on his own
+ground. . . Here is for once a Scottish writer that they cannot say has
+anything of the Scotchman about him.'"
+
+However, Mr. Godwin did not don the mask and domino. "Mandeville" came
+out about the same time as "Rob Roy;" but the "craziness of the public"
+for the Author of "Waverley" was not changed into a passion for the
+father-in-law of Shelley.
+
+"'The Antiquary,' after a little pause of hesitation, attained
+popularity not inferior to 'Guy Mannering,' and though the author
+appears for a moment to have shared the doubts which he read in the
+countenance of James Ballantyne, it certainly was, in the sequel, his
+chief favourite among all his novels.'"
+
+As Scott said to Terry, "If a man will paint from nature, he will be
+likely to amuse those who are daily looking at it." The years which saw
+the first appearance of "Guy Mannering" also witnessed that of "Emma."
+By the singular chance, or law, which links great authors closely
+in time, giving us novelists in pairs, Miss Austen was "drawing from
+nature" at the very moment when Scott was wedding nature with romance.
+How generously and wisely he admired her is familiar, and it may, to
+some, seem curious that he never deliberately set himself to a picture
+of ordinary life, free from the intrusion of the unusual, of the heroic.
+Once, looking down at the village which lies on the Tweed, opposite
+Melrose, he remarked that under its roofs tragedies and tales were
+doubtless being lived. 'I undertake to say there is some real romance at
+this moment going on down there, that, if it could have justice done to
+it, would be well worth all the fiction that was ever spun out of human
+brains.' But the example he gave was terrible,—"anything more dreadful
+was never conceived by Crabbe;" yet, adds Lockhart, "it would never have
+entered into his head to elaborate such a tale." He could not dwell in
+the unbroken gloom dear to some modern malingerers. But he could
+easily have made a tale of common Scotch life, dark with the sorrow of
+Mucklebackit, and bright with the mirth of Cuddie Headrigg. There was,
+however, this difficulty,—that Scott cared not to write a story of a
+single class. "From the peer to the ploughman," all society mingles in
+each of his novels. A fiction of middle-class life did not allure him,
+and he was not at the best, but at his worst, as Sydney Smith observed,
+in the light talk of society. He could admire Miss Austen, and read her
+novels again and again; but had he attempted to follow her, by way of
+variety, then inevitably wild as well as disciplined humour would have
+kept breaking in, and his fancy would have wandered like the old knights
+of Arthur's Court, "at adventure." "St. Ronan's Well" proved the truth
+of all this. Thus it happens that, in "The Antiquary," with all his
+sympathy for the people, with all his knowledge of them, he does not
+confine himself to their cottages. As Lockhart says, in his admirable
+piece of criticism, he preferred to choose topics in which he could
+display "his highest art, that of skilful contrast."
+
+Even the tragic romance of "Waverley" does not set off its Macwheebles
+and Callum Begs better than the oddities of Jonathan Oldbuck and
+his circle are relieved, on the one hand by the stately gloom of the
+Glenallans, on the other by the stern affliction of the poor fisherman,
+who, when discovered repairing "the auld black bitch of a boat," in
+which his boy had been lost, and congratulated by his visitors on being
+capable of the exertion, makes answer, "And what would you have me to
+do, unless I wanted to see four children starve, because one is drowned?
+It 's weel with you gentles, that can sit in the house with handkerchers
+at your een, when ye lose a friend; but the like o' us maun to our work
+again, if our hearts were beating as hard as ony hammer." And to his
+work again Scott had to go when he lost the partner of his life.
+
+The simple unsought charm which Lockhart notes in "The Antiquary" may
+have passed away in later works, when what had been the amusement of
+happy days became the task of sadness. But this magic "The Antiquary"
+keeps perhaps beyond all its companions,—the magic of pleasant memories
+and friendly associations. The sketches of the epoch of expected
+invasion, with its patriotic musters and volunteer drillings, are
+pictures out of that part in the author's life which, with his early
+Highland wanderings ("Waverley") and his Liddesdale raids ("Guy
+Mannering"), was most dear to him. In "Redgauntlet," again, he makes, as
+Alan Fairford, a return on his youth and his home, and in "Rob Roy" he
+revives his Highland recollections, his Highland lairds of "the blawing,
+bleezing stories." None of the rest of the tales are so intimate in
+their connection with Scott's own personal history. "The Antiquary" has
+always, therefore, been held in the very first rank of his novels.
+
+As far as plot goes, though Godwin denied that it had any story, "The
+Antiquary" may be placed among the most careful. The underplot of the
+Glenallans, gloomy almost beyond endurance, is very ingeniously made
+to unravel the mystery of Lovel. The other side-narrative, that of
+Dousterswivel, is the weak point of the whole; but this Scott justifies
+by "very late instances of the force of superstitious credulity, to a
+much greater extent." Some occurrence of the hour may have suggested the
+knavish adept with his divining-rod. But facts are never a real excuse
+for the morally incredible, or all but incredible, in fiction. On the
+wealth and vraisemblance and variety of character it were superfluous to
+dilate. As in Shakspeare, there is not even a minor person but lives
+and is of flesh and blood, if we except, perhaps, Dousterswivel and Sir
+Arthur Wardour. Sir Arthur is only Sir Robert Hazlewood over again, with
+a slightly different folly and a somewhat more amiable nature. Lovel's
+place, as usual, is among the shades of heroes, and his love-affair is
+far less moving, far more summarily treated, than that of Jenny Caxon.
+The skilful contrasts are perhaps most remarkable when we compare
+Elspeth of the Burnfoot with the gossiping old women in the post-office
+at Fairport,—a town studied perhaps from Arbroath. It was the opinion
+of Sydney Smith that every one of the novels, before "The Fortunes of
+Nigel," contained a Meg Merrilies and a Dominie Sampson. He may have
+recognized a male Meg in Edie Ochiltree,—the invaluable character who is
+always behind a wall, always overhears everything, and holds the threads
+of the plot. Or he may have been hypercritical enough to think that
+Elspeth of the Burnfoot is the Meg of the romance. Few will agree with
+him that Meg Merrilies, in either of these cases, is "good, but good too
+often."
+
+The supposed "originals" of certain persons in the tale have been
+topics of discussion. The character of Oldbuck, like most characters in
+fiction, is a combination of traits observed in various persons. Scott
+says, in a note to the Ashiestiel fragment of Autobiography, that Mr.
+George Constable, an old friend of his father's, "had many of those
+peculiarities of character which long afterwards I tried to develop in
+the character of Jonathan Oldbuck." Sir Walter, when a child, made Mr.
+Constable's acquaintance at Prestonpans in 1777, where he explored the
+battle-field "under the learned guidance of Dalgetty." Mr. Constable
+first introduced him to Shakspeare's plays, and gave him his first
+German dictionary. Other traits may have been suggested by John Clerk
+of Eldin, whose grandfather was the hero of the story "Praetorian here,
+Praetorian there, I made it wi' a flaughter spade." Lockhart is no
+doubt right in thinking that Oldbuck is partly a caricature of Oldbuck's
+creator,—Sir Walter indeed frankly accepted the kinship; and the book
+which he began on his own collection he proposed to style "Reliquim
+Trotcosienses; or, the Gabions of Jonathan Oldbuck."
+
+Another person who added a few points to Oldbuck was "Sandy Gordon,"
+author of the "Itinerarium Septentrionale" (1726), the very folio which
+Monkbarns carried in the dilatory coach to Queensferry. Gordon had been
+a student in the University of Aberdeen; he was an amateur in many arts,
+but antiquarianism was his favourite hobby. He was an acquaintance of
+Sir John Clerk of Eldin, the hero of the Praetorium. The words of Gordon
+in his "Itinerarium," where he describes the battle of the Grampians,
+have supplied, or suggested, the speech of Monkbarns at the Kaim
+of Kinprunes. The great question was, Where is the Mons Grampius of
+Tacitus? Dismissing Camden's Grantsbain, because he does not know where
+it is, Gordon says, "As for our Scotch Antiquaries, they are so divided
+that some will have it to be in the shire of Angus, or in the Mearns,
+some at the Blair of Athol in Perthshire, or Ardoch in Strathallan, and
+others at Inverpeffery." Gordon votes for Strathern, "half a mile short
+of the Kirk of Comrie." This spot is both at the foot of the Montes
+Grampii, "and boasts a Roman camp capable of holding an army fit to
+encounter so formidable a number as thirty thousand Caledonians. . . .
+Here is the Porta Decumana, opposite the Prcetoria, together with the
+dextra and sinistra gates," all discovered by Sandy Gordon. "Moreover,
+the situation of the ground is so very exact with the description
+given by Tacitus, that in all my travels through Britain I never beheld
+anything with more pleasure. . . . Nor is it difficult, in viewing this
+ground, to say where the Covinarii, or Charioteers, stood. In fine, to
+an Antiquary, this is a ravishing scene." He adds the argument "that
+Galgacus's name still remains on this ground, for the moor on which the
+camp stood is called to this day Galdachan, or Galgachan Rosmoor."
+All this lore Gordon illustrates by an immense chart of a camp, and a
+picture of very small Montes Grampii, about the size and shape of buns.
+The plate is dedicated to his excellency General Wade.
+
+In another point Monkbapns borrows from Gordon. Sandy has a plate (page
+20) of "The Roman Sacellum of Mars Signifer, vulgarly called 'Arthur's
+Oon.' With regard to its shape, it is not unlike the famous Pantheon at
+Rome before the noble Portico was added to it by Marcus Agrippa." Gordon
+agrees with Stukeley in attributing Arthur's Oon to Agricola, and
+here Monkbarns and Lovel adopt almost his words. "Time has left Julius
+Agricola's very name on the place; . . . and if ever those initial
+letters J. A. M. P. M. P. T., mentioned by Sir Robert Sibbald, were
+engraven on a stone in this building, it may not be reckoned altogether
+absurd that they should bear this reading, JULIUS AGRICOLA MAGNUS
+PIETATIS MONUMENTUM POSUIT TEMPLUM; but this my reader may either accept
+or reject as he pleases. However, I think it may be as probably received
+as that inscription on Caligula's Pharos in Holland, which having these
+following letters, C. C. P. F., is read Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit."
+"This," Monkbarns adds, "has ever been recorded as a sound exposition."
+
+The character of Edie Ochiltree, Scott himself avers to have been
+suggested by Andrew Gemmells, pleasantly described in the Introduction.
+Mr. Chambers, in "Illustrations of the Author of 'Waverley," clears up
+a point doubtful in Scott's memory, by saying that Geimells really was a
+Blue-Gown. He rode a horse of his own, and at races was a bookmaker.
+He once dropped at Rutherford, in Teviotdale, a clue of yarn containing
+twenty guineas. Like Edie Ochiltree, he had served at Fontenoy. He
+died at Roxburgh Newton in 1793, at the age of one hundred and five,
+according to his own reckoning. "His wealth was the means of enriching
+a nephew in Ayrshire, who is now (1825) a considerable landholder there,
+and belongs to a respectable class of society."
+
+An old Irus of similar character patrolled Teviotdale, while Andrew
+Gemmells was attached to Ettrick and Yarrow. This was Blind Willie Craw.
+Willie was the Society Journal of Hawick, and levied blackmail on the
+inhabitants. He is thus described by Mr. Grieve, in the Diary already
+quoted: "He lived at Branxholme Town, in a free house set apart for the
+gamekeeper, and for many a year carried all the bread from Hawick used
+in my father's family. He came in that way at breakfast-time, and got a
+wallet which he put it in, and returned at dinner-time with the 'bawbee
+rows' and two loaves. He laid the town of Hawick under contribution for
+bawbees, and he knew the history of every individual, and went rhyming
+through the town from door to door; and as he knew something against
+every one which they would rather wish should not be rehearsed, a bawbee
+put a stop to the paragraph which they wished suppressed. Willie Craw
+was the son of a gamekeeper of the duke's, and enjoyed a free house at
+Branxholme Town as long as he lived."
+
+Had Burns ever betaken himself to the gaberlunzie's life, which he
+speaks of in one of his poems as "the last o't, the worst o't," he would
+have proved a much more formidable satirist than poor Willie Craw, the
+last of the "blind crowders." Burns wrote, of course, in a spirit of
+reckless humour; but he could not, even in sport, have alluded to the
+life as "suited to his habits and powers," had gaberlunzies been mere
+mendicants. In Herd's collection of Ballads is one on the ancient
+Scottish beggar:—
+
+                In Scotland there lived a humble beggar,
+                  He had nor house, nor hald, nor hame;
+                  But he was well liked by ilk a body,
+                And they gave him sunkets to rax his wame.
+
+                A sieve fu' o' meal, a handfu' o' groats,
+                  A dad o' a bannock, or pudding bree,
+                  Cauld porridge, or the lickings o' plates,
+                Wad make him as blythe as a body could be.
+
+The dress and trade of the beggar are said to have been adopted by
+James V. in his adventures, and tradition attributes to him a song, "The
+Gaberlunzie Man."
+
+One of Edie's most charming traits is his readiness to "fight for his
+dish, like the laird for his land," when a French invasion was expected.
+Scott places the date of "The False Alarm," when he himself rode a
+hundred miles to join his regiment, on Feb. 2, 1804.
+
+Lockhart gives it as an event of 1805 (vol. ii. p. 275). The occasion
+gave great pleasure to Scott, on account of the patriotism and courage
+displayed by all classes. "Me no muckle to fight for?" says Edie. "Isna
+there the country to fight for, and the burns I gang dandering beside,
+and the hearths o' the gudewives that gie me my bit bread, and the bits
+o' weans that come toddling to play wi' me when I come about a landward
+town?" Edie had fought at Fontenoy, and was of the old school. Scott
+would have been less pleased with a recruit from St. Boswells, on the
+Tweed. This man was a shoemaker, John Younger, a very intelligent and
+worthy person, famous as an angler and writer on angling, who has left
+an account of the "False Alarm" in his memoirs. His view was that the
+people, unlike Edie, had nothing to fight for, that only the rich had
+any reason to be patriotic, that the French had no quarrel with the
+poor. In fact, Mr. Younger was a cosmopolitan democrat, and sneered at
+the old Border glories of the warlike days. Probably, however, he would
+have done his duty, had the enemy landed, and, like Edie, might have
+remembered the "burns he dandered beside," always with a fishingrod in
+his hand.
+
+     The Editor cannot resist the temptation to add that the patriotic
+     lady mentioned in Scott's note, who "would rather have seen her son
+     dead on that hearth than hear that he had been a horse's length
+     behind his companions," was his paternal great-grandmother, Mrs.
+     John Lang. Her husband, who died shortly afterwards, so that she was
+     a widow when Scott conversed with her, chanced to be chief
+     magistrate of Selkirk. His family was aroused late one night by the
+     sound of a carriage hurrying down the steep and narrow street. Lord
+     Napier was bringing, probably from Hawick, the tidings that the
+     beacons were ablaze. The town-bell was instantly rung, the
+     inhabitants met in the marketplace, where Scott's statue now stands,
+     and the whole force, with one solitary exception, armed and marched
+     to Dalkeith. According to the gentleman whose horse and arms were
+     sent on to meet him, it was intended, if the French proved
+     victorious, that the population of the Border towns should abandon
+     their homes and retire to the hills.
+
+No characters in the "Antiquary," except Monkbarns and Edie Ochiltree,
+seem to have been borrowed from notable originals. The frauds of
+Dousterswivel, Scott says, are rendered plausible by "very late
+instances of the force of superstitious credulity to a much greater
+extent." He can hardly be referring to the career of Cagliostro, but
+he may have had in his memory some unsuccessful mining speculations by
+Charles Earl of Traquair, who sought for lead and found little or none
+in Traquair hills. The old "Statistical Account of Scotland" (vol. xii.
+p. 370) says nothing about imposture, and merely remarks that "the noble
+family of Traquair have made several attempts to discover lead mines,
+and have found quantities of the ore of that metal, though not adequate
+to indemnify the expenses of working, and have therefore given up the
+attempt." This was published in 1794, so twenty years had passed
+when "The Antiquary" was written. If there was here an "instance
+of superstitious credulity," it was not "a very late instance." The
+divining, or "dowsing," rod of Dousterswivel still keeps its place in
+mining superstition and in the search for wells.
+
+With "The Antiquary" most contemporary reviews of the novels lose their
+interest. Their author had firmly established his position, at least
+till "The Monastery" caused some murmurings. Even the "Quarterly Review"
+was infinitely more genial in its reception of "The Antiquary" than of
+"Guy Mannering." The critic only grumbled at Lovel's feverish dreams,
+which, he thought, showed an intention to introduce the marvellous. He
+complained of "the dark dialect of Anglified Erse," but found comfort in
+the glossary appended. The "Edinburgh Review" pronounced the chapter on
+the escape from the tide to be "I the very best description we have ever
+met, inverse or in prose, in ancient or in modern writing." No reviewer
+seems to have noticed that the sun is made to set in the sea, on the
+east coast of Scotland. The "Edinburgh," however, declared that the
+Antiquary, "at least in so far as he is an Antiquary," was the chief
+blemish on the book. The "sweet heathen of Monkbarns" has not suffered
+from this disparagement. The "British Critic" pledged its reputation
+that Scott was the author. If an argument were wanted, "it would be that
+which has been applied to prove the authenticity of the last book of
+the Iliad,—that Homer must have written it, because no one else could."
+Alas! that argument does not convince German critics.
+
+                                            ANDREW LANG.
+
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIRST.
+
+               Go call a coach, and let a coach be called,
+               And let the man who calleth be the caller;
+               And in his calling let him nothing call,
+               But Coach! Coach! Coach! O for a coach, ye gods!
+                                 Chrononhotonthologos.
+
+It was early on a fine summer's day, near the end of the eighteenth
+century, when a young man, of genteel appearance, journeying towards the
+north-east of Scotland, provided himself with a ticket in one of those
+public carriages which travel between Edinburgh and the Queensferry,
+at which place, as the name implies, and as is well known to all my
+northern readers, there is a passage-boat for crossing the Firth of
+Forth. The coach was calculated to carry six regular passengers, besides
+such interlopers as the coachman could pick up by the way, and intrude
+upon those who were legally in possession. The tickets, which conferred
+right to a seat in this vehicle, of little ease, were dispensed by a
+sharp-looking old dame, with a pair of spectacles on a very thin nose,
+who inhabited a "laigh shop," anglice, a cellar, opening to the High
+Street by a straight and steep stair, at the bottom of which she sold
+tape, thread, needles, skeins of worsted, coarse linen cloth, and such
+feminine gear, to those who had the courage and skill to descend to
+the profundity of her dwelling, without falling headlong themselves, or
+throwing down any of the numerous articles which, piled on each side of
+the descent, indicated the profession of the trader below.
+
+The written hand-bill, which, pasted on a projecting board, announced
+that the Queensferry Diligence, or Hawes Fly, departed precisely at
+twelve o'clock on Tuesday, the fifteenth July 17—, in order to secure
+for travellers the opportunity of passing the Firth with the flood-tide,
+lied on the present occasion like a bulletin; for although that hour was
+pealed from Saint Giles's steeple, and repeated by the Tron, no coach
+appeared upon the appointed stand. It is true, only two tickets had been
+taken out, and possibly the lady of the subterranean mansion might have
+an understanding with her Automedon, that, in such cases, a little space
+was to be allowed for the chance of filling up the vacant places—or the
+said Automedon might have been attending a funeral, and be delayed by
+the necessity of stripping his vehicle of its lugubrious trappings—or
+he might have staid to take a half-mutchkin extraordinary with his crony
+the hostler—or—in short, he did not make his appearance.
+
+The young gentleman, who began to grow somewhat impatient, was now
+joined by a companion in this petty misery of human life—the person who
+had taken out the other place. He who is bent upon a journey is usually
+easily to be distinguished from his fellow-citizens. The boots, the
+great-coat, the umbrella, the little bundle in his hand, the hat pulled
+over his resolved brows, the determined importance of his pace, his
+brief answers to the salutations of lounging acquaintances, are all
+marks by which the experienced traveller in mail-coach or diligence can
+distinguish, at a distance, the companion of his future journey, as he
+pushes onward to the place of rendezvous. It is then that, with worldly
+wisdom, the first comer hastens to secure the best berth in the coach
+for himself, and to make the most convenient arrangement for his baggage
+before the arrival of his competitors. Our youth, who was gifted with
+little prudence, of any sort, and who was, moreover, by the absence of
+the coach, deprived of the power of availing himself of his priority of
+choice, amused himself, instead, by speculating upon the occupation and
+character of the personage who was now come to the coach office.
+
+He was a good-looking man of the age of sixty, perhaps older,—but his
+hale complexion and firm step announced that years had not impaired
+his strength or health. His countenance was of the true Scottish
+cast, strongly marked, and rather harsh in features, with a shrewd
+and penetrating eye, and a countenance in which habitual gravity was
+enlivened by a cast of ironical humour. His dress was uniform, and of a
+colour becoming his age and gravity; a wig, well dressed and powdered,
+surmounted by a slouched hat, had something of a professional air. He
+might be a clergyman, yet his appearance was more that of a man of
+the world than usually belongs to the kirk of Scotland, and his first
+ejaculation put the matter beyond question.
+
+He arrived with a hurried pace, and, casting an alarmed glance towards
+the dial-plate of the church, then looking at the place where the coach
+should have been, exclaimed, "Deil's in it—I am too late after all!"
+
+The young man relieved his anxiety, by telling him the coach had not
+yet appeared. The old gentleman, apparently conscious of his own want of
+punctuality, did not at first feel courageous enough to censure that
+of the coachman. He took a parcel, containing apparently a large folio,
+from a little boy who followed him, and, patting him on the head, bid
+him go back and tell Mr. B——, that if he had known he was to have had so
+much time, he would have put another word or two to their bargain,—then
+told the boy to mind his business, and he would be as thriving a lad as
+ever dusted a duodecimo. The boy lingered, perhaps in hopes of a penny
+to buy marbles; but none was forthcoming. Our senior leaned his little
+bundle upon one of the posts at the head of the staircase, and, facing
+the traveller who had first arrived, waited in silence for about five
+minutes the arrival of the expected diligence.
+
+At length, after one or two impatient glances at the progress of the
+minute-hand of the clock, having compared it with his own watch, a huge
+and antique gold repeater, and having twitched about his features to
+give due emphasis to one or two peevish pshaws, he hailed the old lady
+of the cavern.
+
+"Good woman,—what the d—l is her name?—Mrs. Macleuchar!"
+
+Mrs. Macleuchar, aware that she had a defensive part to sustain in the
+encounter which was to follow, was in no hurry to hasten the discussion
+by returning a ready answer.
+
+"Mrs. Macleuchar,—Good woman" (with an elevated voice)—then apart, "Old
+doited hag, she's as deaf as a post—I say, Mrs. Macleuchar!"
+
+"I am just serving a customer.—Indeed, hinny, it will no be a bodle
+cheaper than I tell ye."
+
+"Woman," reiterated the traveller, "do you think we can stand here all
+day till you have cheated that poor servant wench out of her half-year's
+fee and bountith?"
+
+"Cheated!" retorted Mrs. Macleuchar, eager to take up the quarrel upon a
+defensible ground; "I scorn your words, sir: you are an uncivil
+person, and I desire you will not stand there, to slander me at my ain
+stair-head."
+
+"The woman," said the senior, looking with an arch glance at his
+destined travelling companion, "does not understand the words of
+action.—Woman," again turning to the vault, "I arraign not thy
+character, but I desire to know what is become of thy coach?"
+
+"What's your wull?" answered Mrs. Macleuchar, relapsing into deafness.
+
+"We have taken places, ma'am," said the younger stranger, "in your
+diligence for Queensferry"——"Which should have been half-way on the road
+before now," continued the elder and more impatient traveller, rising
+in wrath as he spoke: "and now in all likelihood we shall miss the tide,
+and I have business of importance on the other side—and your cursed
+coach"—
+
+"The coach?—Gude guide us, gentlemen, is it no on the stand yet?"
+answered the old lady, her shrill tone of expostulation sinking into a
+kind of apologetic whine. "Is it the coach ye hae been waiting for?"
+
+"What else could have kept us broiling in the sun by the side of the
+gutter here, you—you faithless woman, eh?"
+
+Mrs. Macleuchar now ascended her trap stair (for such it might be
+called, though constructed of stone), until her nose came upon a level
+with the pavement; then, after wiping her spectacles to look for
+that which she well knew was not to be found, she exclaimed, with
+well-feigned astonishment, "Gude guide us—saw ever onybody the like o'
+that?"
+
+"Yes, you abominable woman," vociferated the traveller, "many have seen
+the like of it, and all will see the like of it that have anything to do
+with your trolloping sex;" then pacing with great indignation before
+the door of the shop, still as he passed and repassed, like a vessel who
+gives her broadside as she comes abreast of a hostile fortress, he
+shot down complaints, threats, and reproaches, on the embarrassed Mrs.
+Macleuchar. He would take a post-chaise—he would call a hackney coach—he
+would take four horses—he must—he would be on the north side,
+to-day—and all the expense of his journey, besides damages, direct and
+consequential, arising from delay, should be accumulated on the devoted
+head of Mrs. Macleuchar.
+
+There, was something so comic in his pettish resentment, that the
+younger traveller, who was in no such pressing hurry to depart, could
+not help being amused with it, especially as it was obvious, that
+every now and then the old gentleman, though very angry, could not help
+laughing at his own vehemence. But when Mrs. Macleuchar began also to
+join in the laughter, he quickly put a stop to her ill-timed merriment.
+
+"Woman," said he, "is that advertisement thine?" showing a bit of
+crumpled printed paper: "Does it not set forth, that, God willing, as
+you hypocritically express it, the Hawes Fly, or Queensferry Diligence,
+would set forth to-day at twelve o'clock; and is it not, thou falsest of
+creatures, now a quarter past twelve, and no such fly or diligence to
+be seen?—Dost thou know the consequence of seducing the lieges by
+false reports?—dost thou know it might be brought under the statute of
+leasing-making? Answer—and for once in thy long, useless, and evil
+life, let it be in the words of truth and sincerity,—hast thou such
+a coach?—is it in rerum natura?—or is this base annunciation a mere
+swindle on the incautious to beguile them of their time, their patience,
+and three shillings of sterling money of this realm?—Hast thou, I say,
+such a coach? ay or no?"
+
+"O dear, yes, sir; the neighbours ken the diligence weel, green picked
+oat wi' red—three yellow wheels and a black ane."
+
+"Woman, thy special description will not serve—it may be only a lie with
+a circumstance."
+
+"O, man, man!" said the overwhelmed Mrs. Macleuchar, totally exhausted
+at having been so long the butt of his rhetoric, "take back your three
+shillings, and make me quit o' ye."
+
+"Not so fast, not so fast, woman—Will three shillings transport me to
+Queensferry, agreeably to thy treacherous program?—or will it requite
+the damage I may sustain by leaving my business undone, or repay the
+expenses which I must disburse if I am obliged to tarry a day at the
+South Ferry for lack of tide?—Will it hire, I say, a pinnace, for which
+alone the regular price is five shillings?"
+
+Here his argument was cut short by a lumbering noise, which proved to
+be the advance of the expected vehicle, pressing forward with all the
+dispatch to which the broken-winded jades that drew it could possibly
+be urged. With ineffable pleasure, Mrs. Macleuchar saw her tormentor
+deposited in the leathern convenience; but still, as it was driving off,
+his head thrust out of the window reminded her, in words drowned amid
+the rumbling of the wheels, that, if the diligence did not attain the
+Ferry in time to save the flood-tide, she, Mrs. Macleuchar, should be
+held responsible for all the consequences that might ensue.
+
+The coach had continued in motion for a mile or two before the stranger
+had completely repossessed himself of his equanimity, as was manifested
+by the doleful ejaculations, which he made from time to time, on the too
+great probability, or even certainty, of their missing the flood-tide.
+By degrees, however, his wrath subsided; he wiped his brows, relaxed his
+frown, and, undoing the parcel in his hand, produced his folio, on which
+he gazed from time to time with the knowing look of an amateur, admiring
+its height and condition, and ascertaining, by a minute and individual
+inspection of each leaf, that the, volume was uninjured and entire
+from title-page to colophon. His fellow-traveller took the liberty
+of inquiring the subject of his studies. He lifted up his eyes with
+something of a sarcastic glance, as if he supposed the young querist
+would not relish, or perhaps understand, his answer, and pronounced
+the book to be Sandy Gordon's Itinerarium Septentrionale,* a book
+illustrative of the Roman remains in Scotland.
+
+* Note B. Sandy Gordon's Itinerarium.
+
+The querist, unappalled by this learned title, proceeded to put
+several questions, which indicated that he had made good use of a good
+education, and, although not possessed of minute information on the
+subject of antiquities, had yet acquaintance enough with the classics to
+render him an interested and intelligent auditor when they were enlarged
+upon. The elder traveller, observing with pleasure the capacity of
+his temporary companion to understand and answer him, plunged, nothing
+loath, into a sea of discussion concerning urns, vases, votive, altars,
+Roman camps, and the rules of castrametation.
+
+The pleasure of this discourse had such a dulcifying tendency, that,
+although two causes of delay occurred, each of much more serious
+duration than that which had drawn down his wrath upon the unlucky Mrs.
+Macleuchar, our =Antiquary= only bestowed on the delay the honour of
+a few episodical poohs and pshaws, which rather seemed to regard the
+interruption of his disquisition than the retardation of his journey.
+
+The first of these stops was occasioned by the breaking of a spring,
+which half an hour's labour hardly repaired. To the second, the
+Antiquary was himself accessory, if not the principal cause of it; for,
+observing that one of the horses had cast a fore-foot shoe, he apprized
+the coachman of this important deficiency. "It's Jamie Martingale that
+furnishes the naigs on contract, and uphauds them," answered John, "and
+I am not entitled to make any stop, or to suffer prejudice by the like
+of these accidents."
+
+"And when you go to—I mean to the place you deserve to go to, you
+scoundrel,—who do you think will uphold you on contract? If you don't
+stop directly and carry the poor brute, to the next smithy, I'll have
+you punished, if there's a justice of peace in Mid-Lothian;" and,
+opening the coach-door, out he jumped, while the coachman obeyed his
+orders, muttering, that "if the gentlemen lost the tide now, they could
+not say but it was their ain fault, since he was willing to get on."
+
+I like so little to analyze the complication of the causes which
+influence actions, that I will not venture to ascertain whether our
+Antiquary's humanity to the poor horse was not in some degree aided by
+his desire of showing his companion a Pict's camp, or Round-about,
+a subject which he had been elaborately discussing, and of which a
+specimen, "very curious and perfect indeed," happened to exist about a
+hundred yards distant from the spot where this interruption took place.
+But were I compelled to decompose the motives of my worthy friend (for
+such was the gentleman in the sober suit, with powdered wig and slouched
+hat), I should say, that, although he certainly would not in any case
+have suffered the coachman to proceed while the horse was unfit for
+service, and likely to suffer by being urged forward, yet the man of
+whipcord escaped some severe abuse and reproach by the agreeable mode
+which the traveller found out to pass the interval of delay.
+
+So much time was consumed by these interruptions of their journey, that
+when they descended the hill above the Hawes (for so the inn on the
+southern side of the Queensferry is denominated), the experienced eye
+of the Antiquary at once discerned, from the extent of wet sand, and
+the number of black stones and rocks, covered with sea-weed, which were
+visible along the skirts of the shore, that the hour of tide was past.
+The young traveller expected a burst of indignation; but whether, as
+Croaker says in "The Good-natured Man," our hero had exhausted himself
+in fretting away his misfortunes beforehand, so that he did not feel
+them when they actually arrived, or whether he found the company in
+which he was placed too congenial to lead him to repine at anything
+which delayed his journey, it is certain that he submitted to his lot
+with much resignation.
+
+"The d—l's in the diligence and the old hag, it belongs to!—Diligence,
+quoth I? Thou shouldst have called it the Sloth—Fly, quoth she? why, it
+moves like a fly through a glue-pot, as the Irishman says. But, however,
+time and tide tarry for no man, and so, my young friend, we'll have a
+snack here at the Hawes, which is a very decent sort of a place,
+and I'll be very happy to finish the account I was giving you of the
+difference between the mode of entrenching castra stativa and castra
+aestiva, things confounded by too many of our historians. Lack-a-day, if
+they had ta'en the pains to satisfy their own eyes, instead of following
+each other's blind guidance!—Well! we shall be pretty comfortable at the
+Hawes; and besides, after all, we must have dined somewhere, and it will
+be pleasanter sailing with the tide of ebb and the evening breeze."
+
+In this Christian temper of making the best of all occurrences, our
+travellers alighted at the Hawes.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SECOND.
+
+              Sir, they do scandal me upon the road here!
+                A poor quotidian rack of mutton roasted
+                Dry to be grated! and that driven down
+              With beer and butter-milk, mingled together.
+                It is against my freehold, my inheritance.
+              Wine is the word that glads the heart of man,
+              And mine's the house of wine. Sack, says my bush,
+             Be merry and drink Sherry, that's my posie.
+                        Ben Jonson's New Inn.
+
+As the senior traveller descended the crazy steps of the diligence at
+the inn, he was greeted by the fat, gouty, pursy landlord, with that
+mixture of familiarity and respect which the Scotch innkeepers of the
+old school used to assume towards their more valued customers.
+
+"Have a care o' us, Monkbarns (distinguishing him by his territorial
+epithet, always most agreeable to the ear of a Scottish proprietor), is
+this you? I little thought to have seen your honour here till the summer
+session was ower."
+
+"Ye donnard auld deevil," answered his guest, his Scottish accent
+predominating when in anger though otherwise not particularly
+remarkable,—"ye donnard auld crippled idiot, what have I to do with the
+session, or the geese that flock to it, or the hawks that pick their
+pinions for them?"
+
+"Troth, and that's true," said mine host, who, in fact, only spoke upon
+a very general recollection of the stranger's original education, yet
+would have been sorry not to have been supposed accurate as to the
+station and profession of him, or any other occasional guest—"That's
+very true,—but I thought ye had some law affair of your ain to look
+after—I have ane mysell—a ganging plea that my father left me, and his
+father afore left to him. It's about our back-yard—ye'll maybe hae heard
+of it in the Parliament-house, Hutchison against Mackitchinson—it's a
+weel-kenn'd plea—its been four times in afore the fifteen, and deil ony
+thing the wisest o' them could make o't, but just to send it out again
+to the outer-house.—O it's a beautiful thing to see how lang and how
+carefully justice is considered in this country!"
+
+"Hold your tongue, you fool," said the traveller, but in great
+good-humour, "and tell us what you can give this young gentleman and me
+for dinner."
+
+"Ou, there's fish, nae doubt,—that's sea-trout and caller haddocks,"
+said Mackitchinson, twisting his napkin; "and ye'll be for a
+mutton-chop, and there's cranberry tarts, very weel preserved, and—and
+there's just ony thing else ye like."
+
+"Which is to say, there is nothing else whatever? Well, well, the fish
+and the chop, and the tarts, will do very well. But don't imitate the
+cautious delay that you praise in the courts of justice. Let there be no
+remits from the inner to the outer house, hear ye me?"
+
+"Na, na," said Mackitchinson, whose long and heedful perusal of
+volumes of printed session papers had made him acquainted with some law
+phrases—"the denner shall be served quam primum and that peremptorie."
+And with the flattering laugh of a promising host, he left them in his
+sanded parlour, hung with prints of the Four Seasons.
+
+As, notwithstanding his pledge to the contrary, the glorious delays of
+the law were not without their parallel in the kitchen of the inn, our
+younger traveller had an opportunity to step out and make some inquiry
+of the people of the house concerning the rank and station of his
+companion. The information which he received was of a general and less
+authentic nature, but quite sufficient to make him acquainted with
+the name, history, and circumstances of the gentleman, whom we shall
+endeavour, in a few words, to introduce more accurately to our readers.
+
+Jonathan Oldenbuck, or Oldinbuck, by popular contraction Oldbuck,
+of Monkbarns, was the second son of a gentleman possessed of a small
+property in the neighbourhood of a thriving seaport town on the
+north-eastern coast of Scotland, which, for various reasons, we shall
+denominate Fairport. They had been established for several generations,
+as landholders in the county, and in most shires of England would have
+been accounted a family of some standing But the shire of——was filled
+with gentlemen of more ancient descent and larger fortune. In the last
+generation, also, the neighbouring gentry had been almost uniformly
+Jacobites, while the proprietors of Monkbarns, like the burghers of
+the town near which they were settled, were steady assertors of the
+Protestant succession. The latter had, however, a pedigree of their
+own, on which they prided themselves as much as those who despised them
+valued their respective Saxon, Norman, or Celtic genealogies. The first
+Oldenbuck, who had settled in their family mansion shortly after the
+Reformation, was, they asserted, descended from one of the original
+printers of Germany, and had left his country in consequence of the
+persecutions directed against the professors of the Reformed religion.
+He had found a refuge in the town near which his posterity dwelt,
+the more readily that he was a sufferer in the Protestant cause, and
+certainly not the less so, that he brought with him money enough to
+purchase the small estate of Monkbarns, then sold by a dissipated laird,
+to whose father it had been gifted, with other church lands, on the
+dissolution of the great and wealthy monastery to which it had belonged.
+The Oldenbucks were therefore, loyal subjects on all occasions of
+insurrection; and, as they kept up a good intelligence with the borough,
+it chanced that the Laird of Monkbarns, who flourished in 1745, was
+provost of the town during that ill-fated year, and had exerted himself
+with much spirit in favour of King George, and even been put to expenses
+on that score, which, according to the liberal conduct of the existing
+government towards their friends, had never been repaid him. By dint
+of solicitation, however, and borough interest, he contrived to gain
+a place in the customs, and, being a frugal, careful man, had found
+himself enabled to add considerably to his paternal fortune. He had only
+two sons, of whom, as we have hinted, the present laird was the younger,
+and two daughters, one of whom still flourished in single blessedness,
+and the other, who was greatly more juvenile, made a love-match with a
+captain in the Forty-twa, who had no other fortune but his commission
+and a Highland pedigree. Poverty disturbed a union which love would
+otherwise have made happy, and Captain M'Intyre, in justice to his wife
+and two children, a boy and girl, had found himself obliged to seek his
+fortune in the East Indies. Being ordered upon an expedition against
+Hyder Ally, the detachment to which he belonged was cut off, and no news
+ever reached his unfortunate wife, whether he fell in battle, or was
+murdered in prison, or survived in what the habits of the Indian tyrant
+rendered a hopeless captivity. She sunk under the accumulated load of
+grief and uncertainty, and left a son and daughter to the charge of her
+brother, the existing Laird of Monkbarns.
+
+The history of that proprietor himself is soon told. Being, as we have
+said, a second son, his father destined him to a share in a substantial
+mercantile concern, carried on by some of his maternal relations. From
+this Jonathan's mind revolted in the most irreconcilable manner. He was
+then put apprentice to the profession of a writer, or attorney, in which
+he profited so far, that he made himself master of the whole forms
+of feudal investitures, and showed such pleasure in reconciling their
+incongruities, and tracing their origin, that his master had great
+hope he would one day be an able conveyancer. But he halted upon the
+threshold, and, though he acquired some knowledge of the origin and
+system of the law of his country, he could never be persuaded to
+apply it to lucrative and practical purposes. It was not from any
+inconsiderate neglect of the advantages attending the possession
+of money that he thus deceived the hopes of his master. "Were he
+thoughtless or light-headed, or rei suae prodigus," said his instructor,
+"I would know what to make of him. But he never pays away a shilling
+without looking anxiously after the change, makes his sixpence go
+farther than another lad's half-crown, and wilt ponder over an old
+black-letter copy of the acts of parliament for days, rather than go to
+the golf or the change-house; and yet he will not bestow one of these
+days on a little business of routine, that would put twenty shillings
+in his pocket—a strange mixture of frugality and industry, and negligent
+indolence—I don't know what to make of him."
+
+But in process of time his pupil gained the means of making what he
+pleased of himself; for his father having died, was not long survived by
+his eldest son, an arrant fisher and fowler, who departed this life, in
+consequence of a cold caught in his vocation, while shooting ducks in
+the swamp called Kittlefittingmoss, notwithstanding his having drunk a
+bottle of brandy that very night to keep the cold out of his stomach.
+Jonathan, therefore, succeeded to the estate, and with it to the means
+of subsisting without the hated drudgery of the law. His wishes were
+very moderate; and as the rent of his small property rose with the
+improvement of the country, it soon greatly exceeded his wants and
+expenditure; and though too indolent to make money, he was by no means
+insensible to the pleasure of beholding it accumulate. The burghers of
+the town near which he lived regarded him with a sort of envy, as one
+who affected to divide himself from their rank in society, and whose
+studies and pleasures seemed to them alike incomprehensible. Still,
+however, a sort of hereditary respect for the Laird of Monkbarns,
+augmented by the knowledge of his being a ready-money man, kept up his
+consequence with this class of his neighbours. The country gentlemen
+were generally above him in fortune, and beneath him in intellect,
+and, excepting one with whom he lived in habits of intimacy, had little
+intercourse with Mr. Oldbuck of Monkbarns. He, had, however, the usual
+resources, the company of the clergyman, and of the doctor, when he
+chose to request it, and also his own pursuits and pleasures, being in
+correspondence with most of the virtuosi of his time, who, like himself,
+measured decayed entrenchments, made plans of ruined castles, read
+illegible inscriptions, and wrote essays on medals in the proportion
+of twelve pages to each letter of the legend. Some habits of hasty
+irritation he had contracted, partly, it was said in the borough of
+Fairport, from an early disappointment in love in virtue of which he had
+commenced misogynist, as he called it, but yet more by the obsequious
+attention paid to him by his maiden sister and his orphan niece, whom he
+had trained to consider him as the greatest man upon earth, and whom he
+used to boast of as the only women he had ever seen who were well
+broke in and bitted to obedience; though, it must be owned, Miss Grizzy
+Oldbuck was sometimes apt to jibb when he pulled the reins too tight.
+The rest of his character must be gathered from the story, and we
+dismiss with pleasure the tiresome task of recapitulation.
+
+During the time of dinner, Mr. Oldbuck, actuated by the same curiosity
+which his fellow-traveller had entertained on his account, made some
+advances, which his age and station entitled him to do in a more direct
+manner, towards ascertaining the name, destination, and quality of his
+young companion.
+
+His name, the young gentleman said, was Lovel.
+
+"What! the cat, the rat, and Lovel our dog? Was he descended from King
+Richard's favourite?"
+
+"He had no pretensions," he said, "to call himself a whelp of that
+litter; his father was a north-of-England gentleman. He was at present
+travelling to Fairport (the town near to which Monkbarns was situated),
+and, if he found the place agreeable, might perhaps remain there for
+some weeks."
+
+"Was Mr. Lovel's excursion solely for pleasure?"
+
+"Not entirely."
+
+"Perhaps on business with some of the commercial people of Fairport?"
+
+"It was partly on business, but had no reference to commerce."
+
+Here he paused; and Mr. Oldbuck, having pushed his inquiries as far
+as good manners permitted, was obliged to change the conversation. The
+Antiquary, though by no means an enemy to good cheer, was a determined
+foe to all unnecessary expense on a journey; and upon his companion
+giving a hint concerning a bottle of port wine, he drew a direful
+picture of the mixture, which, he said, was usually sold under that
+denomination, and affirming that a little punch was more genuine and
+better suited for the season, he laid his hand upon the bell to order
+the materials. But Mackitchinson had, in his own mind, settled their
+beverage otherwise, and appeared bearing in his hand an immense double
+quart bottle, or magnum, as it is called in Scotland, covered with
+saw-dust and cobwebs, the warrants of its antiquity.
+
+"Punch!" said he, catching that generous sound as he entered the
+parlour, "the deil a drap punch ye'se get here the day, Monkbarns, and
+that ye may lay your account wi'."
+
+"What do you mean, you impudent rascal?"
+
+"Ay, ay, it's nae matter for that—but do you mind the trick ye served me
+the last time ye were here!"
+
+"I trick you!"
+
+"Ay, just yoursell, Monkbarns. The Laird o' Tamlowrie and Sir Gilbert
+Grizzlecleuch, and Auld Rossballoh, and the Bailie, were just setting in
+to make an afternoon o't, and you, wi' some o' your auld-warld stories,
+that the mind o' man canna resist, whirl'd them to the back o' beyont to
+look at the auld Roman camp—Ah, sir!" turning to Lovel, "he wad wile the
+bird aff the tree wi' the tales he tells about folk lang syne—and did
+not I lose the drinking o' sax pints o' gude claret, for the deil ane
+wad hae stirred till he had seen that out at the least?"
+
+"D'ye hear the impudent scoundrel!" said Monkbarns, but laughing at
+the same time; for the worthy landlord, as he used to boast, know the
+measure of a guest's foot as well as e'er a souter on this side Solway;
+"well, well, you may send us in a bottle of port."
+
+"Port! na, na! ye maun leave port and punch to the like o' us, it's
+claret that's fit for you lairds; and, I dare say, nane of the folk ye
+speak so much o' ever drank either of the twa."
+
+"Do you hear how absolute the knave is? Well, my young friend, we must
+for once prefer the Falernian to the vile Sabinum."
+
+The ready landlord had the cork instantly extracted, decanted the wine
+into a vessel of suitable capaciousness, and, declaring it parfumed the
+very room, left his guests to make the most of it.
+
+Mackitchinson's wine was really good, and had its effect upon the
+spirits of the elder guest, who told some good stories, cut some sly
+jokes, and at length entered into a learned discussion concerning the
+ancient dramatists; a ground on which he found his new acquaintance
+so strong, that at length he began to suspect he had made them his
+professional study. "A traveller partly for business and partly for
+pleasure?—why, the stage partakes of both; it is a labour to the
+performers, and affords, or is meant to afford, pleasure to the
+spectators. He seems, in manner and rank, above the class of young men
+who take that turn; but I remember hearing them say, that the little
+theatre at Fairport was to open with the performance of a young
+gentleman, being his first appearance on any stage.—If this should be
+thee, Lovel!—Lovel? yes, Lovel or Belville are just the names which
+youngsters are apt to assume on such occasions—on my life, I am sorry
+for the lad."
+
+Mr. Oldbuck was habitually parsimonious, but in no respects mean; his
+first thought was to save his fellow-traveller any part of the expense
+of the entertainment, which he supposed must be in his situation more
+or less inconvenient. He therefore took an opportunity of settling
+privately with Mr. Mackitchinson. The young traveller remonstrated
+against his liberality, and only acquiesced in deference to his years
+and respectability.
+
+The mutual satisfaction which they found in each other's society induced
+Mr. Oldbuck to propose, and Lovel willingly to accept, a scheme for
+travelling together to the end of their journey. Mr. Oldbuck intimated
+a wish to pay two-thirds of the hire of a post-chaise, saying, that a
+proportional quantity of room was necessary to his accommodation; but
+this Mr. Lovel resolutely declined. Their expense then was mutual,
+unless when Lovel occasionally slipt a shilling into the hand of a
+growling postilion; for Oldbuck, tenacious of ancient customs, never
+extended his guerdon beyond eighteen-pence a stage. In this manner they
+travelled, until they arrived at Fairport* about two o'clock on the
+following day.
+
+* [The "Fairport" of this novel is supposed to refer to the town of *
+Arbroath, in Forfarshire, and "Musselcrag," post, to the fishing village
+of * Auchmithie, in the same county.]
+
+Lovel probably expected that his travelling companion would have invited
+him to dinner on his arrival; but his consciousness of a want of ready
+preparation for unexpected guests, and perhaps some other reasons,
+prevented Oldbuck from paying him that attention. He only begged to
+see him as early as he could make it convenient to call in a forenoon,
+recommended him to a widow who had apartments to let, and to a person
+who kept a decent ordinary; cautioning both of them apart, that he only
+knew Mr. Lovel as a pleasant companion in a post-chaise, and did not
+mean to guarantee any bills which he might contract while residing at
+Fairport. The young gentleman's figure and manners; not to mention
+a well-furnished trunk, which soon arrived by sea, to his address
+at Fairport, probably went as far in his favour as the limited
+recommendation of his fellow-traveller.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRD.
+
+                 He had a routh o' auld nick-nackets,
+                 Rusty airn caps, and jinglin-jackets,
+               Would held the Loudons three in tackets,
+                            A towmond gude;
+               And parritch-pats, and auld sayt-backets,
+                           Afore the flude.
+                                           Burns.
+
+After he had settled himself in his new apartments at Fairport,
+Mr. Lovel bethought him of paying the requested visit to his
+fellow-traveller. He did not make it earlier, because, with all the old
+gentleman's good-humour and information, there had sometimes glanced
+forth in his language and manner towards him an air of superiority,
+which his companion considered as being fully beyond what the difference
+of age warranted. He therefore waited the arrival of his baggage from
+Edinburgh, that he might arrange his dress according to the fashion
+of the day, and make his exterior corresponding to the rank in society
+which he supposed or felt himself entitled to hold.
+
+It was the fifth day after his arrival, that, having made the necessary
+inquiries concerning the road, he went forth to pay his respects at
+Monkbarns. A footpath leading over a heathy hill, and through two
+or three meadows, conducted him to this mansion, which stood on the
+opposite side of the hill aforesaid, and commanded a fine prospect of
+the bay and shipping. Secluded from the town by the rising ground, which
+also screened it from the north-west wind, the house had a solitary, and
+sheltered appearance. The exterior had little to recommend it. It was an
+irregular old-fashioned building, some part of which had belonged to a
+grange, or solitary farm-house, inhabited by the bailiff, or steward,
+of the monastery, when the place was in possession of the monks. It
+was here that the community stored up the grain, which they received
+as ground-rent from their vassals; for, with the prudence belonging to
+their order, all their conventional revenues were made payable in kind,
+and hence, as the present proprietor loved to tell, came the name of
+Monkbarns. To the remains of the bailiff's house, the succeeding
+lay inhabitants had made various additions in proportion to the
+accommodation required by their families; and, as this was done with
+an equal contempt of convenience within and architectural regularity
+without, the whole bore the appearance of a hamlet which had suddenly
+stood still when in the act of leading down one of Amphion's, or
+Orpheus's, country dances. It was surrounded by tall clipped hedges of
+yew and holly, some of which still exhibited the skill of the topiarian
+artist,* and presented curious arm-chairs, towers, and the figures of
+Saint George and the Dragon.
+
+* Ars Topiaria, the art of clipping yew-hedges into fantastic figures.
+A Latin poem, entitled Ars Topiaria, contains a curious account of the
+process.
+
+The taste of Mr. Oldbuck did not disturb these monuments of an art now
+unknown, and he was the less tempted so to do, as it must necessarily
+have broken the heart of the old gardener. One tall embowering holly
+was, however, sacred from the shears; and, on a garden seat beneath its
+shade, Lovel beheld his old friend with spectacles on nose, and pouch on
+side, busily employed in perusing the London Chronicle, soothed by the
+summer breeze through the rustling leaves, and the distant dash of the
+waves as they rippled upon the sand.
+
+Mr. Oldbuck immediately rose, and advanced to greet his travelling
+acquaintance with a hearty shake of the hand. "By my faith," said he, "I
+began to think you had changed your mind, and found the stupid people of
+Fairport so tiresome, that you judged them unworthy of your talents, and
+had taken French leave, as my old friend and brother-antiquary Mac-Cribb
+did, when he went off with one of my Syrian medals."
+
+"I hope, my good sir, I should have fallen under no such imputation."
+
+"Quite as bad, let me tell you, if you had stolen yourself away without
+giving me the pleasure of seeing you again. I had rather you had taken
+my copper Otho himself.—But come, let me show you the way into my
+sanctum sanctorum—my cell I may call it, for, except two idle hussies
+of womankind," (by this contemptuous phrase, borrowed from his
+brother-antiquary, the cynic Anthony a-Wood, Mr. Oldbuck was used to
+denote the fair sex in general, and his sister and niece in particular),
+"that, on some idle pretext of relationship, have established themselves
+in my premises, I live here as much a Coenobite as my predecessor, John
+o' the Girnell, whose grave I will show you by and by."
+
+Thus speaking the old gentleman led the way through a low door; but
+before entrance, suddenly stopped short to point out some vestiges of
+what he called an inscription, and, shaking his head as he pronounced it
+totally illegible, "Ah! if you but knew, Mr. Lovel, the time and trouble
+that these mouldering traces of letters have cost me! No mother ever
+travailed so for a child—and all to no purpose—although I am almost
+positive that these two last marks imply the figures, or letters, LV,
+and may give us a good guess at the real date of the building, since we
+know, aliunde, that it was founded by Abbot Waldimir about the middle
+of the fourteenth century—and, I profess, I think that centre ornament
+might be made out by better eyes than mine."
+
+"I think," answered Lovel, willing to humour the old man, "it has
+something the appearance of a mitre."
+
+"I protest you are right! you are right! it never struck me before—see
+what it is to have younger eyes—A mitre—a mitre—it corresponds in every
+respect."
+
+The resemblance was not much nearer than that of Polonius's cloud to a
+whale, or an owzel; it was sufficient, however, to set the Antiquary's
+brains to work. "A mitre, my dear sir," continued he, as he led the way
+through a labyrinth of inconvenient and dark passages, and accompanied
+his disquisition with certain necessary cautions to his guest—"A mitre,
+my dear sir, will suit our abbot as well as a bishop—he was a mitred
+abbot, and at the very top of the roll—take care of these three steps—I
+know Mac-Cribb denies this, but it is as certain as that he took away my
+Antigonus, no leave asked—you'll see the name of the Abbot of Trotcosey,
+Abbas Trottocosiensis, at the head of the rolls of parliament in the
+fourteenth and fifteenth centuries—there is very little light here, and
+these cursed womankind always leave their tubs in the passage—now take,
+care of the corner—ascend twelve steps, and ye are safe!" The Antiquary
+and Lovel--the Sanctum
+
+Mr. Oldbuck had by this time attained the top of the winding stair which
+led to his own apartment, and opening a door, and pushing aside a piece
+of tapestry with which it was covered, his first exclamation was, "What
+are you about here, you sluts?" A dirty barefooted chambermaid threw
+down her duster, detected in the heinous fact of arranging the sanctum
+sanctorum, and fled out of an opposite door from the face of her
+incensed master. A genteel-looking young woman, who was superintending
+the operation, stood her ground, but with some timidity.
+
+"Indeed, uncle, your room was not fit to be seen, and I just came to see
+that Jenny laid everything down where she took it up."
+
+"And how dare you, or Jenny either, presume to meddle with my private
+matters?" (Mr. Oldbuck hated puttting to rights as much as Dr. Orkborne,
+or any other professed student.) "Go, sew your sampler, you monkey, and
+do not let me find you here again, as you value your ears.—I assure
+you, Mr. Lovel, that the last inroad of these pretended friends to
+cleanliness was almost as fatal to my collection as Hudibras's visit to
+that of Sidrophel; and I have ever since missed
+
+                    My copperplate, with almanacks
+                    Engraved upon't and other knacks
+                    My moon-dial, with Napier's bones,
+                    And several constellation Stones;
+                    My flea, my morpeon, and punaise,
+                      I purchased for my proper ease.
+
+And so forth, as old Butler has it."
+
+The young lady, after courtesying to Lovel, had taken the opportunity to
+make her escape during this enumeration of losses. "You'll be poisoned
+here with the volumes of dust they have raised," continued the
+Antiquary; "but I assure you the dust was very ancient, peaceful, quiet
+dust, about an hour ago, and would have remained so for a hundred years,
+had not these gipsies disturbed it, as they do everything else in the
+world."
+
+It was indeed some time before Lovel could, through the thick
+atmosphere, perceive in what sort of den his friend had constructed his
+retreat. It was a lofty room of middling size, obscurely lighted by high
+narrow latticed windows. One end was entirely occupied by book-shelves,
+greatly too limited in space for the number of volumes placed upon them,
+which were, therefore, drawn up in ranks of two or three files deep,
+while numberless others littered the floor and the tables, amid a chaos
+of maps, engraving, scraps of parchment, bundles of papers, pieces of
+old armour, swords, dirks, helmets, and Highland targets. Behind Mr.
+Oldbuck's seat (which was an ancient leathern-covered easy-chair, worn
+smooth by constant use) was a huge oaken cabinet, decorated at each
+corner with Dutch cherubs, having their little duck-wings displayed, and
+great jolter-headed visages placed between them. The top of this cabinet
+was covered with busts, and Roman lamps and paterae, intermingled
+with one or two bronze figures. The walls of the apartment were partly
+clothed with grim old tapestry, representing the memorable story of Sir
+Gawaine's wedding, in which full justice was done to the ugliness of the
+Lothely Lady; although, to judge from his own looks, the gentle knight
+had less reason to be disgusted with the match on account of disparity
+of outward favour, than the romancer has given us to understand. The
+rest of the room was panelled, or wainscotted, with black oak, against
+which hung two or three portraits in armour, being characters in
+Scottish history, favourites of Mr. Oldbuck, and as many in tie-wigs
+and laced coats, staring representatives of his own ancestors. A large
+old-fashioned oaken table was covered with a profusion of papers,
+parchments, books, and nondescript trinkets and gewgaws, which seemed to
+have little to recommend them, besides rust and the antiquity which it
+indicates. In the midst of this wreck of ancient books and utensils,
+with a gravity equal to Marius among the ruins of Carthage, sat a large
+black cat, which, to a superstitious eye, might have presented the
+genius loci, the tutelar demon of the apartment. The floor, as well
+as the table and chairs, was overflowed by the same mare magnum of
+miscellaneous trumpery, where it would have been as impossible to find
+any individual article wanted, as to put it to any use when discovered.
+
+Amid this medley, it was no easy matter to find one's way to a chair,
+without stumbling over a prostrate folio, or the still more awkward
+mischance of overturning some piece of Roman or ancient British pottery.
+And, when the chair was attained, it had to be disencumbered, with a
+careful hand, of engravings which might have received damage, and of
+antique spurs and buckles, which would certainly have occasioned it
+to any sudden occupant. Of this the Antiquary made Lovel particularly
+aware, adding, that his friend, the Rev. Doctor Heavysterne from the
+Low Countries, had sustained much injury by sitting down suddenly and
+incautiously on three ancient calthrops, or craw-taes, which had been
+lately dug up in the bog near Bannockburn, and which, dispersed by
+Robert Bruce to lacerate the feet of the English chargers, came thus in
+process of time to endamage the sitting part of a learned professor of
+Utrecht.
+
+Having at length fairly settled himself, and being nothing loath to make
+inquiry concerning the strange objects around him, which his host was
+equally ready, as far as possible, to explain, Lovel was introduced to a
+large club, or bludgeon, with an iron spike at the end of it, which,
+it seems, had been lately found in a field on the Monkbarns property,
+adjacent to an old burying-ground. It had mightily the air of such
+a stick as the Highland reapers use to walk with on their annual
+peregrinations from their mountains; but Mr. Oldbuck was strongly
+tempted to believe, that, as its shape was singular, it might have been
+one of the clubs with which the monks armed their peasants in lieu of
+more martial weapons,—whence, he observed, the villains were called
+Colve-carles, or Kolb-kerls, that is, Clavigeri, or club-bearers. For
+the truth of this custom, he quoted the chronicle of Antwerp and that
+of St. Martin; against which authorities Lovel had nothing to oppose,
+having never heard of them till that moment.
+
+Mr. Oldbuck next exhibited thumb-screws, which had given the Covenanters
+of former days the cramp in their joints, and a collar with the name of
+a fellow convicted of theft, whose services, as the inscription bore,
+had been adjudged to a neighbouring baron, in lieu of the modern
+Scottish punishment, which, as Oldbuck said, sends such culprits to
+enrich England by their labour, and themselves by their dexterity.
+Many and various were the other curiosities which he showed;—but it
+was chiefly upon his books that he prided himself, repeating, with a
+complacent air, as he led the way to the crowded and dusty shelves, the
+verses of old Chaucer—
+
+               For he would rather have, at his bed-head,
+               A twenty books, clothed in black or red,
+                    Of Aristotle, or his philosophy,
+                    Than robes rich, rebeck, or saltery.
+
+This pithy motto he delivered, shaking his head, and giving each
+guttural the true Anglo-Saxon enunciation, which is now forgotten in the
+southern parts of this realm.
+
+The collection was indeed a curious one, and might well be envied by
+an amateur. Yet it was not collected at the enormous prices of modern
+times, which are sufficient to have appalled the most determined as well
+as earliest bibliomaniac upon record, whom we take to have been none
+else than the renowned Don Quixote de la Mancha, as, among other slight
+indications of an infirm understanding, he is stated, by his veracious
+historian, Cid Hamet Benengeli, to have exchanged fields and farms for
+folios and quartos of chivalry. In this species of exploit, the good
+knight-errant has been imitated by lords, knights, and squires of our
+own day, though we have not yet heard of any that has mistaken an inn
+for a castle, or laid his lance in rest against a windmill. Mr. Oldbuck
+did not follow these collectors in such excess of expenditure; but,
+taking a pleasure in the personal labour of forming his library, saved
+his purse at the expense of his time and toil, He was no encourager of
+that ingenious race of peripatetic middle-men, who, trafficking between
+the obscure keeper of a stall and the eager amateur, make their profit
+at once of the ignorance of the former, and the dear-bought skill and
+taste of the latter. When such were mentioned in his hearing, he seldom
+failed to point out how necessary it was to arrest the object of your
+curiosity in its first transit, and to tell his favourite story of
+Snuffy Davie and Caxton's Game at Chess.—"Davy Wilson," he said,
+"commonly called Snuffy Davy, from his inveterate addiction to black
+rappee, was the very prince of scouts for searching blind alleys,
+cellars, and stalls for rare volumes. He had the scent of a slow-hound,
+sir, and the snap of a bull-dog. He would detect you an old black-letter
+ballad among the leaves of a law-paper, and find an editio princeps
+under the mask of a school Corderius. Snuffy Davy bought the Game of
+Chess, 1474, the first book ever printed in England, from a stall in
+Holland, for about two groschen, or twopence of our money. He sold it
+to Osborne for twenty pounds, and as many books as came to twenty pounds
+more. Osborne resold this inimitable windfall to Dr. Askew for sixty
+guineas. At Dr. Askew's sale," continued the old gentleman, kindling as
+he spoke, "this inestimable treasure blazed forth in its full value,
+and was purchased by Royalty itself for one hundred and seventy
+pounds!—Could a copy now occur, Lord only knows," he ejaculated, with a
+deep sigh and lifted-up hands—"Lord only knows what would be its ransom;
+and yet it was originally secured, by skill and research, for the
+easy equivalent of two-pence sterling. * Happy, thrice happy, Snuffy
+Davie!—and blessed were the times when thy industry could be so
+rewarded!
+
+* This bibliomaniacal anecdote is literally true; and David Wilson, the
+author need not tell his brethren of the Roxburghe and Bannatyne Clubs,
+was a real personage.
+
+"Even I, sir," he went on, "though far inferior in industry and
+discernment and presence of mind, to that great man, can show you a
+few—a very few things, which I have collected, not by force of money,
+as any wealthy man might,—although, as my friend Lucian says, he might
+chance to throw away his coin only to illustrate his ignorance,—but
+gained in a manner that shows I know something of the matter. See this
+bundle of ballads, not one of them later than 1700, and some of them
+an hundred years older. I wheedled an old woman out of these, who loved
+them better than her psalm-book. Tobacco, sir, snuff, and the Complete
+Syren, were the equivalent! For that, mutilated copy of the Complaynt of
+Scotland, I sat out the drinking of two dozen bottles of strong ale with
+the late learned proprietor, who, in gratitude, bequeathed it to me by
+his last will. These little Elzevirs are the memoranda and trophies of
+many a walk by night and morning through the Cowgate, the Canongate, the
+Bow, St. Mary's Wynd,—wherever, in fine, there were to be found brokers
+and trokers, those miscellaneous dealers in things rare and curious.
+How often have I stood haggling on a halfpenny, lest, by a too ready
+acquiescence in the dealer's first price, he should be led to suspect
+the value I set upon the article!—how have I trembled, lest some passing
+stranger should chop in between me and the prize, and regarded each poor
+student of divinity that stopped to turn over the books at the stall,
+as a rival amateur, or prowling bookseller in disguise!—And then, Mr.
+Lovel, the sly satisfaction with which one pays the consideration, and
+pockets the article, affecting a cold indifference, while the hand is
+trembling with pleasure!—Then to dazzle the eyes of our wealthier and
+emulous rivals by showing them such a treasure as this" (displaying a
+little black smoked book about the size of a primer); "to enjoy their
+surprise and envy, shrouding meanwhile, under a veil of mysterious
+consciousness, our own superior knowledge and dexterity these, my young
+friend, these are the white moments of life, that repay the toil, and
+pains, and sedulous attention, which our profession, above all others,
+so peculiarly demands!"
+
+Lovel was not a little amused at hearing the old gentleman run on in
+this manner, and, however incapable of entering into the full merits
+of what he beheld, he admired, as much as could have been expected, the
+various treasures which Oldbuck exhibited. Here were editions esteemed
+as being the first, and there stood those scarcely less regarded as
+being the last and best; here was a book valued because it had the
+author's final improvements, and there another which (strange to tell!)
+was in request because it had them not. One was precious because it
+was a folio, another because it was a duodecimo; some because they
+were tall, some because they were short; the merit of this lay in the
+title-page—of that in the arrangement of the letters in the word Finis.
+There was, it seemed, no peculiar distinction, however trifling
+or minute, which might not give value to a volume, providing the
+indispensable quality of scarcity, or rare occurrence, was attached to
+it.
+
+Not the least fascinating was the original broadside,—the Dying Speech,
+Bloody Murder, or Wonderful Wonder of Wonders,—in its primary tattered
+guise, as it was hawked through the streets, and sold for the cheap and
+easy price of one penny, though now worth the weight of that penny in
+gold. On these the Antiquary dilated with transport, and read, with a
+rapturous voice, the elaborate titles, which bore the same proportion to
+the contents that the painted signs without a showman's booth do to the
+animals within. Mr. Oldbuck, for example, piqued himself especially
+in possessing an unique broadside, entitled and called "Strange and
+Wonderful News from Chipping-Norton, in the County of Oxon, of certain
+dreadful Apparitions which were seen in the Air on the 26th of July
+1610, at Half an Hour after Nine o'Clock at Noon, and continued till
+Eleven, in which Time was seen Appearances of several flaming Swords,
+strange Motions of the superior Orbs; with the unusual Sparkling of
+the Stars, with their dreadful Continuations; With the Account of the
+Opening of the Heavens, and strange Appearances therein disclosing
+themselves, with several other prodigious Circumstances not heard of in
+any Age, to the great Amazement of the Beholders, as it was communicated
+in a Letter to one Mr. Colley, living in West Smithfield, and attested
+by Thomas Brown, Elizabeth Greenaway, and Anne Gutheridge, who were
+Spectators of the dreadful Apparitions: And if any one would be
+further satisfied of the Truth of this Relation, let them repair to
+Mr. Nightingale's at the Bear Inn, in West Smithfield, and they may be
+satisfied."*
+
+* Of this thrice and four times rare broadside, the author possesses an
+exemplar.
+
+"You laugh at this," said the proprietor of the collection, "and I
+forgive you. I do acknowledge that the charms on which we doat are not
+so obvious to the eyes of youth as those of a fair lady; but you will
+grow wiser, and see more justly, when you come to wear spectacles.—Yet
+stay, I have one piece of antiquity, which you, perhaps, will prize more
+highly."
+
+So saying, Mr. Oldbuck unlocked a drawer, and took out a bundle of keys,
+then pulled aside a piece of the tapestry which concealed the door of
+a small closet, into which he descended by four stone steps, and,
+after some tinkling among bottles and cans, produced two long-stalked
+wine-glasses with bell mouths, such as are seen in Teniers' pieces, and
+a small bottle of what he called rich racy canary, with a little bit
+of diet cake, on a small silver server of exquisite old workmanship. "I
+will say nothing of the server," he remarked, "though it is said to
+have been wrought by the old mad Florentine, Benvenuto Cellini. But, Mr.
+Lovel, our ancestors drank sack—you, who admire the drama, know where
+that's to be found.—Here's success to your exertions at Fairport, sir!"
+
+"And to you, sir, and an ample increase to your treasure, with no more
+trouble on your part than is just necessary to make the acquisitions
+valuable."
+
+After a libation so suitable to the amusement in which they had been
+engaged, Lovel rose to take his leave, and Mr. Oldbuck prepared to give
+him his company a part of the way, and show him something worthy of his
+curiosity on his return to Fairport.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTH.
+
+                The pawkie auld carle cam ower the lea,
+                Wi' mony good-e'ens and good-morrows to me,
+                    Saying, Kind Sir, for your courtesy,
+                    Will ye lodge a silly puir man?
+                                  The Gaberlunzie Man.
+
+Our two friends moved through a little orchard, where the aged
+apple-trees, well loaded with fruit, showed, as is usual in the
+neighbourhood of monastic buildings, that the days of the monks had not
+always been spent in indolence, but often dedicated to horticulture
+and gardening. Mr. Oldbuck failed not to make Lovel remark, that the
+planters of those days were possessed of the modern secret of preventing
+the roots of the fruit-trees from penetrating the till, and compelling
+them to spread in a lateral direction, by placing paving-stones beneath
+the trees when first planted, so as to interpose between their fibres
+and the subsoil. "This old fellow," he said, "which was blown down last
+summer, and still, though half reclined on the ground, is covered
+with fruit, has been, as you may see, accommodated with such a
+barrier between his roots and the unkindly till. That other tree has a
+story:—the fruit is called the Abbot's Apple; the lady of a neighbouring
+baron was so fond of it, that she would often pay a visit to Monkbarns,
+to have the pleasure of gathering it from the tree. The husband, a
+jealous man, belike, suspected that a taste so nearly resembling that
+of Mother Eve prognosticated a similar fall. As the honour of a noble
+family is concerned, I will say no more on the subject, only that the
+lands of Lochard and Cringlecut still pay a fine of six bolls of barley
+annually, to atone the guilt of their audacious owner, who intruded
+himself and his worldly suspicions upon the seclusion of the Abbot and
+his penitent.—Admire the little belfry rising above the ivy-mantled
+porch—there was here a hospitium, hospitale, or hospitamentum (for it
+is written all these various ways in the old writings and evidents), in
+which the monks received pilgrims. I know our minister has said, in the
+Statistical Account, that the hospitium was situated either in the lands
+of Haltweary or upon those of Half-starvet; but he is incorrect, Mr.
+Lovel—that is the gate called still the Palmer's Port, and my gardener
+found many hewn stones, when he was trenching the ground for winter
+celery, several of which I have sent as specimens to my learned friends,
+and to the various antiquarian societies of which I am an unworthy
+member. But I will say no more at present; I reserve something for
+another visit, and we have an object of real curiosity before us."
+
+While he was thus speaking, he led the way briskly through one or two
+rich pasture-meadows, to an open heath or common, and so to the top of
+a gentle eminence. "Here," he said, "Mr. Lovel, is a truly remarkable
+spot."
+
+"It commands a fine view," said his companion, looking around him.
+
+"True: but it is not for the prospect I brought you hither; do you see
+nothing else remarkable?—nothing on the surface of the ground?"
+
+"Why, yes; I do see something like a ditch, indistinctly marked."
+
+"Indistinctly!—pardon me, sir, but the indistinctness must be in your
+powers of vision. Nothing can be more plainly traced—a proper agger or
+vallum, with its corresponding ditch or fossa. Indistinctly! why, Heaven
+help you, the lassie, my niece, as light-headed a goose as womankind
+affords, saw the traces of the ditch at once. Indistinct!—why, the great
+station at Ardoch, or that at Burnswark in Annandale, may be clearer,
+doubtless, because they are stative forts, whereas this was only an
+occasional encampment. Indistinct!—why, you must suppose that fools,
+boors, and idiots, have ploughed up the land, and, like beasts and
+ignorant savages, have thereby obliterated two sides of the square, and
+greatly injured the third; but you see, yourself, the fourth side is
+quite entire!"
+
+Lovel endeavoured to apologize, and to explain away his ill-timed
+phrase, and pleaded his inexperience. But he was not at once quite
+successful. His first expression had come too frankly and naturally not
+to alarm the Antiquary, and he could not easily get over the shock it
+had given him.
+
+"My dear sir," continued the senior, "your eyes are not inexperienced:
+you know a ditch from level ground, I presume, when you see them?
+Indistinct! why, the very common people, the very least boy that can
+herd a cow, calls it the Kaim of Kinprunes; and if that does not imply
+an ancient camp, I am ignorant what does."
+
+Lovel having again acquiesced, and at length lulled to sleep the
+irritated and suspicious vanity of the Antiquary, he proceeded in his
+task of cicerone. "You must know," he said, "our Scottish antiquaries
+have been greatly divided about the local situation of the final
+conflict between Agricola and the Caledonians; some contend for Ardoch
+in Strathallan, some for Innerpeffry, some for the Raedykes in the
+Mearns, and some are for carrying the scene of action as far north as
+Blair in Athole. Now, after all this discussion," continued the old
+gentleman, with one of his slyest and most complacent looks, "what would
+you think, Mr. Lovel,—I say, what would you think,—if the memorable
+scene of conflict should happen to be on the very spot called the Kaim
+of Kinprunes, the property of the obscure and humble individual who now
+speaks to you?" Then, having paused a little, to suffer his guest to
+digest a communication so important, he resumed his disquisition in a
+higher tone. "Yes, my good friend, I am indeed greatly deceived if this
+place does not correspond with all the marks of that celebrated place
+of action. It was near to the Grampian mountains—lo! yonder they are,
+mixing and contending with the sky on the skirts of the horizon! It was
+in conspectu classis—in sight of the Roman fleet; and would any admiral,
+Roman or British, wish a fairer bay to ride in than that on your right
+hand? It is astonishing how blind we professed antiquaries sometimes
+are! Sir Robert Sibbald, Saunders Gordon, General Roy, Dr. Stokely,—why,
+it escaped all of them. I was unwilling to say a word about it till
+I had secured the ground, for it belonged to auld Johnnie Howie, a
+bonnet-laird* hard by, and many a communing we had before he and I could
+agree.
+
+* A bonnet-laird signifies a petty proprietor, wearing the dress, along
+with the habits of a yeoman.
+
+At length—I am almost ashamed to say it—but I even brought my mind to
+give acre for acre of my good corn-land for this barren spot. But then
+it was a national concern; and when the scene of so celebrated an event
+became my own, I was overpaid.—Whose patriotism would not grow warmer,
+as old Johnson says, on the plains of Marathon? I began to trench the
+ground, to see what might be discovered; and the third day, sir, we
+found a stone, which I have transported to Monkbarns, in order to have
+the sculpture taken off with plaster of Paris; it bears a sacrificing
+vessel, and the letters A. D. L. L. which may stand, without much
+violence, for Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens."
+
+"Certainly, sir; for the Dutch Antiquaries claim Caligula as the founder
+of a light-house, on the sole authority of the letters C. C. P. F.,
+which they interpret Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit."
+
+"True, and it has ever been recorded as a sound exposition. I see
+we shall make something of you even before you wear spectacles,
+notwithstanding you thought the traces of this beautiful camp indistinct
+when you first observed them."
+
+"In time, sir, and by good instruction"—
+
+"—You will become more apt—I doubt it not. You shall peruse, upon your
+next visit to Monkbarns, my trivial Essay upon Castrametation, with some
+particular Remarks upon the Vestiges of Ancient Fortifications lately
+discovered by the Author at the Kaim of Kinprunes. I think I have
+pointed out the infallible touchstone of supposed antiquity. I premise a
+few general rules on that point, on the nature, namely, of the evidence
+to be received in such cases. Meanwhile be pleased to observe, for
+example, that I could press into my service Claudian's famous line,
+
+               Ille Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis.
+
+For pruinis, though interpreted to mean hoar frosts, to which I own we
+are somewhat subject in this north-eastern sea-coast, may also signify
+a locality, namely, Prunes; the Castra Pruinis posita would therefore be
+the Kaim of Kinprunes. But I waive this, for I am sensible it might
+be laid hold of by cavillers as carrying down my Castra to the time of
+Theodosius, sent by Valentinian into Britain as late as the year 367, or
+thereabout. No, my good friend, I appeal to people's eye-sight. Is
+not here the Decuman gate? and there, but for the ravage of the horrid
+plough, as a learned friend calls it, would be the Praetorian gate. On
+the left hand you may see some slight vestiges of the porta sinistra,
+and on the right, one side of the porta dextra wellnigh entire. Here,
+then, let us take our stand, on this tumulus, exhibiting the foundation
+of ruined buildings,—the central point—the praetorium, doubtless, of the
+camp. From this place, now scarce to be distinguished but by its slight
+elevation and its greener turf from the rest of the fortification,
+we may suppose Agricola to have looked forth on the immense army
+of Caledonians, occupying the declivities of yon opposite hill,—the
+infantry rising rank over rank, as the form of ground displayed their
+array to its utmost advantage,—the cavalry and covinarii, by which I
+understand the charioteers—another guise of folks from your Bond-street
+four-in-hand men, I trow—scouring the more level space below—
+
+                       —See, then, Lovel—See—
+            See that huge battle moving from the mountains!
+        Their gilt coats shine like dragon scales;—their march
+        Like a rough tumbling storm.—See them, and view them,
+                       And then see Rome no more!—
+
+Yes, my dear friend, from this stance it is probable—nay, it is nearly
+certain, that Julius Agricola beheld what our Beaumont has so admirably
+described!—From this very Praetorium"—
+
+A voice from behind interrupted his ecstatic description—"Praetorian
+here, Praetorian there, I mind the bigging o't."
+
+Both at once turned round, Lovel with surprise, and Oldbuck with mingled
+surprise and indignation, at so uncivil an interruption. An auditor had
+stolen upon them, unseen and unheard, amid the energy of the Antiquary's
+enthusiastic declamation, and the attentive civility of Lovel. He
+had the exterior appearance of a mendicant. A slouched hat of huge
+dimensions; a long white beard which mingled with his grizzled hair;
+an aged but strongly marked and expressive countenance, hardened, by
+climate and exposure, to a right brick-dust complexion; a long blue
+gown, with a pewter badge on the right arm; two or three wallets, or
+bags, slung across his shoulder, for holding the different kinds of
+meal, when he received his charity in kind from those who were but
+a degree richer than himself:—all these marked at once a beggar by
+profession, and one of that privileged class which are called in
+Scotland the King's Bedesmen, or, vulgarly, Blue-Gowns.
+
+"What is that you say, Edie?" said Oldbuck, hoping, perhaps, that his
+ears had betrayed their duty—"what were you speaking about!"
+
+"About this bit bourock, your honour," answered the undaunted Edie; "I
+mind the bigging o't."
+
+"The devil you do! Why, you old fool, it was here before you were born,
+and will be after you are hanged, man!"
+
+"Hanged or drowned, here or awa, dead or alive, I mind the bigging o't."
+
+"You—you—you—," said the Antiquary, stammering between confusion and
+anger, "you strolling old vagabond, what the devil do you know about
+it?"
+
+"Ou, I ken this about it, Monkbarns—and what profit have I for telling
+ye a lie?—l just ken this about it, that about twenty years syne, I,
+and a wheen hallenshakers like mysell, and the mason-lads that built the
+lang dike that gaes down the loaning, and twa or three herds maybe,
+just set to wark, and built this bit thing here that ye ca'
+the—the—Praetorian, and a' just for a bield at auld Aiken Drum's bridal,
+and a bit blithe gae-down wi' had in't, some sair rainy weather. Mair by
+token, Monkbarns, if ye howk up the bourock, as ye seem to have began,
+yell find, if ye hae not fund it already, a stane that ane o' the
+mason-callants cut a ladle on to have a bourd at the bridegroom, and he
+put four letters on't, that's A. D. L. L.—Aiken Drum's Lang Ladle—for
+Aiken was ane o' the kale-suppers o' Fife."
+
+"This," thought Lovel to himself, "is a famous counterpart to the
+story of Keip on this syde." He then ventured to steal a glance at our
+Antiquary, but quickly withdrew it in sheer compassion. For, gentle
+reader, if thou hast ever beheld the visage of a damsel of sixteen,
+whose romance of true love has been blown up by an untimely discovery,
+or of a child of ten years, whose castle of cards has been blown down by
+a malicious companion, I can safely aver to you, that Jonathan Oldbuck
+of Monkbarns looked neither more wise nor less disconcerted.
+
+"There is some mistake about this," he said, abruptly turning away from
+the mendicant.
+
+"Deil a bit on my side o' the wa'," answered the sturdy beggar; "I never
+deal in mistakes, they aye bring mischances.—Now, Monkbarns, that young
+gentleman, that's wi' your honour, thinks little of a carle like me; and
+yet, I'll wager I'll tell him whar he was yestreen at the gloamin, only
+he maybe wadna like to hae't spoken o' in company."
+
+Lovel's soul rushed to his cheeks, with the vivid blush of
+two-and-twenty.
+
+"Never mind the old rogue," said Mr. Oldbuck; "don't suppose I think
+the worse of you for your profession; they are only prejudiced fools and
+coxcombs that do so. You remember what old Tully says in his oration,
+pro Archia poeta, concerning one of your confraternity—quis nostrum
+tam anino agresti ac duro fuit—ut—ut—I forget the Latin—the meaning is,
+which of us was so rude and barbarous as to remain unmoved at the death
+of the great Roscius, whose advanced age was so far from preparing us
+for his death, that we rather hoped one so graceful, so excellent in
+his art, ought to be exempted from the common lot of mortality? So the
+Prince of Orators spoke of the stage and its professor."
+
+The words of the old man fell upon Lovel's ears, but without conveying
+any precise idea to his mind, which was then occupied in thinking by
+what means the old beggar, who still continued to regard him with a
+countenance provokingly sly and intelligent, had contrived to thrust
+himself into any knowledge of his affairs. He put his hand in his pocket
+as the readiest mode of intimating his desire of secrecy, and securing
+the concurrence of the person whom he addressed; and while he bestowed
+on him an alms, the amount of which rather bore proportion to his fears
+than to his charity, looked at him with a marked expression, which
+the mendicant, a physiognomist by profession, seemed perfectly to
+understand.—"Never mind me, sir—I am no tale-pyet; but there are mair
+een in the warld than mine," answered he as he pocketed Lovel's bounty,
+but in a tone to be heard by him alone, and with an expression which
+amply filled up what was left unspoken. Then turning to Oldbuck—"I am
+awa' to the manse, your honour. Has your honour ony word there, or to
+Sir Arthur, for I'll come in by Knockwinnock Castle again e'en?"
+
+Oldbuck started as from a dream; and, in a hurried tone, where vexation
+strove with a wish to conceal it, paying, at the same time, a tribute
+to Edie's smooth, greasy, unlined hat, he said, "Go down, go down to
+Monkbarns—let them give you some dinner—Or stay; if you do go to the
+manse, or to Knockwinnock, ye need say nothing about that foolish story
+of yours."
+
+"Who, I?" said the mendicant—"Lord bless your honour, naebody sall ken a
+word about it frae me, mair than if the bit bourock had been there since
+Noah's flood. But, Lord, they tell me your honour has gien Johnnie Howie
+acre for acre of the laigh crofts for this heathery knowe! Now, if he
+has really imposed the bourock on ye for an ancient wark, it's my real
+opinion the bargain will never haud gude, if you would just bring down
+your heart to try it at the law, and say that he beguiled ye."
+
+"Provoking scoundrel!" muttered the indignant Antiquary between his
+teeths—"I'll have the hangman's lash and his back acquainted for this."
+And then, in a louder tone,—"Never mind, Edie—it is all a mistake."
+
+"Troth, I am thinking sae," continued his tormentor, who seemed to have
+pleasure in rubbing the galled wound, "troth, I aye thought sae; and
+it's no sae lang since I said to Luckie Gemmers, Never think you,
+luckie' said I, that his honour Monkbarns would hae done sic a daft-like
+thing as to gie grund weel worth fifty shillings an acre, for a mailing
+that would be dear o'a pund Scots. Na, na,' quo' I, depend upon't the
+lard's been imposed upon wi that wily do-little deevil, Johnnie Howie.'
+But Lord haud a care o' us, sirs, how can that be,' quo' she again, when
+the laird's sae book-learned, there's no the like o' him in the country
+side, and Johnnie Howie has hardly sense eneugh to ca' the cows out o'
+his kale-yard?' Aweel, aweel,' quo' I, but ye'll hear he's circumvented
+him with some of his auld-warld stories,'—for ye ken, laird, yon other
+time about the bodle that ye thought was an auld coin"—
+
+"Go to the devil!" said Oldbuck; and then in a more mild tone, as one
+that was conscious his reputation lay at the mercy of his antagonist, he
+added—"Away with you down to Monkbarns, and when I come back, I'll send
+ye a bottle of ale to the kitchen."
+
+"Heaven reward your honour!" This was uttered with the true mendicant
+whine, as, setting his pike-staff before him, he began to move in the
+direction of Monkbarns.—"But did your honour," turning round, "ever get
+back the siller ye gae to the travelling packman for the bodle?"
+
+"Curse thee, go about thy business!"
+
+"Aweel, aweel, sir, God bless your honour! I hope ye'll ding Johnnie
+Howie yet, and that I'll live to see it." And so saying, the old beggar
+moved off, relieving Mr. Oldbuck of recollections which were anything
+rather than agreeable.
+
+"Who is this familiar old gentleman?" said Lovel, when the mendicant was
+out of hearing.
+
+"O, one of the plagues of the country—I have been always against
+poor's-rates and a work-house—I think I'll vote for them now, to have
+that scoundrel shut up. O, your old-remembered guest of a beggar becomes
+as well acquainted with you as he is with his dish—as intimate as one
+of the beasts familiar to man which signify love, and with which his own
+trade is especially conversant. Who is he?—why, he has gone the vole—
+has been soldier, ballad-singer, travelling tinker, and is now a
+beggar. He is spoiled by our foolish gentry, who laugh at his jokes, and
+rehearse Edie Ochiltree's good thing's as regularly as Joe Miller's."
+
+"Why, he uses freedom apparently, which is the, soul of wit," answered
+Lovel.
+
+"O ay, freedom enough," said the Antiquary; "he generally invents some
+damned improbable lie or another to provoke you, like that nonsense he
+talked just now—not that I'll publish my tract till I have examined the
+thing to the bottom."
+
+"In England," said Lovel, "such a mendicant would get a speedy check."
+
+"Yes, your churchwardens and dog-whips would make slender allowance
+for his vein of humour! But here, curse him! he is a sort of privileged
+nuisance—one of the last specimens of the old fashioned Scottish
+mendicant, who kept his rounds within a particular space, and was the
+news-carrier, the minstrel, and sometimes the historian of the district.
+That rascal, now, knows more old ballads and traditions than any other
+man in this and the four next parishes. And after all," continued he,
+softening as he went on describing Edie's good gifts, "the dog has some
+good humour. He has borne his hard fate with unbroken spirits, and it's
+cruel to deny him the comfort of a laugh at his betters. The pleasure of
+having quizzed me, as you gay folk would call it, will be meat and drink
+to him for a day or two. But I must go back and look after him, or he
+will spread his d—d nonsensical story over half the country."*
+
+* Note C. Praetorium.
+
+So saying our heroes parted, Mr. Oldbuck to return to his hospitium at
+Monkbarns, and Lovel to pursue his way to Fairport, where he arrived
+without farther adventure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTH.
+
+                     Launcelot Gobbo. Mark me now:
+                      Now will I raise the waters.
+                                         Merchant of Venice.
+
+The theatre at Fairport had opened, but no Mr. Lovel appeared on the
+boards, nor was there anything in the habits or deportment of the young
+gentleman so named, which authorised Mr. Oldbuck's conjecture that his
+fellow-traveller was a candidate for the public favour. Regular were the
+Antiquary's inquiries at an old-fashioned barber who dressed the only
+three wigs in the parish which, in defiance of taxes and times, were
+still subjected to the operation of powdering and frizzling, and who for
+that purpose divided his time among the three employers whom fashion
+had yet left him; regular, I say, were Mr. Oldbuck's inquiries at
+this personage concerning the news of the little theatre at Fairport,
+expecting every day to hear of Mr. Lovel's appearance; on which occasion
+the old gentleman had determined to put himself to charges in honour of
+his young friend, and not only to go to the play himself, but to
+carry his womankind along with him. But old Jacob Caxon conveyed no
+information which warranted his taking so decisive a step as that of
+securing a box.
+
+He brought information, on the contrary, that there was a young man
+residing at Fairport, of whom the town (by which he meant all the
+gossips, who, having no business of their own, fill up their leisure
+moments by attending to that of other people) could make nothing. He
+sought no society, but rather avoided that which the apparent gentleness
+of his manners, and some degree of curiosity, induced many to offer him.
+Nothing could be more regular, or less resembling an adventurer, than
+his mode of living, which was simple, but so completely well arranged,
+that all who had any transactions with him were loud in their
+approbation.
+
+"These are not the virtues of a stage-struck hero," thought Oldbuck to
+himself; and, however habitually pertinacious in his opinions, he must
+have been compelled to abandon that which he had formed in the
+present instance, but for a part of Caxon's communication. "The young
+gentleman," he said, "was sometimes heard speaking to himsell, and
+rampauging about in his room, just as if he was ane o' the player folk."
+
+Nothing, however, excepting this single circumstance, occurred to
+confirm Mr. Oldbuck's supposition; and it remained a high and doubtful
+question, what a well-informed young man, without friends, connections,
+or employment of any kind, could have to do as a resident at Fairport.
+Neither port wine nor whist had apparently any charms for him. He
+declined dining with the mess of the volunteer cohort which had been
+lately embodied, and shunned joining the convivialities of either of
+the two parties which then divided Fairport, as they did more important
+places. He was too little of an aristocrat to join the club of
+Royal True Blues, and too little of a democrat to fraternise with an
+affiliated society of the soi-disant Friends of the People, which the
+borough had also the happiness of possessing. A coffee-room was his
+detestation; and, I grieve to say it, he had as few sympathies with the
+tea-table.—In short, since the name was fashionable in novel-writing,
+and that is a great while agone, there was never a Master Lovel of whom
+so little positive was known, and who was so universally described by
+negatives.
+
+One negative, however, was important—nobody knew any harm of Lovel.
+Indeed, had such existed, it would have been speedily made public; for
+the natural desire of speaking evil of our neighbour could in his case
+have been checked by no feelings of sympathy for a being so unsocial. On
+one account alone he fell somewhat under suspicion. As he made free use
+of his pencil in his solitary walks, and had drawn several views of the
+harbour, in which the signal tower, and even the four-gun battery, were
+introduced, some zealous friends of the public sent abroad a whisper,
+that this mysterious stranger must certainly be a French spy. The
+Sheriff paid his respects to Mr. Lovel accordingly; but in the interview
+which followed, it would seem that he had entirely removed that
+magistrate's suspicions, since he not only suffered him to remain
+undisturbed in his retirement, but it was credibly reported, sent him
+two invitations to dinner-parties, both which were civilly declined. But
+what the nature of the explanation was, the magistrate kept a profound
+secret, not only from the public at large, but from his substitute, his
+clerk, his wife and his two daughters, who formed his privy council on
+all questions of official duty.
+
+All these particulars being faithfully reported by Mr. Caxon to his
+patron at Monkbarns, tended much to raise Lovel in the opinion of his
+former fellow-traveller. "A decent sensible lad," said he to himself,
+"who scorns to enter into the fooleries and nonsense of these idiot
+people at Fairport—I must do something for him—I must give him a
+dinner;—and I will write Sir Arthur to come to Monkbarns to meet him. I
+must consult my womankind."
+
+Accordingly, such consultation having been previously held, a special
+messenger, being no other than Caxon himself, was ordered to prepare
+for a walk to Knockwinnock Castle with a letter, "For the honoured Sir
+Arthur Wardour, of Knockwinnock, Bart." The contents ran thus:
+
+"Dear Sir Arthur,
+
+"On Tuesday the 17th curt.stilo novo, I hold a coenobitical symposion at
+Monkbarns, and pray you to assist thereat, at four o'clock precisely. If
+my fair enemy, Miss Isabel, can and will honour us by accompanying you,
+my womankind will be but too proud to have the aid of such an auxiliary
+in the cause of resistance to awful rule and right supremacy. If not,
+I will send the womankind to the manse for the day. I have a young
+acquaintance to make known to you, who is touched with some strain of
+a better spirit than belongs to these giddy-paced times—reveres his
+elders, and has a pretty notion of the classics—and, as such a youth
+must have a natural contempt for the people about Fairport, I wish to
+show him some rational as well as worshipful society.—I am, Dear Sir
+Arthur, etc. etc. etc."
+
+"Fly with this letter, Caxon," said the senior, holding out his missive,
+signatum atque sigillatum, "fly to Knockwinnock, and bring me back an
+answer. Go as fast as if the town-council were met and waiting for the
+provost, and the provost was waiting for his new-powdered wig."
+
+"Ah sir," answered the messenger, with a deep sigh, "thae days hae lang
+gane by. Deil a wig has a provost of Fairport worn sin' auld Provost
+Jervie's time—and he had a quean of a servant-lass that dressed it
+herself, wi' the doup o' a candle and a drudging-box. But I hae seen the
+day, Monkbarns, when the town-council of Fairport wad hae as soon wanted
+their town-clerk, or their gill of brandy ower-head after the haddies,
+as they wad hae wanted ilk ane a weel-favoured, sonsy, decent periwig on
+his pow. Hegh, sirs! nae wonder the commons will be discontent and rise
+against the law, when they see magistrates and bailies, and deacons, and
+the provost himsell, wi' heads as bald and as bare as ane o' my blocks!"
+
+"And as well furnished within, Caxon. But away with you!—you have an
+excellent view of public affairs, and, I dare say, have touched the
+cause of our popular discontent as closely as the provost could have
+done himself. But away with you, Caxon!"
+
+And off went Caxon upon his walk of three miles—
+
+                  He hobbled—but his heart was good!
+                  Could he go faster than he could?—
+
+While he is engaged in his journey and return, it may not be impertinent
+to inform the reader to whose mansion he was bearing his embassy.
+
+We have said that Mr. Oldbuck kept little company with the surrounding
+gentlemen, excepting with one person only. This was Sir Arthur Wardour,
+a baronet of ancient descent, and of a large but embarrassed fortune.
+His father, Sir Anthony, had been a Jacobite, and had displayed all the
+enthusiasm of that party, while it could be served with words only. No
+man squeezed the orange with more significant gesture; no one could more
+dexterously intimate a dangerous health without coming under the penal
+statutes; and, above all, none drank success to the cause more deeply
+and devoutly. But, on the approach of the Highland army in 1745,
+it would appear that the worthy baronet's zeal became a little more
+moderate just when its warmth was of most consequence. He talked much,
+indeed, of taking the field for the rights of Scotland and Charles
+Stuart; but his demi-pique saddle would suit only one of his horses;
+and that horse could by no means be brought to stand fire. Perhaps
+the worshipful owner sympathized in the scruples of this sagacious
+quadruped, and began to think, that what was so much dreaded by the
+horse could not be very wholesome for the rider. At any rate, while Sir
+Anthony Wardour talked, and drank, and hesitated, the Sturdy provost of
+Fairport (who, as we before noticed, was the father of our Antiquary)
+sallied from his ancient burgh, heading a body of whig-burghers,
+and seized at once, in the name of George II., upon the Castle of
+Knockwinnock, and on the four carriage-horses, and person of the
+proprietor. Sir Anthony was shortly after sent off to the Tower of
+London by a secretary of state's warrant, and with him went his son,
+Arthur, then a youth. But as nothing appeared like an overt act of
+treason, both father and son were soon set at liberty, and returned to
+their own mansion of Knockwinnock, to drink healths five fathoms deep,
+and talk of their sufferings in the royal cause. This became so much a
+matter of habit with Sir Arthur, that, even after his father's death,
+the non-juring chaplain used to pray regularly for the restoration
+of the rightful sovereign, for the downfall of the usurper, and for
+deliverance from their cruel and bloodthirsty enemies; although all idea
+of serious opposition to the House of Hanover had long mouldered away,
+and this treasonable liturgy was kept up rather as a matter of form
+than as conveying any distinct meaning. So much was this the case, that,
+about the year 1770, upon a disputed election occurring in the county,
+the worthy knight fairly gulped down the oaths of abjuration
+and allegiance, in order to serve a candidate in whom he was
+interested;—thus renouncing the heir for whose restoration he weekly
+petitioned Heaven, and acknowledging the usurper whose dethronement he
+had never ceased to pray for. And to add to this melancholy instance
+of human inconsistency, Sir Arthur continued to pray for the House
+of Stuart even after the family had been extinct, and when, in truth,
+though in his theoretical loyalty he was pleased to regard them as
+alive, yet, in all actual service and practical exertion, he was a most
+zealous and devoted subject of George III.
+
+In other respects, Sir Arthur Wardour lived like most country gentlemen
+in Scotland, hunted and fished—gave and received dinners—attended races
+and county meetings—was a deputy-lieutenant and trustee upon turnpike
+acts. But, in his more advanced years, as he became too lazy or unwieldy
+for field-sports, he supplied them by now and then reading Scottish
+history; and, having gradually acquired a taste for antiquities, though
+neither very deep nor very correct, he became a crony of his neighbour,
+Mr. Oldbuck of Monkbarns, and a joint-labourer with him in his
+antiquarian pursuits.
+
+There were, however, points of difference between these two humourists,
+which sometimes occasioned discord. The faith of Sir Arthur, as an
+antiquary, was boundless, and Mr. Oldbuck (notwithstanding the affair
+of the Praetorium at the Kaim of Kinprunes) was much more scrupulous in
+receiving legends as current and authentic coin. Sir Arthur would have
+deemed himself guilty of the crime of leze-majesty had he doubted the
+existence of any single individual of that formidable head-roll of one
+hundred and four kings of Scotland, received by Boethius, and rendered
+classical by Buchanan, in virtue of whom James VI. claimed to rule his
+ancient kingdom, and whose portraits still frown grimly upon the walls
+of the gallery of Holyrood. Now Oldbuck, a shrewd and suspicious man,
+and no respecter of divine hereditary right, was apt to cavil at this
+sacred list, and to affirm, that the procession of the posterity
+of Fergus through the pages of Scottish history, was as vain and
+unsubstantial as the gleamy pageant of the descendants of Banquo through
+the cavern of Hecate.
+
+Another tender topic was the good fame of Queen Mary, of which the
+knight was a most chivalrous assertor, while the esquire impugned it,
+in spite both of her beauty and misfortunes. When, unhappily, their
+conversation turned on yet later times, motives of discord occurred in
+almost every page of history. Oldbuck was, upon principle, a staunch
+Presbyterian, a ruling elder of the kirk, and a friend to revolution
+principles and Protestant succession, while Sir Arthur was the very
+reverse of all this. They agreed, it is true, in dutiful love and
+allegiance to the sovereign who now fills* the throne; but this was
+their only point of union.
+
+* The reader will understand that this refers to the reign of our late
+gracious Sovereign, George the Third.
+
+It therefore often happened, that bickerings hot broke out between them,
+in which Oldbuck was not always able to suppress his caustic humour,
+while it would sometimes occur to the Baronet that the descendant of a
+German printer, whose sires had "sought the base fellowship of paltry
+burghers," forgot himself, and took an unlicensed freedom of debate,
+considering the rank and ancient descent of his antagonist. This, with
+the old feud of the coach-horses, and the seizure of his manor-place and
+tower of strength by Mr. Oldbuck's father, would at times rush upon his
+mind, and inflame at once his cheeks and his arguments. And, lastly, as
+Mr. Oldbuck thought his worthy friend and compeer was in some respects
+little better than a fool, he was apt to come more near communicating
+to him that unfavourable opinion, than the rules of modern politeness
+warrant. In such cases they often parted in deep dudgeon, and with
+something like a resolution to forbear each other's company in future:
+
+But with the morning calm reflection came; and as each was sensible that
+the society of the other had become, through habit, essential to
+his comfort, the breach was speedily made up between them. On such
+occasions, Oldbuck, considering that the Baronet's pettishness resembled
+that of a child, usually showed his superior sense by compassionately
+making the first advances to reconciliation. But it once or twice
+happened that the aristocratic pride of the far-descended knight took
+a flight too offensive to the feelings of the representative of the
+typographer. In these cases, the breach between these two originals
+might have been immortal, but for the kind exertion and interposition
+of the Baronet's daughter, Miss Isabella Wardour, who, with a son, now
+absent upon foreign and military service, formed his whole surviving
+family. She was well aware how necessary Mr. Oldbuck was to her father's
+amusement and comfort, and seldom failed to interpose with effect, when
+the office of a mediator between them was rendered necessary by the
+satirical shrewdness of the one, or the assumed superiority of the
+other. Under Isabella's mild influence, the wrongs of Queen Mary were
+forgotten by her father, and Mr. Oldbuck forgave the blasphemy which
+reviled the memory of King William. However, as she used in general to
+take her father's part playfully in these disputes, Oldbuck was wont to
+call Isabella his fair enemy, though in fact he made more account of her
+than any other of her sex, of whom, as we have seen, he, was no admirer.
+
+There existed another connection betwixt these worthies, which had
+alternately a repelling and attractive influence upon their intimacy.
+Sir Arthur always wished to borrow; Mr. Oldbuck was not always willing
+to lend. Mr. Oldbuck, per contra, always wished to be repaid with
+regularity; Sir Arthur was not always, nor indeed often, prepared to
+gratify this reasonable desire; and, in accomplishing an arrangement
+between tendencies so opposite, little miffs would occasionally take
+place. Still there was a spirit of mutual accommodation upon the whole,
+and they dragged on like dogs in couples, with some difficulty and
+occasional snarling, but without absolutely coming to a stand-still or
+throttling each other.
+
+Some little disagreement, such as we have mentioned, arising out of
+business, or politics, had divided the houses of Knockwinnock and
+Monkbarns, when the emissary of the latter arrived to discharge his
+errand. In his ancient Gothic parlour, whose windows on one side looked
+out upon the restless ocean, and, on the other, upon the long straight
+avenue, was the Baronet seated, now turning over the leaves of a folio,
+now casting a weary glance where the sun quivered on the dark-green
+foliage and smooth trunks of the large and branching limes with which
+the avenue was planted. At length, sight of joy! a moving object is
+seen, and it gives rise to the usual inquiries, Who is it? and what can
+be his errand? The old whitish-grey coat, the hobbling gait, the hat
+half-slouched, half-cocked, announced the forlorn maker of periwigs, and
+left for investigation only the second query. This was soon solved by a
+servant entering the parlour,—"A letter from Monkbarns, Sir Arthur."
+
+Sir Arthur took the epistle with a due assumption of consequential
+dignity.
+
+"Take the old man into the kitchen, and let him get some refreshment,"
+said the young lady, whose compassionate eye had remarked his thin grey
+hair and wearied gait.
+
+"Mr. Oldbuck, my love, invites us to dinner on Tuesday the 17th," said
+the Baronet, pausing;—"he really seems to forget that he has not of late
+conducted himself so civilly towards me as might have been expected."
+
+"Dear sir, you have so many advantages over poor Mr. Oldbuck, that no
+wonder it should put him a little out of humour; but I know he has much
+respect for your person and your conversation;—nothing would give him
+more pain than to be wanting in any real attention."
+
+"True, true, Isabella; and one must allow for the original
+descent;—something of the German boorishness still flows in the blood;
+something of the whiggish and perverse opposition to established rank
+and privilege. You may observe that he never has any advantage of me
+in dispute, unless when he avails himself of a sort of pettifogging
+intimacy with dates, names, and trifling matters of fact—a tiresome and
+frivolous accuracy of memory, which is entirely owing to his mechanical
+descent."
+
+"He must find it convenient in historical investigation, I should think,
+sir?" said the young lady.
+
+"It leads to an uncivil and positive mode of disputing; and nothing
+seems more unreasonable than to hear him impugn even Bellenden's rare
+translation of Hector Boece, which I have the satisfaction to possess,
+and which is a black-letter folio of great value, upon the authority of
+some old scrap of parchment which he has saved from its deserved destiny
+of being cut up into tailor's measures. And besides, that habit of
+minute and troublesome accuracy leads to a mercantile manner of doing
+business, which ought to be beneath a landed proprietor whose family has
+stood two or three generations. I question if there's a dealer's clerk
+in Fairport that can sum an account of interest better than Monkbarns."
+
+"But you'll accept his invitation, sir?"
+
+"Why, ye—yes; we have no other engagement on hand, I think. Who can the
+young man be he talks of?—he seldom picks up new acquaintance; and he
+has no relation that I ever heard of."
+
+"Probably some relation of his brother-in-law Captain M'Intyre."
+
+"Very possibly—yes, we will accept—the M'Intyres are of a very ancient
+Highland family. You may answer his card in the affirmative, Isabella; I
+believe I have, no leisure to be Dear Sirring myself."
+
+So this important matter being adjusted, Miss Wardour intimated "her
+own and Sir Arthur's compliments, and that they would have the honour of
+waiting upon Mr. Oldbuck. Miss Wardour takes this opportunity to renew
+her hostility with Mr. Oldbuck, on account of his late long absence from
+Knockwinnock, where his visits give so much pleasure." With this placebo
+she concluded her note, with which old Caxon, now refreshed in limbs and
+wind, set out on his return to the Antiquary's mansion.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTH.
+
+                   Moth. By Woden, God of Saxons,
+            From whence comes Wensday, that is, Wodnesday,
+                   Truth is a thing that I will ever keep
+                   Unto thylke day in which I creep into
+                             My sepulcre—
+                             Cartwright's Ordinary.
+
+Our young friend Lovel, who had received a corresponding invitation,
+punctual to the hour of appointment, arrived at Monkbarns about five
+minutes before four o'clock on the 17th of July. The day had been
+remarkably sultry, and large drops of rain had occasionally fallen,
+though the threatened showers had as yet passed away.
+
+Mr. Oldbuck received him at the Palmer's-port in his complete brown
+suit, grey silk stockings, and wig powdered with all the skill of the
+veteran Caxon, who having smelt out the dinner, had taken care not to
+finish his job till the hour of eating approached.
+
+"You are welcome to my symposion, Mr. Lovel. And now let me introduce
+you to my Clogdogdo's, as Tom Otter calls them—my unlucky and
+good-for-nothing womankind—malae bestiae, Mr. Lovel."
+
+"I shall be disappointed, sir, if I do not find the ladies very
+undeserving of your satire."
+
+"Tilley-valley, Mr. Lovel,—which, by the way, one commentator derives
+from tittivillitium, and another from talley-ho—but tilley-valley, I
+say—a truce with your politeness. You will find them but samples of
+womankind—But here they be, Mr. Lovel. I present to you in due order, my
+most discreet sister Griselda, who disdains the simplicity, as well as
+patience annexed to the poor old name of Grizzel; and my most exquisite
+niece Maria, whose mother was called Mary, and sometimes Molly."
+
+The elderly lady rustled in silks and satins, and bore upon her head a
+structure resembling the fashion in the ladies' memorandum-book for the
+year 1770—a superb piece of architecture, not much less than a modern
+Gothic castle, of which the curls might represent the turrets, the black
+pins the chevaux de frise, and the lappets the banners.
+
+The face, which, like that of the ancient statues of Vesta, was thus
+crowned with towers, was large and long, and peaked at nose and chin,
+and bore, in other respects, such a ludicrous resemblance to the
+physiognomy of Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck, that Lovel, had they not appeared
+at once, like Sebastian and Viola in the last scene of the "Twelfth
+Night," might have supposed that the figure before him was his old
+friend masquerading in female attire. An antique flowered silk gown
+graced the extraordinary person to whom belonged this unparalleled tete,
+which her brother was wont to say was fitter for a turban for Mahound
+or Termagant, than a head-gear for a reasonable creature, or Christian
+gentlewoman. Two long and bony arms were terminated at the elbows by
+triple blond ruffles, and being, folded saltire-ways in front of her
+person, and decorated with long gloves of a bright vermilion colour,
+presented no bad resemblance to a pair of gigantic lobsters. High-heeled
+shoes, and a short silk cloak, thrown in easy negligence over her
+shoulders, completed the exterior of Miss Griselda Oldbuck.
+
+Her niece, the same whom Lovel had seen transiently during his first
+visit, was a pretty young woman, genteelly dressed according to the
+fashion of the day, with an air of espieglerie which became her very
+well, and which was perhaps derived from the caustic humour peculiar to
+her uncle's family, though softened by transmission.
+
+Mr. Lovel paid his respects to both ladies, and was answered by the
+elder with the prolonged courtesy of 1760, drawn from the righteous
+period,
+
+                       When folks conceived a grace
+                       Of half an hour's space,
+                       And rejoiced in a Friday's capon,
+
+and by the younger with a modern reverence, which, like the festive
+benediction of a modern divine, was of much shorter duration.
+
+While this salutation was exchanging, Sir Arthur, with his fair daughter
+hanging upon his arm, having dismissed his chariot, appeared at the
+garden door, and in all due form paid his respects to the ladies.
+
+"Sir Arthur," said the Antiquary, "and you, my fair foe, let me make
+known to you my young friend Mr. Lovel, a gentleman who, during the
+scarlet-fever which is epidemic at present in this our island, has the
+virtue and decency to appear in a coat of a civil complexion. You see,
+however, that the fashionable colour has mustered in his cheeks which
+appears not in his garments. Sir Arthur, let me present to you a young
+gentleman, whom your farther knowledge will find grave, wise, courtly,
+and scholar-like, well seen, deeply read, and thoroughly grounded in all
+the hidden mysteries of the green-room and stage, from the days of Davie
+Lindsay down to those of Dibdin—he blushes again, which is a sign of
+grace."
+
+"My brother," said Miss Griselda, addressing Lovel, "has a humorous way
+of expressing himself, sir; nobody thinks anything of what Monkbarns
+says—so I beg you will not be so confused for the matter of his
+nonsense; but you must have had a warm walk beneath this broiling
+sun—would you take anything?—a glass of balm-wine?"
+
+Ere Lovel could answer, the Antiquary interposed. "Aroint thee, witch!
+wouldst thou poison my guests with thy infernal decoctions? Dost thou
+not remember how it fared with the clergyman whom you seduced to partake
+of that deceitful beverage?"
+
+"O fy, fy, brother!—Sir Arthur, did you ever hear the like?—he must have
+everything his ain way, or he will invent such stories—But there goes
+Jenny to ring the old bell to tell us that the dinner is ready."
+
+Rigid in his economy, Mr. Oldbuck kept no male servant. This he
+disguised under the pretext that the masculine sex was too noble to
+be employed in those acts of personal servitude, which, in all early
+periods of society, were uniformly imposed on the female. "Why,"
+would he say, "did the boy, Tam Rintherout, whom, at my wise sister's
+instigation, I, with equal wisdom, took upon trial—why did he pilfer
+apples, take birds' nests, break glasses, and ultimately steal my
+spectacles, except that he felt that noble emulation which swells in the
+bosom of the masculine sex, which has conducted him to Flanders with
+a musket on his shoulder, and doubtless will promote him to a glorious
+halbert, or even to the gallows? And why does this girl, his full
+sister, Jenny Rintherout, move in the same vocation with safe and
+noiseless step—shod, or unshod—soft as the pace of a cat, and docile as
+a spaniel—Why? but because she is in her vocation. Let them minister to
+us, Sir Arthur,—let them minister, I say,—it's the only thing they are
+fit for. All ancient legislators, from Lycurgus to Mahommed, corruptly
+called Mahomet, agree in putting them in their proper and subordinate
+rank, and it is only the crazy heads of our old chivalrous ancestors
+that erected their Dulcineas into despotic princesses."
+
+Miss Wardour protested loudly against this ungallant doctrine; but the
+bell now rung for dinner.
+
+"Let me do all the offices of fair courtesy to so fair an antagonist,"
+said the old gentleman, offering his arm. "I remember, Miss Wardour,
+Mahommed (vulgarly Mahomet) had some hesitation about the mode
+of summoning his Moslemah to prayer. He rejected bells as used by
+Christians, trumpets as the summons of the Guebres, and finally adopted
+the human voice. I have had equal doubt concerning my dinner-call.
+Gongs, now in present use, seemed a newfangled and heathenish invention,
+and the voice of the female womankind I rejected as equally shrill and
+dissonant; wherefore, contrary to the said Mahommed, or Mahomet, I have
+resumed the bell. It has a local propriety, since it was the conventual
+signal for spreading the repast in their refectory, and it has the
+advantage over the tongue of my sister's prime minister, Jenny, that,
+though not quite so loud and shrill, it ceases ringing the instant you
+drop the bell-rope: whereas we know, by sad experience, that any attempt
+to silence Jenny, only wakes the sympathetic chime of Miss Oldbuck and
+Mary M'Intyre to join in chorus."
+
+With this discourse he led the way to his dining-parlour, which Lovel
+had not yet seen;—it was wainscotted, and contained some curious
+paintings. The dining-table was attended by Jenny; but an old
+superintendent, a sort of female butler, stood by the sideboard, and
+underwent the burden of bearing several reproofs from Mr. Oldbuck, and
+inuendos, not so much marked, but not less cutting, from his sister.
+
+The dinner was such as suited a professed antiquary, comprehending many
+savoury specimens of Scottish viands, now disused at the tables of those
+who affect elegance. There was the relishing Solan goose, whose smell is
+so powerful that he is never cooked within doors. Blood-raw he proved to
+be on this occasion, so that Oldbuck half threatened to throw the
+greasy sea-fowl at the head of the negligent housekeeper, who acted as
+priestess in presenting this odoriferous offering. But, by good-hap,
+she had been most fortunate in the hotch-potch, which was unanimously
+pronounced to be inimitable. "I knew we should succeed here," said
+Oldbuck exultingly, "for Davie Dibble, the gardener (an old bachelor
+like myself), takes care the rascally women do not dishonour our
+vegetables. And here is fish and sauce, and crappit-heads—I acknowledge
+our womankind excel in that dish—it procures them the pleasure of
+scolding, for half an hour at least, twice a-week, with auld Maggy
+Mucklebackit, our fish-wife. The chicken-pie, Mr. Lovel, is made after
+a recipe bequeathed to me by my departed grandmother of happy memory—And
+if you will venture on a glass of wine, you will find it worthy of
+one who professes the maxim of King Alphonso of Castile,—Old wood to
+burn—old books to read—old wine to drink—and old friends, Sir Arthur—ay,
+Mr. Lovel, and young friends too, to converse with."
+
+"And what news do you bring us from Edinburgh, Monkbarns?" said Sir
+Arthur; "how wags the world in Auld Reekie?"
+
+"Mad, Sir Arthur, mad—irretrievably frantic—far beyond dipping in the
+sea, shaving the crown, or drinking hellebore. The worst sort of frenzy,
+a military frenzy, hath possessed man, woman, and child."
+
+"And high time, I think," said Miss Wardour, "when we are threatened
+with invasion from abroad and insurrection at home."
+
+"O, I did not doubt you would join the scarlet host against me—women,
+like turkeys, are always subdued by a red rag—But what says Sir Arthur,
+whose dreams are of standing armies and German oppression?"
+
+"Why, I say, Mr. Oldbuck," replied the knight, "that so far as I am
+capable of judging, we ought to resist cum toto corpore regni—as the
+phrase is, unless I have altogether forgotten my Latin—an enemy who
+comes to propose to us a Whiggish sort of government, a republican
+system, and who is aided and abetted by a sort of fanatics of the worst
+kind in our own bowels. I have taken some measures, I assure you, such
+as become my rank in the community; for I have directed the constables
+to take up that old scoundrelly beggar, Edie Ochiltree, for spreading
+disaffection against church and state through the whole parish. He said
+plainly to old Caxon, that Willie Howie's Kilmarnock cowl covered more
+sense than all the three wigs in the parish—I think it is easy to make
+out that inuendo—But the rogue shall be taught better manners."
+
+"O no, my dear sir," exclaimed Miss Wardour, "not old Edie, that we have
+known so long;—I assure you no constable shall have my good graces that
+executes such a warrant."
+
+"Ay, there it goes," said the Antiquary; "you, to be a staunch Tory, Sir
+Arthur, have nourished a fine sprig of Whiggery in your bosom—Why,
+Miss Wardour is alone sufficient to control a whole quarter-session—a
+quarter-session? ay, a general assembly or convocation to boot—a
+Boadicea she—an Amazon, a Zenobia."
+
+"And yet, with all my courage, Mr. Oldbuck, I am glad to hear our people
+are getting under arms."
+
+"Under arms, Lord love thee! didst thou ever read the history of Sister
+Margaret, which flowed from a head, that, though now old and somedele
+grey, has more sense and political intelligence than you find now-a-days
+in the whole synod? Dost thou remember the Nurse's dream in that
+exquisite work, which she recounts in such agony to Hubble Bubble?—When
+she would have taken up a piece of broad-cloth in her vision, lo! it
+exploded like a great iron cannon; when she put out her hand to save a
+pirn, it perked up in her face in the form of a pistol. My own vision in
+Edinburgh has been something similar. I called to consult my lawyer; he
+was clothed in a dragoon's dress, belted and casqued, and about to mount
+a charger, which his writing-clerk (habited as a sharp-shooter) walked
+to and fro before his door. I went to scold my agent for having sent me
+to advise with a madman; he had stuck into his head the plume, which
+in more sober days he wielded between his fingers, and figured as an
+artillery officer. My mercer had his spontoon in his hand, as if he
+measured his cloth by that implement, instead of a legitimate yard. The,
+banker's clerk, who was directed to sum my cash-account, blundered
+it three times, being disordered by the recollection of his military
+tellings-off at the morning-drill. I was ill, and sent for a surgeon—
+
+               He came—but valour so had fired his eye,
+               And such a falchion glittered on his thigh,
+               That, by the gods, with such a load of steel,
+              I thought he came to murder,—not to heal.
+
+I had recourse to a physician, but he also was practising a more
+wholesale mode of slaughter than that which his profession had been
+supposed at all times to open to him. And now, since I have returned
+here, even our wise neighbours of Fairport have caught the same valiant
+humour. I hate a gun like a hurt wild duck—I detest a drum like a
+quaker;—and they thunder and rattle out yonder upon the town's common,
+so that every volley and roll goes to my very heart."
+
+"Dear brother, dinna speak that gate o' the gentlemen volunteers—I am
+sure they have a most becoming uniform—Weel I wot they have been wet to
+the very skin twice last week—I met them marching in terribly doukit, an
+mony a sair hoast was amang them—And the trouble they take, I am sure it
+claims our gratitude."
+
+"And I am sure," said Miss M'Intyre, "that my uncle sent twenty guineas
+to help out their equipments."
+
+"It was to buy liquorice and sugar-candy," said the cynic, "to encourage
+the trade of the place, and to refresh the throats of the officers who
+had bawled themselves hoarse in the service of their country."
+
+"Take care, Monkbarns! we shall set you down among the black-nebs by and
+by."
+
+"No Sir Arthur—a tame grumbler I. I only claim the privilege of croaking
+in my own corner here, without uniting my throat to the grand chorus of
+the marsh—Ni quito Rey, ni pongo Rey—I neither make king nor mar king,
+as Sancho says, but pray heartily for our own sovereign, pay scot and
+lot, and grumble at the exciseman—But here comes the ewe-milk cheese in
+good time; it is a better digestive than politics."
+
+When dinner was over, and the decanters placed on the table, Mr. Oldbuck
+proposed the King's health in a bumper, which was readily acceded to
+both by Lovel and the Baronet, the Jacobitism of the latter being now a
+sort of speculative opinion merely,—the shadow of a shade.
+
+After the ladies had left the apartment, the landlord and Sir Arthur
+entered into several exquisite discussions, in which the younger guest,
+either on account of the abstruse erudition which they involved, or
+for some other reason, took but a slender share, till at length he was
+suddenly started out of a profound reverie by an unexpected appeal to
+his judgment.
+
+"I will stand by what Mr. Lovel says; he was born in the north of
+England, and may know the very spot."
+
+Sir Arthur thought it unlikely that so young a gentleman should have
+paid much attention to matters of that sort.
+
+"I am avised of the contrary," said Oldbuck.
+
+"How say you, Mr. Lovel?—speak up for your own credit, man."
+
+Lovel was obliged to confess himself in the ridiculous situation of one
+alike ignorant of the subject of conversation and controversy which had
+engaged the company for an hour.
+
+"Lord help the lad, his head has been wool-gathering!—I thought how it
+would be when the womankind were admitted—no getting a word of sense out
+of a young fellow for six hours after.—Why, man, there was once a people
+called the Piks"—
+
+"More properly Picts," interrupted the Baronet.
+
+"I say the Pikar, Pihar, Piochtar, Piaghter, or Peughtar," vociferated
+Oldbuck; "they spoke a Gothic dialect"—
+
+"Genuine Celtic," again asseverated the knight.
+
+"Gothic! Gothic! I'll go to death upon it!" counter-asseverated the
+squire.
+
+"Why, gentlemen," sad Lovel, "I conceive that is a dispute which may
+be easily settled by philologists, if there are any remains of the
+language."
+
+"There is but one word," said the Baronet, "but, in spite of Mr.
+Oldbuck's pertinacity, it is decisive of the question."
+
+"Yes, in my favour," said Oldbuck: "Mr. Lovel, you shall be judge—I have
+the learned Pinkerton on my side."
+
+"I, on mine, the indefatigable and erudite Chalmers."
+
+"Gordon comes into my opinion."
+
+"Sir Robert Sibbald holds mine."
+
+"Innes is with me!" vociferated Oldbuck.
+
+"Riston has no doubt!" shouted the Baronet.
+
+"Truly, gentlemen," said Lovel, "before you muster your forces and
+overwhelm me with authorities, I should like to know the word in
+dispute."
+
+"Benval" said both the disputants at once.
+
+"Which signifies caput valli," said Sir Arthur.
+
+"The head of the wall," echoed Oldbuck.
+
+There was a deep pause.—"It is rather a narrow foundation to build a
+hypothesis upon," observed the arbiter.
+
+"Not a whit, not a whit," said Oldbuck; "men fight best in a narrow
+ring—an inch is as good as a mile for a home-thrust."
+
+"It is decidedly Celtic," said the Baronet; "every hill in the Highlands
+begins with Ben."
+
+"But what say you to Val, Sir Arthur; is it not decidedly the Saxon
+wall?"
+
+"It is the Roman vallum," said Sir Arthur;—"the Picts borrowed that part
+of the word."
+
+"No such thing; if they borrowed anything, it must have been your Ben,
+which they might have from the neighbouring Britons of Strath Cluyd."
+
+"The Piks, or Picts," said Lovel, "must have been singularly poor in
+dialect, since, in the only remaining word of their vocabulary, and that
+consisting only of two syllables, they have been confessedly obliged to
+borrow one of them from another language; and, methinks, gentlemen, with
+submission, the controversy is not unlike that which the two knights
+fought, concerning the shield that had one side white and the other
+black. Each of you claim one-half of the word, and seem to resign the
+other. But what strikes me most, is the poverty of the language which
+has left such slight vestiges behind it."
+
+"You are in an error," said Sir Arthur; "it was a copious language,
+and they were a great and powerful people; built two steeples—one at
+Brechin, one at Abernethy. The Pictish maidens of the blood-royal were
+kept in Edinburgh Castle, thence called Castrum Puellarum."
+
+"A childish legend," said Oldbuck, "invented to give consequence to
+trumpery womankind. It was called the Maiden Castle, quasi lucus a non
+lucendo, because it resisted every attack, and women never do."
+
+"There is a list of the Pictish kings," persisted Sir Arthur, "well
+authenticated from Crentheminachcryme (the, date of whose reign is
+somewhat uncertain) down to Drusterstone, whose death concluded their
+dynasty. Half of them have the Celtic patronymic Mac prefixed—Mac,
+id est filius;—what do you say to that, Mr. Oldbuck? There is Drust
+Macmorachin, Trynel Maclachlin (first of that ancient clan, as it may
+be judged), and Gormach Macdonald, Alpin Macmetegus, Drust Mactallargam"
+(here he was interrupted by a fit of coughing)—"ugh, ugh, ugh—Golarge
+Macchan—ugh, ugh—Macchanan—ugh—Macchananail, Kenneth—ugh—ugh—
+Macferedith, Eachan Macfungus—and twenty more, decidedly Celtic names,
+which I could repeat, if this damned cough would let me."
+
+"Take a glass of wine, Sir Arthur, and drink down that bead-roll of
+unbaptized jargon, that would choke the devil—why, that last fellow has
+the only intelligible name you have repeated—they are all of the tribe
+of Macfungus—mushroom monarchs every one of them; sprung up from the
+fumes of conceit, folly, and falsehood, fermenting in the brains of some
+mad Highland seannachie."
+
+"I am surprised to hear you, Mr. Oldbuck: you know, or ought to know,
+that the list of these potentates was copied by Henry Maule of Melguin,
+from the Chronicles of Loch Leven and St. Andrews, and put forth by him
+in his short but satisfactory history of the Picts, printed by Robert
+Freebairn of Edinburgh, and sold by him at his shop in the Parliament
+Close, in the, year of God seventeen hundred and five, or six, I am not
+precisely certain which—but I have a copy at home that stands next to my
+twelvemo copy of the Scots Acts, and ranges on the shelf with them very
+well. What say you to that, Mr. Oldbuck?"
+
+"Say?—why, I laugh at Harry Maule and his history," answered Oldbuck,
+"and thereby comply with his request, of giving it entertainment
+according to its merits."
+
+"Do not laugh at a better man than yourself," said Sir Arthur, somewhat
+scornfully.
+
+"I do not conceive I do, Sir Arthur, in laughing either at him or his
+history,"
+
+"Henry Maule of Melgum was a gentleman, Mr. Oldbuck."
+
+"I presume he had no advantage of me in that particular," replied the
+Antiquary, somewhat tartly.
+
+"Permit me, Mr. Oldbuck—he was a gentleman of high family, and ancient
+descent, and therefore"—
+
+"The descendant of a Westphalian printer should speak of him with
+deference? Such may be your opinion, Sir Arthur—it is not mine. I
+conceive that my descent from that painful and industrious typographer,
+Wolfbrand Oldenbuck, who, in the month of December 1493, under the
+patronage, as the colophon tells us, of Sebaldus Scheyter and Sebastian
+Kammermaister, accomplished the printing of the great Chronicle of
+Nuremberg—I conceive, I say, that my descent from that great restorer
+of learning is more creditable to me as a man of letters, than if I had
+numbered in my genealogy all the brawling, bullet-headed, iron-fisted,
+old Gothic barons since the days of Crentheminachcryme—not one of whom,
+I suppose, could write his own name."
+
+"If you mean the observation as a sneer at my ancestry," said the
+knight, with an assumption of dignified superiority and composure, "I
+have the pleasure to inform you, that the name of my ancestor, Gamelyn
+de Guardover, Miles, is written fairly with his own hand in the earliest
+copy of the Ragman-roll."
+
+"Which only serves to show that he was one of the earliest who set the
+mean example of submitting to Edward I. What have, you to say for the
+stainless loyalty of your family, Sir Arthur, after such a backsliding
+as that?"
+
+"It's enough, sir," said Sir Arthur, starting up fiercely, and pushing
+back his chair; "I shall hereafter take care how I honour with my
+company one who shows himself so ungrateful for my condescension."
+
+"In that you will do as you find most agreeable, Sir Arthur;—I hope,
+that as I was not aware of the extent of the obligation which you have
+done me by visiting my poor house, I may be excused for not having
+carried my gratitude to the extent of servility."
+
+"Mighty well—mighty well, Mr. Oldbuck—I wish you a good evening—Mr.
+a—a—a—Shovel—I wish you a very good evening."
+
+Out of the parlour door flounced the incensed Sir Arthur, as if the
+spirit of the whole Round Table inflamed his single bosom, and traversed
+with long strides the labyrinth of passages which conducted to the
+drawing-room.
+
+"Did you ever hear such an old tup-headed ass?" said Oldbuck, briefly
+apostrophizing Lovel. "But I must not let him go in this mad-like way
+neither."
+
+So saying, he pushed off after the retreating Baronet, whom he traced
+by the clang of several doors which he opened in search of the apartment
+for tea, and slammed with force behind him at every disappointment.
+"You'll do yourself a mischief," roared the Antiquary; "Qui ambulat in
+tenebris, nescit quo vadit—You'll tumble down the back-stair."
+
+Sir Arthur had now got involved in darkness, of which the sedative
+effect is well known to nurses and governesses who have to deal with
+pettish children. It retarded the pace of the irritated Baronet, if it
+did not abate his resentment, and Mr. Oldbuck, better acquainted with
+the locale, got up with him as he had got his grasp upon the handle of
+the drawing-room door.
+
+"Stay a minute, Sir Arthur," said Oldbuck, opposing his abrupt entrance;
+"don't be quite so hasty, my good old friend. I was a little too rude
+with you about Sir Gamelyn—why, he is an old acquaintance of mine, man,
+and a favourite; he kept company with Bruce and Wallace—and, I'll be
+sworn on a black-letter Bible, only subscribed the Ragman-roll with
+the legitimate and justifiable intention of circumventing the false
+Southern—'twas right Scottish craft, my good knight—hundreds did it.
+Come, come, forget and forgive—confess we have given the young fellow
+here a right to think us two testy old fools."
+
+"Speak for yourself, Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur with much
+majesty.
+
+"A-well, a-well—a wilful man must have his way."
+
+With that the door opened, and into the drawing-room marched the
+tall gaunt form of Sir Arthur, followed by Lovel and Mr. Oldbuck, the
+countenances of all the three a little discomposed.
+
+"I have been waiting for you, sir," said Miss Wardour, "to propose we
+should walk forward to meet the carriage, as the evening is so fine."
+
+Sir Arthur readily assented to this proposal, which suited the angry
+mood in which he found himself; and having, agreeable to the established
+custom in cases of pet, refused the refreshment of tea and coffee, he
+tucked his daughter under his arm; and after taking a ceremonious leave
+of the ladies, and a very dry one of Oldbuck—off he marched.
+
+"I think Sir Arthur has got the black dog on his back again," said Miss
+Oldbuck.
+
+"Black dog!—black devil!—he's more absurd than womankind—What say you,
+Lovel?—Why, the lad's gone too."
+
+"He took his leave, uncle, while Miss Wardour was putting on her things;
+but I don't think you observed him."
+
+"The devil's in the people! This is all one gets by fussing and
+bustling, and putting one's self out of one's way in order to give
+dinners, besides all the charges they are put to!—O Seged, Emperor of
+Ethiopia!" said he, taking up a cup of tea in the one hand, and a volume
+of the Rambler in the other,—for it was his regular custom to read while
+he was eating or drinking in presence of his sister, being a practice
+which served at once to evince his contempt for the society of
+womankind, and his resolution to lose no moment of instruction,—"O
+Seged, Emperor of Ethiopia! well hast thou spoken—No man should presume
+to say, This shall be a day of happiness."
+
+Oldbuck proceeded in his studies for the best part of an hour,
+uninterrupted by the ladies, who each, in profound silence, pursued some
+female employment. At length, a light and modest tap was heard at the
+parlour door. "Is that you, Caxon?—come in, come in, man."
+
+The old man opened the door, and thrusting in his meagre face, thatched
+with thin grey locks, and one sleeve of his white coat, said in a
+subdued and mysterious tone of voice, "I was wanting to speak to you,
+sir."
+
+"Come in then, you old fool, and say what you have got to say."
+
+"I'll maybe frighten the ladies," said the ex-friseur.
+
+"Frighten!" answered the Antiquary,—"what do you mean?—never mind the
+ladies. Have you seen another ghaist at the Humlock-knowe?"
+
+"Na, sir—it's no a ghaist this turn," replied Caxton;—"but I'm no easy
+in my mind."
+
+"Did you ever hear of any body that was?" answered Oldbuck;—"what reason
+has an old battered powder-puff like you to be easy in your mind, more
+than all the rest of the world besides?"
+
+"It's no for mysell, sir; but it threatens an awfu' night; and Sir
+Arthur, and Miss Wardour, poor thing"—
+
+"Why, man, they must have met the carriage at the head of the loaning,
+or thereabouts; they must be home long ago."
+
+"Na, sir; they didna gang the road by the turnpike to meet the carriage,
+they gaed by the sands."
+
+The word operated like electricity on Oldbuck. "The sands!" he
+exclaimed; "impossible!"
+
+"Ou, sir, that's what I said to the gardener; but he says he saw them
+turn down by the Mussel-craig. In troth, says I to him, an that be the
+case, Davie, I am misdoubting"—
+
+"An almanac! an almanac!" said Oldbuck, starting up in great alarm—"not
+that bauble!" flinging away a little pocket almanac which his niece
+offered him.—"Great God! my poor dear Miss Isabella!—Fetch me instantly
+the Fairport Almanac."—It was brought, consulted, and added greatly to
+his agitation. "I'll go myself—call the gardener and ploughman—bid them
+bring ropes and ladders—bid them raise more help as they come along—keep
+the top of the cliffs, and halloo down to them—I'll go myself."
+
+"What is the matter?" inquired Miss Oldbuck and Miss M'Intyre.
+
+"The tide!—the tide!" answered the alarmed Antiquary.
+
+"Had not Jenny better—but no, I'll run myself," said the younger lady,
+partaking in all her uncle's terrors—"I'll run myself to Saunders
+Mucklebackit, and make him get out his boat."
+
+"Thank you, my dear, that's the wisest word that has been spoken
+yet—Run! run!—To go by the sands!" seizing his hat and cane; "was there
+ever such madness heard of!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTH.
+
+                       —Pleased awhile to view
+               The watery waste, the prospect wild and new;
+               The now receding waters gave them space,
+               On either side, the growing shores to trace
+               And then returning, they contract the scene,
+               Till small and smaller grows the walk between.
+                                            Crabbe.
+
+The information of Davie Dibble, which had spread such general alarm at
+Monkbarns, proved to be strictly correct. Sir Arthur and his
+daughter had set out, according to their first proposal, to return to
+Knockwinnock by the turnpike road; but when they reached the head of the
+loaning, as it was called, or great lane, which on one side made a sort
+of avenue to the house of Monkbarns, they discerned, a little way
+before them, Lovel, who seemed to linger on the way as if to give him
+an opportunity to join them. Miss Wardour immediately proposed to her
+father that they should take another direction; and, as the weather
+was fine, walk home by the sands, which, stretching below a picturesque
+ridge of rocks, afforded at almost all times a pleasanter passage
+between Knockwinnock and Monkbarns than the high-road. Sir Arthur and
+Miss Wardour
+
+Sir Arthur acquiesced willingly. "It would be unpleasant," he said, "to
+be joined by that young fellow, whom Mr. Oldbuck had taken the freedom
+to introduce them to." And his old-fashioned politeness had none of the
+ease of the present day which permits you, if you have a mind, to cut
+the person you have associated with for a week, the instant you feel or
+suppose yourself in a situation which makes it disagreeable to own him.
+Sir Arthur only stipulated, that a little ragged boy, for the guerdon
+of one penny sterling, should run to meet his coachman, and turn his
+equipage back to Knockwinnock.
+
+When this was arranged, and the emissary despatched, the knight and his
+daughter left the high-road, and following a wandering path among sandy
+hillocks, partly grown over with furze and the long grass called bent,
+soon attained the side of the ocean. The tide was by no means so far out
+as they had computed but this gave them no alarm;—there were seldom ten
+days in the year when it approached so near the cliffs as not to leave a
+dry passage. But, nevertheless, at periods of spring-tide, or even
+when the ordinary flood was accelerated by high winds, this road was
+altogether covered by the sea; and tradition had recorded several fatal
+accidents which had happened on such occasions. Still, such dangers
+were considered as remote and improbable; and rather served, with other
+legends, to amuse the hamlet fireside, than to prevent any one from
+going between Knockwinnock and Monkbarns by the sands.
+
+As Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour paced along, enjoying the pleasant
+footing afforded by the cool moist hard sand, Miss Wardour could not
+help observing that the last tide had risen considerably above the
+usual water-mark. Sir Arthur made the same observation, but without its
+occurring to either of them to be alarmed at the circumstance. The sun
+was now resting his huge disk upon the edge of the level ocean,
+and gilded the accumulation of towering clouds through which he had
+travelled the livelong day, and which now assembled on all sides, like
+misfortunes and disasters around a sinking empire and falling monarch.
+Still, however, his dying splendour gave a sombre magnificence to the
+massive congregation of vapours, forming out of their unsubstantial
+gloom the show of pyramids and towers, some touched with gold, some with
+purple, some with a hue of deep and dark red. The distant sea, stretched
+beneath this varied and gorgeous canopy, lay almost portentously still,
+reflecting back the dazzling and level beams of the descending luminary,
+and the splendid colouring of the clouds amidst which he was setting.
+Nearer to the beach the tide rippled onward in waves of sparkling
+silver, that imperceptibly, yet rapidly, gained upon the sand.
+
+With a mind employed in admiration of the romantic scene, or perhaps
+on some more agitating topic, Miss Wardour advanced in silence by her
+father's side, whose recently offended dignity did not stoop to open
+any conversation. Following the windings of the beach, they passed
+one projecting point of headland or rock after another, and now found
+themselves under a huge and continued extent of the precipices by which
+that iron-bound coast is in most places defended. Long projecting reefs
+of rock, extending under water and only evincing their existence by here
+and there a peak entirely bare, or by the breakers which foamed over
+those that were partially covered, rendered Knockwinnock bay dreaded by
+pilots and ship-masters. The crags which rose between the beach and the
+mainland, to the height of two or three hundred feet, afforded in
+their crevices shelter for unnumbered sea-fowl, in situations seemingly
+secured by their dizzy height from the rapacity of man. Many of these
+wild tribes, with the instinct which sends them to seek the land before
+a storm arises, were now winging towards their nests with the shrill and
+dissonant clang which announces disquietude and fear. The disk of the
+sun became almost totally obscured ere he had altogether sunk below the
+horizon, and an early and lurid shade of darkness blotted the serene
+twilight of a summer evening. The wind began next to arise; but its
+wild and moaning sound was heard for some time, and its effects became
+visible on the bosom of the sea, before the gale was felt on shore. The
+mass of waters, now dark and threatening, began to lift itself in larger
+ridges, and sink in deeper furrows, forming waves that rose high in
+foam upon the breakers, or burst upon the beach with a sound resembling
+distant thunder.
+
+Appalled by this sudden change of weather, Miss Wardour drew close to
+her father, and held his arm fast. "I wish," at length she said,
+but almost in a whisper, as if ashamed to express her increasing
+apprehensions, "I wish we had kept the road we intended, or waited at
+Monkbarns for the carriage."
+
+Sir Arthur looked round, but did not see, or would not acknowledge, any
+signs of an immediate storm. They would reach Knockwinnock, he said,
+long before the tempest began. But the speed with which he walked, and
+with which Isabella could hardly keep pace, indicated a feeling that
+some exertion was necessary to accomplish his consolatory prediction.
+
+They were now near the centre of a deep but narrow bay or recess, formed
+by two projecting capes of high and inaccessible rock, which shot out
+into the sea like the horns of a crescent;—and neither durst communicate
+the apprehension which each began to entertain, that, from the unusually
+rapid advance of the tide, they might be deprived of the power of
+proceeding by doubling the promontory which lay before them, or of
+retreating by the road which brought them thither.
+
+As they thus pressed forward, longing doubtless to exchange the easy
+curving line, which the sinuosities of the bay compelled them to adopt,
+for a straighter and more expeditious path, Sir Arthur observed a human
+figure on the beach advancing to meet them. "Thank God," he exclaimed,
+"we shall get round Halket-head!—that person must have passed it;" thus
+giving vent to the feeling of hope, though he had suppressed that of
+apprehension.
+
+"Thank God, indeed!" echoed his daughter, half audibly, half internally,
+as expressing the gratitude which she strongly felt.
+
+The figure which advanced to meet them made many signs, which the
+haze of the atmosphere, now disturbed by wind and by a drizzling rain,
+prevented them from seeing or comprehending distinctly.—Some time before
+they met, Sir Arthur could recognise the old blue-gowned beggar, Edie
+Ochiltree. It is said that even the brute creation lay aside their
+animosities and antipathies when pressed by an instant and common
+danger. The beach under Halket-head, rapidly diminishing in extent by
+the encroachments of a spring-tide and a north-west wind, was in like
+manner a neutral field, where even a justice of peace and a strolling
+mendicant might meet upon terms of mutual forbearance.
+
+"Turn back! turn back!" exclaimed the vagrant; "why did ye not turn when
+I waved to you?"
+
+"We thought," replied Sir Arthur, in great agitation, "we thought we
+could get round Halket-head."
+
+"Halket-head!—the tide will be running on Halket-head by this time like
+the Fall of Fyers!—it was a' I could do to get round it twenty minutes
+since—it was coming in three feet abreast. We will maybe get back by
+Bally-burgh Ness Point yet. The Lord help us!—it's our only chance. We
+can but try."
+
+"My God, my child!"—"My father! my dear father!" exclaimed the parent
+and daughter, as, fear lending them strength and speed, they turned to
+retrace their steps, and endeavoured to double the point, the projection
+of which formed the southern extremity of the bay.
+
+"I heard ye were here frae the bit callant ye sent to meet your
+carriage," said the beggar, as he trudged stoutly on a step or two
+behind Miss Wardour; "and I couldna bide to think o' the dainty young
+leddy's peril, that has aye been kind to ilka forlorn heart that cam
+near her. Sae I lookit at the lift and the rin o' the tide, till I
+settled it that if I could get down time eneugh to gie you warning, we
+wad do weel yet. But I doubt, I doubt, I have been beguiled! for what
+mortal ee ever saw sic a race as the tide is risening e'en now? See,
+yonder's the Ratton's Skerry—he aye held his neb abune the water in my
+day—but he's aneath it now."
+
+Sir Arthur cast a look in the direction in which the old man pointed. A
+huge rock, which in general, even in spring-tides, displayed a hulk like
+the keel of a large vessel, was now quite under water, and its place
+only indicated by the boiling and breaking of the eddying waves which
+encountered its submarine resistance.
+
+"Mak haste, mak haste, my bonny leddy," continued the old man—"mak
+haste, and we may do yet! Take haud o' my arm—an auld and frail arm it's
+now, but it's been in as sair stress as this is yet. Take haud o' my
+arm, my winsome leddy! D'ye see yon wee black speck amang the wallowing
+waves yonder? This morning it was as high as the mast o' a brig—it's
+sma' eneugh now—but, while I see as muckle black about it as the crown
+o' my hat, I winna believe but we'll get round the Ballyburgh Ness, for
+a' that's come and gane yet."
+
+Isabella, in silence, accepted from the old man the assistance which Sir
+Arthur was less able to afford her. The waves had now encroached so much
+upon the beach, that the firm and smooth footing which they had hitherto
+had on the sand must be exchanged for a rougher path close to the foot
+of the precipice, and in some places even raised upon its lower ledges.
+It would have been utterly impossible for Sir Arthur Wardour, or his
+daughter, to have found their way along these shelves without the
+guidance and encouragement of the beggar, who had been there before in
+high tides, though never, he acknowledged, "in sae awsome a night as
+this."
+
+It was indeed a dreadful evening. The howling of the storm mingled with
+the shrieks of the sea-fowl, and sounded like the dirge of the three
+devoted beings, who, pent between two of the most magnificent, yet
+most dreadful objects of nature—a raging tide and an insurmountable
+precipice—toiled along their painful and dangerous path, often lashed by
+the spray of some giant billow, which threw itself higher on the beach
+than those that had preceded it. Each minute did their enemy gain ground
+perceptibly upon them! Still, however, loth to relinquish the last
+hopes of life, they bent their eyes on the black rock pointed out
+by Ochiltree. It was yet distinctly visible among the breakers, and
+continued to be so, until they came to a turn in their precarious
+path, where an intervening projection of rock hid it from their sight.
+Deprived of the view of the beacon on which they had relied, they now
+experienced the double agony of terror and suspense. They struggled
+forward, however; but, when they arrived at the point from which they
+ought to have seen the crag, it was no longer visible: the signal of
+safety was lost among a thousand white breakers, which, dashing upon
+the point of the promontory, rose in prodigious sheets of snowy foam,
+as high as the mast of a first-rate man-of-war, against the dark brow of
+the precipice.
+
+The countenance of the old man fell. Isabella gave a faint shriek,
+and, "God have mercy upon us!" which her guide solemnly uttered, was
+piteously echoed by Sir Arthur—"My child! my child!—to die such a
+death!"
+
+"My father! my dear father!" his daughter exclaimed, clinging to
+him—"and you too, who have lost your own life in endeavouring to save
+ours!"
+
+"That's not worth the counting," said the old man. "I hae lived to be
+weary o' life; and here or yonder—at the back o' a dyke, in a wreath o'
+snaw, or in the wame o' a wave, what signifies how the auld gaberlunzie
+dies?"
+
+"Good man," said Sir Arthur, "can you think of nothing?—of no help?—I'll
+make you rich—I'll give you a farm—I'll"—
+
+"Our riches will be soon equal," said the beggar, looking out upon the
+strife of the waters—"they are sae already; for I hae nae land, and you
+would give your fair bounds and barony for a square yard of rock that
+would be dry for twal hours."
+
+While they exchanged these words, they paused upon the highest ledge of
+rock to which they could attain; for it seemed that any further attempt
+to move forward could only serve to anticipate their fate. Here, then,
+they were to await the sure though slow progress of the raging element,
+something in the situation of the martyrs of the early church, who,
+exposed by heathen tyrants to be slain by wild beasts, were compelled
+for a time to witness the impatience and rage by which the animals
+were agitated, while awaiting the signal for undoing their grates, and
+letting them loose upon the victims.
+
+Yet even this fearful pause gave Isabella time to collect the powers of
+a mind naturally strong and courageous, and which rallied itself at this
+terrible juncture. "Must we yield life," she said, "without a struggle?
+Is there no path, however dreadful, by which we could climb the crag, or
+at least attain some height above the tide, where we could remain till
+morning, or till help comes? They must be aware of our situation, and
+will raise the country to relieve us."
+
+Sir Arthur, who heard, but scarcely comprehended, his daughter's
+question, turned, nevertheless, instinctively and eagerly to the old
+man, as if their lives were in his gift. Ochiltree paused—"I was a
+bauld craigsman," he said, "ance in my life, and mony a kittywake's and
+lungie's nest hae I harried up amang thae very black rocks; but it's
+lang, lang syne, and nae mortal could speel them without a rope—and if
+I had ane, my ee-sight, and my footstep, and my hand-grip, hae a' failed
+mony a day sinsyne—And then, how could I save you? But there was a path
+here ance, though maybe, if we could see it, ye would rather bide where
+we are—His name be praised!" he ejaculated suddenly, "there's ane coming
+down the crag e'en now!"—Then, exalting his voice, he hilloa'd out to
+the daring adventurer such instructions as his former practice, and
+the remembrance of local circumstances, suddenly forced upon his
+mind:—"Ye're right!—ye're right!—that gate—that gate!—fasten the rope
+weel round Crummies-horn, that's the muckle black stane—cast twa plies
+round it—that's it!—now, weize yoursell a wee easel-ward—a wee mair yet
+to that ither stane—we ca'd it the Cat's-lug—there used to be the root
+o' an aik tree there—that will do!—canny now, lad—canny now—tak tent and
+tak time—Lord bless ye, tak time—Vera weel!—Now ye maun get to Bessy's
+apron, that's the muckle braid flat blue stane—and then, I think, wi'
+your help and the tow thegither, I'll win at ye, and then we'll be able
+to get up the young leddy and Sir Arthur."
+
+The adventurer, following the directions of old Edie, flung him down
+the end of the rope, which he secured around Miss Wardour, wrapping her
+previously in his own blue gown, to preserve her as much as possible
+from injury. Then, availing himself of the rope, which was made fast at
+the other end, he began to ascend the face of the crag—a most precarious
+and dizzy undertaking, which, however, after one or two perilous
+escapes, placed him safe on the broad flat stone beside our friend
+Lovel. Their joint strength was able to raise Isabella to the place of
+safety which they had attained. Lovel then descended in order to assist
+Sir Arthur, around whom he adjusted the rope; and again mounting to
+their place of refuge, with the assistance of old Ochiltree, and such
+aid as Sir Arthur himself could afford, he raised himself beyond the
+reach of the billows. The Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour
+
+The sense of reprieve from approaching and apparently inevitable death,
+had its usual effect. The father and daughter threw themselves into
+each other's arms, kissed and wept for joy, although their escape
+was connected with the prospect of passing a tempestuous night upon a
+precipitous ledge of rock, which scarce afforded footing for the four
+shivering beings, who now, like the sea-fowl around them, clung there
+in hopes of some shelter from the devouring element which raged beneath.
+The spray of the billows, which attained in fearful succession the foot
+of the precipice, overflowing the beach on which they so lately stood,
+flew as high as their place of temporary refuge; and the stunning sound
+with which they dashed against the rocks beneath, seemed as if they
+still demanded the fugitives in accents of thunder as their destined
+prey. It was a summer night, doubtless; yet the probability was slender,
+that a frame so delicate as that of Miss Wardour should survive till
+morning the drenching of the spray; and the dashing of the rain, which
+now burst in full violence, accompanied with deep and heavy gusts of
+wind, added to the constrained and perilous circumstances of their
+situation.
+
+"The lassie!—the puir sweet, lassie!" said the old man: "mony such a
+night have I weathered at hame and abroad, but, God guide us, how can
+she ever win through it!"
+
+His apprehension was communicated in smothered accents to Lovel; for
+with the sort of freemasonry by which bold and ready spirits correspond
+in moments of danger, and become almost instinctively known to each
+other, they had established a mutual confidence.—"I'll climb up the
+cliff again," said Lovel—there's daylight enough left to see my footing;
+I'll climb up, and call for more assistance."
+
+"Do so, do so, for Heaven's sake!" said Sir Arthur eagerly.
+
+"Are ye mad?" said the mendicant: "Francie o' Fowlsheugh, and he was the
+best craigsman that ever speel'd heugh (mair by token, he brake his neck
+upon the Dunbuy of Slaines), wodna hae ventured upon the Halket-head
+craigs after sun-down—It's God's grace, and a great wonder besides,
+that ye are not in the middle o' that roaring sea wi' what ye hae done
+already—I didna think there was the man left alive would hae come down
+the craigs as ye did. I question an I could hae done it mysell, at this
+hoar and in this weather, in the youngest and yaldest of my strength—But
+to venture up again—it's a mere and a clear tempting o' Providence,"
+
+"I have no fear," answered Lovel; "I marked all the stations perfectly
+as I came down, and there is still light enough left to see them quite
+well—I am sure I can do it with perfect safety. Stay here, my good
+friend, by Sir Arthur and the young lady."
+
+"Dell be in my feet then," answered the bedesman sturdily; "if ye gang,
+I'll gang too; for between the twa o' us, we'll hae mair than wark
+eneugh to get to the tap o' the heugh."
+
+"No, no—stay you here and attend to Miss Wardour—you see Sir Arthur is
+quite exhausted."
+
+"Stay yoursell then, and I'll gae," said the old man;—"let death spare
+the green corn and take the ripe."
+
+"Stay both of you, I charge you," said Isabella, faintly; "I am well,
+and can spend the night very well here—I feel quite refreshed." So
+saying, her voice failed her—she sunk down, and would have fallen from
+the crag, had she not been supported by Lovel and Ochiltree, who placed
+her in a posture half sitting, half reclining, beside her father,
+who, exhausted by fatigue of body and mind so extreme and unusual, had
+already sat down on a stone in a sort of stupor.
+
+"It is impossible to leave them," said Lovel—"What is to be done?—Hark!
+hark!—did I not hear a halloo?"
+
+"The skreigh of a Tammie Norie," answered Ochiltree—"I ken the skirl
+weel."
+
+"No, by Heaven!" replied Lovel, "it was a human voice."
+
+A distant hail was repeated, the sound plainly distinguishable among the
+various elemental noises, and the clang of the sea-mews by which they
+were surrounded. The mendicant and Lovel exerted their voices in a loud
+halloo, the former waving Miss Wardour's handkerchief on the end of
+his staff to make them conspicuous from above. Though the shouts were
+repeated, it was some time before they were in exact response to
+their own, leaving the unfortunate sufferers uncertain whether, in the
+darkening twilight and increasing storm, they had made the persons who
+apparently were traversing the verge of the precipice to bring them
+assistance, sensible of the place in which they had found refuge. At
+length their halloo was regularly and distinctly answered, and their
+courage confirmed, by the assurance that they were within hearing, if
+not within reach, of friendly assistance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTH.
+
+              There is a cliff, whose high and bending head
+                 Looks fearfully on the confined deep;
+                 Bring me but to the very brim of it,
+              And I'll repair the misery thou dost bear.
+                                    King Lear.
+
+The shout of human voices from above was soon augmented, and the gleam
+of torches mingled with those lights of evening which still remained
+amidst the darkness of the storm. Some attempt was made to hold
+communication between the assistants above and the sufferers beneath,
+who were still clinging to their precarious place of safety; but
+the howling of the tempest limited their intercourse to cries as
+inarticulate as those of the winged denizens of the crag, which shrieked
+in chorus, alarmed by the reiterated sound of human voices, where they
+had seldom been heard.
+
+On the verge of the precipice an anxious group had now assembled.
+Oldbuck was the foremost and most earnest, pressing forward with
+unwonted desperation to the very brink of the crag, and extending his
+head (his hat and wig secured by a handkerchief under his chin) over the
+dizzy height, with an air of determination which made his more timorous
+assistants tremble.
+
+"Haud a care, haud a care, Monkbarns!" cried Caxon, clinging to the
+skirts of his patron, and withholding him from danger as far as his
+strength permitted—"God's sake, haud a care!—Sir Arthur's drowned
+already, and an ye fa' over the cleugh too, there will be but ae wig
+left in the parish, and that's the minister's."
+
+"Mind the peak there," cried Mucklebackit, an old fisherman and
+smuggler—"mind the peak—Steenie, Steenie Wilks, bring up the tackle—I'se
+warrant we'll sune heave them on board, Monkbarns, wad ye but stand out
+o' the gate."
+
+"I see them," said Oldbuck—"I see them low down on that flat
+stone—Hilli-hilloa, hilli-ho-a!"
+
+"I see them mysell weel eneugh," said Mucklebackit; "they are sitting
+down yonder like hoodie-craws in a mist; but d'yo think ye'll help
+them wi' skirling that gate like an auld skart before a flaw o'
+weather?—Steenie, lad, bring up the mast—Od, I'se hae them up as we used
+to bouse up the kegs o' gin and brandy lang syne—Get up the pickaxe,
+make a step for the mast—make the chair fast with the rattlin—haul
+taught and belay!"
+
+The fishers had brought with them the mast of a boat, and as half of the
+country fellows about had now appeared, either out of zeal or curiosity,
+it was soon sunk in the ground, and sufficiently secured. A yard across
+the upright mast, and a rope stretched along it, and reeved through a
+block at each end, formed an extempore crane, which afforded the means
+of lowering an arm-chair, well secured and fastened, down to the flat
+shelf on which the sufferers had roosted. Their joy at hearing the
+preparations going on for their deliverance was considerably qualified
+when they beheld the precarious vehicle by means of which they were to
+be conveyed to upper air. It swung about a yard free of the spot which
+they occupied, obeying each impulse of the tempest, the empty air all
+around it, and depending upon the security of a rope, which, in the
+increasing darkness, had dwindled to an almost imperceptible thread.
+Besides the hazard of committing a human being to the vacant atmosphere
+in such a slight means of conveyance, there was the fearful danger
+of the chair and its occupant being dashed, either by the wind or the
+vibrations of the cord, against the rugged face of the precipice. But
+to diminish the risk as much as possible, the experienced seaman had let
+down with the chair another line, which, being attached to it, and
+held by the persons beneath, might serve by way of gy, as Mucklebackit
+expressed it, to render its descent in some measure steady and regular.
+Still, to commit one's self in such a vehicle, through a howling tempest
+of wind and rain, with a beetling precipice above and a raging abyss
+below, required that courage which despair alone can inspire. Yet,
+wild as the sounds and sights of danger were, both above, beneath, and
+around, and doubtful and dangerous as the mode of escaping appeared to
+be, Lovel and the old mendicant agreed, after a moment's consultation,
+and after the former, by a sudden strong pull, had, at his own imminent
+risk, ascertained the security of the rope, that it would be best to
+secure Miss Wardour in the chair, and trust to the tenderness and care
+of those above for her being safely craned up to the top of the crag.
+
+"Let my father go first," exclaimed Isabella; "for God's sake, my
+friends, place him first in safety!"
+
+"It cannot be, Miss Wardour," said Lovel;—"your life must be first
+secured—the rope which bears your weight may"—
+
+"I will not listen to a reason so selfish!"
+
+"But ye maun listen to it, my bonnie lassie," said Ochiltree, "for a'
+our lives depend on it—besides, when ye get on the tap o' the heugh
+yonder, ye can gie them a round guess o' what's ganging on in this
+Patmos o' ours—and Sir Arthur's far by that, as I'm thinking."
+
+Struck with the truth of this reasoning, she exclaimed, "True, most
+true; I am ready and willing to undertake the first risk—What shall I
+say to our friends above?"
+
+"Just to look that their tackle does not graze on the face o' the crag,
+and to let the chair down and draw it up hooly and fairly;—we will
+halloo when we are ready."
+
+With the sedulous attention of a parent to a child, Lovel bound Miss
+Wardour with his handkerchief, neckcloth, and the mendicant's leathern
+belt, to the back and arms of the chair, ascertaining accurately the
+security of each knot, while Ochiltree kept Sir Arthur quiet. "What are
+ye doing wi' my bairn?—what are ye doing?—She shall not be separated
+from me—Isabel, stay with me, I command you!"
+
+"Lordsake, Sir Arthur, haud your tongue, and be thankful to God that
+there's wiser folk than you to manage this job," cried the beggar, worn
+out by the unreasonable exclamations of the poor Baronet.
+
+"Farewell, my father!" murmured Isabella—"farewell, my—my friends!" and
+shutting her eyes, as Edie's experience recommended, she gave the signal
+to Lovel, and he to those who were above. She rose, while the chair in
+which she sate was kept steady by the line which Lovel managed beneath.
+With a beating heart he watched the flutter of her white dress, until
+the vehicle was on a level with the brink of the precipice.
+
+"Canny now, lads, canny now!" exclaimed old Mucklebackit, who acted as
+commodore; "swerve the yard a bit—Now—there! there she sits safe on dry
+land."
+
+A loud shout announced the successful experiment to her fellow-sufferers
+beneath, who replied with a ready and cheerful halloo. Monkbarns, in his
+ecstasy of joy, stripped his great-coat to wrap up the young lady, and
+would have pulled off his coat and waistcoat for the same purpose, had
+he not been withheld by the cautious Caxon. "Haud a care o' us! your
+honour will be killed wi' the hoast—ye'll no get out o'your night-cowl
+this fortnight—and that will suit us unco ill.—Na, na—there's the
+chariot down by; let twa o' the folk carry the young leddy there."
+
+"You're right," said the Antiquary, readjusting the sleeves and collar
+of his coat, "you're right, Caxon; this is a naughty night to swim
+in.—Miss Wardour, let me convey you to the chariot."
+
+"Not for worlds till I see my father safe."
+
+In a few distinct words, evincing how much her resolution had surmounted
+even the mortal fear of so agitating a hazard, she explained the nature
+of the situation beneath, and the wishes of Lovel and Ochiltree.
+
+"Right, right, that's right too—I should like to see the son of Sir
+Gamelyn de Guardover on dry land myself—I have a notion he would sign
+the abjuration oath, and the Ragman-roll to boot, and acknowledge Queen
+Mary to be nothing better than she should be, to get alongside my bottle
+of old port that he ran away from, and left scarce begun. But he's safe
+now, and here a' comes"—(for the chair was again lowered, and Sir Arthur
+made fast in it, without much consciousness on his own part)—"here a'
+comes—Bowse away, my boys! canny wi' him—a pedigree of a hundred links
+is hanging on a tenpenny tow—the whole barony of Knockwinnock depends on
+three plies of hemp—respice finem, respice funem—look to your end—look
+to a rope's end.—Welcome, welcome, my good old friend, to firm land,
+though I cannot say to warm land or to dry land. A cord for ever against
+fifty fathom of water, though not in the sense of the base proverb—a
+fico for the phrase,—better sus. per funem, than sus. per coll."
+
+While Oldbuck ran on in this way, Sir Arthur was safely wrapped in the
+close embraces of his daughter, who, assuming that authority which the
+circumstances demanded, ordered some of the assistants to convey him to
+the chariot, promising to follow in a few minutes, She lingered on the
+cliff, holding an old countryman's arm, to witness probably the safety
+of those whose dangers she had shared.
+
+"What have we here?" said Oldbuck, as the vehicle once more
+ascended—"what patched and weather-beaten matter is this?" Then as the
+torches illumed the rough face and grey hairs of old Ochiltree,—"What!
+is it thou?—Come, old Mocker, I must needs be friends with thee—but who
+the devil makes up your party besides?"
+
+"Ane that's weel worth ony twa o' us, Monkbarns;—it's the young stranger
+lad they ca' Lovel—and he's behaved this blessed night as if he had
+three lives to rely on, and was willing to waste them a' rather than
+endanger ither folk's. Ca' hooly, sirs, as ye, wad win an auld man's
+blessing!—mind there's naebody below now to haud the gy—Hae a care o'
+the Cat's-lug corner—bide weel aff Crummie's-horn!"
+
+"Have a care indeed," echoed Oldbuck. "What! is it my rara avis—my
+black swan—my phoenix of companions in a post-chaise?—take care of him,
+Mucklebackit."
+
+"As muckle care as if he were a graybeard o' brandy; and I canna take
+mair if his hair were like John Harlowe's.—Yo ho, my hearts! bowse away
+with him!"
+
+Lovel did, in fact, run a much greater risk than any of his precursors.
+His weight was not sufficient to render his ascent steady amid such a
+storm of wind, and he swung like an agitated pendulum at the mortal risk
+of being dashed against the rocks. But he was young, bold, and active,
+and, with the assistance of the beggar's stout piked staff, which he had
+retained by advice of the proprietor, contrived to bear himself from
+the face of the precipice, and the yet more hazardous projecting cliffs
+which varied its surface. Tossed in empty space, like an idle and
+unsubstantial feather, with a motion that agitated the brain at once
+with fear and with dizziness, he retained his alertness of exertion and
+presence of mind; and it was not until he was safely grounded upon the
+summit of the cliff, that he felt temporary and giddy sickness. As he
+recovered from a sort of half swoon, he cast his eyes eagerly around.
+The object which they would most willingly have sought, was already
+in the act of vanishing. Her white garment was just discernible as she
+followed on the path which her father had taken. She had lingered till
+she saw the last of their company rescued from danger, and until she had
+been assured by the hoarse voice of Mucklebackit, that "the callant had
+come off wi' unbrizzed banes, and that he was but in a kind of dwam."
+But Lovel was not aware that she had expressed in his fate even this
+degree of interest,—which, though nothing more than was due to a
+stranger who had assisted her in such an hour of peril, he would have
+gladly purchased by braving even more imminent danger than he had that
+evening been exposed to. The beggar she had already commanded to come to
+Knockwinnock that night. He made an excuse.—"Then to-morrow let me see
+you."
+
+The old man promised to obey. Oldbuck thrust something into his
+hand—Ochiltree looked at it by the torchlight, and returned it—"Na,
+na! I never tak gowd—besides, Monkbarns, ye wad maybe be rueing it the
+morn." Then turning to the group of fishermen and peasants—"Now, sirs,
+wha will gie me a supper and some clean pease-strae?"
+
+"I," "and I," "and I," answered many a ready voice.
+
+"Aweel, since sae it is, and I can only sleep in ae barn at ance, I'll
+gae down with Saunders Mucklebackit—he has aye a soup o' something
+comfortable about his begging—and, bairns, I'll maybe live to put ilka
+ane o' ye in mind some ither night that ye hae promised me quarters and
+my awmous;" and away he went with the fisherman.
+
+Oldbuck laid the band of strong possession on Lovel—"Deil a stride
+ye's go to Fairport this night, young man—you must go home with me to
+Monkbarns. Why, man, you have been a hero—a perfect Sir William Wallace,
+by all accounts. Come, my good lad, take hold of my arm;—I am not a
+prime support in such a wind—but Caxon shall help us out—Here, you old
+idiot, come on the other side of me.—And how the deil got you down to
+that infernal Bessy's-apron, as they call it? Bess, said they? Why,
+curse her, she has spread out that vile pennon or banner of womankind,
+like all the rest of her sex, to allure her votaries to death and
+headlong ruin."
+
+"I have been pretty well accustomed to climbing, and I have long
+observed fowlers practise that pass down the cliff."
+
+"But how, in the name of all that is wonderful, came you to discover the
+danger of the pettish Baronet and his far more deserving daughter?"
+
+"I saw them from the verge of the precipice."
+
+"From the verge!—umph—And what possessed you dumosa pendere procul de
+rupe?—though dumosa is not the appropriate epithet—what the deil, man,
+tempted ye to the verge of the craig?"
+
+"Why—I like to see the gathering and growling of a coming storm—or,
+in your own classical language, Mr. Oldbuck, suave mari magno—and
+so forth—but here we reach the turn to Fairport. I must wish you
+good-night."
+
+"Not a step, not a pace, not an inch, not a shathmont, as I may
+say,—the meaning of which word has puzzled many that think
+themselves antiquaries. I am clear we should read salmon-length for
+shathmont's-length. You are aware that the space allotted for the
+passage of a salmon through a dam, dike, or weir, by statute, is the
+length within which a full-grown pig can turn himself round. Now I have
+a scheme to prove, that, as terrestrial objects were thus appealed to
+for ascertaining submarine measurement, so it must be supposed that the
+productions of the water were established as gauges of the extent of
+land.—Shathmont— salmont—you see the close alliance of the sounds;
+dropping out two h's, and a t, and assuming an l, makes the whole
+difference—I wish to heaven no antiquarian derivation had demanded
+heavier concessions."
+
+"But, my dear sir, I really must go home—I am wet to the skin."
+
+"Shalt have my night-gown, man, and slippers, and catch the antiquarian
+fever as men do the plague, by wearing infected garments. Nay, I know
+what you would be at—you are afraid to put the old bachelor to charges.
+But is there not the remains of that glorious chicken-pie—which, meo
+arbitrio, is better cold than hot—and that bottle of my oldest port, out
+of which the silly brain-sick Baronet (whom I cannot pardon, since he
+has escaped breaking his neck) had just taken one glass, when his infirm
+noddle went a wool-gathering after Gamelyn de Guardover?"
+
+So saying he dragged Lovel forward, till the Palmer's-port of Monkbarns
+received them. Never, perhaps, had it admitted two pedestrians more
+needing rest for Monkbarns's fatigue had been in a degree very contrary
+to his usual habits, and his more young and robust companion had that
+evening undergone agitation of mind which had harassed and wearied him
+even more than his extraordinary exertions of body.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINTH.
+
+           "Be brave," she cried, "you yet may be our guest,
+               Our haunted room was ever held the best.
+               If, then, your valour can the sight sustain
+               Of rustling curtains and the clinking chain
+            If your courageous tongue have powers to talk,
+            When round your bed the horrid ghost shall walk
+               If you dare ask it why it leaves its tomb,
+            I'll see your sheets well air'd, and show the Room."
+                                        True Story.
+
+They reached the room in which they had dined, and were clamorously
+welcomed by Miss Oldbuck.
+
+"Where's the younger womankind?" said the Antiquary.
+
+"Indeed, brother, amang a' the steery, Maria wadna be guided by me she
+set away to the Halket-craig-head—I wonder ye didna see her."
+
+"Eh!—what—what's that you say, sister?—did the girl go out in a night
+like this to the Halket-head?—Good God! the misery of the night is not
+ended yet!"
+
+"But ye winna wait, Monkbarns—ye are so imperative and impatient"—
+
+"Tittle-tattle, woman," said the impatient and agitated Antiquary,
+"where is my dear Mary?"
+
+"Just where ye suld be yoursell, Monkbarns—up-stairs, and in her warm
+bed."
+
+"I could have sworn it," said Oldbuck laughing, but obviously much
+relieved—"I could have sworn it;—the lazy monkey did not care if we were
+all drowned together. Why did you say she went out?"
+
+"But ye wadna wait to hear out my tale, Monkbarns—she gaed out, and she
+came in again with the gardener sae sune as she saw that nane o' ye were
+clodded ower the Craig, and that Miss Wardour was safe in the chariot;
+she was hame a quarter of an hour syne, for it's now ganging ten—sair
+droukit was she, puir thing, sae I e'en put a glass o' sherry in her
+water-gruel."
+
+"Right, Grizel, right—let womankind alone for coddling each other. But
+hear me, my venerable sister—start not at the word venerable; it implies
+many praiseworthy qualities besides age; though that too is honourable,
+albeit it is the last quality for which womankind would wish to be
+honoured—But perpend my words: let Lovel and me have forthwith the
+relics of the chicken-pie, and the reversion of the port."
+
+"The chicken-pie! the port!—ou dear! brother—there was but a wheen
+banes, and scarce a drap o' the wine."
+
+The Antiquary's countenance became clouded, though he was too well bred
+to give way, in the presence of a stranger, to his displeased surprise
+at the, disappearance of the viands on which he had reckoned with
+absolute certainty. But his sister understood these looks of ire. "Ou
+dear! Monkbarns, what's the use of making a wark?"
+
+"I make no wark, as ye call it, woman."
+
+"But what's the use o' looking sae glum and glunch about a pickle
+banes?—an ye will hae the truth, ye maun ken the minister came in,
+worthy man—sair distressed he was, nae doubt, about your precarious
+situation, as he ca'd it (for ye ken how weel he's gifted wi' words),
+and here he wad bide till he could hear wi' certainty how the matter was
+likely to gang wi' ye a'—He said fine things on the duty of resignation
+to Providence's will, worthy man! that did he."
+
+Oldbuck replied, catching the same tone, "Worthy man!—he cared not how
+soon Monkbarns had devolved on an heir-female, I've a notion;—and
+while he was occupied in this Christian office of consolation against
+impending evil, I reckon that the chicken-pie and my good port
+disappeared?"
+
+"Dear brother, how can you speak of sic frivolities, when you have had
+sic an escape from the craig?"
+
+"Better than my supper has had from the minister's craig, Grizzle—it's
+all discussed, I suppose?"
+
+"Hout, Monkbarns, ye speak as if there was nae mair meat in the
+house—wad ye not have had me offer the honest man some slight
+refreshment after his walk frae the manse?"
+
+Oldbuck half-whistled, half-hummed, the end of the old Scottish ditty,
+
+                 O, first they eated the white puddings,
+                    And then they eated the black, O,
+                 And thought the gudeman unto himsell,
+                    The deil clink down wi' that, O!
+
+His sister hastened to silence his murmurs, by proposing some of
+the relies of the dinner. He spoke of another bottle of wine, but
+recommended in preference a glass of brandy which was really excellent.
+As no entreaties could prevail on Lovel to indue the velvet night-cap
+and branched morning-gown of his host, Oldbuck, who pretended to a
+little knowledge of the medical art, insisted on his going to bed
+as soon as possible, and proposed to despatch a messenger (the
+indefatigable Caxon) to Fairport early in the morning, to procure him a
+change of clothes.
+
+This was the first intimation Miss Oldbuck had received that the young
+stranger was to be their guest for the night; and such was the surprise
+with which she was struck by a proposal so uncommon, that, had the
+superincumbent weight of her head-dress, such as we before described,
+been less preponderant, her grey locks must have started up on end, and
+hurled it from its position.
+
+"Lord haud a care o' us!" exclaimed the astounded maiden.
+
+"What's the matter now, Grizel?"
+
+"Wad ye but just speak a moment, Monkbarns?"
+
+"Speak!—what should I speak about? I want to get to my bed—and this poor
+young fellow—let a bed be made ready for him instantly."
+
+"A bed?—The Lord preserve us!" again ejaculated Grizel.
+
+"Why, what's the matter now?—are there not beds and rooms enough in the
+house?—was it not an ancient hospitium, in which, I am warranted to say,
+beds were nightly made down for a score of pilgrims?"
+
+"O dear, Monkbarns! wha kens what they might do lang syne?—but in our
+time—beds—ay, troth, there's beds enow sic as they are—and rooms enow
+too—but ye ken yoursell the beds haena been sleepit in, Lord kens the
+time, nor the rooms aired.—If I had kenn'd, Mary and me might hae gaen
+down to the manse—Miss Beckie is aye fond to see us—(and sae is the
+minister, brother)—But now, gude save us!"—
+
+"Is there not the Green Room, Grizel?"
+
+"Troth is there, and it is in decent order too, though naebody has
+sleepit there since Dr. Heavysterne, and"—
+
+"And what?"
+
+"And what! I am sure ye ken yoursell what a night he had—ye wadna expose
+the young gentleman to the like o' that, wad ye?"
+
+Lovel interfered upon hearing this altercation, and protested he would
+far rather walk home than put them to the least inconvenience—that the
+exercise would be of service to him—that he knew the road perfectly,
+by night or day, to Fairport—that the storm was abating, and so
+forth—adding all that civility could suggest as an excuse for escaping
+from a hospitality which seemed more inconvenient to his host than he
+could possibly have anticipated. But the howling of the wind, and the
+pattering of the rain against the windows, with his knowledge of the
+preceding fatigues of the evening, must have prohibited Oldbuck, even
+had he entertained less regard for his young friend than he really felt,
+from permitting him to depart. Besides, he was piqued in honour to show
+that he himself was not governed by womankind—"Sit ye down, sit ye down,
+sit ye down, man," he reiterated;—"an ye part so, I would I might never
+draw a cork again, and here comes out one from a prime bottle of—strong
+ale—right anno domini—none of your Wassia Quassia decoctions, but brewed
+of Monkbarns barley—John of the Girnel never drew a better flagon to
+entertain a wandering minstrel, or palmer, with the freshest news from
+Palestine.—And to remove from your mind the slightest wish to depart,
+know, that if you do so, your character as a gallant knight is gone
+for ever. Why, 'tis an adventure, man, to sleep in the Green Room
+at Monkbarns.—Sister, pray see it got ready—And, although the bold
+adventurer, Heavysterne, dree'd pain and dolour in that charmed
+apartment, it is no reason why a gallant knight like you, nearly twice
+as tall, and not half so heavy, should not encounter and break the
+spell."
+
+"What! a haunted apartment, I suppose?"
+
+"To be sure, to be sure—every mansion in this country of the slightest
+antiquity has its ghosts and its haunted chamber, and you must not
+suppose us worse off than our neighbours. They are going, indeed,
+somewhat out of fashion. I have seen the day, when if you had doubted
+the reality of a ghost in an old manor-house you ran the risk of being
+made a ghost yourself, as Hamlet says.—Yes, if you had challenged
+the existence of Redcowl in the Castle of Glenstirym, old Sir Peter
+Pepperbrand would have had ye out to his court-yard, made you betake
+yourself to your weapon, and if your trick of fence were not the better,
+would have sticked you like a paddock, on his own baronial midden-stead.
+I once narrowly escaped such an affray—but I humbled myself, and
+apologised to Redcowl; for, even in my younger days, I was no friend to
+the monomachia, or duel, and would rather walk with Sir Priest than with
+Sir Knight—I care not who knows so much of my valour. Thank God, I am
+old now, and can indulge my irritabilities without the necessity of
+supporting them by cold steel."
+
+Here Miss Oldbuck re-entered, with a singularly sage expression of
+countenance.—"Mr. Lovel's bed's ready, brother—clean sheets—weel aired—a
+spunk of fire in the chimney—I am sure, Mr. Lovel," (addressing him),
+"it's no for the trouble—and I hope you will have a good night's
+rest—But"—
+
+"You are resolved," said the Antiquary, "to do what you can to prevent
+it."
+
+"Me?—I am sure I have said naething, Monkbarns."
+
+"My dear madam," said Lovel, "allow me to ask you the meaning of your
+obliging anxiety on my account."
+
+"Ou, Monkbarns does not like to hear of it—but he kens himsell that the
+room has an ill name. It's weel minded that it was there auld Rab Tull
+the town-clerk was sleeping when he had that marvellous communication
+about the grand law-plea between us and the feuars at the Mussel-craig.
+—It had cost a hantle siller, Mr. Lovel; for law-pleas were no carried
+on without siller lang syne mair than they are now—and the Monkbarns of
+that day—our gudesire, Mr. Lovel, as I said before—was like to be waured
+afore the Session for want of a paper—Monkbarns there kens weel what
+paper it was, but I'se warrant he'll no help me out wi' my tale—but it
+was a paper of great significance to the plea, and we were to be waured
+for want o't. Aweel, the cause was to come on before the fifteen —in
+presence, as they ca't—and auld Rab Tull, the town-clerk, he cam ower to
+make a last search for the paper that was wanting, before our gudesire
+gaed into Edinburgh to look after his plea—so there was little time to
+come and gang on. He was but a doited snuffy body, Rab, as I've heard
+—but then he was the town-clerk of Fairport, and the Monkbarns heritors
+aye employed him on account of their connection wi' the burgh, ye ken."
+
+"Sister Grizel, this is abominable," interrupted Oldbuck; "I vow to
+Heaven ye might have raised the ghosts of every abbot of Trotcosey,
+since the days of Waldimir, in the time you have been detailing the
+introduction to this single spectre.—Learn to be succinct in your
+narrative.—Imitate the concise style of old Aubrey, an experienced
+ghost-seer, who entered his memoranda on these subjects in a terse
+business-like manner; exempli gratia—At Cirencester, 5th March, 1670,
+was an apparition.—Being demanded whether good spirit or bad, made
+no answer, but instantly disappeared with a curious perfume, and a
+melodious twang'—Vide his Miscellanies, p. eighteen, as well as I can
+remember, and near the middle of the page."
+
+"O, Monkbarns, man! do ye think everybody is as book-learned as
+yoursell?—But ye like to gar folk look like fools—ye can do that to Sir
+Arthur, and the minister his very sell."
+
+"Nature has been beforehand with me, Grizel, in both these instances,
+and in another which shall be nameless—but take a glass of ale, Grizel,
+and proceed with your story, for it waxes late."
+
+"Jenny's just warming your bed, Monkbarns, and ye maun e'en wait till
+she's done.—Weel, I was at the search that our gudesire, Monkbarns that
+then was, made wi' auld Rab Tull's assistance;—but ne'er-be-licket could
+they find that was to their purpose. Aud sae, after they bad touzled out
+mony a leather poke-full o' papers, the town-clerk had his drap punch at
+e'en to wash the dust out of his throat—we never were glass-breakers in
+this house, Mr. Lovel, but the body bad got sic a trick of sippling and
+tippling wi' the bailies and deacons when they met (which was amaist
+ilka night) concerning the common gude o' the burgh, that he couldna
+weel sleep without it—But his punch he gat, and to bed he gaed; and in
+the middle of the night he got a fearfu' wakening!—he was never just
+himsell after it, and he was strucken wi' the dead palsy that very day
+four years. He thought, Mr. Lovel, that he heard the curtains o' his
+bed fissil, and out he lookit, fancying, puir man, it might hae been the
+cat—But he saw—God hae a care o' us! it gars my flesh aye creep, though
+I hae tauld the story twenty times—he saw a weel-fa'ard auld gentleman
+standing by his bedside, in the moonlight, in a queer-fashioned dress,
+wi' mony a button and band-string about it, and that part o' his
+garments which it does not become a leddy to particulareeze, was baith
+side and wide, and as mony plies o't as of ony Hamburgh skipper's—He had
+a beard too, and whiskers turned upwards on his upper-lip, as lang as
+baudrons'—and mony mair particulars there were that Rab Tull tauld
+o', but they are forgotten now—it's an auld story. Aweel, Rab was a
+just-living man for a country writer—and he was less feared than maybe
+might just hae been expected; and he asked in the name o' goodness what
+the apparition wanted—and the spirit answered in an unknown tongue. Then
+Rab said he tried him wi' Erse, for he cam in his youth frae the braes
+of Glenlivat—but it wadna do. Aweel, in this strait, he bethought him
+of the twa or three words o' Latin that he used in making out the town's
+deeds, and he had nae sooner tried the spirit wi' that, than out cam sic
+a blatter o' Latin about his lugs, that poor Rab Tull, wha was nae great
+scholar, was clean overwhelmed. Od, but he was a bauld body, and he
+minded the Latin name for the deed that he was wanting. It was something
+about a cart, I fancy, for the ghaist cried aye, Carter, carter—"
+
+"Carta, you transformer of languages!" cried Oldbuck;—"if my ancestor
+had learned no other language in the other world, at least he would not
+forget the Latinity for which he was so famous while in this."
+
+"Weel, weel, carta be it then, but they ca'd it carter that tell'd me
+the story. It cried aye carta, if sae be that it was carta, and made a
+sign to Rab to follow it. Rab Tull keepit a Highland heart, and banged
+out o' bed, and till some of his readiest claes—and he did follow the
+thing up stairs and down stairs to the place we ca' the high dow-cot—(a
+sort of a little tower in the corner of the auld house, where there was
+a Rickle o' useless boxes and trunks)—and there the ghaist gae Rab a
+kick wi' the tae foot, and a kick wi' the tother, to that very auld
+east-country tabernacle of a cabinet that my brother has standing beside
+his library table, and then disappeared like a fuff o' tobacco, leaving
+Rab in a very pitiful condition."
+
+"Tenues secessit in auras," quoth Oldbuck. "Marry, sir, mansit odor—But,
+sure enough, the deed was there found in a drawer of this forgotten
+repository, which contained many other curious old papers, now properly
+labelled and arranged, and which seemed to have belonged to my ancestor,
+the first possessor of Monkbarns. The deed, thus strangely recovered,
+was the original Charter of Erection of the Abbey, Abbey Lands, and so
+forth, of Trotcosey, comprehending Monkbarns and others, into a Lordship
+of Regality in favour of the first Earl of Glengibber, a favourite
+of James the Sixth. It is subscribed by the King at Westminster,
+the seventeenth day of January, A. D. one thousand six hundred and
+twelve—thirteen. It's not worth while to repeat the witnesses' names."
+
+"I would rather," said Lovel with awakened curiosity, "I would rather
+hear your opinion of the way in which the deed was discovered."
+
+"Why, if I wanted a patron for my legend, I could find no less a one
+than Saint Augustine, who tells the story of a deceased person appearing
+to his son, when sued for a debt which had been paid, and directing him
+where, to find the discharge.*
+
+*Note D. Mr. Rutherford's dream.
+
+But I rather opine with Lord Bacon, who says that imagination is much
+akin to miracle-working faith. There was always some idle story of
+the room being haunted by the spirit of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, my
+great-great-great-grandfather—it's a shame to the English language that,
+we have not a less clumsy way of expressing a relationship of which we
+have occasion to think and speak so frequently. He was a foreigner, and
+wore his national dress, of which tradition had preserved an accurate
+description; and indeed there is a print of him, supposed to be by
+Reginald Elstracke, pulling the press with his own hand, as it works off
+the sheets of his scarce edition of the Augsburg Confession. He was a
+chemist as well as a good mechanic, and either of these qualities in
+this country was at that time sufficient to constitute a white witch at
+least. This superstitious old writer had heard all this, and probably
+believed it, and in his sleep the image and idea of my ancestor recalled
+that of his cabinet, which, with the grateful attention to antiquities
+and the memory of our ancestors not unusually met with, had been pushed
+into the pigeon-house to be out of the way—Add a quantum sufficit of
+exaggeration, and you have a key to the whole mystery."
+
+"O brother! brother! but Dr. Heavysterne, brother—whose sleep was so
+sore broken, that he declared he wadna pass another night in the Green
+Room to get all Monkbarns, so that Mary and I were forced to yield our"—
+
+"Why, Grizel, the doctor is a good, honest, pudding-headed German, of
+much merit in his own way, but fond of the mystical, like many of his
+countrymen. You and he had a traffic the whole evening in which you
+received tales of Mesmer, Shropfer, Cagliostro, and other modern
+pretenders to the mystery of raising spirits, discovering hidden
+treasure, and so forth, in exchange for your legends of the green
+bedchamber;—and considering that the Illustrissimus ate a pound and a
+half of Scotch collops to supper, smoked six pipes, and drank ale and
+brandy in proportion, I am not surprised at his having a fit of the
+night-mare. But everything is now ready. Permit me to light you to your
+apartment, Mr. Lovel—I am sure you have need of rest—and I trust my
+ancestor is too sensible of the duties of hospitality to interfere with
+the repose which you have so well merited by your manly and gallant
+behaviour."
+
+So saying, the Antiquary took up a bedroom candlestick of massive silver
+and antique form, which, he observed, was wrought out of the silver
+found in the mines of the Harz mountains, and had been the property
+of the very personage who had supplied them with a subject for
+conversation. And having so said, he led the way through many a dusky
+and winding passage, now ascending, and anon descending again, until he
+came to the apartment destined for his young guest.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TENTH.
+
+                 When midnight o'er the moonless skies
+                 Her pall of transient death has spread,
+                 When mortals sleep, when spectres rise,
+                   And none are wakeful but the dead;
+                   No bloodless shape my way pursues,
+                   No sheeted ghost my couch annoys,
+                   Visions more sad my fancy views,—
+                       Visions of long departed joys.
+                                        W. R. Spenser.
+
+When they reached the Green Room, as it was called, Oldbuck placed the
+candle on the toilet table, before a huge mirror with a black japanned
+frame, surrounded by dressing-boxes of the same, and looked around him
+with something of a disturbed expression of countenance. "I am seldom
+in this apartment," he said, "and never without yielding to a melancholy
+feeling—not, of course, on account of the childish nonsense that Grizel
+was telling you, but owing to circumstances of an early and unhappy
+attachment. It is at such moments as these, Mr. Lovel, that we feel the
+changes of time. The, same objects are before us—those inanimate things
+which we have gazed on in wayward infancy and impetuous youth, in
+anxious and scheming manhood—they are permanent and the same; but when
+we look upon them in cold unfeeling old age, can we, changed in our
+temper, our pursuits, our feelings—changed in our form, our limbs, and
+our strength,—can we be ourselves called the same? or do we not rather
+look back with a sort of wonder upon our former selves, as being
+separate and distinct from what we now are? The philosopher who appealed
+from Philip inflamed with wine to Philip in his hours of sobriety, did
+not choose a judge so different, as if he had appealed from Philip in
+his youth to Philip in his old age. I cannot but be touched with the
+feeling so beautifully expressed in a poem which I have heard repeated:*
+
+*Probably Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads had not as yet been published.
+
+                   My eyes are dim with childish tears,
+                       My heart is idly stirred,
+                   For the same sound is in my ears
+                      Which in those days I heard.
+
+                   Thus fares it still in our decay;
+                        And yet the wiser mind
+                   Mourns less for what time takes away,
+                       Than what he leaves behind.
+
+Well, time cures every wound, and though the scar may remain and
+occasionally ache, yet the earliest agony of its recent infliction is
+felt no more."—So saying, he shook Lovel cordially by the hand, wished
+him good-night, and took his leave.
+
+Step after step Lovel could trace his host's retreat along the various
+passages, and each door which he closed behind him fell with a sound
+more distant and dead. The guest, thus separated from the living world,
+took up the candle and surveyed the apartment.
+
+The fire blazed cheerfully. Mrs. Grizel's attention had left some
+fresh wood, should he choose to continue it, and the apartment had a
+comfortable, though not a lively appearance. It was hung with tapestry,
+which the looms of Arras had produced in the sixteenth century, and
+which the learned typographer, so often mentioned, had brought with
+him as a sample of the arts of the Continent. The subject was a
+hunting-piece; and as the leafy boughs of the forest-trees, branching
+over the tapestry, formed the predominant colour, the apartment had
+thence acquired its name of the Green Chamber. Grim figures in the
+old Flemish dress, with slashed doublets covered with ribbands,
+short cloaks, and trunk-hose, were engaged in holding grey-hounds, or
+stag-hounds, in the leash, or cheering them upon the objects of their
+game. Others, with boar-spears, swords, and old-fashioned guns, were
+attacking stags or boars whom they had brought to bay. The branches of
+the woven forest were crowded with fowls of various kinds, each depicted
+with its proper plumage. It seemed as if the prolific and rich invention
+of old Chaucer had animated the Flemish artist with its profusion, and
+Oldbuck had accordingly caused the following verses, from that ancient
+and excellent poet, to be embroidered in Gothic letters, on a sort of
+border which he had added to the tapestry:-
+
+              Lo! here be oakis grete, streight as a line,
+              Under the which the grass, so fresh of line,
+              Be'th newly sprung—at eight foot or nine.
+              Everich tree well from his fellow grew,
+              With branches broad laden with leaves new,
+              That sprongen out against the sonne sheene,
+              Some golden red and some a glad bright green.
+
+And in another canton was the following similar legend:—
+
+                  And many an hart and many an hind,
+                    Was both before me, and behind.
+                  Of fawns, sownders, bucks and does,
+                    Was full the wood and many roes,
+                    And many squirrels that ysate
+                    High on the trees and nuts ate.
+
+The bed was of a dark and faded green, wrought to correspond with the
+tapestry, but by a more modern and less skilful hand. The large and
+heavy stuff-bottomed chairs, with black ebony backs, were embroidered
+after the same pattern, and a lofty mirror, over the antique
+chimney-piece, corresponded in its mounting with that on the
+old-fashioned toilet.
+
+"I have heard," muttered Lovel, as he took a cursory view of the room
+and its furniture, "that ghosts often chose the best room in the mansion
+to which they attached themselves; and I cannot disapprove of the taste
+of the disembodied printer of the Augsburg Confession." But he found it
+so difficult to fix his mind upon the stories which had been told him of
+an apartment with which they seemed so singularly to correspond, that he
+almost regretted the absence of those agitated feelings, half fear half
+curiosity, which sympathise with the old legends of awe and wonder,
+from which the anxious reality of his own hopeless passion at present
+detached him. For he now only felt emotions like those expressed in the
+lines,—
+
+                 Ah! cruel maid, how hast thou changed
+                        The temper of my mind!
+                 My heart, by thee from all estranged,
+                        Becomes like thee unkind.
+
+He endeavoured to conjure up something like the feelings which would, at
+another time, have been congenial to his situation, but his heart had
+no room for these vagaries of imagination. The recollection of Miss
+Wardour, determined not to acknowledge him when compelled to endure his
+society, and evincing her purpose to escape from it, would have
+alone occupied his imagination exclusively. But with this were
+united recollections more agitating if less painful,—her hair-breadth
+escape—the fortunate assistance which he had been able to render
+her—Yet what was his requital? She left the cliff while his fate was yet
+doubtful—while it was uncertain whether her preserver had not lost the
+life which he had exposed for her so freely. Surely gratitude, at least,
+called for some little interest in his fate—But no—she could not be
+selfish or unjust—it was no part of her nature. She only desired to shut
+the door against hope, and, even in compassion to him, to extinguish a
+passion which she could never return.
+
+But this lover-like mode of reasoning was not likely to reconcile him to
+his fate, since the more amiable his imagination presented Miss Wardour,
+the more inconsolable he felt he should be rendered by the extinction of
+his hopes. He was, indeed, conscious of possessing the power of removing
+her prejudices on some points; but, even in extremity, he determined
+to keep the original determination which he had formed, of ascertaining
+that she desired an explanation, ere he intruded one upon her. And, turn
+the matter as he would, he could not regard his suit as desperate. There
+was something of embarrassment as well as of grave surprise in her look
+when Oldbuck presented him—and, perhaps, upon second thoughts, the one
+was assumed to cover the other. He would not relinquish a pursuit which
+had already cost him such pains. Plans, suiting the romantic temper of
+the brain that entertained them, chased each other through his head,
+thick and irregular as the motes of the sun-beam, and, long after he had
+laid himself to rest, continued to prevent the repose which he greatly
+needed. Then, wearied by the uncertainty and difficulties with which
+each scheme appeared to be attended, he bent up his mind to the strong
+effort of shaking off his love, "like dew-drops from the lion's mane,"
+and resuming those studies and that career of life which his unrequited
+affection had so long and so fruitlessly interrupted. In this last
+resolution he endeavoured to fortify himself by every argument which
+pride, as well as reason, could suggest. "She shall not suppose," he
+said, "that, presuming on an accidental service to her or to her father,
+I am desirous to intrude myself upon that notice, to which, personally,
+she considered me as having no title. I will see her no more. I will
+return to the land which, if it affords none fairer, has at least many
+as fair, and less haughty than Miss Wardour. Tomorrow I will bid adieu
+to these northern shores, and to her who is as cold and relentless
+as her climate." When he had for some time brooded over this sturdy
+resolution, exhausted nature at length gave way, and, despite of wrath,
+doubt, and anxiety, he sank into slumber.
+
+It is seldom that sleep, after such violent agitation, is either sound
+or refreshing. Lovel's was disturbed by a thousand baseless and confused
+visions. He was a bird—he was a fish—or he flew like the one, and swam
+like the other,—qualities which would have been very essential to his
+safety a few hours before. Then Miss Wardour was a syren, or a bird of
+Paradise; her father a triton, or a sea-gull; and Oldbuck alternately
+a porpoise and a cormorant. These agreeable imaginations were varied by
+all the usual vagaries of a feverish dream;—the air refused to bear the
+visionary, the water seemed to burn him—the rocks felt like down pillows
+as he was dashed against them—whatever he undertook, failed in some
+strange and unexpected manner—and whatever attracted his attention,
+underwent, as he attempted to investigate it, some wild and wonderful
+metamorphosis, while his mind continued all the while in some degree
+conscious of the delusion, from which it in vain struggled to free
+itself by awaking;—feverish symptoms all, with which those who are
+haunted by the night-hag, whom the learned call Ephialtes, are but too
+well acquainted. At length these crude phantasmata arranged themselves
+into something more regular, if indeed the imagination of Lovel, after
+he awoke (for it was by no means the faculty in which his mind was least
+rich), did not gradually, insensibly, and unintentionally, arrange in
+better order the scene of which his sleep presented, it may be, a less
+distinct outline. Or it is possible that his feverish agitation may have
+assisted him in forming the vision.
+
+Leaving this discussion to the learned, we will say, that after a
+succession of wild images, such as we have above described, our hero,
+for such we must acknowledge him, so far regained a consciousness of
+locality as to remember where he was, and the whole furniture of the
+Green Chamber was depicted to his slumbering eye. And here, once more,
+let me protest, that if there should be so much old-fashioned faith
+left among this shrewd and sceptical generation, as to suppose that
+what follows was an impression conveyed rather by the eye than by the
+imagination, I do not impugn their doctrine. He was, then, or imagined
+himself, broad awake in the Green Chamber, gazing upon the flickering
+and occasional flame which the unconsumed remnants of the faggots sent
+forth, as, one by one, they fell down upon the red embers, into which
+the principal part of the boughs to which they belonged had crumbled
+away. Insensibly the legend of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, and his mysterious
+visits to the inmates of the chamber, awoke in his mind, and with it,
+as we often feel in dreams, an anxious and fearful expectation, which
+seldom fails instantly to summon up before our mind's eye the object of
+our fear. Brighter sparkles of light flashed from the chimney, with
+such intense brilliancy as to enlighten all the room. The tapestry waved
+wildly on the wall, till its dusky forms seemed to become animated. The
+hunters blew their horns—the stag seemed to fly, the boar to resist,
+and the hounds to assail the one and pursue the other; the cry of deer,
+mangled by throttling dogs—the shouts of men, and the clatter of horses'
+hoofs, seemed at once to surround him—while every group pursued, with
+all the fury of the chase, the employment in which the artist had
+represented them as engaged. Lovel looked on this strange scene devoid
+of wonder (which seldom intrudes itself upon the sleeping fancy), but
+with an anxious sensation of awful fear. At length an individual figure
+among the tissued huntsmen, as he gazed upon them more fixedly, seemed
+to leave the arras and to approach the bed of the slumberer. As he
+drew near, his figure appeared to alter. His bugle-horn became a brazen
+clasped volume; his hunting-cap changed to such a furred head-gear as
+graces the burgomasters of Rembrandt; his Flemish garb remained but his
+features, no longer agitated with the fury of the chase, were changed
+to such a state of awful and stern composure, as might best portray the
+first proprietor of Monkbarns, such as he had been described to Lovel
+by his descendants in the course of the preceding evening. As this
+metamorphosis took place, the hubbub among the other personages in the
+arras disappeared from the imagination of the dreamer, which was now
+exclusively bent on the single figure before him. Lovel strove to
+interrogate this awful person in the form of exorcism proper for the
+occasion; but his tongue, as is usual in frightful dreams, refused its
+office, and clung, palsied, to the roof of his mouth. Aldobrand held up
+his finger, as if to impose silence upon the guest who had intruded on
+his apartment, and began deliberately to unclasp the venerable, volume
+which occupied his left hand. When it was unfolded, he turned over the
+leaves hastily for a short space, and then raising his figure to its
+full dimensions, and holding the book aloft in his left hand, pointed to
+a passage in the page which he thus displayed. Although the language was
+unknown to our dreamer, his eye and attention were both strongly caught
+by the line which the figure seemed thus to press upon his notice, the
+words of which appeared to blaze with a supernatural light, and remained
+riveted upon his memory. As the vision shut his volume, a strain of
+delightful music seemed to fill the apartment—Lovel started, and became
+completely awake. The music, however, was still in his ears, nor ceased
+till he could distinctly follow the measure of an old Scottish tune.
+
+He sate up in bed, and endeavoured to clear his brain of the phantoms
+which had disturbed it during this weary night. The beams of the morning
+sun streamed through the half-closed shutters, and admitted a distinct
+light into the apartment. He looked round upon the hangings,—but the
+mixed groups of silken and worsted huntsmen were as stationary as
+tenter-hooks could make them, and only trembled slightly as the early
+breeze, which found its way through an open crevice of the latticed
+window, glided along their surface. Lovel leapt out of bed, and,
+wrapping himself in a morning-gown, that had been considerately laid by
+his bedside, stepped towards the window, which commanded a view of the
+sea, the roar of whose billows announced it still disquieted by the
+storm of the preceding evening, although the morning was fair and
+serene. The window of a turret, which projected at an angle with the
+wall, and thus came to be very near Lovel's apartment, was half-open,
+and from that quarter he heard again the same music which had probably
+broken short his dream. With its visionary character it had lost much
+of its charms—it was now nothing more than an air on the harpsichord,
+tolerably well performed—such is the caprice of imagination as
+affecting the fine arts. A female voice sung, with some taste and
+great simplicity, something between a song and a hymn, in words to the
+following effect:—
+
+                 "Why sitt'st thou by that ruin'd hall,
+                  Thou aged carle so stern and grey?
+                  Dost thou its former pride recall,
+                     Or ponder how it passed away?
+
+             "Know'st thou not me!" the Deep Voice cried,
+                   "So long enjoyed, so oft misused—
+                    Alternate, in thy fickle pride,
+                    Desired, neglected, and accused?
+
+                "Before my breath, like, blazing flax,
+                    Man and his marvels pass away;
+                    And changing empires wane and wax,
+                   Are founded, flourish and decay.
+
+                "Redeem mine hours—the space is brief—
+                While in my glass the sand-grains shiver,
+                   And measureless thy joy or grief,
+                When Time and thou shalt part for ever!"
+
+While the verses were yet singing, Lovel had returned to his bed; the
+train of ideas which they awakened was romantic and pleasing, such as
+his soul delighted in, and, willingly adjourning till more broad day the
+doubtful task of determining on his future line of conduct, he abandoned
+himself to the pleasing languor inspired by the music, and fell into a
+sound and refreshing sleep, from which he was only awakened at a late
+hour by old Caxon, who came creeping into the room to render the offices
+of a valet-de-chambre.
+
+"I have brushed your coat, sir," said the old man, when he perceived
+Lovel was awake; "the callant brought it frae Fairport this morning, for
+that ye had on yesterday is scantly feasibly dry, though it's been a'
+night at the kitchen fire; and I hae cleaned your shoon. I doubt ye'll
+no be wanting me to tie your hair, for" (with a gentle sigh) "a' the
+young gentlemen wear crops now; but I hae the curling tangs here to
+gie it a bit turn ower the brow, if ye like, before ye gae down to the
+leddies."
+
+Lovel, who was by this time once more on his legs, declined the old
+man's professional offices, but accompanied the refusal with such a
+douceur as completely sweetened Caxon's mortification.
+
+"It's a pity he disna get his hair tied and pouthered," said the ancient
+friseur, when he had got once more into the kitchen, in which, on one
+pretence or other, he spent three parts of his idle time—that is to
+say, of his whole time—"it's a great pity, for he's a comely young
+gentleman."
+
+"Hout awa, ye auld gowk," said Jenny Rintherout, "would ye creesh his
+bonny brown hair wi' your nasty ulyie, and then moust it like the auld
+minister's wig? Ye'll be for your breakfast, I'se warrant?—hae, there's
+a soup parritch for ye—it will set ye better tae be slaistering at them
+and the lapper-milk than meddling wi' Mr. Lovel's head—ye wad spoil the
+maist natural and beautifaest head o' hair in a' Fairport, baith burgh
+and county."
+
+The poor barber sighed over the disrespect into which his art had so
+universally fallen, but Jenny was a person too important to offend by
+contradiction; so, sitting quietly down in the kitchen, he digested at
+once his humiliation, and the contents of a bicker which held a Scotch
+pint of substantial oatmeal porridge.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER ELEVENTH.
+
+            Sometimes he thinks that Heaven this pageant sent,
+               And ordered all the pageants as they went;
+             Sometimes that only 'twas wild Fancy's play,—
+               The loose and scattered relics of the day.
+
+We must now request our readers to adjourn to the breakfast parlour
+of Mr. Oldbuck, who, despising the modern slops of tea and coffee, was
+substantially regaling himself, more majorum, with cold roast-beef, and
+a glass of a sort of beverage called mum—a species of fat ale, brewed
+from wheat and bitter herbs, of which the present generation only know
+the name by its occurrence in revenue acts of parliament, coupled with
+cider, perry, and other excisable commodities. Lovel, who was seduced to
+taste it, with difficulty refrained from pronouncing it detestable, but
+did refrain, as he saw he should otherwise give great offence to his
+host, who had the liquor annually prepared with peculiar care, according
+to the approved recipe bequeathed to him by the so-often mentioned
+Aldobrand Oldenbuck. The hospitality of the ladies offered Lovel a
+breakfast more suited to modern taste, and while he was engaged in
+partaking of it, he was assailed by indirect inquiries concerning the
+manner in which he had passed the night.
+
+"We canna compliment Mr. Lovel on his looks this morning, brother—but
+he winna condescend on any ground of disturbance he has had in the night
+time. I am certain he looks very pale, and when he came here he was as
+fresh as a rose."
+
+"Why, sister, consider this rose of yours has been knocked about by sea
+and wind all yesterday evening, as if he had been a bunch of kelp or
+tangle, and how the devil would you have him retain his colour?"
+
+"I certainly do still feel somewhat fatigued," said Lovel,
+"notwithstanding the excellent accommodations with which your
+hospitality so amply supplied me."
+
+"Ah, sir!" said Miss Oldbuck looking at him with a knowing smile, or
+what was meant to be one, "ye'll not allow of ony inconvenience, out of
+civility to us."
+
+"Really, madam," replied Lovel, "I had no disturbance; for I cannot term
+such the music with which some kind fairy favoured me."
+
+"I doubted Mary wad waken you wi' her skreighing; she dinna ken I had
+left open a chink of your window, for, forbye the ghaist, the Green
+Room disna vent weel in a high wind—But I am judging ye heard mair
+than Mary's lilts yestreen. Weel, men are hardy creatures—they can gae
+through wi' a' thing. I am sure, had I been to undergo ony thing of that
+nature,—that's to say that's beyond nature—I would hae skreigh'd out at
+once, and raised the house, be the consequence what liket—and, I dare
+say, the minister wad hae done as mickle, and sae I hae tauld him,—I ken
+naebody but my brother, Monkbarns himsell, wad gae through the like o't,
+if, indeed, it binna you, Mr. Lovel."
+
+"A man of Mr. Oldbuck's learning, madam," answered the questioned party,
+"would not be exposed to the inconvenience sustained by the Highland
+gentleman you mentioned last night."
+
+"Ay, ay—ye understand now where the difficulty lies. Language? he has
+ways o' his ain wad banish a' thae sort o' worricows as far as
+the hindermost parts of Gideon" (meaning possibly Midian), "as Mr.
+Blattergowl says—only ane widna be uncivil to ane's forbear, though he
+be a ghaist. I am sure I will try that receipt of yours, brother, that
+ye showed me in a book, if onybody is to sleep in that room again,
+though I think, in Christian charity, ye should rather fit up the
+matted-room—it's a wee damp and dark, to be sure, but then we hae sae
+seldom occasion for a spare bed."
+
+"No, no, sister;—dampness and darkness are worse than spectres—ours are
+spirits of light, and I would rather have you try the spell."
+
+"I will do that blythely, Monkbarns, an I had the ingredients, as my
+cookery book ca's them—There was vervain and dill—I mind that—Davie
+Dibble will ken about them, though, maybe, he'll gie them Latin
+names—and Peppercorn, we hae walth o' them, for"—
+
+"Hypericon, thou foolish woman!" thundered Oldbuck; "d'ye suppose you're
+making a haggis—or do you think that a spirit, though he be formed of
+air, can be expelled by a receipt against wind?—This wise Grizel of
+mine, Mr. Lovel, recollects (with what accuracy you may judge) a
+charm which I once mentioned to her, and which, happening to hit her
+superstitious noddle, she remembers better than anything tending to a
+useful purpose, I may chance to have said for this ten years. But many
+an old woman besides herself"—
+
+"Auld woman, Monkbarns!" said Miss Oldbuck, roused something above her
+usual submissive tone; "ye really are less than civil to me."
+
+"Not less than just, Grizel: however, I include in the same class many
+a sounding name, from Jamblichus down to Aubrey, who have wasted their
+time in devising imaginary remedies for non-existing diseases.—But I
+hope, my young friend, that, charmed or uncharmed—secured by the potency
+of Hypericon,
+
+                      With vervain and with dill,
+                      That hinder witches of their will,
+
+or left disarmed and defenceless to the inroads of the invisible world,
+you will give another night to the terrors of the haunted apartment, and
+another day to your faithful and feal friends."
+
+"I heartily wish I could, but"—
+
+"Nay, but me no buts—I have set my heart upon it."
+
+"I am greatly obliged, my dear sir, but"—
+
+"Look ye there, now—but again!—I hate but; I know no form of expression
+in which he can appear, that is amiable, excepting as a butt of sack.
+But is to me a more detestable combination of letters than no itself.No
+is a surly, honest fellow—speaks his mind rough and round at once.But is
+a sneaking, evasive, half-bred, exceptuous sort of a conjunction, which
+comes to pull away the cup just when it is at your lips—
+
+                             —it does allay
+                The good precedent—fie upon but yet!
+                But yet is as a jailor to bring forth
+                         Some monstrous malefactor."
+
+"Well, then," answered Lovel, whose motions were really undetermined at
+the moment, "you shall not connect the recollection of my name with
+so churlish a particle. I must soon think of leaving Fairport, I am
+afraid—and I will, since you are good enough to wish it, take this
+opportunity of spending another day here."
+
+"And you shall be rewarded, my boy. First, you shall see John o' the
+Girnel's grave, and then we'll walk gently along the sands, the state
+of the tide being first ascertained (for we will have no more
+Peter Wilkins' adventures, no more Glum and Gawrie work), as far as
+Knockwinnock Castle, and inquire after the old knight and my fair
+foe—which will but be barely civil, and then"—
+
+"I beg pardon, my dear sir; but, perhaps, you had better adjourn your
+visit till to-morrow—I am a stranger, you know."
+
+"And are, therefore, the more bound to show civility, I should suppose.
+But I beg your pardon for mentioning a word that perhaps belongs only to
+a collector of antiquities—I am one of the old school,
+
+  When courtiers galloped o'er four counties
+  The ball's fair partner to behold,
+  And humbly hope she caught no cold."
+
+"Why, if—if—if you thought it would be expected—but I believe I had
+better stay."
+
+"Nay, nay, my good friend, I am not so old-fashioned as to press you to
+what is disagreeable, neither—it is sufficient that I see there is some
+remora, some cause of delay, some mid impediment, which I have no title
+to inquire into. Or you are still somewhat tired, perhaps;—I warrant I
+find means to entertain your intellects without fatiguing your limbs—I
+am no friend to violent exertion myself—a walk in the garden once
+a-day is exercise, enough for any thinking being—none but a fool or a
+fox-hunter would require more. Well, what shall we set about?—my Essay
+on Castrametation—but I have that in petto for our afternoon cordial;—or
+I will show you the controversy upon Ossian's Poems between Mac-Cribb
+and me. I hold with the acute Orcadian—he with the defenders of the
+authenticity;—the controversy began in smooth, oily, lady-like terms,
+but is now waxing more sour and eager as we get on—it already partakes
+somewhat of old Scaliger's style. I fear the rogue will get some scent
+of that story of Ochiltree's—but at worst, I have a hard repartee for
+him on the affair of the abstracted Antigonus—I will show you his last
+epistle and the scroll of my answer—egad, it is a trimmer!"
+
+So saying, the Antiquary opened a drawer, and began rummaging among a
+quantity of miscellaneous papers, ancient and modern. But it was the
+misfortune of this learned gentleman, as it may be that of many learned
+and unlearned, that he frequently experienced, on such occasions, what
+Harlequin calls l'embarras des richesses; in other words, the abundance
+of his collection often prevented him from finding the article he sought
+for. "Curse the papers!—I believe," said Oldbuck, as he shuffled them to
+and fro—"I believe they make themselves wings like grasshoppers, and fly
+away bodily—but here, in the meanwhile, look at that little treasure."
+So saying, he put into his hand a case made of oak, fenced at the corner
+with silver roses and studs—"Pr'ythee, undo this button," said he, as
+he observed Lovel fumbling at the clasp. He did so,—the lid opened, and
+discovered a thin quarto, curiously bound in black shagreen—"There, Mr.
+Lovel—there is the work I mentioned to you last night—the rare quarto of
+the Augsburg Confession, the foundation at once and the bulwark of the
+Reformation drawn up by the learned and venerable Melancthon, defended
+by the Elector of Saxony, and the other valiant hearts who stood up
+for their faith, even against the front of a powerful and victorious
+emperor, and imprinted by the scarcely less venerable and praiseworthy
+Aldobrand Oldenbuck, my happy progenitor, during the yet more tyrannical
+attempts of Philip II. to suppress at once civil and religious liberty.
+Yes, sir—for printing this work, that eminent man was expelled from his
+ungrateful country, and driven to establish his household gods even here
+at Monkbarns, among the ruins of papal superstition and domination.—Look
+upon his venerable effigies, Mr. Lovel, and respect the honourable
+occupation in which it presents him, as labouring personally at the
+press for the diffusion of Christian and political knowledge.—And see
+here his favourite motto, expressive of his independence and self-
+reliance, which scorned to owe anything to patronage that was not earned
+by desert—expressive also of that firmness of mind and tenacity of
+purpose recommended by Horace. He was indeed a man who would have stood
+firm, had his whole printing-house, presses, fonts, forms, great
+and small pica, been shivered to pieces around him—Read, I say, his
+motto,—for each printer had his motto, or device, when that illustrious
+art was first practised. My ancestor's was expressed, as you see, in
+the Teutonic phrase, Kunst macht Gunst—that is, skill, or prudence, in
+availing ourselves of our natural talents and advantages, will compel
+favour and patronage, even where it is withheld from prejudice or
+ignorance."
+
+"And that," said Lovel, after a moment's thoughtful silence—"that, then,
+is the meaning of these German words?"
+
+"Unquestionably. You perceive the appropriate application to a
+consciousness of inward worth, and of eminence in a useful and
+honourable art.—Each printer in those days, as I have already informed
+you, had his device, his impresa, as I may call it, in the same manner
+as the doughty chivalry of the age, who frequented tilt and tournament.
+My ancestor boasted as much in his, as if he had displayed it over
+a conquered field of battle, though it betokened the diffusion of
+knowledge, not the effusion of blood. And yet there is a family
+tradition which affirms him to have chosen it from a more romantic
+circumstance."
+
+"And what is that said to have been, my good sir?" inquired his young
+friend.
+
+"Why, it rather encroaches on my respected predecessor's fame for
+prudence and wisdom—Sed semel insanivimus omnes—everybody has played the
+fool in their turn. It is said, my ancestor, during his apprenticeship
+with the descendant of old Faust, whom popular tradition hath sent to
+the devil under the name of Faustus, was attracted by a paltry slip of
+womankind, his master's daughter, called Bertha—they broke rings, or
+went through some idiotical ceremony, as is usual on such idle occasions
+as the plighting of a true-love troth, and Aldobrand set out on his
+journey through Germany, as became an honest hand-werker; for such was
+the custom of mechanics at that time, to make a tour through the empire,
+and work at their trade for a time in each of the most eminent towns,
+before they finally settled themselves for life. It was a wise custom;
+for, as such travellers were received like brethren in each town by
+those of their own handicraft, they were sure, in every case, to have
+the means either of gaining or communicating knowledge. When my ancestor
+returned to Nuremburg, he is said to have found his old master newly
+dead, and two or three gallant young suitors, some of them half-starved
+sprigs of nobility forsooth, in pursuit of the Yung-fraw Bertha, whose
+father was understood to have bequeathed her a dowry which might weigh
+against sixteen armorial quarters. But Bertha, not a bad sample of
+womankind, had made a vow she would only marry that man who would work
+her father's press. The skill, at that time, was as rare as wonderful;
+besides that the expedient rid her at once of most of her gentle
+suitors, who would have as soon wielded a conjuring wand as a composing
+stick. Some of the more ordinary typographers made the attempt: but none
+were sufficiently possessed of the mystery—But I tire you."
+
+"By no means; pray, proceed, Mr. Oldbuck—I listen with uncommon
+interest."
+
+"Ah! it is all folly. However—Aldobrand arrived in the ordinary dress,
+as we would say, of a journeyman printer—the same in which he had
+traversed Germany, and conversed with Luther, Melancthon, Erasmus, and
+other learned men, who disdained not his knowledge, and the power he
+possessed of diffusing it, though hid under a garb so homely. But what
+appeared respectable in the eyes of wisdom, religion, learning, and
+philosophy, seemed mean, as might readily be supposed, and disgusting,
+in those of silly and affected womankind, and Bertha refused to
+acknowledge her former lover, in the torn doublet, skin cap, clouted
+shoes, and leathern apron, of a travelling handicraftsman or mechanic.
+He claimed his privilege, however, of being admitted to a trial; and
+when the rest of the suitors had either declined the contest, or made
+such work as the devil could not read if his pardon depended on it, all
+eyes were bent on the stranger. Aldobrand stepped gracefully forward,
+arranged the types without omission of a single letter, hyphen, or
+comma, imposed them without deranging a single space, and pulled off the
+first proof as clear and free from errors, as if it had been a triple
+revise! All applauded the worthy successor of the immortal Faustus—the
+blushing maiden acknowledged her error in trusting to the eye more than
+the intellect—and the elected bridegroom thenceforward chose for his
+impress or device the appropriate words, Skill wins favour.'—But what is
+the matter with you?—you are in a brown study! Come, I told you this was
+but trumpery conversation for thinking people—and now I have my hand on
+the Ossianic Controversy."
+
+"I beg your pardon," said Lovel; "I am going to appear very silly and
+changeable in your eyes, Mr. Oldbuck—but you seemed to think Sir Arthur
+might in civility expect a call from me?"
+
+"Psha! psha! I can make your apology; and if you must leave us so soon
+as you say, what signifies how you stand in his honours good graces?—And
+I warn you that the Essay on Castrametation is something prolix, and
+will occupy the time we can spare after dinner, so you may lose the
+Ossianic Controversy if we do not dedicate this morning to it. We will
+go out to my ever-green bower, my sacred holly-tree yonder, and have it
+fronde super viridi.
+
+               Sing heigh-ho! heigh-ho! for the green holly,
+         Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.
+
+But, egad," continued the old gentleman, "when I look closer at you,
+I begin to think you may be of a different opinion. Amen with all
+my heart—I quarrel with no man's hobby, if he does not run it a tilt
+against mine, and if he does—let him beware his eyes. What say you?—in
+the language of the world and worldlings base, if you can condescend to
+so mean a sphere, shall we stay or go?"
+
+"In the language of selfishness, then, which is of course the language
+of the world—let us go by all means."
+
+"Amen, amen, quo' the Earl Marshall," answered Oldbuck, as he exchanged
+his slippers for a pair of stout walking shoes, with cutikins, as he
+called them, of black cloth. He only interrupted the walk by a slight
+deviation to the tomb of John o' the Girnel, remembered as the last
+bailiff of the abbey who had resided at Monkbarns. Beneath an old
+oak-tree upon a hillock, sloping pleasantly to the south, and catching
+a distant view of the sea over two or three rich enclosures, and the
+Mussel-crag, lay a moss-grown stone, and, in memory of the departed
+worthy, it bore an inscription, of which, as Mr. Oldbuck affirmed
+(though many doubted), the defaced characters could be distinctly traced
+to the following effect:—
+
+                    Here lyeth John o' ye Girnell;
+                Erth has ye nit, and heuen ye kirnell.
+                 In hys tyme ilk wyfe's hennis clokit,
+             Ilka gud mannis herth wi' bairnis was stokit.
+              He deled a boll o' bear in firlottis fyve,
+        Four for ye halie kirke, and ane for puir mennis wyvis.
+
+"You see how modest the author of this sepulchral commendation was;—he
+tells us that honest John could make five firlots, or quarters, as you
+would say, out of the boll, instead of four,—that he gave the fifth to
+the wives of the parish, and accounted for the other four to the abbot
+and CHAPTER—that in his time the wives' hens always laid eggs—and devil
+thank them, if they got one-fifth of the abbey rents; and that honest
+men's hearths were never unblest with offspring—an addition to the
+miracle, which they, as well as I, must have considered as perfectly
+unaccountable. But come on—leave we Jock o' the Girnel, and let us jog
+on to the yellow sands, where the sea, like a repulsed enemy, is now
+retreating from the ground on which he gave us battle last night."
+
+Thus saying, he led the way to the sands. Upon the links or downs close
+to them, were seen four or five huts inhabited by fishers, whose boats,
+drawn high upon the beach, lent the odoriferous vapours of pitch melting
+under a burning sun, to contend with those of the offals of fish and
+other nuisances usually collected round Scottish cottages. Undisturbed
+by these complicated steams of abomination, a middle-aged woman, with a
+face which had defied a thousand storms, sat mending a net at the door
+of one of the cottages. A handkerchief close bound about her head, and
+a coat which had formerly been that of a man, gave her a masculine air,
+which was increased by her strength, uncommon stature, and harsh voice.
+"What are ye for the day, your honour?" she said, or rather screamed,
+to Oldbuck; "caller haddocks and whitings—a bannock-fluke and a
+cock-padle."
+
+"How much for the bannock-fluke and cock-padle?" demanded the Antiquary.
+
+"Four white shillings and saxpence," answered the Naiad.
+
+"Four devils and six of their imps!" retorted the Antiquary; "do you
+think I am mad, Maggie?"
+
+"And div ye think," rejoined the virago, setting her arms akimbo, "that
+my man and my sons are to gae to the sea in weather like yestreen and
+the day—sic a sea as it's yet outby—and get naething for their fish, and
+be misca'd into the bargain, Monkbarns? It's no fish ye're buying—it's
+men's lives."
+
+"Well, Maggie, I'll bid you fair—I'll bid you a shilling for the fluke
+and the cock-padle, or sixpence separately—and if all your fish are as
+well paid, I think your man, as you call him, and your sons, will make a
+good voyage."
+
+"Deil gin their boat were knockit against the Bell-Rock rather! it wad
+be better, and the bonnier voyage o' the twa. A shilling for thae twa
+bonnie fish! Od, that's ane indeed!"
+
+"Well, well, you old beldam, carry your fish up to Monkbarns, and see
+what my sister will give you for them."
+
+"Na, na, Monkbarns, deil a fit—I'll rather deal wi' yoursell; for though
+you're near enough, yet Miss Grizel has an unco close grip—I'll gie ye
+them" (in a softened tone) "for three-and-saxpence."
+
+"Eighteen-pence, or nothing!"
+
+"Eighteen-pence!!!" (in a loud tone of astonishment, which declined into
+a sort of rueful whine, when the dealer turned as if to walk away)—"Yell
+no be for the fish then?"—(then louder, as she saw him moving off)—"I'll
+gie ye them—and—and—and a half-a-dozen o' partans to make the sauce, for
+three shillings and a dram."
+
+"Half-a-crown then, Maggie, and a dram."
+
+"Aweel, your honour maun hae't your ain gate, nae doubt; but a dram's
+worth siller now—the distilleries is no working."
+
+"And I hope they'll never work again in my time," said Oldbuck.
+
+"Ay, ay—it's easy for your honour, and the like o' you gentle-folks to
+say sae, that hae stouth and routh, and fire and fending and meat and
+claith, and sit dry and canny by the fireside—but an ye wanted fire,
+and meat, and dry claes, and were deeing o' cauld, and had a sair heart,
+whilk is warst ava', wi' just tippence in your pouch, wadna ye be glad
+to buy a dram wi't, to be eilding and claes, and a supper and heart's
+ease into the bargain, till the morn's morning?"
+
+"It's even too true an apology, Maggie. Is your goodman off to sea this
+morning, after his exertions last night?"
+
+"In troth is he, Monkbarns; he was awa this morning by four o'clock,
+when the sea was working like barm wi' yestreen's wind, and our bit
+coble dancing in't like a cork."
+
+"Well, he's an industrious fellow. Carry the fish up to Monkbarns."
+
+"That I will—or I'll send little Jenny, she'll rin faster; but I'll ca'
+on Miss Grizzy for the dram mysell, and say ye sent me."
+
+A nondescript animal, which might have passed for a mermaid, as it was
+paddling in a pool among the rocks, was summoned ashore by the shrill
+screams of its dam; and having been made decent, as her mother called
+it, which was performed by adding a short red cloak to a petticoat,
+which was at first her sole covering, and which reached scantily below
+her knee, the child was dismissed with the fish in a basket, and a
+request on the part of Monkbarns that they might be prepared for dinner.
+"It would have been long," said Oldbuck, with much self-complacency,
+"ere my womankind could have made such a reasonable bargain with that
+old skin-flint, though they sometimes wrangle with her for an hour
+together under my study window, like three sea-gulls screaming
+and sputtering in a gale of wind. But come, wend we on our way to
+Knockwinnock."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWELFTH.
+
+              Beggar?—the only freeman of your commonwealth;
+              Free above Scot-free, that observe no laws,
+                   Obey no governor, use no religion
+           But what they draw from their own ancient custom,
+           Or constitute themselves, yet they are no rebels.
+                                            Brome.
+
+With our reader's permission, we will outstep the slow, though sturdy
+pace of the Antiquary, whose halts, as he, turned round to his companion
+at every moment to point out something remarkable in the landscape, or
+to enforce some favourite topic more emphatically than the exercise of
+walking permitted, delayed their progress considerably.
+
+Notwithstanding the fatigues and dangers of the preceding evening, Miss
+Wardour was able to rise at her usual hour, and to apply herself to her
+usual occupations, after she had first satisfied her anxiety concerning
+her father's state of health. Sir Arthur was no farther indisposed than
+by the effects of great agitation and unusual fatigue, but these were
+sufficient to induce him to keep his bedchamber.
+
+To look back on the events of the preceding day, was, to Isabella, a
+very unpleasing retrospect. She owed her life, and that of her father,
+to the very person by whom, of all others, she wished least to be
+obliged, because she could hardly even express common gratitude towards
+him without encouraging hopes which might be injurious to them both.
+"Why should it be my fate to receive such benefits, and conferred at
+so much personal risk, from one whose romantic passion I have so
+unceasingly laboured to discourage? Why should chance have given him
+this advantage over me? and why, oh why, should a half-subdued feeling
+in my own bosom, in spite of my sober reason, almost rejoice that he has
+attained it?"
+
+While Miss Wardour thus taxed herself with wayward caprice, she, beheld
+advancing down the avenue, not her younger and more dreaded preserver,
+but the old beggar who had made such a capital figure in the melodrama
+of the preceding evening.
+
+She rang the bell for her maid-servant. "Bring the old man up stairs."
+
+The servant returned in a minute or two—"He will come up at no rate,
+madam;—he says his clouted shoes never were on a carpet in his life, and
+that, please God, they never shall.—Must I take him into the servants'
+hall?"
+
+"No; stay, I want to speak with him—Where is he?" for she had lost sight
+of him as he approached the house.
+
+"Sitting in the sun on the stone-bench in the court, beside the window
+of the flagged parlour." Eddie Ochiltree Visits Miss Wardour
+
+"Bid him stay there—I'll come down to the parlour, and speak with him at
+the window."
+
+She came down accordingly, and found the mendicant half-seated,
+half-reclining, upon the bench beside the window. Edie Ochiltree, old
+man and beggar as he was, had apparently some internal consciousness
+of the favourable, impressions connected with his tall form, commanding
+features, and long white beard and hair. It used to be remarked of him,
+that he was seldom seen but in a posture which showed these personal
+attributes to advantage. At present, as he lay half-reclined, with his
+wrinkled yet ruddy cheek, and keen grey eye turned up towards the sky,
+his staff and bag laid beside him, and a cast of homely wisdom and
+sarcastic irony in the expression of his countenance, while he gazed for
+a moment around the court-yard, and then resumed his former look upward,
+he might have been taken by an artist as the model of an old philosopher
+of the Cynic school, musing upon the frivolity of mortal pursuits, and
+the precarious tenure of human possessions, and looking up to the source
+from which aught permanently good can alone be derived. The young lady,
+as she presented her tall and elegant figure at the open window, but
+divided from the court-yard by a grating, with which, according to the
+fashion of ancient times, the lower windows of the castle were secured,
+gave an interest of a different kind, and might be supposed, by a
+romantic imagination, an imprisoned damsel communicating a tale of her
+durance to a palmer, in order that he might call upon the gallantry of
+every knight whom he should meet in his wanderings, to rescue her from
+her oppressive thraldom.
+
+After Miss Wardour had offered, in the terms she thought would be most
+acceptable, those thanks which the beggar declined as far beyond his
+merit, she began to express herself in a manner which she supposed would
+speak more feelingly to his apprehension. "She did not know," she said,
+"what her father intended particularly to do for their preserver, but
+certainly it would be something that would make him easy for life; if he
+chose to reside at the castle, she would give orders"—
+
+The old man smiled, and shook his head. "I wad be baith a grievance
+and a disgrace to your fine servants, my leddy, and I have never been a
+disgrace to onybody yet, that I ken of."
+
+"Sir Arthur would give strict orders"—
+
+"Ye're very kind—I doubtna, I doubtna; but there are some things a
+master can command, and some he canna—I daresay he wad gar them keep
+hands aff me—(and troth, I think they wad hardly venture on that ony
+gate)—and he wad gar them gie me my soup parritch and bit meat. But trow
+ye that Sir Arthur's command could forbid the gibe o' the tongue or the
+blink o' the ee, or gar them gie me my food wi' the look o' kindness
+that gars it digest sae weel, or that he could make them forbear a'
+the slights and taunts that hurt ane's spirit mair nor downright
+misca'ing?—Besides, I am the idlest auld carle that ever lived; I downa
+be bound down to hours o' eating and sleeping; and, to speak the honest
+truth, I wad be a very bad example in ony weel regulated family."
+
+"Well, then, Edie, what do you think of a neat cottage and a garden, and
+a daily dole, and nothing to do but to dig a little in your garden when
+you pleased yourself?"
+
+"And how often wad that be, trow ye, my leddy? maybe no ance atween
+Candlemas and Yule and if a' thing were done to my hand, as if I was Sir
+Arthur himsell, I could never bide the staying still in ae place,
+and just seeing the same joists and couples aboon my head night after
+night.- -And then I have a queer humour o' my ain, that sets a strolling
+beggar weel eneugh, whase word naebody minds—but ye ken Sir Arthur has
+odd sort o' ways—and I wad be jesting or scorning at them—and ye wad be
+angry, and then I wad be just fit to hang mysell."
+
+"O, you are a licensed man," said Isabella; "we shall give you all
+reasonable scope: So you had better be ruled, and remember your age."
+
+"But I am no that sair failed yet," replied the mendicant. "Od, ance I
+gat a wee soupled yestreen, I was as yauld as an eel. And then what wad
+a' the country about do for want o' auld Edie Ochiltree, that
+brings news and country cracks frae ae farm-steading to anither, and
+gingerbread to the lasses, and helps the lads to mend their fiddles, and
+the gudewives to clout their pans, and plaits rush-swords and grenadier
+caps for the weans, and busks the laird's flees, and has skill o'
+cow-ills and horse-ills, and kens mair auld sangs and tales than a' the
+barony besides, and gars ilka body laugh wherever he comes? Troth, my
+leddy, I canna lay down my vocation; it would be a public loss."
+
+"Well, Edie, if your idea of your importance is so strong as not to be
+shaken by the prospect of independence"—
+
+"Na, na, Miss—it's because I am mair independent as I am," answered the
+old man; "I beg nae mair at ony single house than a meal o' meat,
+or maybe but a mouthfou o't—if it's refused at ae place, I get it at
+anither—sae I canna be said to depend on onybody in particular, but just
+on the country at large."
+
+"Well, then, only promise me that you will let me know should you ever
+wish to settle as you turn old, and more incapable of making your usual
+rounds; and, in the meantime, take this."
+
+"Na, na, my leddy: I downa take muckle siller at ance—it's against
+our rule; and—though it's maybe no civil to be repeating the like o'
+that—they say that siller's like to be scarce wi' Sir Arthur himsell,
+and that he's run himsell out o' thought wi' his honkings and minings
+for lead and copper yonder."
+
+Isabella had some anxious anticipations to the same effect, but was
+shocked to hear that her father's embarrassments were such public talk;
+as if scandal ever failed to stoop upon so acceptable a quarry as the
+failings of the good man, the decline of the powerful, or the decay of
+the prosperous.—Miss Wardour sighed deeply—"Well, Edie, we have enough
+to pay our debts, let folks say what they will, and requiting you is one
+of the foremost—let me press this sum upon you."
+
+"That I might be robbed and murdered some night between town and town?
+or, what's as bad, that I might live in constant apprehension o't?—I am
+no"—(lowering his voice to a whisper, and looking keenly around him)—"I
+am no that clean unprovided for neither; and though I should die at the
+back of a dyke, they'll find as muckle quilted in this auld blue gown
+as will bury me like a Christian, and gie the lads and lasses a blythe
+lykewake too; sae there's the gaberlunzie's burial provided for, and I
+need nae mair. Were the like o' me ever to change a note, wha the deil
+d'ye think wad be sic fules as to gie me charity after that?—it wad flee
+through the country like wildfire, that auld Edie suld hae done siccan
+a like thing, and then, I'se warrant, I might grane my heart out or
+onybody wad gie me either a bane or a bodle."
+
+"Is there nothing, then, that I can do for you?"
+
+"Ou ay—I'll aye come for my awmous as usual,—and whiles I wad be fain o'
+a pickle sneeshin, and ye maun speak to the constable and ground-officer
+just to owerlook me; and maybe ye'll gie a gude word for me to Sandie
+Netherstanes, the miller, that he may chain up his muckle dog—I wadna
+hae him to hurt the puir beast, for it just does its office in barking
+at a gaberlunzie like me. And there's ae thing maybe mair,—but ye'll
+think it's very bald o' the like o' me to speak o't."
+
+"What is it, Edie?—if it respects you it shall be done if it is in my
+power."
+
+"It respects yoursell, and it is in your power, and I maun come
+out wi't. Ye are a bonny young leddy, and a gude ane, and maybe a
+weel-tochered ane—but dinna ye sneer awa the lad Lovel, as ye did a
+while sinsyne on the walk beneath the Briery-bank, when I saw ye baith,
+and heard ye too, though ye saw nae me. Be canny wi' the lad, for he
+loes ye weel, and it's to him, and no to anything I could have done for
+you, that Sir Arthur and you wan ower yestreen."
+
+He uttered these words in a low but distinct tone of voice; and without
+waiting for an answer, walked towards a low door which led to the
+apartments of the servants, and so entered the house.
+
+Miss Wardour remained for a moment or two in the situation in which
+she had heard the old man's last extraordinary speech, leaning, namely,
+against the bars of the window; nor could she determine upon saying even
+a single word, relative to a subject so delicate, until the beggar was
+out of sight. It was, indeed, difficult to determine what to do. That
+her having had an interview and private conversation with this young and
+unknown stranger, should be a secret possessed by a person of the last
+class in which a young lady would seek a confidant, and at the mercy
+of one who was by profession gossip-general to the whole neighbourhood,
+gave her acute agony. She had no reason, indeed, to suppose that the old
+man would wilfully do anything to hurt her feelings, much less to
+injure her; but the mere freedom of speaking to her upon such a subject,
+showed, as might have been expected, a total absence of delicacy; and
+what he might take it into his head to do or say next, that she was
+pretty sure so professed an admirer of liberty would not hesitate to do
+or say without scruple. This idea so much hurt and vexed her, that she
+half-wished the officious assistance of Lovel and Ochiltree had been
+absent upon the preceding evening.
+
+While she was in this agitation of spirits, she suddenly observed
+Oldbuck and Lovel entering the court. She drew instantly so far back
+from the window, that she could without being seen, observe how the
+Antiquary paused in front of the building, and pointing to the various
+scutcheons of its former owners, seemed in the act of bestowing upon
+Lovel much curious and erudite information, which, from the absent look
+of his auditor, Isabella might shrewdly guess was entirely thrown away.
+The necessity that she should take some resolution became instant and
+pressing;—she rang, therefore, for a servant, and ordered him to show
+the visitors to the drawing-room, while she, by another staircase,
+gained her own apartment, to consider, ere she made her appearance, what
+line of conduct were fittest for her to pursue. The guests, agreeably
+to her instructions, were introduced into the room where company was
+usually received.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER THIRTEENTH.
+
+                     —The time was that I hated thee,
+                And yet it is not that I bear thee love.
+                Thy company, which erst was irksome to me,
+                            I will endure—
+                But do not look for further recompense.
+                                        As You Like It.
+
+Miss Isabella Wardour's complexion was considerably heightened, when,
+after the delay necessary to arrange her ideas, she presented herself in
+the drawing-room.
+
+"I am glad you are come, my fair foe," said the Antiquary greeting
+her with much kindness, "for I have had a most refractory, or at least
+negligent auditor, in my young friend here, while I endeavoured to make
+him acquainted with the history of Knockwinnock Castle. I think the
+danger of last night has mazed the poor lad. But you, Miss Isabel,—why,
+you look as if flying through the night air had been your natural and
+most congenial occupation; your colour is even better than when you
+honoured my hospitium yesterday. And Sir Arthur—how fares my good old
+friend?"
+
+"Indifferently well, Mr. Oldbuck; but I am afraid, not quite able to
+receive your congratulations, or to pay—to pay—Mr. Lovel his thanks for
+his unparalleled exertions."
+
+"I dare say not—A good down pillow for his good white head were more
+meet than a couch so churlish as Bessy's-apron, plague on her!"
+
+"I had no thought of intruding," said Lovel, looking upon the ground,
+and speaking with hesitation and suppressed emotion; "I did not—did
+not mean to intrude upon Sir Arthur or Miss Wardour the presence of
+one who—who must necessarily be unwelcome—as associated, I mean, with
+painful reflections."
+
+"Do not think my father so unjust and ungrateful," said Miss Wardour. "I
+dare say," she continued, participating in Lovel's embarrassment—"I dare
+say—I am certain—that my father would be happy to show his gratitude—in
+any way—that is, which Mr. Lovel could consider it as proper to point
+out."
+
+"Why the deuce," interrupted Oldbuck, "what sort of a qualification is
+that?—On my word, it reminds me of our minister, who, choosing, like a
+formal old fop as he is, to drink to my sister's inclinations, thought
+it necessary to add the saving clause, Provided, madam, they be
+virtuous. Come, let us have no more of this nonsense—I dare say Sir
+Arthur will bid us welcome on some future day. And what news from the
+kingdom of subterranean darkness and airy hope?—What says the swart
+spirit of the mine? Has Sir Arthur had any good intelligence of his
+adventure lately in Glen-Withershins?"
+
+Miss Wardour shook her head—"But indifferent, I fear, Mr. Oldbuck; but
+there lie some specimens which have lately been sent down."
+
+"Ah! my poor dear hundred pounds, which Sir Arthur persuaded me to give
+for a share in that hopeful scheme, would have bought a porter's load of
+mineralogy—But let me see them."
+
+And so saying, he sat down at the table in the recess, on which the
+mineral productions were lying, and proceeded to examine them, grumbling
+and pshawing at each which he took up and laid aside.
+
+In the meantime, Lovel, forced as it were by this secession of Oldbuck,
+into a sort of tete-a'-tete with Miss Wardour, took an opportunity of
+addressing her in a low and interrupted tone of voice. "I trust
+Miss Wardour will impute, to circumstances almost irresistible, this
+intrusion of a person who has reason to think himself—so unacceptable a
+visitor."
+
+"Mr. Lovel," answered Miss Wardour, observing the same tone of caution,
+"I trust you will not—I am sure you are incapable of abusing the
+advantages given to you by the services you have rendered us, which, as
+they affect my father, can never be sufficiently acknowledged or repaid.
+Could Mr. Lovel see me without his own peace being affected—could he
+see me as a friend—as a sister—no man will be—and, from all I have ever
+heard of Mr. Lovel, ought to be, more welcome but"—
+
+Oldbuck's anathema against the preposition but was internally echoed by
+Lovel. "Forgive me if I interrupt you, Miss Wardour; you need not
+fear my intruding upon a subject where I have been already severely
+repressed;—but do not add to the severity of repelling my sentiments the
+rigour of obliging me to disavow them."
+
+"I am much embarrassed, Mr. Lovel," replied the young lady, "by your—I
+would not willingly use a strong word—your romantic and hopeless
+pertinacity. It is for yourself I plead, that you would consider the
+calls which your country has upon your talents—that you will not waste,
+in an idle and fanciful indulgence of an ill-placed predilection, time,
+which, well redeemed by active exertion, should lay the foundation
+of future distinction. Let me entreat that you would form a manly
+resolution"—
+
+"It is enough, Miss Wardour;—I see plainly that"—
+
+"Mr. Lovel, you are hurt—and, believe me, I sympathize in the pain
+which I inflict; but can I, in justice to myself, in fairness to you,
+do otherwise? Without my father's consent, I never will entertain the
+addresses of any one, and how totally impossible it is that he should
+countenance the partiality with which you honour me, you are yourself
+fully aware; and, indeed"—
+
+"No, Miss Wardour," answered Lovel, in a tone of passionate entreaty;
+"do not go farther—is it not enough to crush every hope in our present
+relative situation?—do not carry your resolutions farther—why urge what
+would be your conduct if Sir Arthur's objections could be removed?"
+
+"It is indeed vain, Mr. Lovel," said Miss Wardour, "because their
+removal is impossible; and I only wish, as your friend, and as one who
+is obliged to you for her own and her father's life, to entreat you to
+suppress this unfortunate attachment—to leave a country which affords
+no scope for your talents, and to resume the honourable line of the
+profession which you seem to have abandoned."
+
+"Well, Miss Wardour, your wishes shall be obeyed;—have patience with me
+one little month, and if, in the course of that space, I cannot show you
+such reasons for continuing my residence at Fairport, as even you shall
+approve of, I will bid adieu to its vicinity, and, with the same breath,
+to all my hopes of happiness."
+
+"Not so, Mr. Lovel; many years of deserved happiness, founded on a more
+rational basis than your present wishes, are, I trust, before, you.
+But it is full time, to finish this conversation. I cannot force you to
+adopt my advice—I cannot shut the door of my father's house against the
+preserver of his life and mine; but the sooner Mr. Lovel can teach his
+mind to submit to the inevitable disappointment of wishes which have
+been so rashly formed, the more highly he will rise in my esteem—and, in
+the meanwhile, for his sake as well as mine, he must excuse my putting
+an interdict upon conversation on a subject so painful."
+
+A servant at this moment announced that Sir Arthur desired to speak to
+Mr. Oldbuck in his dressing-room.
+
+"Let me show you the way," said Miss Wardour, who apparently dreaded
+a continuation of her tete-a-tete with Lovel, and she conducted the
+Antiquary accordingly to her father's apartment.
+
+Sir Arthur, his legs swathed in flannel, was stretched on the couch.
+"Welcome, Mr. Oldbuck," he said; "I trust you have come better off than
+I have done from the inclemency of yesterday evening?"
+
+"Truly, Sir Arthur, I was not so much exposed to it—I kept terra
+firma—you fairly committed yourself to the cold night-air in the most
+literal of all senses. But such adventures become a gallant knight
+better than a humble esquire,—to rise on the wings of the night-wind—to
+dive into the bowels of the earth. What news from our subterranean Good
+Hope!—the terra incognita of Glen-Withershins?"
+
+"Nothing good as yet," said the Baronet, turning himself hastily, as if
+stung by a pang of the gout; "but Dousterswivel does not despair."
+
+"Does he not?" quoth Oldbuck; "I do though, under his favour. Why, old
+Dr. H—n* told me, when I was in Edinburgh, that we should never find
+copper enough, judging from the specimens I showed him, to make a pair
+of sixpenny knee-buckles—and I cannot see that those samples on the
+table below differ much in quality."
+
+* Probably Dr. Hutton, the celebrated geologist.
+
+"The learned doctor is not infallible, I presume?"
+
+"No; but he is one of our first chemists; and this tramping philosopher
+of yours—this Dousterswivel—is, I have a notion, one, of those learned
+adventurers described by Kirchner, Artem habent sine arte, partem sine
+parte, quorum medium est mentiri, vita eorum mendicatum ire; that is to
+say, Miss Wardour"—
+
+"It is unnecessary to translate," said Miss Wardour—"I comprehend your
+general meaning; but I hope Mr. Dousterswivel will turn out a more
+trustworthy character."
+
+"I doubt it not a little," said the Antiquary,—"and we are a foul way
+out if we cannot discover this infernal vein that he has prophesied
+about these two years."
+
+"You have no great interest in the matter, Mr. Oldbuck," said the
+Baronet.
+
+"Too much, too much, Sir Arthur; and yet, for the sake of my fair foe
+here, I would consent to lose it all so you had no more on the venture."
+
+There was a painful silence of a few moments, for Sir Arthur was too
+proud to acknowledge the downfall of his golden dreams, though he could
+no longer disguise to himself that such was likely to be the termination
+of the adventure. "I understand," he at length said, "that the young
+gentleman, to whose gallantry and presence of mind we were so much
+indebted last night, has favoured me with a visit—I am distressed that I
+am unable to see him, or indeed any one, but an old friend like you, Mr.
+Oldbuck."
+
+A declination of the Antiquary's stiff backbone acknowledged the
+preference.
+
+"You made acquaintance with this young gentleman in Edinburgh, I
+suppose?"
+
+Oldbuck told the circumstances of their becoming known to each other.
+
+"Why, then, my daughter is an older acquaintance, of Mr. Lovel than you
+are," said the Baronet.
+
+"Indeed! I was not aware of that," answered Oldbuck somewhat surprised.
+
+"I met Mr. Lovel," said Isabella, slightly colouring, "when I resided
+this last spring with my aunt, Mrs. Wilmot."
+
+"In Yorkshire?—and what character did he bear then, or how was he
+engaged?" said Oldbuck,—"and why did not you recognise him when I
+introduced you?"
+
+Isabella answered the least difficult question, and passed over the
+other—"He had a commission in the army, and had, I believe, served with
+reputation; he was much respected, as an amiable and promising young
+man."
+
+"And pray, such being the case," replied the Antiquary, not disposed
+to take one reply in answer to two distinct questions, "why did you not
+speak to the lad at once when you met him at my house? I thought you had
+less of the paltry pride of womankind about you, Miss Wardour."
+
+"There was a reason for it," said Sir Arthur with dignity; "you know the
+opinions—prejudices, perhaps you will call them—of our house concerning
+purity of birth. This young gentleman is, it seems, the illegitimate
+son of a man of fortune; my daughter did not choose to renew their
+acquaintance till she should know whether I approved of her holding any
+intercourse with him."
+
+"If it had been with his mother instead of himself," answered Oldbuck,
+with his usual dry causticity of humour, "I could see an excellent
+reason for it. Ah, poor lad! that was the cause, then, that he seemed so
+absent and confused while I explained to him the reason of the bend of
+bastardy upon the shield yonder under the corner turret!"
+
+"True," said the Baronet, with complacency—"it is the shield of Malcolm
+the Usurper, as he is called. The tower which he built is termed, after
+him, Malcolm's Tower, but more frequently Misticot's Tower, which I
+conceive to be a corruption for Misbegot. He is denominated, in the
+Latin pedigree of our family, Milcolumbus Nothus; and his temporary
+seizure of our property, and most unjust attempt to establish his own
+illegitimate line in the estate of Knockwinnock, gave rise to such
+family feuds and misfortunes, as strongly to found us in that horror and
+antipathy to defiled blood and illegitimacy which has been handed down
+to me from my respected ancestry."
+
+"I know the story," said Oldbuck, "and I was telling it to Lovel this
+moment, with some of the wise maxims and consequences which it has
+engrafted on your family politics. Poor fellow! he must have been much
+hurt: I took the wavering of his attention for negligence, and was
+something piqued at it, and it proves to be only an excess of feeling.
+I hope, Sir Arthur, you will not think the less of your life because it
+has been preserved by such assistance?"
+
+"Nor the less of my assistant either," said the Baronet; "my doors and
+table shall be equally open to him as if he had descended of the most
+unblemished lineage."
+
+"Come, I am glad of that—he'll know where he can get a dinner, then, if
+he wants one. But what views can he have in this neighbourhood? I must
+catechise him; and if I find he wants it—or, indeed, whether he does or
+not—he shall have my best advice." As the Antiquary made this liberal
+promise, he took his leave of Miss Wardour and her father, eager to
+commence operations upon Mr. Lovel. He informed him abruptly that Miss
+Wardour sent her compliments, and remained in attendance on her father,
+and then, taking him by the arm, he led him out of the castle.
+
+Knockwinnock still preserved much of the external attributes of a
+baronial castle. It had its drawbridge, though now never drawn up, and
+its dry moat, the sides of which had been planted with shrubs, chiefly
+of the evergreen tribes. Above these rose the old building, partly from
+a foundation of red rock scarped down to the sea-beach, and partly from
+the steep green verge of the moat. The trees of the avenue have been
+already mentioned, and many others rose around of large size,—as if to
+confute the prejudice that timber cannot be raised near to the ocean.
+Our walkers paused, and looked back upon the castle, as they attained
+the height of a small knoll, over which lay their homeward road; for it
+is to be supposed they did not tempt the risk of the tide by returning
+along the sands. The building flung its broad shadow upon the tufted
+foliage of the shrubs beneath it, while the front windows sparkled in
+the sun. They were viewed by the gazers with very different feelings.
+Lovel, with the fond eagerness of that passion which derives its food
+and nourishment from trifles, as the chameleon is said to live on the
+air, or upon the invisible insects which it contains, endeavoured to
+conjecture which of the numerous windows belonged to the apartment now
+graced by Miss Wardour's presence. The speculations of the Antiquary
+were of a more melancholy cast, and were partly indicated by the
+ejaculation of cito peritura! as he turned away from the prospect.
+Lovel, roused from his reverie, looked at him as if to inquire the
+meaning of an exclamation so ominous. The old man shook his head. "Yes,
+my young friend," said he, "I doubt greatly—and it wrings my heart to
+say it—this ancient family is going fast to the ground!"
+
+"Indeed!" answered Lovel—"you surprise me greatly."
+
+"We harden ourselves in vain," continued the Antiquary, pursuing his own
+train of thought and feeling—"we harden ourselves in vain to treat with
+the indifference they deserve, the changes of this trumpery whirligig
+world. We strive ineffectually to be the self-sufficing invulnerable
+being, the teres atque rotundus of the poet;—the stoical exemption which
+philosophy affects to give us over the pains and vexations of human
+life, is as imaginary as the state of mystical quietism and perfection
+aimed at by some crazy enthusiasts."
+
+"And Heaven forbid that it should be otherwise!" said Lovel,
+warmly—"Heaven forbid that any process of philosophy were capable so
+to sear and indurate our feelings, that nothing should agitate them but
+what arose instantly and immediately out of our own selfish interests!
+I would as soon wish my hand to be as callous as horn, that it might
+escape an occasional cut or scratch, as I would be ambitious of the
+stoicism which should render my heart like a piece of the nether
+millstone."
+
+The Antiquary regarded his youthful companion with a look half of pity,
+half of sympathy, and shrugged up his shoulders as he replied—"Wait,
+young man—wait till your bark has been battered by the storm of sixty
+years of mortal vicissitude: you will learn by that time, to reef your
+sails, that she may obey the helm;—or, in the language of this world,
+you will find distresses enough, endured and to endure, to keep your
+feelings and sympathies in full exercise, without concerning yourself
+more in the fate of others than you cannot possibly avoid."
+
+"Well, Mr. Oldbuck, it may be so;—but as yet I resemble you more in your
+practice than in your theory, for I cannot help being deeply interested
+in the fate of the family we have just left."
+
+"And well you may," replied Oldbuck. "Sir Arthur's embarrassments have
+of late become so many and so pressing, that I am surprised you have not
+heard of them. And then his absurd and expensive operations carried on
+by this High-German landlouper, Dousterswivel"—
+
+"I think I have seen that person, when, by some rare chance, I
+happened to be in the coffee-room at Fairport;—a tall, beetle-browed,
+awkward-built man, who entered upon scientific subjects, as it appeared
+to my ignorance at least, with more assurance than knowledge—was very
+arbitrary in laying down and asserting his opinions, and mixed the terms
+of science with a strange jargon of mysticism. A simple youth whispered
+me that he was an Illumine', and carried on an intercourse with the
+invisible world."
+
+"O, the same—the same. He has enough of practical knowledge to speak
+scholarly and wisely to those of whose intelligence he stands in awe;
+and, to say the truth, this faculty, joined to his matchless impudence,
+imposed upon me for some time when I first knew him. But I have since
+understood, that when he is among fools and womankind, he exhibits
+himself as a perfect charlatan—talks of the magisterium—of sympathies
+and antipathies—of the cabala—of the divining-rod—and all the trumpery
+with which the Rosicrucians cheated a darker age, and which, to our
+eternal disgrace, has in some degree revived in our own. My friend
+Heavysterne knew this fellow abroad, and unintentionally (for he, you
+must know, is, God bless the mark! a sort of believer) let me into a
+good deal of his real character. Ah! were I caliph for a day, as Honest
+Abon Hassan wished to be, I would scourge me these jugglers out of the
+commonwealth with rods of scorpions. They debauch the spirit of the
+ignorant and credulous with mystical trash, as effectually as if they
+had besotted their brains with gin, and then pick their pockets with the
+same facility. And now has this strolling blackguard and mountebank put
+the finishing blow to the ruin of an ancient and honourable family!"
+
+"But how could he impose upon Sir Arthur to any ruinous extent?"
+
+"Why, I don't know. Sir Arthur is a good honourable gentleman; but, as
+you may see from his loose ideas concerning the Pikish language, he is
+by no means very strong in the understanding. His estate is strictly
+entailed, and he has been always an embarrassed man. This rapparee
+promised him mountains of wealth, and an English company was found
+to advance large sums of money—I fear on Sir Arthur's guarantee. Some
+gentlemen—I was ass enough to be one—took small shares in the concern,
+and Sir Arthur himself made great outlay; we were trained on by specious
+appearances and more specious lies; and now, like John Bunyan, we awake,
+and behold it is a dream!"
+
+"I am surprised that you, Mr. Oldbuck, should have encouraged Sir Arthur
+by your example."
+
+"Why," said Oldbuck, dropping his large grizzled eyebrow, "I am
+something surprised and ashamed at it myself; it was not the lucre of
+gain—nobody cares less for money (to be a prudent man) than I do—but I
+thought I might risk this small sum. It will be expected (though I am
+sure I cannot see why) that I should give something to any one who
+will be kind enough to rid me of that slip of womankind, my niece, Mary
+M'Intyre; and perhaps it may be thought I should do something to get
+that jackanapes, her brother, on in the army. In either case, to treble
+my venture, would have helped me out. And besides, I had some idea that
+the Phoenicians had in former times wrought copper in that very spot.
+That cunning scoundrel, Dousterswivel, found out my blunt side, and
+brought strange tales (d—n him) of appearances of old shafts, and
+vestiges of mining operations, conducted in a manner quite different
+from those of modern times; and I—in short, I was a fool, and there
+is an end. My loss is not much worth speaking about; but Sir Arthur's
+engagements are, I understand, very deep, and my heart aches for him and
+the poor young lady who must share his distress."
+
+Here the conversation paused, until renewed in the next CHAPTER.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.
+
+              If I may trust the flattering eye of sleep,
+              My dreams presage some joyful news at hand:
+              My bosom's lord sits lightly on his throne,
+                 And all this day, an unaccustomed spirit
+              Lifts me above the ground with cheerful thoughts.
+                                    Romeo and Juliet.
+
+The account of Sir Arthur's unhappy adventure had led Oldbuck somewhat
+aside from his purpose of catechising Lovel concerning the cause of
+his residence at Fairport. He was now, however, resolved to open the
+subject. "Miss Wardour was formerly known to you, she tells me, Mr.
+Lovel?"
+
+"He had had the pleasure," Lovel answered, to see her at Mrs. Wilmot's,
+in Yorkshire."
+
+"Indeed! you never mentioned that to me before, and you did not accost
+her as an old acquaintance."
+
+"I—I did not know," said Lovel, a good deal embarrassed, "it was the
+same lady, till we met; and then it was my duty to wait till she should
+recognise me."
+
+"I am aware of your delicacy: the knight's a punctilious old fool, but
+I promise you his daughter is above all nonsensical ceremony and
+prejudice. And now, since you have, found a new set of friends here, may
+I ask if you intend to leave Fairport as soon as you proposed?"
+
+"What if I should answer your question by another," replied Lovel, "and
+ask you what is your opinion of dreams?"
+
+"Of dreams, you foolish lad!—why, what should I think of them but as
+the deceptions of imagination when reason drops the reins? I know no
+difference betwixt them and the hallucinations of madness—the unguided
+horses run away with the carriage in both cases, only in the one the
+coachman is drunk, and in the other he slumbers. What says our
+Marcus Tullius—Si insanorum visis fides non est habenda, cur credatur
+somnientium visis, quae multo etiam perturbatiora sunt, non intelligo."
+
+"Yes, sir; but Cicero also tells us, that as he who passes the whole day
+in darting the javelin must sometimes hit the mark, so, amid the cloud
+of nightly dreams, some may occur consonant to future events."
+
+"Ay—that is to say, you have hit the mark in your own sage opinion?
+Lord! Lord! how this world is given to folly! Well, I will allow for
+once the Oneirocritical science—I will give faith to the exposition of
+dreams, and say a Daniel hath arisen to interpret them, if you can
+prove to me that that dream of yours has pointed to a prudent line of
+conduct."
+
+"Tell me, then," answered Lovel, "why when I was hesitating whether to
+abandon an enterprise, which I have perhaps rashly undertaken, I
+should last night dream I saw your ancestor pointing to a motto which
+encouraged me to perseverance?—why should I have thought of those words
+which I cannot remember to have heard before, which are in a language
+unknown to me, and which yet conveyed, when translated, a lesson which I
+could so plainly apply to my own circumstances?"
+
+The Antiquary burst into a fit of laughing. "Excuse me, my young
+friend—but it is thus we silly mortals deceive ourselves, and look out
+of doors for motives which originate in our own wilful will. I think I
+can help out the cause of your vision. You were so abstracted in your
+contemplations yesterday after dinner, as to pay little attention to the
+discourse between Sir Arthur and me, until we fell upon the controversy
+concerning the Piks, which terminated so abruptly;—but I remember
+producing to Sir Arthur a book printed by my ancestor, and making
+him observe the motto; your mind was bent elsewhere, but your ear had
+mechanically received and retained the sounds, and your busy fancy,
+stirred by Grizel's legend I presume, had introduced this scrap of
+German into your dream. As for the waking wisdom which seized on so
+frivolous a circumstance as an apology for persevering in some course
+which it could find no better reason to justify, it is exactly one of
+those juggling tricks which the sagest of us play off now and then, to
+gratify our inclination at the expense of our understanding."
+
+"I own it," said Lovel, blushing deeply;—"I believe you are right, Mr.
+Oldbuck, and I ought to sink in your esteem for attaching a moment's
+consequence to such a frivolity;—but I was tossed by contradictory
+wishes and resolutions, and you know how slight a line will tow a boat
+when afloat on the billows, though a cable would hardly move her when
+pulled up on the beach."
+
+"Right, right," exclaimed the Antiquary. "Fall in my opinion!—not a
+whit—I love thee the better, man;—why, we have story for story against
+each other, and I can think with less shame on having exposed myself
+about that cursed Praetorium—though I am still convinced Agricola's camp
+must have been somewhere in this neighbourhood. And now, Lovel, my good
+lad, be sincere with me—What make you from Wittenberg?—why have you left
+your own country and professional pursuits, for an idle residence in
+such a place as Fairport? A truant disposition, I fear."
+
+"Even so," replied Lovel, patiently submitting to an interrogatory which
+he could not well evade. "Yet I am so detached from all the world, have
+so few in whom I am interested, or who are interested in me, that my
+very state of destitution gives me independence. He whose good or evil
+fortune affects himself alone, has the best right to pursue it according
+to his own fancy."
+
+"Pardon me, young man," said Oldbuck, laying his hand kindly on his
+shoulder, and making a full halt—"sufflamina—a little patience, if you
+please. I will suppose that you have no friends to share or rejoice in
+your success in life—that you cannot look back to those to whom you owe
+gratitude, or forward to those to whom you ought to afford protection;
+but it is no less incumbent on you to move steadily in the path of
+duty—for your active exertions are due not only to society, but in
+humble gratitude to the Being who made you a member of it, with powers
+to serve yourself and others."
+
+"But I am unconscious of possessing such powers," said Lovel, somewhat
+impatiently. "I ask nothing of society but the permission of walking
+innoxiously through the path of life, without jostling others, or
+permitting myself to be jostled. I owe no man anything—I have the means
+of maintaining, myself with complete independence; and so moderate
+are my wishes in this respect, that even these means, however limited,
+rather exceed than fall short of them."
+
+"Nay, then," said Oldbuck, removing his hand, and turning again to
+the road, "if you are so true a philosopher as to think you have money
+enough, there's no more to be said—I cannot pretend to be entitled to
+advise you;—you have attained the acme'—the summit of perfection. And
+how came Fairport to be the selected abode of so much self-denying
+philosophy? It is as if a worshipper of the true religion had set up his
+staff by choice among the multifarious idolaters of the land of Egypt.
+There is not a man in Fairport who is not a devoted worshipper of the
+Golden Calf—the mammon of unrighteousness. Why, even I, man, am so
+infected by the bad neighbourhood, that I feel inclined occasionally to
+become an idolater myself."
+
+"My principal amusements being literary," answered Lovel, "and
+circumstances which I cannot mention having induced me, for a time at
+least, to relinquish the military service, I have pitched on Fairport
+as a place where I might follow my pursuits without any of those
+temptations to society which a more elegant circle might have presented
+to me."
+
+"Aha!" replied Oldbuck, knowingly,—"I begin to understand your
+application of my ancestor's motto. You are a candidate for public
+favour, though not in the way I first suspected,—you are ambitious to
+shine as a literary character, and you hope to merit favour by labour
+and perseverance?"
+
+Lovel, who was rather closely pressed by the inquisitiveness of the old
+gentleman, concluded it would be best to let him remain in the error
+which he had gratuitously adopted.
+
+"I have been at times foolish enough," he replied, "to nourish some
+thoughts of the kind."
+
+"Ah, poor fellow! nothing can be more melancholy; unless, as young
+men sometimes do, you had fancied yourself in love with some trumpery
+specimen of womankind, which is indeed, as Shakspeare truly says,
+pressing to death, whipping, and hanging all at once."
+
+He then proceeded with inquiries, which he was sometimes kind enough to
+answer himself. For this good old gentleman had, from his antiquarian
+researches, acquired a delight in building theories out of premises
+which were often far from affording sufficient ground for them; and
+being, as the reader must have remarked, sufficiently opinionative,
+he did not readily brook being corrected, either in matter of fact or
+judgment, even by those who were principally interested in the subjects
+on which he speculated. He went on, therefore, chalking out Lovel's
+literary career for him.
+
+"And with what do you propose to commence your debut as a man of
+letters?—But I guess—poetry—poetry—the soft seducer of youth. Yes! there
+is an acknowledging modesty of confusion in your eye and manner. And
+where lies your vein?—are you inclined to soar to the, higher regions of
+Parnassus, or to flutter around the base of the hill?"
+
+"I have hitherto attempted only a few lyrical pieces," said Lovel.
+
+"Just as I supposed—pruning your wing, and hopping from spray to spray.
+But I trust you intend a bolder flight. Observe, I would by no means
+recommend your persevering in this unprofitable pursuit—but you say you
+are quite independent of the public caprice?"
+
+"Entirely so," replied Lovel.
+
+"And that you are determined not to adopt a more active course of life?"
+
+"For the present, such is my resolution," replied the young man.
+
+"Why, then, it only remains for me to give you my best advice and
+assistance in the object of your pursuit. I have myself published two
+essays in the Antiquarian Repository,—and therefore am an author of
+experience, There was my Remarks on Hearne's edition of Robert of
+Gloucester, signed Scrutator; and the other signed Indagator, upon a
+passage in Tacitus. I might add, what attracted considerable notice at
+the time, and that is my paper in the Gentleman's Magazine, upon the
+inscription of OElia Lelia, which I subscribed OEdipus.So you see I am
+not an apprentice in the mysteries of author-craft, and must necessarily
+understand the taste and temper of the times. And now, once more, what
+do you intend to commence with?"
+
+"I have no instant thoughts of publishing."
+
+"Ah! that will never do; you must have the fear of the public before
+your eyes in all your undertakings. Let us see now: A collection of
+fugitive pieces; but no—your fugitive poetry is apt to become
+stationary with the bookseller. It should be something at once solid and
+attractive—none of your romances or anomalous novelties—I would have you
+take high ground at once. Let me see: What think you of a real epic?—the
+grand old-fashioned historical poem which moved through twelve or
+twenty-four books. We'll have it so—I'll supply you with a subject—The
+battle between the Caledonians and Romans—The Caledoniad; or, Invasion
+Repelled;—let that be the title—it will suit the present taste, and you
+may throw in a touch of the times."
+
+"But the invasion of Agricola was not repelled."
+
+"No; but you are a poet—free of the corporation, and as little bound
+down to truth or probability as Virgil himself—You may defeat the Romans
+in spite of Tacitus."
+
+"And pitch Agricola's camp at the Kaim of—what do you call it," answered
+Lovel, "in defiance of Edie Ochiltree?"
+
+"No more of that, an thou lovest me—And yet, I dare say, ye may
+unwittingly speak most correct truth in both instances, in despite of
+the toga of the historian and the blue gown of the mendicant."
+
+"Gallantly counselled!—Well, I will do my best—your kindness will assist
+me with local information."
+
+"Will I not, man?—why, I will write the critical and historical notes on
+each canto, and draw out the plan of the story myself. I pretend to some
+poetical genius, Mr. Lovel, only I was never able to write verses."
+
+"It is a pity, sir, that you should have failed in a qualification
+somewhat essential to the art."
+
+"Essential?—not a whit—it is the mere mechanical department. A man may
+be a poet without measuring spondees and dactyls like the ancients, or
+clashing the ends of lines into rhyme like the moderns, as one may be an
+architect though unable to labour like a stone-mason—Dost think Palladio
+or Vitruvius ever carried a hod?"
+
+"In that case, there should be two authors to each poem—one to think and
+plan, another to execute."
+
+"Why, it would not be amiss; at any rate, we'll make the experiment;—not
+that I would wish to give my name to the public—assistance from a
+learned friend might be acknowledged in the preface after what flourish
+your nature will—I am a total stranger to authorial vanity."
+
+Lovel was much entertained by a declaration not very consistent with
+the eagerness wherewith his friend seemed to catch at an opportunity
+of coming before the public, though in a manner which rather resembled
+stepping up behind a carriage than getting into one. The Antiquary was
+indeed uncommonly delighted; for, like many other men who spend their
+lives in obscure literary research, he had a secret ambition to
+appear in print, which was checked by cold fits of diffidence, fear of
+criticism, and habits of indolence and procrastination. "But," thought
+he, "I may, like a second Teucer, discharge my shafts from behind
+the shield of my ally; and, admit that he should not prove to be a
+first-rate poet, I am in no shape answerable for his deficiencies, and
+the good notes may very probably help off an indifferent text. But he
+is—he must be a good poet; he has the real Parnassian abstraction—seldom
+answers a question till it is twice repeated—drinks his tea scalding,
+and eats without knowing what he is putting into his mouth. This is
+the real aestus, the awen of the Welsh bards, the divinus afflatus that
+transports the poet beyond the limits of sublunary things. His visions,
+too, are very symptomatical of poetic fury—I must recollect to send
+Caxon to see he puts out his candle to-night—poets and visionaries are
+apt to be negligent in that respect." Then, turning to his companion, he
+expressed himself aloud in continuation—
+
+"Yes, my dear Lovel, you shall have full notes; and, indeed, think
+we may introduce the whole of the Essay on Castrametation into the
+appendix—it will give great value to the work. Then we will revive the
+good old forms so disgracefully neglected in modern times. You shall
+invoke the Muse—and certainly she ought to be propitious to an author
+who, in an apostatizing age, adheres with the faith of Abdiel to the
+ancient form of adoration.—Then we must have a vision—in which the
+Genius of Caledonia shall appear to Galgacus, and show him a procession
+of the real Scottish monarchs:—and in the notes I will have a hit at
+Boethius—No; I must not touch that topic, now that Sir Arthur is likely
+to have vexation enough besides—but I'll annihilate Ossian, Macpherson,
+and Mac-Cribb."
+
+"But we must consider the expense of publication," said Lovel, willing
+to try whether this hint would fall like cold water on the blazing zeal
+of his self-elected coadjutor.
+
+"Expense!" said Mr. Oldbuck, pausing, and mechanically fumbling in his
+pocket—"that is true;—I would wish to do something—but you would not
+like to publish by subscription?"
+
+"By no means," answered Lovel.
+
+"No, no!" gladly acquiesced the Antiquary—"it is not respectable. I'll
+tell you what: I believe I know a bookseller who has a value for my
+opinion, and will risk print and paper, and I will get as many copies
+sold for you as I can."
+
+"O, I am no mercenary author," answered Lovel, smiling; "I only wish to
+be out of risk of loss."
+
+"Hush! hush! we'll take care of that—throw it all on the publishers.
+I do long to see your labours commenced. You will choose blank verse,
+doubtless?—it is more grand and magnificent for an historical subject;
+and, what concerneth you, my friend, it is, I have an idea, more easily
+written."
+
+This conversation brought them to Monkbarns, where the Antiquary had
+to undergo a chiding from his sister, who, though no philosopher,
+was waiting to deliver a lecture to him in the portico. "Guide us,
+Monkbarns! are things no dear eneugh already, but ye maun be raising the
+very fish on us, by giving that randy, Luckie Mucklebackit, just what
+she likes to ask?"
+
+"Why, Grizel," said the sage, somewhat abashed at this unexpected
+attack, "I thought I made a very fair bargain."
+
+"A fair bargain! when ye gied the limmer a full half o' what she
+seekit!—An ye will be a wife-carle, and buy fish at your ain hands, ye
+suld never bid muckle mair than a quarter. And the impudent quean had
+the assurance to come up and seek a dram—But I trow, Jenny and I sorted
+her!"
+
+"Truly," said Oldbuck (with a sly look to his companion), "I think
+our estate was gracious that kept us out of hearing of that
+controversy.—Well, well, Grizel, I was wrong for once in my life ultra
+crepidam—I fairly admit. But hang expenses!—care killed a cat—we'll eat
+the fish, cost what it will.—And then, Lovel, you must know I pressed
+you to stay here to-day, the rather because our cheer will be better
+than usual, yesterday having been a gaude' day—I love the reversion of
+a feast better than the feast itself. I delight in the analecta, the
+collectanea, as I may call them, of the preceding day's dinner, which
+appear on such occasions—And see, there is Jenny going to ring the
+dinner-bell."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER FIFTEENTH.
+
+        Be this letter delivered with haste—haste—post-haste!
+        Ride, villain, ride,—for thy life—for thy life—for thy life.
+                  Ancient Indorsation of Letters of Importance.
+
+Leaving Mr. Oldbuck and his friend to enjoy their hard bargain of
+fish, we beg leave to transport the reader to the back-parlour of
+the post-master's house at Fairport, where his wife, he himself being
+absent, was employed in assorting for delivery the letters which had
+come by the Edinburgh post. This is very often in country towns the
+period of the day when gossips find it particularly agreeable to call on
+the man or woman of letters, in order, from the outside of the epistles,
+and, if they are not belied, occasionally from the inside also, to amuse
+themselves with gleaning information, or forming conjectures about the
+correspondence and affairs of their neighbours. Two females of this
+description were, at the time we mention, assisting, or impeding, Mrs.
+Mailsetter in her official duty.
+
+"Eh, preserve us, sirs!" said the butcher's wife, "there's ten—
+eleven—twall letters to Tennant and Co.—thae folk do mair business than
+a' the rest o' the burgh."
+
+"Ay; but see, lass," answered the baker's lady, "there's twa o' them
+faulded unco square, and sealed at the tae side—I doubt there will be
+protested bills in them."
+
+"Is there ony letters come yet for Jenny Caxon?" inquired the woman of
+joints and giblets; "the lieutenant's been awa three weeks."
+
+"Just ane on Tuesday was a week," answered the dame of letters.
+
+"Wast a ship-letter?" asked the Fornerina.
+
+"In troth wast."
+
+"It wad be frae the lieutenant then," replied the mistress of the
+rolls, somewhat disappointed—"I never thought he wad hae lookit ower his
+shouther after her."
+
+"Od, here's another," quoth Mrs. Mailsetter. "A ship-letter—post-mark,
+Sunderland." All rushed to seize it.—"Na, na, leddies," said Mrs.
+Mailsetter, interfering; "I hae had eneugh o' that wark—Ken ye that Mr.
+Mailsetter got an unco rebuke frae the secretary at Edinburgh, for
+a complaint that was made about the letter of Aily Bisset's that ye
+opened, Mrs. Shortcake?"
+
+"Me opened!" answered the spouse of the chief baker of Fairport; "ye ken
+yoursell, madam, it just cam open o' free will in my hand—what could I
+help it?—folk suld seal wi' better wax."
+
+"Weel I wot that's true, too," said Mrs. Mailsetter, who kept a shop of
+small wares, "and we have got some that I can honestly recommend, if ye
+ken onybody wanting it. But the short and the lang o't is, that we'll
+lose the place gin there's ony mair complaints o' the kind."
+
+"Hout, lass—the provost will take care o' that."
+
+"Na, na, I'll neither trust to provost nor bailier" said the
+postmistress,—"but I wad aye be obliging and neighbourly, and I'm no
+again your looking at the outside of a letter neither—See, the seal has
+an anchor on't—he's done't wi' ane o' his buttons, I'm thinking."
+
+"Show me! show me!" quoth the wives of the chief butcher and chief
+baker; and threw themselves on the supposed love-letter, like the weird
+sisters in Macbeth upon the pilot's thumb, with curiosity as eager and
+scarcely less malignant. Mrs. Heukbane was a tall woman—she held the
+precious epistle up between her eyes and the window. Mrs. Shortcake, a
+little squat personage, strained and stood on tiptoe to have her share
+of the investigation.
+
+"Ay, it's frae him, sure eneugh," said the butcher's lady;—"I can read
+Richard Taffril on the corner, and it's written, like John Thomson's
+wallet, frae end to end."
+
+"Haud it lower down, madam," exclaimed Mrs. Shortcake, in a tone above
+the prudential whisper which their occupation required—"haud it lower
+down—Div ye think naebody can read hand o' writ but yoursell?"
+
+"Whist, whist, sirs, for God's sake!" said Mrs. Mailsetter, "there's
+somebody in the shop,"—then aloud—"Look to the customers, Baby!"—Baby
+answered from without in a shrill tone—"It's naebody but Jenny Caxon,
+ma'am, to see if there's ony letters to her."
+
+"Tell her," said the faithful postmistress, winking to her compeers, "to
+come back the morn at ten o'clock, and I'll let her ken—we havena had
+time to sort the mail letters yet—she's aye in sic a hurry, as if her
+letters were o' mair consequence than the best merchant's o' the town."
+
+Poor Jenny, a girl of uncommon beauty and modesty, could only draw her
+cloak about her to hide the sigh of disappointment and return meekly
+home to endure for another night the sickness of the heart occasioned by
+hope delayed.
+
+"There's something about a needle and a pole," said Mrs. Shortcake, to
+whom her taller rival in gossiping had at length yielded a peep at the
+subject of their curiosity.
+
+"Now, that's downright shamefu'," said Mrs. Heukbane, "to scorn the poor
+silly gait of a lassie after he's keepit company wi' her sae lang, and
+had his will o' her, as I make nae doubt he has."
+
+"It's but ower muckle to be doubted," echoed Mrs. Shortcake;—"to cast up
+to her that her father's a barber and has a pole at his door, and that
+she's but a manty-maker hersell! Hout fy for shame!"
+
+"Hout tout, leddies," cried Mrs. Mailsetter, "ye're clean wrang—It's a
+line out o' ane o' his sailors' sangs that I have heard him sing, about
+being true like the needle to the pole."
+
+"Weel, weel, I wish it may be sae," said the charitable Dame
+Heukbane,—"but it disna look weel for a lassie like her to keep up a
+correspondence wi' ane o' the king's officers."
+
+"I'm no denying that," said Mrs. Mailsetter; "but it's a great advantage
+to the revenue of the post-office thae love-letters. See, here's five or
+six letters to Sir Arthur Wardour—maist o' them sealed wi' wafers, and
+no wi' wax. There will be a downcome, there, believe me."
+
+"Ay; they will be business letters, and no frae ony o' his grand
+friends, that seals wi' their coats of arms, as they ca' them," said
+Mrs. Heukbane;—"pride will hae a fa'—he hasna settled his account wi' my
+gudeman, the deacon, for this twalmonth—he's but slink, I doubt."
+
+"Nor wi' huz for sax months," echoed Mrs. Shortcake—"He's but a brunt
+crust."
+
+"There's a letter," interrupted the trusty postmistress, "from his
+son, the captain, I'm thinking—the seal has the same things wi' the
+Knockwinnock carriage. He'll be coming hame to see what he can save out
+o' the fire."
+
+The baronet thus dismissed, they took up the esquire—"Twa letters for
+Monkbarns—they're frae some o' his learned friends now; see sae close as
+they're written, down to the very seal—and a' to save sending a double
+letter—that's just like Monkbarns himsell. When he gets a frank he fills
+it up exact to the weight of an unce, that a carvy-seed would sink the
+scale—but he's neer a grain abune it. Weel I wot I wad be broken if
+I were to gie sic weight to the folk that come to buy our pepper and
+brimstone, and suchlike sweetmeats."
+
+"He's a shabby body the laird o' Monkbarns," said Mrs. Heukbane; "he'll
+make as muckle about buying a forequarter o' lamb in August as about a
+back sey o' beef. Let's taste another drop of the sinning" (perhaps she
+meant cinnamon) "waters, Mrs. Mailsetter, my dear. Ah, lasses! an ye
+had kend his brother as I did—mony a time he wad slip in to see me wi' a
+brace o' wild deukes in his pouch, when my first gudeman was awa at the
+Falkirk tryst—weel, weel—we'se no speak o' that e'enow."
+
+"I winna say ony ill o'this Monkbarns," said Mrs. Shortcake; "his
+brother neer brought me ony wild-deukes, and this is a douce honest man;
+we serve the family wi' bread, and he settles wi' huz ilka week—only
+he was in an unco kippage when we sent him a book instead o' the
+nick-sticks,* whilk, he said, were the true ancient way o' counting
+between tradesmen and customers; and sae they are, nae doubt."
+
+* Note E. Nick-sticks.
+
+"But look here, lasses," interrupted Mrs. Mailsetter, "here's a sight
+for sair e'en! What wad ye gie to ken what's in the inside o' this
+letter? This is new corn—I haena seen the like o' this—For William
+Lovel, Esquire, at Mrs. Hadoway's, High Street, Fairport, by Edinburgh,
+N. B. This is just the second letter he has had since he was here."
+
+"Lord's sake, let's see, lass!—Lord's sake, let's see!—that's him that
+the hale town kens naething about—and a weel-fa'ard lad he is; let's
+see, let's see!" Thus ejaculated the two worthy representatives of
+mother Eve.
+
+"Na, na, sirs," exclaimed Mrs. Mailsetter; "haud awa—bide aff, I tell
+you; this is nane o' your fourpenny cuts that we might make up the
+value to the post-office amang ourselves if ony mischance befell it;—the
+postage is five-and-twenty shillings—and here's an order frae the
+Secretary to forward it to the young gentleman by express, if he's no at
+hame. Na, na, sirs, bide aff;—this maunna be roughly guided."
+
+"But just let's look at the outside o't, woman."
+
+Nothing could be gathered from the outside, except remarks on the
+various properties which philosophers ascribe to matter,—length,
+breadth, depth, and weight, The packet was composed of strong thick
+paper, imperviable by the curious eyes of the gossips, though they
+stared as if they would burst from their sockets. The seal was a deep
+and well-cut impression of arms, which defied all tampering.
+
+"Od, lass," said Mrs. Shortcake, weighing it in her hand, and wishing,
+doubtless, that the too, too solid wax would melt and dissolve itself,
+"I wad like to ken what's in the inside o' this, for that Lovel dings a'
+that ever set foot on the plainstanes o' Fairport—naebody kens what to
+make o' him." Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake
+
+"Weel, weel, leddies," said the postmistress, "we'se sit down and crack
+about it.—Baby, bring ben the tea-water—Muckle obliged to ye for your
+cookies, Mrs. Shortcake—and we'll steek the shop, and cry ben Baby, and
+take a hand at the cartes till the gudeman comes hame—and then we'll
+try your braw veal sweetbread that ye were so kind as send me, Mrs.
+Heukbane."
+
+"But winna ye first send awa Mr. Lovel's letter?" said Mrs. Heukbane.
+
+"Troth I kenna wha to send wi't till the gudeman comes hame, for auld
+Caxon tell'd me that Mr. Lovel stays a' the day at Monkbarns—he's in a
+high fever, wi' pu'ing the laird and Sir Arthur out o' the sea."
+
+"Silly auld doited carles!" said Mrs. Shortcake; "what gar'd them gang
+to the douking in a night like yestreen!"
+
+"I was gi'en to understand it was auld Edie that saved them," said Mrs.
+Heukbane—"Edie Ochiltree, the Blue-Gown, ye ken; and that he pu'd the
+hale three out of the auld fish-pound, for Monkbarns had threepit on
+them to gang in till't to see the wark o' the monks lang syne."
+
+"Hout, lass, nonsense!" answered the postmistress; "I'll tell ye, a'
+about it, as Caxon tell'd it to me. Ye see, Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour,
+and Mr. Lovel, suld hae dined at Monkbarns"—
+
+"But, Mrs. Mailsetter," again interrupted Mrs. Heukbane, "will ye no
+be for sending awa this letter by express?—there's our powny and our
+callant hae gane express for the office or now, and the powny hasna gane
+abune thirty mile the day;—Jock was sorting him up as I came ower by."
+
+"Why, Mrs. Heukbane," said the woman of letters, pursing up her mouth,
+"ye ken my gudeman likes to ride the expresses himsell—we maun gie our
+ain fish-guts to our ain sea-maws—it's a red half-guinea to him every
+time he munts his mear; and I dare say he'll be in sune—or I dare to
+say, it's the same thing whether the gentleman gets the express this
+night or early next morning."
+
+"Only that Mr. Lovel will be in town before the express gaes aff," said
+Mrs. Heukbane; "and where are ye then, lass? But ye ken yere ain ways
+best."
+
+"Weel, weel, Mrs. Heukbane," answered Mrs. Mailsetter, a little out of
+humour, and even out of countenance, "I am sure I am never against being
+neighbour-like, and living and letting live, as they say; and since I
+hae been sic a fule as to show you the post-office order—ou, nae doubt,
+it maun be obeyed. But I'll no need your callant, mony thanks to
+ye—I'll send little Davie on your powny, and that will be just five-and-
+threepence to ilka ane o' us, ye ken."
+
+"Davie! the Lord help ye, the bairn's no ten year auld; and, to be plain
+wi' ye, our powny reists a bit, and it's dooms sweer to the road, and
+naebody can manage him but our Jock."
+
+"I'm sorry for that," answered the postmistress, gravely; "it's like we
+maun wait then till the gudeman comes hame, after a'—for I wadna like to
+be responsible in trusting the letter to sic a callant as Jock—our Davie
+belangs in a manner to the office."
+
+"Aweel, aweel, Mrs. Mailsetter, I see what ye wad be at—but an ye like
+to risk the bairn, I'll risk the beast."
+
+Orders were accordingly given. The unwilling pony was brought out of his
+bed of straw, and again equipped for service—Davie (a leathern post-bag
+strapped across his shoulders) was perched upon the saddle, with a tear
+in his eye, and a switch in his hand. Jock good-naturedly led the animal
+out of town, and, by the crack of his whip, and the whoop and halloo
+of his too well-known voice, compelled it to take the road towards
+Monkbarns.
+
+Meanwhile the gossips, like the sibyls after consulting their leaves,
+arranged and combined the information of the evening, which flew next
+morning through a hundred channels, and in a hundred varieties, through
+the world of Fairport. Many, strange, and inconsistent, were the rumours
+to which their communications and conjectures gave rise. Some said
+Tennant and Co. were broken, and that all their bills had come back
+protested—others that they had got a great contract from Government, and
+letters from the principal merchants at Glasgow, desiring to have
+shares upon a premium. One report stated, that Lieutenant Taffril had
+acknowledged a private marriage with Jenny Caxon—another, that he had
+sent her a letter upbraiding her with the lowness of her birth and
+education, and bidding her an eternal adieu. It was generally rumoured
+that Sir Arthur Wardour's affairs had fallen into irretrievable
+confusion, and this report was only doubted by the wise, because it
+was traced to Mrs. Mailsetter's shop,—a source more famous for the
+circulation of news than for their accuracy. But all agreed that a
+packet from the Secretary of State's office, had arrived, directed
+for Mr. Lovel, and that it had been forwarded by an orderly dragoon,
+despatched from the head-quarters at Edinburgh, who had galloped through
+Fairport without stopping, except just to inquire the way to Monkbarns.
+The reason of such an extraordinary mission to a very peaceful and
+retired individual, was variously explained. Some said Lovel was an
+emigrant noble, summoned to head an insurrection that had broken out
+in La Vende'e—others that he was a spy—others that he was a general
+officer, who was visiting the coast privately—others that he was a
+prince of the blood, who was travelling incognito.
+
+Meanwhile the progress of the packet which occasioned so much
+speculation, towards its destined owner at Monkbarns, had been perilous
+and interrupted. The bearer, Davie Mailsetter, as little resembling
+a bold dragoon as could well be imagined, was carried onwards towards
+Monkbarns by the pony, so long as the animal had in his recollection
+the crack of his usual instrument of chastisement, and the shout of the
+butcher's boy. But feeling how Davie, whose short legs were unequal to
+maintain his balance, swung to and fro upon his back, the pony began to
+disdain furthur compliance with the intimations he had received. First,
+then, he slackened his pace to a walk This was no point of quarrel
+between him and his rider, who had been considerably discomposed by the
+rapidity of his former motion, and who now took the opportunity of his
+abated pace to gnaw a piece of gingerbread, which had been thrust into
+his hand by his mother in order to reconcile this youthful emissary of
+the post-office to the discharge of his duty. By and by, the crafty pony
+availed himself of this surcease of discipline to twitch the rein out of
+Davies hands, and applied himself to browse on the grass by the side of
+the lane. Sorely astounded by these symptoms of self-willed rebellion,
+and afraid alike to sit or to fall, poor Davie lifted up his voice
+and wept aloud. The pony, hearing this pudder over his head, began
+apparently to think it would be best both for himself and Davie to
+return from whence they came, and accordingly commenced a retrograde
+movement towards Fairport. But, as all retreats are apt to end in utter
+rout, so the steed, alarmed by the boy's cries, and by the flapping of
+the reins, which dangled about his forefeet—finding also his nose turned
+homeward, began to set off at a rate which, if Davie kept the saddle (a
+matter extremely dubious), would soon have presented him at Heukbane's
+stable-door,—when, at a turn of the road, an intervening auxiliary, in
+the shape of old Edie Ochiltree, caught hold of the rein, and stopped
+his farther proceeding. "Wha's aught ye, callant? whaten a gate's that
+to ride?"
+
+"I canna help it!" blubbered the express; "they ca' me little Davie."
+
+"And where are ye gaun?"
+
+"I'm gaun to Monkbarns wi' a letter."
+
+"Stirra, this is no the road to Monkbarns."
+
+But Davie could oinly answer the expostulation with sighs and tears.
+
+Old Edie was easily moved to compassion where childhood was in the
+case.- -"I wasna gaun that gate," he thought, "but it's the best o' my
+way o' life that I canna be weel out o' my road. They'll gie me quarters
+at Monkbarns readily eneugh, and I'll e'en hirple awa there wi' the
+wean, for it will knock its hams out, puir thing, if there's no somebody
+to guide the pony.—Sae ye hae a letter, hinney? will ye let me see't?"
+
+"I'm no gaun to let naebody see the letter," sobbed the boy, "till I
+gie't to Mr. Lovel, for I am a faithfu' servant o' the office—if it
+werena for the powny."
+
+"Very right, my little man," said Ochiltree, turning the reluctant
+pony's head towards Monkbarns; "but we'll guide him atween us, if he's
+no a' the sweerer."
+
+Upon the very height of Kinprunes, to which Monkbarns had invited Lovel
+after their dinner, the Antiquary, again reconciled to the once degraded
+spot, was expatiating upon the topics the scenery afforded for a
+description of Agricola's camp at the dawn of morning, when his eye was
+caught by the appearance of the mendicant and his protegee. "What the
+devil!—here comes Old Edie, bag and baggage, I think."
+
+The beggar explained his errand, and Davie, who insisted upon a
+literal execution of his commission by going on to Monkbarns, was with
+difficulty prevailed upon to surrender the packet to its proper owner,
+although he met him a mile nearer than the place he bad been directed
+to. "But my minnie said, I maun be sure to get twenty shillings and
+five shillings for the postage, and ten shillings and sixpence for the
+express—there's the paper."
+
+"Let me see—let me see," said Oldbuck, putting on his spectacles, and
+examining the crumpled copy of regulations to which Davie appealed.
+"Express, per man and horse, one day, not to exceed ten shillings and
+sixpence. One day? why, it's not an hour—Man and horse? why, 'tis a
+monkey on a starved cat!"
+
+"Father wad hae come himsell," said Davie, "on the muckle red mear, an
+ye wad hae bidden till the morn's night."
+
+"Four-and-twenty hours after the regular date of delivery! You little
+cockatrice egg, do you understand the art of imposition so early?"
+
+"Hout Monkbarns! dinna set your wit against a bairn," said the beggar;
+"mind the butcher risked his beast, and the wife her wean, and I am sure
+ten and sixpence isna ower muckle. Ye didna gang sae near wi' Johnnie
+Howie, when"—
+
+Lovel, who, sitting on the supposed Praetorium, had glanced over the
+contents of the packet, now put an end to the altercation by paying
+Davies demand; and then turning to Mr. Oldbuck, with a look of much
+agitation, he excused himself from returning with him to Monkbarns' that
+evening.—"I must instantly go to Fairport, and perhaps leave it on a
+moment's notice;—your kindness, Mr. Oldbuck, I can never forget."
+
+"No bad news, I hope?" said the Antiquary.
+
+"Of a very chequered complexion," answered his friend. "Farewell—in good
+or bad fortune I will not forget your regard."
+
+"Nay, nay—stop a moment. If—if—" (making an effort)—"if there be any
+pecuniary inconvenience—I have fifty—or a hundred guineas at your
+service—till—till Whitsunday—or indeed as long as you please."
+
+"I am much obliged, Mr. Oldbuck, but I am amply provided," said his
+mysterious young friend. "Excuse me—I really cannot sustain further
+conversation at present. I will write or see you, before I leave
+Fairport—that is, if I find myself obliged to go."
+
+So saying, he shook the Antiquary's hand warmly, turned from him, and
+walked rapidly towards the town, "staying no longer question."
+
+"Very extraordinary indeed!" said Oldbuck;—"but there's something about
+this lad I can never fathom; and yet I cannot for my heart think ill of
+him neither. I must go home and take off the fire in the Green Room, for
+none of my womankind will venture into it after twilight."
+
+"And how am I to win hame?" blubbered the disconsolate express.
+
+"It's a fine night," said the Blue-Gown, looking up to the skies; "I had
+as gude gang back to the town, and take care o' the wean."
+
+"Do so, do so, Edie;" and rummaging for some time in his huge waistcoat
+pocket till he found the object of his search, the Antiquary added,
+"there's sixpence to ye to buy sneeshin."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.
+
+     "I am bewitched with the rogue's company. If the rascal has not
+     given me medicines to make me love him, I'll be hanged; it could
+     not be else. I have drunk medicines."
+                            Second Part of Henry IV.
+
+Regular for a fortnight were the inquiries of the Antiquary at the
+veteran Caxon, whether he had heard what Mr. Lovel was about; and as
+regular were Caxon's answers, "that the town could learn naething about
+him whatever, except that he had received anither muckle letter or twa
+frae the south, and that he was never seen on the plainstanes at a'."
+
+"How does he live, Caxon?"
+
+"Ou, Mrs. Hadoway just dresses him a beefsteak or a muttonchop, or makes
+him some Friar's chicken, or just what she likes hersell, and he eats it
+in the little red parlour off his bedroom. She canna get him to say
+that he likes ae thing better than anither; and she makes him tea in a
+morning, and he settles honourably wi' her every week."
+
+"But does he never stir abroad?"
+
+"He has clean gi'en up walking, and he sits a' day in his room reading
+or writing; a hantle letters he has written, but he wadna put them into
+our post-house, though Mrs. Hadoway offered to carry them hersell, but
+sent them a' under ae cover to the sheriff; and it's Mrs. Mailsetter's
+belief, that the sheriff sent his groom to put them into the post-office
+at Tannonburgh; it's my puir thought, that he jaloused their looking
+into his letters at Fairport; and weel had he need, for my puir daughter
+Jenny"—
+
+"Tut, don't plague me with your womankind, Caxon. About this poor young
+lad.—Does he write nothing but letters?"
+
+"Ou, ay—hale sheets o' other things, Mrs. Hadoway says. She wishes
+muckle he could be gotten to take a walk; she thinks he's but looking
+very puirly, and his appetite's clean gane; but he'll no hear o' ganging
+ower the door-stane—him that used to walk sae muckle too."
+
+"That's wrong—I have a guess what he's busy about; but he must not
+work too hard neither. I'll go and see him this very day—he's deep,
+doubtless, in the Caledoniad."
+
+Having formed this manful resolution, Mr. Oldbuck equipped himself
+for the expedition with his thick walking-shoes and gold-headed cane,
+muttering the while the words of Falstaff which we have chosen for the
+motto of this CHAPTER; for the Antiquary was himself rather surprised
+at the degree of attachment which he could not but acknowledge be
+entertained for this stranger. The riddle was notwithstanding easily
+solved. Lovel had many attractive qualities, but he won our Antiquary's
+heart by being on most occasions an excellent listener.
+
+A walk to Fairport had become somewhat of an adventure with Mr. Oldbuck,
+and one which he did not often care to undertake. He hated greetings in
+the market-place; and there were generally loiterers in the streets to
+persecute him, either about the news of the day, or about some petty
+pieces of business. So, on this occasion, he had no sooner entered the
+streets of Fairport, than it was "Good-morrow, Mr. Oldbuck—a sight o'
+you's gude, for sair een: what d'ye think of the news in the Sun the
+day?—they say the great attempt will be made in a fortnight."
+
+"I wish to the Lord it were made and over, that I might hear no more
+about it."
+
+"Monkbarns, your honour," said the nursery and seedsman, "I hope the
+plants gied satisfaction?—and if ye wanted ony flower-roots fresh frae
+Holland, or" (this in a lower key) "an anker or twa o' Cologne gin, ane
+o' our brigs cam in yestreen."
+
+"Thank ye, thank ye,—no occasion at present, Mr. Crabtree," said the
+Antiquary, pushing resolutely onward.
+
+"Mr. Oldbuck," said the town-clerk (a more important person, who came
+in front and ventured to stop the old gentleman), "the provost,
+understanding you were in town, begs on no account that you'll quit it
+without seeing him; he wants to speak to ye about bringing the water
+frae the Fairwell-spring through a part o' your lands."
+
+"What the deuce!—have they nobody's land but mine to cut and carve on?—I
+won't consent, tell them."
+
+"And the provost," said the clerk, going on, without noticing the
+rebuff, "and the council, wad be agreeable that you should hae the auld
+stones at Donagild's chapel, that ye was wussing to hae."
+
+"Eh!—what?—Oho! that's another story—Well, well, I'll call upon the
+provost, and we'll talk about it."
+
+"But ye maun speak your mind on't forthwith, Monkbarns, if ye want the
+stones; for Deacon Harlewalls thinks the carved through-stanes might be
+put with advantage on the front of the new council-house—that is, the
+twa cross-legged figures that the callants used to ca' Robin and Bobbin,
+ane on ilka door-cheek; and the other stane, that they ca'd Ailie
+Dailie, abune the door. It will be very tastefu', the Deacon says, and
+just in the style of modern Gothic."
+
+"Lord deliver me from this Gothic generation!" exclaimed the
+Antiquary,—"A monument of a knight-templar on each side of a Grecian
+porch, and a Madonna on the top of it!—O crimini!—Well, tell the provost
+I wish to have the stones, and we'll not differ about the water-course.
+It's lucky I happened to come this way to-day."
+
+They parted mutually satisfied; but the wily clerk had most reason to
+exult in the dexterity he had displayed, since the whole proposal of
+an exchange between the monuments (which the council had determined to
+remove as a nuisance, because they encroached three feet upon the public
+road), and the privilege of conveying the water to the burgh through the
+estate of Monkbarns, was an idea which had originated with himself upon
+the pressure of the moment.
+
+Through these various entanglements, Monkbarns (to use the phrase by
+which he was distinguished in the country) made his way at length to
+Mrs. Hadoway's. This good woman was the widow of a late clergyman at
+Fairport, who had been reduced by her husband's untimely death, to that
+state of straitened and embarrassed circumstances in which the widows of
+the Scotch clergy are too often found. The tenement which she occupied,
+and the furniture of which she was possessed, gave her the means of
+letting a part of her house; and as Lovel had been a quiet, regular,
+and profitable lodger, and had qualified the necessary intercourse which
+they had together with a great deal of gentleness and courtesy, Mrs.
+Hadoway, not, perhaps, much used to such kindly treatment, had become
+greatly attached to her lodger, and was profuse in every sort of
+personal attention which circumstances permitted her to render him.
+To cook a dish somewhat better than ordinary for "the poor young
+gentleman's dinner;" to exert her interest with those who remembered
+her husband, or loved her for her own sake and his, in order to procure
+scarce vegetables, or something which her simplicity supposed might
+tempt her lodger's appetite, was a labour in which she delighted,
+although she anxiously concealed it from the person who was its object.
+She did not adopt this secrecy of benevolence to avoid the laugh of
+those who might suppose that an oval face and dark eyes, with a clear
+brown complexion, though belonging to a woman of five-and-forty, and
+enclosed within a widow's close-drawn pinners, might possibly still
+aim at making conquests; for, to say truth, such a ridiculous suspicion
+having never entered into her own head, she could not anticipate its
+having birth in that of any one else. But she concealed her attentions
+solely out of delicacy to her guest, whose power of repaying them she
+doubted as much as she believed in his inclination to do so, and in
+his being likely to feel extreme pain at leaving any of her civilities
+unrequited. She now opened the door to Mr. Oldbuck, and her surprise at
+seeing him brought tears into her eyes, which she could hardly restrain.
+
+"I am glad to see you, sir—I am very glad to see you. My poor gentleman
+is, I am afraid, very unwell; and oh, Mr. Oldbuck, he'll see neither
+doctor, nor minister, nor writer! And think what it would be, if, as
+my poor Mr. Hadoway used to say, a man was to die without advice of the
+three learned faculties!"
+
+"Greatly better than with them," grumbled the cynical Antiquary. "I tell
+you, Mrs. Hadoway, the clergy live by our sins, the medical faculty by
+our diseases, and the law gentry by our misfortunes."
+
+"O fie, Monkbarns!—to hear the like o' that frae you!—But yell walk up
+and see the poor young lad?—Hegh sirs? sae young and weel-favoured—and
+day by day he has eat less and less, and now he hardly touches onything,
+only just pits a bit on the plate to make fashion—and his poor cheek has
+turned every day thinner and paler, sae that he now really looks as auld
+as me, that might be his mother—no that I might be just that neither,
+but something very near it."
+
+"Why does he not take some exercise?" said Oldbuck.
+
+"I think we have persuaded him to do that, for he has bought a horse
+from Gibbie Golightly, the galloping groom. A gude judge o' horse-flesh
+Gibbie tauld our lass that he was—for he offered him a beast he thought
+wad answer him weel eneugh, as he was a bookish man, but Mr. Lovel wadna
+look at it, and bought ane might serve the Master o' Morphie—they keep
+it at the Graeme's Arms, ower the street;—and he rode out yesterday
+morning and this morning before breakfast—But winna ye walk up to his
+room?"
+
+"Presently, presently. But has he no visitors?"
+
+"O dear, Mr. Oldbuck, not ane; if he wadna receive them when he was weel
+and sprightly, what chance is there of onybody in Fairport looking in
+upon him now?"
+
+"Ay, ay, very true,—I should have been surprised had it been
+otherwise—Come, show me up stairs, Mrs. Hadoway, lest I make a blunder,
+and go where I should not."
+
+The good landlady showed Mr. Oldbuck up her narrow staircase, warning
+him of every turn, and lamenting all the while that he was laid under
+the necessity of mounting up so high. At length she gently tapped at
+the door of her guest's parlour. "Come in," said Lovel; and Mrs. Hadoway
+ushered in the Laird of Monkbarns.
+
+The little apartment was neat and clean, and decently
+furnished—ornamented, too, by such relics of her youthful arts of
+sempstress-ship as Mrs. Hadoway had retained; but it was close,
+overheated, and, as it appeared to Oldbuck, an unwholesome situation
+for a young person in delicate health,—an observation which ripened
+his resolution touching a project that had already occurred to him in
+Lovel's behalf. With a writing-table before him, on which lay a quantity
+of books and papers, Lovel was seated on a couch, in his night-gown and
+slippers. Oldbuck was shocked at the change which had taken place in
+his personal appearance. His cheek and brow had assumed a ghastly white,
+except where a round bright spot of hectic red formed a strong and
+painful contrast, totally different from the general cast of hale and
+hardy complexion which had formerly overspread and somewhat embrowned
+his countenance. Oldbuck observed, that the dress he wore belonged to a
+deep mourning suit, and a coat of the same colour hung on a chair
+near to him. As the Antiquary entered, Lovel arose and came forward to
+welcome him.
+
+"This is very kind," he said, shaking him by the hand, and thanking him
+warmly for his visit—"this is very kind, and has anticipated a visit
+with which I intended to trouble you. You must know I have become a
+horseman lately."
+
+"I understand as much from Mrs. Hadoway—I only hope, my good young
+friend, you have been fortunate in a quiet horse. I myself inadvertently
+bought one from the said Gibbie Golightly, which brute ran two miles on
+end with me after a pack of hounds, with which I had no more to do than
+the last year's snow; and after affording infinite amusement, I suppose,
+to the whole hunting field, he was so good as to deposit me in a dry
+ditch—I hope yours is a more peaceful beast?"
+
+"I hope, at least, we shall make our excursions on a better plan of
+mutual understanding."
+
+"That is to say, you think yourself a good horseman?"
+
+"I would not willingly," answered Lovel, "confess myself a very bad
+one."
+
+"No—all you young fellows think that would be equal to calling
+yourselves tailors at once—But have you had experience? for, crede
+experto, a horse in a passion is no joker."
+
+"Why, I should be sorry to boast myself as a great horseman; but when
+I acted as aide-de-camp to Sir——in the cavalry action at—, last year, I
+saw many better cavaliers than myself dismounted."
+
+"Ah! you have looked in the face of the grisly god of arms then?—you are
+acquainted with the frowns of Mars armipotent? That experience fills up
+the measure of your qualifications for the epopea! The Britons, however,
+you will remember, fought in chariots—covinarii is the phrase of
+Tacitus;—you recollect the fine description of their dashing among the
+Roman infantry, although the historian tells us how ill the rugged face
+of the ground was calculated for equestrian combat; and truly, upon the
+whole, what sort of chariots could be driven in Scotland anywhere but
+on turnpike roads, has been to me always matter of amazement. And well
+now—has the Muse visited you?—have you got anything to show me?"
+
+"My time," said Lovel, with a glance at his black dress, "has been less
+pleasantly employed."
+
+"The death of a friend?" said the Antiquary.
+
+"Yes, Mr. Oldbuck—of almost the only friend I could ever boast of
+possessing."
+
+"Indeed? Well, young man," replied his visitor, in a tone of seriousness
+very different from his affected gravity, "be comforted. To have lost a
+friend by death while your mutual regard was warm and unchilled, while
+the tear can drop unembittered by any painful recollection of coldness
+or distrust or treachery, is perhaps an escape from a more heavy
+dispensation. Look round you—how few do you see grow old in the
+affections of those with whom their early friendships were formed! Our
+sources of common pleasure gradually dry up as we journey on through the
+vale of Bacha, and we hew out to ourselves other reservoirs, from
+which the first companions of our pilgrimage are excluded;—jealousies,
+rivalries, envy, intervene to separate others from our side, until
+none remain but those who are connected with us rather by habit than
+predilection, or who, allied more in blood than in disposition, only
+keep the old man company in his life, that they may not be forgotten at
+his death—
+
+                    Haec data poena diu viventibus.
+
+Ah, Mr. Lovel! if it be your lot to reach the chill, cloudy, and
+comfortless evening of life, you will remember the sorrows of your youth
+as the light shadowy clouds that intercepted for a moment the beams
+of the sun when it was rising. But I cram these words into your ears
+against the stomach of your sense."
+
+"I am sensible of your kindness," answered the youth; "but the wound
+that is of recent infliction must always smart severely, and I should be
+little comforted under my present calamity—forgive me for saying so—by
+the conviction that life had nothing in reserve for me but a train of
+successive sorrows. And permit me to add, you, Mr. Oldbuck, have
+least reason of many men to take so gloomy a view of life. You have
+a competent and easy fortune—are generally respected—may, in your own
+phrase, vacare musis, indulge yourself in the researches to which your
+taste addicts you; you may form your own society without doors—and
+within you have the affectionate and sedulous attention of the nearest
+relatives."
+
+"Why, yes—the womankind, for womankind, are, thanks to my training, very
+civil and tractable—do not disturb me in my morning studies—creep across
+the floor with the stealthy pace of a cat, when it suits me to take a
+nap in my easy-chair after dinner or tea. All this is very well; but I
+want something to exchange ideas with—something to talk to."
+
+"Then why do you not invite your nephew, Captain M'Intyre, who is
+mentioned by every one as a fine spirited young fellow, to become a
+member of your family?"
+
+"Who?" exclaimed Monkbarns, "my nephew Hector?—the Hotspur of the
+North? Why, Heaven love you, I would as soon invite a firebrand into my
+stackyard. He's an Almanzor, a Chamont—has a Highland pedigree as long
+as his claymore, and a claymore as long as the High Street of Fairport,
+which he unsheathed upon the surgeon the last time he was at Fairport. I
+expect him here one of these days; but I will keep him at staff's end, I
+promise you. He an inmate of my house! to make my very chairs and tables
+tremble at his brawls. No, no—I'll none of Hector M'Intyre. But hark ye,
+Lovel;—you are a quiet, gentle-tempered lad; had not you better set up
+your staff at Monkbarns for a month or two, since I conclude you do not
+immediately intend to leave this country?—I will have a door opened out
+to the garden—it will cost but a trifle—there is the space for an old
+one which was condemned long ago—by which said door you may pass and
+repass into the Green Chamber at pleasure, so you will not interfere
+with the old man, nor he with you. As for your fare, Mrs. Hadoway tells
+me you are, as she terms it, very moderate of your mouth, so you will
+not quarrel with my humble table. Your washing"—
+
+"Hold, my dear Mr. Oldbuck," interposed Lovel, unable to repress a
+smile; "and before your hospitality settles all my accommodations, let
+me thank you most sincerely for so kind an offer—it is not at present
+in my power to accept of it; but very likely, before I bid adieu
+to Scotland, I shall find an opportunity to pay you a visit of some
+length."
+
+Mr. Oldbuck's countenance fell. "Why, I thought I had hit on the very
+arrangement that would suit us both,—and who knows what might happen
+in the long run, and whether we might ever part? Why, I am master of my
+acres, man—there is the advantage of being descended from a man of more
+sense than pride—they cannot oblige me to transmit my goods chattels,
+and heritages, any way but as I please. No string of substitute heirs of
+entail, as empty and unsubstantial as the morsels of paper strung to
+the train of a boy's kite, to cumber my flights of inclination, and my
+humours of predilection. Well,—I see you won't be tempted at present—but
+Caledonia goes on I hope?"
+
+"O certainly," said Lovel; "I cannot think of relinquishing a plan so
+hopeful."
+
+"It is indeed," said the Antiquary, looking gravely upward,—for, though
+shrewd and acute enough in estimating the variety of plans formed
+by others, he had a very natural, though rather disproportioned good
+opinion of the importance of those which originated with himself—"it is
+indeed one of those undertakings which, if achieved with spirit equal
+to that which dictates its conception, may redeem from the charge of
+frivolity the literature of the present generation."
+
+Here he was interrupted by a knock at the room door, which introduced
+a letter for Mr. Lovel. The servant waited, Mrs. Hadoway said, for an
+answer. "You are concerned in this matter, Mr. Oldbuck," said Lovel,
+after glancing over the billet, and handing it to the Antiquary as he
+spoke.
+
+It was a letter from Sir Arthur Wardour, couched in extremely civil
+language, regetting that a fit of the gout had prevented his hitherto
+showing Mr. Lovel the attentions to which his conduct during a late
+perilous occasion had so well entitled him—apologizing for not paying
+his respects in person, but hoping Mr. Lovel would dispense with that
+ceremony, and be a member of a small party which proposed to visit the
+ruins of Saint Ruth's priory on the following day, and afterwards to
+dine and spend the evening at Knockwinnock Castle. Sir Arthur concluded
+with saying, that he had sent to request the Monkbarns family to join
+the party of pleasure which he thus proposed. The place of rendezvous
+was fixed at a turnpike-gate, which was about an equal distance from all
+the points from which the company were to assemble.
+
+"What shall we do?" said Lovel, looking at the Antiquary, but pretty
+certain of the part he would take.
+
+"Go, man—we'll go, by all means. Let me see—it will cost a post-chaise
+though, which will hold you and me, and Mary M'Intyre, very well—and the
+other womankind may go to the manse—and you can come out in the chaise
+to Monkbarns, as I will take it for the day."
+
+"Why, I rather think I had better ride."
+
+"True, true, I forgot your Bucephalus. You are a foolish lad, by the by,
+for purchasing the brute outright; you should stick to eighteenpence a
+side, if you will trust any creature's legs in preference to your own."
+
+"Why, as the horse's have the advantage of moving considerably faster,
+and are, besides, two pair to one, I own I incline"—
+
+"Enough said—enough said—do as you please. Well then, I'll bring either
+Grizel or the minister, for I love to have my full pennyworth out of
+post-horses—and we meet at Tirlingen turnpike on Friday, at twelve
+o'clock precisely. "—And with this ageement the friends separated.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH.
+
+          Of seats they tell, where priests, 'mid tapers dim,
+          Breathed the warm prayer, or tuned the midnight hymn
+               To scenes like these the fainting soul retired;
+               Revenge and Anger in these cells expired:
+             By Pity soothed, Remorse lost half her fears,
+             And softened Pride dropped penitential tears.
+                           Crabbe's Borough.
+
+The morning of Friday was as serene and beautiful as if no pleasure
+party had been intended; and that is a rare event, whether in
+novel-writing or real life. Lovel, who felt the genial influence of the
+weather, and rejoiced at the prospect of once more meeting with Miss
+Wardour, trotted forward to the place of rendezvous with better spirits
+than he had for some time enjoyed. His prospects seemed in many respects
+to open and brighten before him—and hope, although breaking like the
+morning sun through clouds and showers, appeared now about to illuminate
+the path before him. He was, as might have been expected from this state
+of spirits, first at the place of meeting,—and, as might also have been
+anticipated, his looks were so intently directed towards the road from
+Knockwinnock Castles that he was only apprized of the arrival of
+the Monkbarns division by the gee-hupping of the postilion, as the
+post-chaise lumbered up behind him. In this vehicle were pent up, first,
+the stately figure of Mr. Oldbuck himself; secondly, the scarce less
+portly person of the Reverend Mr. Blattergowl, minister of Trotcosey,
+the parish in which Monkbarns and Knockwinnock were both situated. The
+reverend gentleman was equipped in a buzz wig, upon the top of which
+was an equilateral cocked hat. This was the paragon of the three yet
+remaining wigs of the parish, which differed, as Monkbarns used to
+remark, like the three degrees of comparison—Sir Arthur's ramilies being
+the positive, his own bob-wig the comparative, and the overwhelming
+grizzle of the worthy clergyman figuring as the superlative. The
+superintendent of these antique garnitures, deeming, or affecting to
+deem, that he could not well be absent on an occasion which assembled
+all three together, had seated himself on the board behind the carriage,
+"just to be in the way in case they wanted a touch before the gentlemen
+sat down to dinner." Between the two massive figures of Monkbarns
+and the clergyman was stuck, by way of bodkin, the slim form of Mary
+M'Intyre, her aunt having preferred a visit to the manse, and a social
+chat with Miss Beckie Blattergowl, to investigating the ruins of the
+priory of Saint Ruth.
+
+As greetings passed between the members of the Monkbarns party and Mr.
+Lovel, the Baronet's carriage, an open barouche, swept onward to the
+place of appointment, making, with its smoking bays, smart drivers,
+arms, blazoned panels, and a brace of outriders, a strong contrast with
+the battered vehicle and broken-winded hacks which had brought thither
+the Antiquary and his followers. The principal seat of the carriage
+was occupied by Sir Arthur and his daughter. At the first glance which
+passed betwixt Miss Wardour and Lovel, her colour rose considerably;—but
+she had apparently made up her mind to receive him as a friend, and only
+as such, and there was equal composure and courtesy in the mode of her
+reply to his fluttered salutation. Sir Arthur halted the barouche to
+shake his preserver kindly by the hand, and intimate the pleasure he had
+on this opportunity of returning him his personal thanks; then mentioned
+to him, in a tone of slight introduction, "Mr. Dousterswivel, Mr.
+Lovel."
+
+Lovel took the necessary notice of the German adept, who occupied the
+front seat of the carriage, which is usually conferred upon dependants
+or inferiors. The ready grin and supple inclination with which his
+salutation, though slight, was answered by the foreigner, increased the
+internal dislike which Lovel had already conceived towards him; and it
+was plain, from the lower of the Antiquary's shaggy eye-brow, that he
+too looked with displeasure on this addition to the company. Little
+more than distant greeting passed among the members of the party, until,
+having rolled on for about three miles beyond the place at which
+they met, the carriages at length stopped at the sign of the Four
+Horse-shoes, a small hedge inn, where Caxon humbly opened the door, and
+let down the step of the hack-chaise, while the inmates of the barouche
+were, by their more courtly attendants, assisted to leave their
+equipage.
+
+Here renewed greetings passed: the young ladies shook hands; and
+Oldbuck, completely in his element, placed himself as guide and cicerone
+at the head of the party, who were now to advance on foot towards the
+object of their curiosity. He took care to detain Lovel close beside him
+as the best listener of the party, and occasionally glanced a word
+of explanation and instruction to Miss Wardour and Mary M'Intyre, who
+followed next in order. The Baronet and the clergyman he rather avoided,
+as he was aware both of them conceived they understood such matters as
+well, or better than he did; and Dousterswivel, besides that he looked
+on him as a charlatan, was so nearly connected with his apprehended loss
+in the stock of the mining company, that he could not abide the sight
+of him. These two latter satellites, therefore, attended upon the orb
+of Sir Arthur, to whom, moreover, as the most important person of the
+society, they were naturally induced to attach themselves.
+
+It frequently happens that the most beautiful points of Scottish scenery
+lie hidden in some sequestered dell, and that you may travel through the
+country in every direction without being aware of your vicinity to what
+is well worth seeing, unless intention or accident carry you to the
+very spot. This is particularly the case in the country around Fairport,
+which is, generally speaking, open, unenclosed, and bare. But here and
+there the progress of rills, or small rivers, has formed dells, glens,
+or as they are provincially termed, dens, on whose high and rocky banks
+trees and shrubs of all kinds find a shelter, and grow with a luxuriant
+profusion, which is the more gratifying, as it forms an unexpected
+contrast with the general face of the country. This was eminently the
+case with the approach to the ruins of Saint Ruth, which was for some
+time merely a sheep-track, along the side of a steep and bare hill. By
+degrees, however, as this path descended, and winded round the hillside,
+trees began to appear, at first singly, stunted, and blighted, with
+locks of wool upon their trunks, and their roots hollowed out into
+recesses, in which the sheep love to repose themselves—a sight much more
+gratifying to the eye of an admirer of the picturesque than to that of
+a planter or forester. By and by the trees formed groups, fringed on the
+edges, and filled up in the middle, by thorns and hazel bushes; and at
+length these groups closed so much together, that although a broad glade
+opened here and there under their boughs, or a small patch of bog or
+heath occurred which had refused nourishment to the seed which they
+sprinkled round, and consequently remained open and waste, the scene
+might on the whole be termed decidedly woodland. The sides of the valley
+began to approach each other more closely; the rush of a brook was heard
+below, and between the intervals afforded by openings in the natural
+wood, its waters were seen hurling clear and rapid under their silvan
+canopy.
+
+Oldbuck now took upon himself the full authority of cicerone, and
+anxiously directed the company not to go a foot-breadth off the track
+which he pointed out to them, if they wished to enjoy in full perfection
+what they came to see. "You are happy in me for a guide, Miss Wardour,"
+exclaimed the veteran, waving his hand and head in cadence as he
+repeated with emphasis,
+
+               I know each lane, and every alley green,
+               Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood,
+               And every bosky bower from side to side. *
+
+* (Milton's Comus.)
+
+Ah! deuce take it!—that spray of a bramble has demolished all
+Caxon's labours, and nearly canted my wig into the stream—so much for
+recitations, hors de propos."
+
+"Never mind, my dear sir," said Miss Wardour; "you have your faithful
+attendant ready to repair such a disaster when it happens, and when you
+appear with it as restored to its original splendour, I will carry on
+the quotation:
+
+                So sinks the day-star in the ocean bed,
+                And yet anon repairs his drooping head,
+               And tricks his beams, and with new-spangled ore
+                       Flames on the forehead"—*
+
+* (Lycidas.)
+
+"O! enough, enough!" answered Oldbuck; "I ought to have known what it
+was to give you advantage over me—But here is what will stop your career
+of satire, for you are an admirer of nature, I know." In fact, when they
+had followed him through a breach in a low, ancient, and ruinous wall,
+they came suddenly upon a scene equally unexpected and interesting.
+
+They stood pretty high upon the side of the glen, which had suddenly
+opened into a sort of amphitheatre to give room for a pure and profound
+lake of a few acres extent, and a space of level ground around it. The
+banks then arose everywhere steeply, and in some places were varied by
+rocks—in others covered with the copse, which run up, feathering their
+sides lightly and irregularly, and breaking the uniformity of the green
+pasture-ground.—Beneath, the lake discharged itself into the huddling
+and tumultuous brook, which had been their companion since they had
+entered the glen. At the point at which it issued from "its parent
+lake," stood the ruins which they had come to visit. They were not
+of great extent; but the singular beauty, as well as the wild and
+sequestered character of the spot on which they were situated, gave them
+an interest and importance superior to that which attaches itself
+to architectural remains of greater consequence, but placed near to
+ordinary houses, and possessing less romantic accompaniments. The
+eastern window of the church remained entire, with all its ornaments
+and tracery work; and the sides, upheld by flying buttresses whose airy
+support, detached from the wall against which they were placed, and
+ornamented with pinnacles and carved work, gave a variety and lightness
+to the building. The roof and western end of the church were completely
+ruinous; but the latter appeared to have made one side of a square, of
+which the ruins of the conventual buildings formed other two, and the
+gardens a fourth. The side of these buildings which overhung the brook,
+was partly founded on a steep and precipitous rock; for the place had
+been occasionally turned to military purposes, and had been taken with
+great slaughter during Montrose's wars. The ground formerly occupied
+by the garden was still marked by a few orchard trees. At a greater
+distance from the buildings were detached oaks and elms and chestnuts,
+growing singly, which had attained great size. The rest of the space
+between the ruins and the hill was a close-cropt sward, which the
+daily pasture of the sheep kept in much finer order than if it had been
+subjected to the scythe and broom. The whole scene had a repose, which
+was still and affecting without being monotonous. The dark, deep basin,
+in which the clear blue lake reposed, reflecting the water lilies which
+grew on its surface, and the trees which here and there threw their arms
+from the banks, was finely contrasted with the haste and tumult of the
+brook which broke away from the outlet, as if escaping from confinement
+and hurried down the glen, wheeling around the base of the rock on which
+the ruins were situated, and brawling in foam and fury with every shelve
+and stone which obstructed its passage. A similar contrast was seen
+between the level green meadow, in which the ruins were situated, and
+the large timber-trees which were scattered over it, compared with the
+precipitous banks which arose at a short distance around, partly fringed
+with light and feathery underwood, partly rising in steeps clothed with
+purple heath, and partly more abruptly elevated into fronts of grey
+rock, chequered with lichen, and with those hardy plants which find root
+even in the most arid crevices of the crags.
+
+"There was the retreat of learning in the days of darkness, Mr. Lovel!"
+said Oldbuck,—around whom the company had now grouped themselves while
+they admired the unexpected opening of a prospect so romantic;—"there
+reposed the sages who were aweary of the world, and devoted either to
+that which was to come, or to the service of the generations who should
+follow them in this. I will show you presently the library;—see that
+stretch of wall with square-shafted windows—there it existed, stored,
+as an old manuscript in my possession assures me, with five thousand
+volumes. And here I might well take up the lamentation of the learned
+Leland, who, regretting the downfall of the conventual libraries,
+exclaims, like Rachel weeping for her children, that if the Papal laws,
+decrees, decretals, clementines, and other such drugs of the devil—yea,
+if Heytesburg's sophisms, Porphyry's universals, Aristotle's logic,
+and Dunse's divinity, with such other lousy legerdemains (begging your
+pardon, Miss Wardour) and fruits of the bottomless pit,—had leaped
+out of our libraries, for the accommodation of grocers, candlemakers,
+soapsellers, and other worldly occupiers, we might have been therewith
+contented. But to put our ancient chronicles, our noble histories,
+our learned commentaries, and national muniments, to such offices of
+contempt and subjection, has greatly degraded our nation, and showed
+ourselves dishonoured in the eyes of posterity to the utmost stretch of
+time—O negligence most unfriendly to our land!"
+
+"And, O John Knox" said the Baronet, "through whose influence, and under
+whose auspices, the patriotic task was accomplished!"
+
+The Antiquary, somewhat in the situation of a woodcock caught in his own
+springe, turned short round and coughed, to excuse a slight blush as he
+mustered his answer—"as to the Apostle of the Scottish Reformation"—
+
+But Miss Wardour broke in to interrupt a conversation so dangerous.
+"Pray, who was the author you quoted, Mr. Oldbuck?"
+
+"The learned Leland, Miss Wardour, who lost his senses on witnessing the
+destruction of the conventual libraries in England."
+
+"Now, I think," replied the young lady, "his misfortune may have saved
+the rationality of some modern antiquaries, which would certainly have
+been drowned if so vast a lake of learning had not been diminished by
+draining."
+
+"Well, thank Heaven, there is no danger now—they have hardly left us a
+spoonful in which to perform the dire feat."
+
+So saying, Mr. Oldbuck led the way down the bank, by a steep but secure
+path, which soon placed them on the verdant meadow where the ruins
+stood. "There they lived," continued the Antiquary, "with nought to do
+but to spend their time in investigating points of remote antiquity,
+transcribing manuscripts, and composing new works for the information of
+posterity."
+
+"And," added the Baronet, "in exercising the rites of devotion with a
+pomp and ceremonial worthy of the office of the priesthood."
+
+"And if Sir Arthur's excellence will permit," said the German, with a
+low bow, "the monksh might also make de vary curious experiment in deir
+laboraties, both in chemistry and magia naturalis."
+
+"I think," said the clergyman, "they would have enough to do in
+collecting the teinds of the parsonage and vicarage of three good
+parishes."
+
+"And all," added Miss Wardour, nodding to the Antiquary, "without
+interruption from womankind."
+
+"True, my fair foe," said Oldbuck; "this was a paradise where no Eve was
+admitted, and we may wonder the rather by what chance the good fathers
+came to lose it."
+
+With such criticisms on the occupations of those by whom the ruins had
+been formerly possessed, they wandered for some time from one moss-grown
+shrine to another, under the guidance of Oldbuck, who explained,
+with much plausibility, the ground-plan of the edifice, and read and
+expounded to the company the various mouldering inscriptions which yet
+were to be traced upon the tombs of the dead, or under the vacant niches
+of the sainted images.
+
+"What is the reason," at length Miss Wardour asked the Antiquary, "why
+tradition has preserved to us such meagre accounts of the inmates of
+these stately edifices, raised with such expense of labour and taste,
+and whose owners were in their times personages of such awful power and
+importance? The meanest tower of a freebooting baron or squire who lived
+by his lance and broadsword, is consecrated by its appropriate legend,
+and the shepherd will tell you with accuracy the names and feats of
+its inhabitants;—but ask a countryman concerning these beautiful and
+extensive remains—these towers, these arches, and buttresses,
+and shafted windows, reared at such cost,—three words fill up his
+answer—they were made up by the monks lang syne.'"
+
+The question was somewhat puzzling. Sir Arthur looked upward, as if
+hoping to be inspired with an answer—Oldbuck shoved back his wig—the
+clergyman was of opinion that his parishioners were too deeply impressed
+with the true presbyterian doctrine to preserve any records concerning
+the papistical cumberers of the land, offshoots as they were of the
+great overshadowing tree of iniquity, whose roots are in the bowels
+of the seven hills of abomination—Lovel thought the question was best
+resolved by considering what are the events which leave the deepest
+impression on the minds of the common people—"These," he contended,
+"were not such as resemble the gradual progress of a fertilizing river,
+but the headlong and precipitous fury of some portentous flood. The eras
+by which the vulgar compute time, have always reference to some period
+of fear and tribulation, and they date by a tempest, an earthquake, or
+burst of civil commotion. When such are the facts most alive, in the
+memory of the common people, we cannot wonder," he concluded, "that the
+ferocious warrior is remembered, and the peaceful abbots are abandoned
+to forgetfulness and oblivion."
+
+"If you pleashe, gentlemans and ladies, and ashking pardon of Sir Arthur
+and Miss Wardour, and this worthy clergymansh, and my goot friend Mr.
+Oldenbuck, who is my countrymansh, and of goot young Mr. Lofel also, I
+think it is all owing to de hand of glory."
+
+"The hand of what?" exclaimed Oldbuck.
+
+"De hand of glory, my goot Master Oldenbuck, which is a vary great and
+terrible secrets—which de monksh used to conceal their treasures when
+they were triven from their cloisters by what you call de Reform."
+
+"Ay, indeed! tell us about that," said Oldbuck, "for these are secrets
+worth knowing."
+
+"Why, my goot Master Oldenbuck, you will only laugh at me—But de hand of
+glory is vary well known in de countries where your worthy progenitors
+did live—and it is hand cut off from a dead man, as has been hanged for
+murther, and dried very nice in de shmoke of juniper wood; and if you
+put a little of what you call yew wid your juniper, it will not be any
+better—that is, it will not be no worse—then you do take something of de
+fatsh of de bear, and of de badger, and of de great eber, as you call
+de grand boar, and of de little sucking child as has not been christened
+(for dat is very essentials), and you do make a candle, and put it
+into de hand of glory at de proper hour and minute, with de proper
+ceremonish, and he who seeksh for treasuresh shall never find none at
+all,"
+
+"I dare take my corporal oath of that conclusion," said the Antiquary.
+"And was it the custom, Mr. Dousterswivel, in Westphalia, to make use of
+this elegant candelabrum?"
+
+"Alwaysh, Mr. Oldenbuck, when you did not want nobody to talk of nothing
+you wash doing about—And the monksh alwaysh did this when they did hide
+their church-plates, and their great chalices, and de rings, wid very
+preshious shtones and jewels."
+
+"But, notwithstanding, you knights of the Rosy Cross have means, no
+doubt, of breaking the spell, and discovering what the poor monks have
+put themselves to so much trouble to conceal?"
+
+"Ah! goot Mr. Oldenbuck," replied the adept, shaking his head
+mysteriously, "you was very hard to believe; but if you had seen de
+great huge pieces of de plate so massive, Sir Arthur,—so fine fashion,
+Miss Wardour—and de silver cross dat we did find (dat was Schroepfer and
+my ownself) for de Herr Freygraf, as you call de Baron Von Blunderhaus,
+I do believe you would have believed then."
+
+"Seeing is believing indeed. But what was your art—what was your
+mystery, Mr. Dousterswivel?"
+
+"Aha, Mr. Oldenbuck! dat is my little secret, mine goot sir—you sall
+forgife me that I not tell that. But I will tell you dere are various
+ways—yes, indeed, dere is de dream dat you dream tree times—dat is a
+vary goot way."
+
+"I am glad of that," said Oldbuck; "I have a friend" (with a side-glance
+to Lovel) "who is peculiarly favoured by the visits of Queen Mab."
+
+"Den dere is de sympathies, and de antipathies, and de strange
+properties and virtues natural of divers herb, and of de little
+divining-rod."
+
+"I would gladly rather see some of these wonders than hear of them,"
+said Miss Wardour.
+
+"Ah, but, my much-honoured young lady, this is not de time or de way to
+do de great wonder of finding all de church's plate and treasure; but
+to oblige you, and Sir Arthur my patron, and de reverend clergymans,
+and goot Mr. Oldenbuck, and young Mr. Lofel, who is a very goot young
+gentleman also, I will show you dat it is possible, a vary possible,
+to discover de spring, of water, and de little fountain hidden in de
+ground, without any mattock, or spade, or dig at all."
+
+"Umph!" quoth the Antiquary, "I have heard of that conundrum. That will
+be no very productive art in our country;—you should carry that property
+to Spain or Portugal, and turn it to good account."
+
+"Ah! my goot Master Oldenbuck, dere is de Inquisition and de
+Auto-da-fe—they would burn me, who am but a simple philosopher, for one
+great conjurer."
+
+"They would cast away their coals then," said Oldbuck; "but," continued
+he, in a whisper to Lovel, "were they to pillory him for one of the
+most impudent rascals that ever wagged a tongue, they would square the
+punishment more accurately with his deserts. But let us see: I think he
+is about to show us some of his legerdemain."
+
+In truth, the German was now got to a little copse-thicket at some
+distance from the ruins, where he affected busily to search for such
+a wand as would suit the purpose of his mystery: and after cutting and
+examining, and rejecting several, he at length provided himself with a
+small twig of hazel terminating in a forked end, which he pronounced
+to possess the virtue proper for the experiment that he was about to
+exhibit. Holding the forked ends of the wand, each between a finger and
+thumb, and thus keeping the rod upright, he proceeded to pace the ruined
+aisles and cloisters, followed by the rest of the company in admiring
+procession. "I believe dere was no waters here," said the adept, when he
+had made the round of several of the buildings, without perceiving
+any of those indications which he pretended to expect—"I believe those
+Scotch monksh did find de water too cool for de climate, and alwaysh
+drank de goot comfortable, Rhinewine. But, aha!—see there!" Accordingly,
+the assistants observed the rod to turn in his fingers, although
+he pretended to hold it very tight.—"Dere is water here about, sure
+enough," and, turning this way and that way, as the agitation of the
+divining-rod seemed to increase or diminish, he at length advanced into
+the midst of a vacant and roofless enclosure which had been the kitchen
+of the priory, when the rod twisted itself so as to point almost
+straight downwards. "Here is de place," said the adept, "and if you do
+not find de water here, I will give you all leave to call me an impudent
+knave."
+
+"I shall take that license," whispered the Antiquary to Lovel, "whether
+the water is discovered or no."
+
+A servant, who had come up with a basket of cold refreshments, was now
+despatched to a neighbouring forester's hut for a mattock and pick-axe.
+The loose stones and rubbish being removed from the spot indicated by
+the German, they soon came to the sides of a regularly-built well; and
+when a few feet of rubbish were cleared out by the assistance of the
+forester and his sons, the water began to rise rapidly, to the delight
+of the philosopher, the astonishment of the ladies, Mr. Blattergowl, and
+Sir Arthur, the surprise of Lovel, and the confusion of the incredulous
+Antiquary. He did not fail, however, to enter his protest in Lovers ear
+against the miracle. "This is a mere trick," he said; "the rascal had
+made himself sure of the existence of this old well, by some means or
+other, before he played off this mystical piece of jugglery. Mark
+what he talks of next. I am much mistaken if this is not intended as
+a prelude to some more serious fraud. See how the rascal assumes
+consequence, and plumes himself upon the credit of his success, and how
+poor Sir Arthur takes in the tide of nonsense which he is delivering to
+him as principles of occult science!"
+
+"You do see, my goot patron, you do see, my goot ladies, you do see,
+worthy Dr. Bladderhowl, and even Mr. Lofel and Mr. Oldenbuck may see, if
+they do will to see, how art has no enemy at all but ignorance. Look at
+this little slip of hazel nuts—it is fit for nothing at all but to
+whip de little child"—("I would choose a cat and nine tails for your
+occasions," whispered Oldbuck apart)—"and you put it in the hands of a
+philosopher—paf! it makes de grand discovery. But this is nothing,
+Sir Arthur,—nothing at all, worthy Dr. Botherhowl—nothing at all,
+ladies—nothing at all, young Mr. Lofel and goot Mr. Oldenbuck, to what
+art can do. Ah! if dere was any man that had de spirit and de courage, I
+would show him better things than de well of water—I would show him"—
+
+"And a little money would be necessary also, would it not?" said the
+Antiquary.
+
+"Bah! one trifle, not worth talking about, maight be necessaries,"
+answered the adept.
+
+"I thought as much," rejoined the Antiquary, drily; "and I, in the
+meanwhile, without any divining-rod, will show you an excellent venison
+pasty, and a bottle of London particular Madeira, and I think that will
+match all that Mr. Dousterswivel's art is like to exhibit."
+
+The feast was spread fronde super viridi, as Oldbuck expressed himself,
+under a huge old tree called the Prior's Oak, and the company, sitting
+down around it, did ample honour to the, contents of the basket.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH.
+
+               As when a Gryphon through the wilderness,
+               With winged course, o'er hill and moory dale,
+                 Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth
+                 Had from his wakeful custody purloined
+                  The guarded gold: So eagerly the Fiend—
+                                   Paradise Lost.
+
+When their collation was ended, Sir Arthur resumed the account of the
+mysteries of the divining-rod, as a subject on which he had formerly
+conversed with Dousterswivel. "My friend Mr. Oldbuck will now be
+prepared, Mr. Dousterswivel, to listen with more respect to the stories
+you have told us of the late discoveries in Germany by the brethren of
+your association."
+
+"Ah, Sir Arthur, that was not a thing to speak to those gentlemans,
+because it is want of credulity—what you call faith—that spoils the
+great enterprise."
+
+"At least, however, let my daughter read the narrative she has taken
+down of the story of Martin Waldeck."
+
+"Ah! that was vary true story—but Miss Wardour, she is so sly and so
+witty, that she has made it just like one romance—as well as Goethe or
+Wieland could have done it, by mine honest wort."
+
+"To say the truth, Mr. Dousterswivel," answered Miss Wardour, "the
+romantic predominated in the legend so much above the probable, that it
+was impossible for a lover of fairyland like me to avoid lending a few
+touches to make it perfect in its kind. But here it is, and if you do
+not incline to leave this shade till the heat of the day has somewhat
+declined, and will have sympathy with my bad composition, perhaps Sir
+Arthur or Mr. Oldbuck will read it to us."
+
+"Not I," said Sir Arthur; "I was never fond of reading aloud."
+
+"Nor I," said Oldbuck, "for I have forgot my spectacles. But here is
+Lovel, with sharp eyes and a good voice; for Mr. Blattergowl, I know,
+never reads anything, lest he should be suspected of reading his
+sermons."
+
+The task was therefore imposed upon Lovel, who received, with some
+trepidation, as Miss Wardour delivered, with a little embarrassment, a
+paper containing the lines traced by that fair hand, the possession of
+which he coveted as the highest blessing the earth could offer to
+him. But there was a necessity of suppressing his emotions; and after
+glancing over the manuscript, as if to become acquainted with the
+character, he collected himself, and read the company the following
+tale:— The Fortunes of Martin Waldeck.
+
+The solitudes of the Harz forest in Germany, but especially the
+mountains called Blocksberg, or rather Brockenberg, are the chosen
+scenes for tales of witches, demons, and apparitions.
+
+[The outline of this story is taken from the German, though the Author
+is at present unable to say in which of the various collections of the
+popular legends in that language the original is to be found.]
+
+The occupation of the inhabitants, who are either miners or foresters,
+is of a kind that renders them peculiarly prone to superstition, and
+the natural phenomena which they witness in pursuit of their solitary or
+subterraneous profession, are often set down by them to the interference
+of goblins or the power of magic. Among the various legends current in
+that wild country, there is a favourite one, which supposes the Harz to
+be haunted by a sort of tutelar demon, in the shape of a wild man,
+of huge stature, his head wreathed with oak leaves, and his middle
+cinctured with the same, bearing in his hand a pine torn up by the
+roots. It is certain that many persons profess to have seen such a form
+traversing, with huge strides, in a line parallel to their own course,
+the opposite ridge of a mountain, when divided from it by a narrow glen;
+and indeed the fact of the apparition is so generally admitted, that
+modern scepticism has only found refuge by ascribing it to optical
+deception. *
+
+*The shadow of the person who sees the phantom, being reflected upon a
+cloud of mist, like the image of the magic lantern upon a white sheet,
+is supposed to have formed the apparition.
+
+In elder times, the intercourse of the demon with the inhabitants was
+more familiar, and, according to the traditions of the Harz, he was
+wont, with the caprice usually ascribed to these earth-born powers,
+to interfere with the affairs of mortals, sometimes for their weal,
+sometimes for their wo. But it was observed that even his gifts often
+turned out, in the long run, fatal to those on whom they were bestowed,
+and it was no uncommon thing for the pastors, in their care of their
+flocks, to compose long sermons, the burden whereof was a warning
+against having any intercourse, direct or indirect, with the Harz demon.
+The fortunes of Martin Waldeck have been often quoted by the aged to
+their giddy children, when they were heard to scoff at a danger which
+appeared visionary.
+
+A travelling capuchin had possessed himself of the pulpit of the
+thatched church at a little hamlet called Morgenbrodt, lying in the
+Harz district, from which he declaimed against the wickedness of the
+inhabitants, their communication with fiends, witches, and fairies, and,
+in particular, with the woodland goblin of the Harz. The doctrines of
+Luther had already begun to spread among the peasantry (for the incident
+is placed under the reign of Charles V. ), and they laughed to scorn the
+zeal with which the venerable man insisted upon his topic. At length,
+as his vehemence increased with opposition, so their opposition rose
+in proportion to his vehemence. The inhabitants did not like to hear an
+accustomed quiet demon, who had inhabited the Brockenberg for so many
+ages, summarily confounded with Baal-peor, Ashtaroth, and Beelzebub
+himself, and condemned without reprieve to the bottomless Tophet. The
+apprehensions that the spirit might avenge himself on them for listening
+to such an illiberal sentence, added to their national interest in his
+behalf. A travelling friar, they said, that is here to-day and away
+to-morrow, may say what he pleases: but it is we, the ancient and
+constant inhabitants of the country, that are left at the mercy of the
+insulted demon, and must, of course, pay for all. Under the irritation
+occasioned by these reflections, the peasants from injurious language
+betook themselves to stones, and having pebbled the priest pretty
+handsomely, they drove him out of the parish to preach against demons
+elsewhere.
+
+Three young men, who had been present and assisting on this occasion
+were upon their return to the hut where they carried on the laborious
+and mean occupation of preparing charcoal for the smelting furnaces. On
+the way, their conversation naturally turned upon the demon of the Harz
+and the doctrine of the capuchin. Max and George Waldeck, the two elder
+brothers, although they allowed the language of the capuchin to have
+been indiscreet and worthy of censure, as presuming to determine upon
+the precise character and abode of the spirit, yet contended it was
+dangerous, in the highest degree, to accept of his gifts, or hold any
+communication with him, He was powerful, they allowed, but wayward and
+capricious, and those who had intercourse with him seldom came to a good
+end. Did he not give the brave knight, Ecbert of Rabenwald, that famous
+black steed, by means of which he vanquished all the champions at
+the great tournament at Bremen? and did not the same steed afterwards
+precipitate itself with its rider into an abyss so steep and fearful,
+that neither horse nor man were ever seen more? Had he not given to Dame
+Gertrude Trodden a curious spell for making butter come? and was she not
+burnt for a witch by the grand criminal judge of the Electorate, because
+she availed herself of his gift? But these, and many other instances
+which they quoted, of mischance and ill-luck ultimately attending on
+the apparent benefits conferred by the Harz spirit, failed to make any
+impression upon Martin Waldeck, the youngest of the brothers.
+
+Martin was youthful, rash, and impetuous; excelling in all the exercises
+which distinguish a mountaineer, and brave and undaunted from his
+familiar intercourse with the dangers that attend them. He laughed at
+the timidity of his brothers. "Tell me not of such folly," he said; "the
+demon is a good demon—he lives among us as if he were a peasant like
+ourselves—haunts the lonely crags and recesses of the mountains like
+a huntsman or goatherd—and he who loves the Harz forest and its wild
+scenes cannot be indifferent to the fate of the hardy children of the
+soil. But, if the demon were as malicious as you would make him, how
+should he derive power over mortals, who barely avail themselves of his
+gifts, without binding themselves to submit to his pleasure? When you
+carry your charcoal to the furnace, is not the money as good that is
+paid you by blaspheming Blaize, the old reprobate overseer, as if you
+got it from the pastor himself? It is not the goblins gifts which can
+endanger you, then, but it is the use you shall make of them that you
+must account for. And were the demon to appear to me at this moment,
+and indicate to me a gold or silver mine, I would begin to dig away
+even before his back were turned,—and I would consider myself as under
+protection of a much Greater than he, while I made a good use of the
+wealth he pointed out to me."
+
+To this the elder brother replied, that wealth ill won was seldom well
+spent; while Martin presumptuously declared, that the possession of all
+the treasures of the Harz would not make the slightest alteration on his
+habits, morals, or character.
+
+His brother entreated Martin to talk less wildly upon the subject, and
+with some difficulty contrived to withdraw his attention, by calling it
+to the consideration of the approaching boar-chase. This talk brought
+them to their hut, a wretched wigwam, situated upon one side of a wild,
+narrow, and romantic dell, in the recesses of the Brockenberg. They
+released their sister from attending upon the operation of charring the
+wood, which requires constant attention, and divided among themselves
+the duty of watching it by night, according to their custom, one always
+waking, while his brothers slept.
+
+Max Waldeck, the eldest, watched during the first two hours of the
+night, and was considerably alarmed by observing, upon the opposite
+bank of the glen, or valley, a huge fire surrounded by some figures that
+appeared to wheel around it with antic gestures. Max at first bethought
+him of calling up his brothers; but recollecting the daring character of
+the youngest, and finding it impossible to wake the elder without also
+disturbing Martin—conceiving also what he saw to be an illusion of the
+demon, sent perhaps in consequence of the venturous expressions used by
+Martin on the preceding evening, he thought it best to betake himself to
+the safeguard of such prayers as he could murmur over, and to watch in
+great terror and annoyance this strange and alarming apparition. After
+blazing for some time, the fire faded gradually away into darkness, and
+the rest of Max's watch was only disturbed by the remembrance of its
+terrors.
+
+George now occupied the place of Max, who had retired to rest. The
+phenomenon of a huge blazing fire, upon the opposite bank of the glen,
+again presented itself to the eye of the watchman. It was surrounded
+as before by figures, which, distinguished by their opaque forms, being
+between the spectator and the red glaring light, moved and fluctuated
+around it as if engaged in some mystical ceremony. George, though
+equally cautious, was of a bolder character than his elder brother.
+He resolved to examine more nearly the object of his wonder; and,
+accordingly after crossing the rivulet which divided the glen, he
+climbed up the opposite bank, and approached within an arrow's flight
+of the fire, which blazed apparently with the same fury as when he first
+witnessed it.
+
+The appearance, of the assistants who surrounded it resembled those
+phantoms which are seen in a troubled dream, and at once confirmed the
+idea he had entertained from the first, that they did not belong to
+the human world. Amongst these strange unearthly forms, George Waldeck
+distinguished that of a giant overgrown with hair, holding an uprooted
+fir in his hand, with which, from time to time, he seemed to stir the
+blazing fire, and having no other clothing than a wreath of oak leaves
+around his forehead and loins. George's heart sunk within him at
+recognising the well-known apparition of the Harz demon, as he had been
+often described to him by the ancient shepherds and huntsmen who had
+seen his form traversing the mountains. He turned, and was about to fly;
+but upon second thoughts, blaming his own cowardice, he recited mentally
+the verse of the Psalmist, "All good angels, praise the Lord!" which
+is in that country supposed powerful as an exorcism, and turned himself
+once more towards the place where he had seen the fire. But it was no
+longer visible.
+
+The pale moon alone enlightened the side of the valley; and when George,
+with trembling steps, a moist brow, and hair bristling upright under
+his collier's cap, came to the spot on which the fire had been so lately
+visible, marked as it was by a scathed oak-tree, there appeared not on
+the heath the slightest vestiges of what he had seen. The moss and wild
+flowers were unscorched, and the branches of the oak-tree, which had so
+lately appeared enveloped in wreaths of flame and smoke, were moist with
+the dews of midnight.
+
+George returned to his hut with trembling steps, and, arguing like his
+elder brother, resolved to say nothing of what he had seen, lest he
+should awake in Martin that daring curiosity which he almost deemed to
+be allied with impiety.
+
+It was now Martin's turn to watch. The household cock had given his
+first summons, and the night was well-nigh spent. Upon examining the
+state of the furnace in which the wood was deposited in order to its
+being coked or charred, he was surprised to find that the fire had not
+been sufficiently maintained; for in his excursion and its consequences,
+George had forgot the principal object of his watch. Martin's first
+thought was to call up the slumberers; but observing that both his
+brothers slept unwontedly deep and heavily, he respected their repose,
+and set himself to supply the furnace with fuel without requiring
+their aid. What he heaped upon it was apparently damp and unfit for the
+purpose, for the fire seemed rather to decay than revive. Martin next
+went to collect some boughs from a stack which had been carefully cut
+and dried for this purpose; but, when he returned, he found the fire
+totally extinguished. This was a serious evil, and threatened them
+with loss of their trade for more than one day. The vexed and mortified
+watchman set about to strike a light in order to rekindle the fire
+but the tinder was moist, and his labour proved in this respect also
+ineffectual. He was now about to call up his brothers, for circumstances
+seemed to be pressing, when flashes of light glimmered not only through
+the window, but through every crevice of the rudely built hut, and
+summoned him to behold the same apparition which had before alarmed
+the successive watches of his brethren. His first idea was, that the
+Muhllerhaussers, their rivals in trade, and with whom they had had many
+quarrels, might have encroached upon their bounds for the purpose of
+pirating their wood; and he resolved to awake his brothers, and
+be revenged on them for their audacity. But a short reflection and
+observation on the gestures and manner of those who seemed to "work
+in the fire," induced him to dismiss this belief, and although
+rather sceptical in such matters, to conclude that what he saw was a
+supernatural phenomenon. "But be they men or fiends," said the undaunted
+forester, "that busy themselves yonder with such fantastical rites and
+gestures, I will go and demand a light to rekindle our furnace." He,
+relinquished at the same time the idea of awaking his brethren. There
+was a belief that such adventures as he was about to undertake were
+accessible only to one person at a time; he feared also that his
+brothers, in their scrupulous timidity, might interfere to prevent his
+pursuing the investigation he had resolved to commence; and, therefore,
+snatching his boar-spear from the wall, the undaunted Martin Waldeck set
+forth on the adventure alone.
+
+With the same success as his brother George, but with courage far
+superior, Martin crossed the brook, ascended the hill, and approached
+so near the ghostly assembly, that he could recognise, in the presiding
+figure, the attributes of the Harz demon. A cold shuddering assailed him
+for the first time in his life; but the recollection that he had at a
+distance dared and even courted the intercourse which was now about to
+take place, confirmed his staggering courage; and pride supplying what
+he wanted in resolution, he advanced with tolerable firmness towards
+the fire, the figures which surrounded it appearing still more wild,
+fantastical, and supernatural, the more near he approached to the
+assembly. He was received with a loud shout of discordant and unnatural
+laughter, which, to his stunned ears, seemed more alarming than a
+combination of the most dismal and melancholy sounds that could be
+imagined. "Who art thou?" said the giant, compressing his savage and
+exaggerated features into a sort of forced gravity, while they were
+occasionally agitated by the convulsion of the laughter which he seemed
+to suppress.
+
+"Martin Waldeck, the forester," answered the hardy youth;—"and who are
+you?"
+
+"The King of the Waste and of the Mine," answered the spectre;—"and why
+hast thou dared to encroach on my mysteries?"
+
+"I came in search of light to rekindle my fire," answered Martin,
+hardily, and then resolutely asked in his turn, "What mysteries are
+those that you celebrate here?"
+
+"We celebrate," answered the complaisant demon, "the wedding of Hermes
+with the Black Dragon—But take thy fire that thou camest to seek, and
+begone! no mortal may look upon us and live."
+
+The peasant struck his spear-point into a large piece of blazing wood,
+which he heaved up with some difficulty, and then turned round to regain
+his hut, the, shouts of laughter being renewed behind him with treble
+violence, and ringing far down the narrow valley. When Martin returned
+to the hut, his first care, however much astonished with what he had
+seen, was to dispose the kindled coal among the fuel so as might best
+light the fire of his furnace; but after many efforts, and all exertions
+of bellows and fire-prong, the coal he had brought from the demon's fire
+became totally extinct without kindling any of the others. He turned
+about, and observed the fire still blazing on the hill, although those
+who had been busied around it had disappeared. As he conceived the
+spectre had been jesting with him, he gave way to the natural hardihood
+of his temper, and, determining to see the adventure to an end, resumed
+the road to the fire, from which, unopposed by the demon, he brought off
+in the same manner a blazing piece of charcoal, but still without being
+able to succeed in lighting his fire. Impunity having increased his
+rashness, he resolved upon a third experiment, and was as successful as
+before in reaching the fire; but when he had again appropriated a
+piece of burning coal, and had turned to depart, he heard the harsh and
+supernatural voice which had before accosted him, pronounce these words,
+"Dare not return hither a fourth time!"
+
+The attempt to kindle the fire with this last coal having proved as
+ineffectual as on the former occasions, Martin relinquished the hopeless
+attempt, and flung himself on his bed of leaves, resolving to delay till
+the next morning the communication of his supernatural adventure to his
+brothers. He was awakened from a heavy sleep into which he had sunk,
+from fatigue of body and agitation of mind, by loud exclamations
+of surprise and joy. His brothers, astonished at finding the fire
+extinguished when they awoke, had proceeded to arrange the fuel in order
+to renew it, when they found in the ashes three huge metallic masses,
+which their skill (for most of the peasants in the Harz are practical
+mineralogists) immediately ascertained to be pure gold.
+
+It was some damp upon their joyful congratulations when they learned
+from Martin the mode in which he had obtained this treasure, to which
+their own experience of the nocturnal vision induced them to give full
+credit. But they were unable to resist the temptation of sharing in
+their brother's wealth. Taking now upon him as head of the house, Martin
+Waldeck bought lands and forests, built a castle, obtained a patent of
+nobility, and, greatly to the indignation of the ancient aristocracy
+of the neighbourhood, was invested with all the privileges of a man of
+family. His courage in public war, as well as in private feuds, together
+with the number of retainers whom he kept in pay, sustained him for some
+time against the odium which was excited by his sudden elevation, and
+the arrogance of his pretensions.
+
+And now it was seen in the instance of Martin Waldeck, as it has been in
+that of many others, how little mortals can foresee the effect of
+sudden prosperity on their own disposition. The evil propensities in his
+nature, which poverty had checked and repressed, ripened and bore their
+unhallowed fruit under the influence of temptation and the means of
+indulgence. As Deep calls unto Deep, one bad passion awakened another
+the fiend of avarice invoked that of pride, and pride was to be
+supported by cruelty and oppression. Waldeck's character, always bold
+and daring but rendered harsh and assuming by prosperity, soon made him
+odious, not to the nobles only, but likewise to the lower ranks, who
+saw, with double dislike, the oppressive rights of the feudal nobility
+of the empire so remorselessly exercised by one who had risen from the
+very dregs of the people. His adventure, although carefully concealed,
+began likewise to be whispered abroad, and the clergy already
+stigmatized as a wizard and accomplice of fiends, the wretch, who,
+having acquired so huge a treasure in so strange a manner, had not
+sought to sanctify it by dedicating a considerable portion to the use
+of the church. Surrounded by enemies, public and private, tormented by
+a thousand feuds, and threatened by the church with excommunication,
+Martin Waldeck, or, as we must now call him, the Baron von Waldeck,
+often regretted bitterly the labours and sports of his unenvied poverty.
+But his courage failed him not under all these difficulties, and seemed
+rather to augment in proportion to the danger which darkened around him,
+until an accident precipitated his fall.
+
+A proclamation by the reigning Duke of Brunswick had invited to a solemn
+tournament all German nobles of free and honourable descent; and Martin
+Waldeck, splendidly armed, accompanied by his two brothers, and a
+gallantly-equipped retinue, had the arrogance to appear among the
+chivalry of the province, and demand permission to enter the lists. This
+was considered as filling up the measure of his presumption. A thousand
+voices exclaimed, "We will have no cinder-sifter mingle in our games of
+chivalry." Irritated to frenzy, Martin drew his sword and hewed down the
+herald, who, in compliance with the general outcry, opposed his entry
+into the lists. An hundred swords were unsheathed to avenge what was in
+those days regarded as a crime only inferior to sacrilege or regicide.
+Waldeck, after defending himself like a lion, was seized, tried on
+the spot by the judges of the lists, and condemned, as the appropriate
+punishment for breaking the peace of his sovereign, and violating the
+sacred person of a herald-at-arms, to have his right hand struck from
+his body, to be ignominiously deprived of the honour of nobility, of
+which he was unworthy, and to be expelled from the city. When he had
+been stripped of his arms, and sustained the mutilation imposed by this
+severe sentence, the unhappy victim of ambition was abandoned to the
+rabble, who followed him with threats and outcries levelled alternately
+against the necromancer and oppressor, which at length ended in
+violence. His brothers (for his retinue were fled and dispersed) at
+length succeeded in rescuing him from the hands of the populace, when,
+satiated with cruelty, they had left him half dead through loss
+of blood, and through the outrages he had sustained. They were not
+permitted, such was the ingenious cruelty of their enemies, to make use
+of any other means of removing him, excepting such a collier's cart as
+they had themselves formerly used, in which they deposited their brother
+on a truss of straw, scarcely expecting to reach any place of shelter
+ere death should release him from his misery.
+
+When the Waldecks, journeying in this miserable manner, had approached
+the verge of their native country, in a hollow way, between two
+mountains, they perceived a figure advancing towards them, which at
+first sight seemed to be an aged man. But as he approached, his limbs
+and stature increased, the cloak fell from his shoulders, his pilgrim's
+staff was changed into an uprooted pine-tree, and the gigantic figure of
+the Harz demon passed before them in his terrors. When he came opposite
+to the cart which contained the miserable Waldeck, his huge features
+dilated into a grin of unutterable contempt and malignity, as he asked
+the sufferer, "How like you the fire my coals have kindled?" The power
+of motion, which terror suspended in his two brothers, seemed to be
+restored to Martin by the energy of his courage. He raised himself
+on the cart, bent his brows, and, clenching his fist, shook it at the
+spectre with a ghastly look of hate and defiance. The goblin vanished
+with his usual tremendous and explosive laugh, and left Waldeck
+exhausted with this effort of expiring nature.
+
+The terrified brethren turned their vehicle toward the towers of a
+convent, which arose in a wood of pine-trees beside the road. They were
+charitably received by a bare-footed and long-bearded capuchin, and
+Martin survived only to complete the first confession he had made since
+the day of his sudden prosperity, and to receive absolution from the
+very priest whom, precisely on that day three years, he had assisted
+to pelt out of the hamlet of Morgenbrodt. The three years of precarious
+prosperity were supposed to have a mysterious correspondence with the
+number of his visits to the spectral fire upon the bill.
+
+The body of Martin Waldeck was interred in the convent where he expired,
+in which his brothers, having assumed the habit of the order, lived and
+died in the performance of acts of charity and devotion. His lands, to
+which no one asserted any claim, lay waste until they were reassumed by
+the emperor as a lapsed fief, and the ruins of the castle, which Waldeck
+had called by his own name, are still shunned by the miner and forester
+as haunted by evil spirits. Thus were the miseries attendant upon
+wealth, hastily attained and ill employed, exemplified in the fortunes
+of Martin Waldeck.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER NINETEENTH.
+
+                 Here has been such a stormy encounter
+                 Betwixt my cousin Captain, and this soldier,
+                 About I know not what!—nothing, indeed;
+                 Competitions, degrees, and comparatives
+                          Of soldiership!—
+                                    A Faire Qurrell.
+
+The attentive audience gave the fair transcriber of the foregoing legend
+the thanks which politeness required. Oldbuck alone curled up his nose,
+and observed, that Miss Wardour's skill was something like that of the
+alchemists, for she had contrived to extract a sound and valuable moral
+out of a very trumpery and ridiculous legend. "It is the fashion, as I
+am given to understand, to admire those extravagant fictions—for me,
+
+                            —I bear an English heart,
+             Unused at ghosts and rattling bones to start."
+
+"Under your favour, my goot Mr. Oldenbuck," said the German, "Miss
+Wardour has turned de story, as she does every thing as she touches,
+very pretty indeed; but all the history of de Harz goblin, and how he
+walks among de desolate mountains wid a great fir-tree for his walking
+cane, and wid de great green bush around his head and his waist—that is
+as true as I am an honest man."
+
+"There is no disputing any proposition so well guaranteed," answered
+the Antiquary, drily. But at this moment the approach of a stranger cut
+short the conversation.
+
+The new comer was a handsome young man, about five-and-twenty, in a
+military undress, and bearing, in his look and manner, a good deal
+of the, martial profession—nay, perhaps a little more than is quite
+consistent with the ease of a man of perfect good-breeding, in whom no
+professional habit ought to predominate. He was at once greeted by the
+greater part of the company. "My dear Hector!" said Miss M'Intyre, as
+she rose to take his hand—
+
+"Hector, son of Priam, whence comest thou?" said the Antiquary.
+
+"From Fife, my liege," answered the young soldier, and continued, when
+he had politely saluted the rest of the company, and particularly Sir
+Arthur and his daughter—"I learned from one of the servants, as I rode
+towards Monkbarns to pay my respects to you, that I should find the
+present company in this place, and I willingly embrace the opportunity
+to pay my respects to so many of my friends at once."
+
+"And to a new one also, my trusty Trojan," said Oldbuck. "Mr. Lovel,
+this is my nephew, Captain M'Intyre—Hector, I recommend Mr. Lovel to
+your acquaintance."
+
+The young soldier fixed his keen eye upon Lovel, and paid his compliment
+with more reserve than cordiality and as our acquaintance thought his
+coldness almost supercilious, he was equally frigid and haughty in
+making the necessary return to it; and thus a prejudice seemed to arise
+between them at the very commencement of their acquaintance.
+
+The observations which Lovel made during the remainder of this pleasure
+party did not tend to reconcile him with this addition to their society.
+Captain M'Intyre, with the gallantry to be expected from his age and
+profession, attached himself to the service of Miss Wardour, and offered
+her, on every possible opportunity, those marks of attention which Lovel
+would have given the world to have rendered, and was only deterred from
+offering by the fear of her displeasure. With forlorn dejection at
+one moment, and with irritated susceptibility at another, he saw this
+handsome young soldier assume and exercise all the privileges of a
+cavaliere servente. He handed Miss Wardour's gloves, he assisted her
+in putting on her shawl, he attached himself to her in the walks, had a
+hand ready to remove every impediment in her path, and an arm to support
+her where it was rugged or difficult; his conversation was addressed
+chiefly to her, and, where circumstances permitted, it was exclusively
+so. All this, Lovel well knew, might be only that sort of egotistical
+gallantry which induces some young men of the present day to give
+themselves the air of engrossing the attention of the prettiest women in
+company, as if the others were unworthy of their notice. But he thought
+he observed in the conduct of Captain M'Intyre something of marked and
+peculiar tenderness, which was calculated to alarm the jealousy of
+a lover. Miss Wardour also received his attentions; and although his
+candour allowed they were of a kind which could not be repelled without
+some strain of affectation, yet it galled him to the heart to witness
+that she did so.
+
+The heart-burning which these reflections occasioned proved very
+indifferent seasoning to the dry antiquarian discussions with which
+Oldbuck, who continued to demand his particular attention, was
+unremittingly persecuting him; and he underwent, with fits of impatience
+that amounted almost to loathing, a course of lectures upon monastic
+architecture, in all its styles, from the massive Saxon to the florid
+Gothic, and from that to the mixed and composite architecture of
+James the First's time, when, according to Oldbuck, all orders were
+confounded, and columns of various descriptions arose side by side, or
+were piled above each other, as if symmetry had been forgotten, and the
+elemental principles of art resolved into their primitive confusion.
+"What can be more cutting to the heart than the sight of evils," said
+Oldbuck, in rapturous enthusiasm, "which we are compelled to behold,
+while we do not possess the power of remedying them?" Lovel answered by
+an involulatary groan. "I see, my dear young friend, and most congenial
+spirit, that you feel these enormities almost as much as I do. Have you
+ever approached them, or met them, without longing to tear, to deface,
+what is so dishonourable?"
+
+"Dishonourable!" echoed Lovel—"in what respect dishonourable?"
+
+"I mean, disgraceful to the arts."
+
+"Where? how?"
+
+"Upon the portico, for example, of the schools of Oxford, where, at
+immense expense, the barbarous, fantastic, and ignorant architect has
+chosen to represent the whole five orders of architecture on the front
+of one building."
+
+By such attacks as these, Oldbuck, unconscious of the torture he was
+giving, compelled Lovel to give him a share of his attention,—as a
+skilful angler, by means of his line, maintains an influence over the
+most frantic movements of his agonized prey.
+
+They were now on their return to the spot where they had left the
+carriages; and it is inconceivable how often, in the course of that
+short walk, Lovel, exhausted by the unceasing prosing of his worthy
+companion, mentally bestowed on the devil, or any one else that would
+have rid him of hearing more of them, all the orders and disorders of
+architecture which had been invented or combined from the building of
+Solomon's temple downwards. A slight incident occurred, however, which
+sprinkled a little patience on the heat of his distemperature.
+
+Miss Wardour, and her self-elected knight companion, rather preceded
+the others in the narrow path, when the young lady apparently became
+desirous to unite herself with the rest of the party, and, to break off
+her tete-a-tete with the young officer, fairly made a pause until
+Mr. Oldbuck came up. "I wished to ask you a question, Mr. Oldbuck,
+concerning the date of these interesting ruins."
+
+It would be doing injustice to Miss Wardour's savoir faire, to suppose
+she was not aware that such a question would lead to an answer of no
+limited length. The Antiquary, starting like a war-horse at the trumpet
+sound, plunged at once into the various arguments for and against the
+date of 1273, which had been assigned to the priory of St. Ruth by a
+late publication on Scottish architectural antiquities. He raked up the
+names of all the priors who had ruled the institution, of the nobles who
+had bestowed lands upon it, and of the monarchs who had slept their last
+sleep among its roofless courts. As a train which takes fire is sure to
+light another, if there be such in the vicinity, the Baronet, catching
+at the name of one of his ancestors which occurred in Oldbuck's
+disquisition, entered upon an account of his wars, his conquests, and
+his trophies; and worthy Dr. Blattergowl was induced, from the mention
+of a grant of lands, cum decimis inclusis tam vicariis quam garbalibus,
+et nunquan antea separatis, to enter into a long explanation concerning
+the interpretation given by the Teind Court in the consideration of
+such a clause, which had occurred in a process for localling his last
+augmentation of stipend. The orators, like three racers, each pressed
+forward to the goal, without much regarding how each crossed and jostled
+his competitors. Mr. Oldbuck harangued, the Baronet declaimed, Mr.
+Blattergowl prosed and laid down the law, while the Latin forms of
+feudal grants were mingled with the jargon of blazonry, and the yet
+more barbarous phraseology of the Teind Court of Scotland. "He was,"
+exclaimed Oldbuck, speaking of the Prior Adhemar, "indeed an exemplary
+prelate; and, from his strictness of morals, rigid execution of penance,
+joined to the charitable disposition of his mind, and the infirmities
+endured by his great age and ascetic habits"—
+
+Here he chanced to cough, and Sir Arthur burst in, or rather
+continued—"was called popularly Hell-in-Harness; he carried a shield,
+gules with a sable fess, which we have since disused, and was slain at
+the battle of Vernoil, in France, after killing six of the English with
+his own"—
+
+"Decreet of certification," proceeded the clergyman, in that prolonged,
+steady, prosing tone, which, however overpowered at first by the
+vehemence of competition, promised, in the long run, to obtain the
+ascendancy in this strife of narrators;—"Decreet of certification having
+gone out, and parties being held as confessed, the proof seemed to be
+held as concluded, when their lawyer moved to have it opened up, on the
+allegation that they had witnesses to bring forward, that they had been
+in the habit of carrying the ewes to lamb on the teind-free land; which
+was a mere evasion, for"—
+
+But here the, Baronet and Mr. Oldbuck having recovered their wind,
+and continued their respective harangues, the three strands of the
+conversation, to speak the language of a rope-work, were again twined
+together into one undistinguishable string of confusion.
+
+Yet, howsoever uninteresting this piebald jargon might seem, it was
+obviously Miss Wardour's purpose to give it her attention, in preference
+to yielding Captain M'Intyre an opportunity of renewing their private
+conversation. So that, after waiting for a little time with displeasure,
+ill concealed by his haughty features, he left her to enjoy her bad
+taste, and taking his sister by the arm, detained her a little behind
+the rest of the party.
+
+"So I find, Mary, that your neighbour has neither become more lively nor
+less learned during my absence."
+
+"We lacked your patience and wisdom to instruct us, Hector."
+
+"Thank you, my dear sister. But you have got a wiser, if not so lively
+an addition to your society, than your unworthy brother—Pray, who is
+this Mr. Lovel, whom our old uncle has at once placed so high in his
+good graces?—he does not use to be so accessible to strangers."
+
+"Mr. Lovel, Hector, is a very gentleman-like young man."
+
+"Ay,—that is to say, he bows when he comes into a room, and wears a coat
+that is whole at the elbows."
+
+"No, brother; it says a great deal more. It says that his manners and
+discourse express the feelings and education of the higher class."
+
+"But I desire to know what is his birth and his rank in society, and
+what is his title to be in the circle in which I find him domesticated?"
+
+"If you mean, how he comes to visit at Monkbarns, you must ask my uncle,
+who will probably reply, that he invites to his own house such company
+as he pleases; and if you mean to ask Sir Arthur, you must know that
+Mr. Lovel rendered Miss Wardour and him a service of the most important
+kind."
+
+"What! that romantic story is true, then?—And pray, does the valorous
+knight aspire, as is befitting on such occasions, to the hand of the
+young lady whom he redeemed from peril? It is quite in the rule of
+romance, I am aware; and I did think that she was uncommonly dry to me
+as we walked together, and seemed from time to time as if she watched
+whether she was not giving offence to her gallant cavalier."
+
+"Dear Hector," said his sister, "if you really continue to nourish any
+affection for Miss Wardour"—
+
+"If, Mary?—what an if was there!"
+
+"—I own I consider your perseverance as hopeless."
+
+"And why hopeless, my sage sister?" asked Captain M'Intyre: "Miss
+Wardour, in the state of her father's affairs, cannot pretend to much
+fortune;—and, as to family, I trust that of Mlntyre is not inferior."
+
+"But, Hector," continued his sister, "Sir Arthur always considers us as
+members of the Monkbarns family."
+
+"Sir Arthur may consider what he pleases," answered the Highlander
+scornfully; "but any one with common sense will consider that the wife
+takes rank from the husband, and that my father's pedigree of fifteen
+unblemished descents must have ennobled my mother, if her veins had been
+filled with printer's ink."
+
+"For God's sake, Hector," replied his anxious sister, "take care of
+yourself! a single expression of that kind, repeated to my uncle by an
+indiscreet or interested eavesdropper, would lose you his favour for
+ever, and destroy all chance of your succeeding to his estate."
+
+"Be it so," answered the heedless young man; "I am one of a profession
+which the world has never been able to do without, and will far less
+endure to want for half a century to come; and my good old uncle may
+tack his good estate and his plebeian name to your apron-string if he
+pleases, Mary, and you may wed this new favourite of his if you please,
+and you may both of you live quiet, peaceable, well-regulated lives,
+if it pleases Heaven. My part is taken—I'll fawn on no man for an
+inheritance which should be mine by birth."
+
+Miss M'Intyre laid her hand on her brother's arm, and entreated him to
+suppress his vehemence. "Who," she said, "injures or seeks to injure
+you, but your own hasty temper?—what dangers are you defying, but those
+you have yourself conjured up?—Our uncle has hitherto been all that is
+kind and paternal in his conduct to us, and why should you suppose he
+will in future be otherwise than what he has ever been, since we were
+left as orphans to his care?"
+
+"He is an excellent old gentleman, I must own," replied M'Intyre, "and
+I am enraged at myself when I chance to offend him; but then his eternal
+harangues upon topics not worth the spark of a flint—his investigations
+about invalided pots and pans and tobacco-stoppers past service—all
+these things put me out of patience. I have something of Hotspur in me,
+sister, I must confess."
+
+"Too much, too much, my dear brother! Into how many risks, and, forgive
+me for saying, some of them little creditable, has this absolute and
+violent temper led you! Do not let such clouds darken the time you are
+now to pass in our neighbourhood, but let our old benefactor see
+his kinsman as he is—generous, kind, and lively, without being rude,
+headstrong, and impetuous."
+
+"Well," answered Captain M'Intyre, "I am schooled—good-manners be my
+speed! I'll do the civil thing by your new friend—I'll have some talk
+with this Mr. Lovel."
+
+With this determination, in which he was for the time perfectly
+sincere, he joined the party who were walking before them. The treble
+disquisition was by this time ended; and Sir Arthur was speaking on the
+subject of foreign news, and the political and military situation of the
+country, themes upon which every man thinks himself qualified to give
+an opinion. An action of the preceding year having come upon the tapis,
+Lovel, accidentally mingling in the conversation, made some assertion
+concerning it, of the accuracy of which Captain M'Intyre seemed not to
+be convinced, although his doubts were politely expressed.
+
+"You must confess yourself in the wrong here, Hector," said his uncle,
+"although I know no man less willing to give up an argument; but you
+were in England at the time, and Mr. Lovel was probably concerned in the
+affair."
+
+"I am speaking to a military man, then?" said M'Intyre; "may I inquire
+to what regiment Mr. Lovel belongs?"—Mr. Lovel gave him the number
+of the regiment. "It happens strangely that we should never have met
+before, Mr. Lovel. I know your regiment very well, and have served along
+with them at different times."
+
+A blush crossed Lovel's countenance. "I have not lately been with my
+regiment," he replied; "I served the last campaign upon the staff of
+General Sir——."
+
+"Indeed! that is more wonderful than the other circumstance!—for
+although I did not serve with General Sir——, yet I had an opportunity of
+knowing the names of the officers who held situations in his family, and
+I cannot recollect that of Lovel."
+
+At this observation Lovel again blushed so deeply as to attract the
+attention of the whole company, while, a scornful laugh seemed to
+indicate Captain M'Intyre's triumph. "There is something strange in
+this," said Oldbuck to himself; "but I will not readily give up my
+phoenix of post-chaise companions—all his actions, language, and
+bearing, are those of a gentleman."
+
+Lovel in the meanwhile had taken out his pocket-book, and selecting a
+letter, from which he took off the envelope, he handed it to Mlntyre.
+"You know the General's hand, in all probability—I own I ought not to
+show these exaggerated expressions of his regard and esteem for me." The
+letter contained a very handsome compliment from the officer in question
+for some military service lately performed. Captain M'Intyre, as he
+glanced his eye over it, could not deny that it was written in the
+General's hand, but drily observed, as he returned it, that the address
+was wanting. "The address, Captain M'Intyre," answered Lovel, in the
+same tone, "shall be at your service whenever you choose to inquire
+after it!"
+
+"I certainly shall not fail to do so," rejoined the soldier.
+
+"Come, come," exclaimed Oldbuck, "what is the meaning of all this? Have
+we got Hiren here?—We'll have no swaggering youngsters. Are you come
+from the wars abroad, to stir up domestic strife in our peaceful land?
+Are you like bull-dog puppies, forsooth, that when the bull, poor
+fellow, is removed from the ring, fall to brawl among themselves, worry
+each other, and bite honest folk's shins that are standing by?"
+
+Sir Arthur trusted, he said, the young gentlemen would not so far forget
+themselves as to grow warm upon such a trifling subject as the back of a
+letter.
+
+Both the disputants disclaimed any such intention, and, with high colour
+and flashing eyes, protested they were never so cool in their lives. But
+an obvious damp was cast over the party;—they talked in future too much
+by the rule to be sociable, and Lovel, conceiving himself the object
+of cold and suspicious looks from the rest of the company, and sensible
+that his indirect replies had given them permission to entertain strange
+opinions respecting him, made a gallant determination to sacrifice the
+pleasure he had proposed in spending the day at Knockwinnock.
+
+He affected, therefore, to complain of a violent headache, occasioned by
+the heat of the day, to which he had not been exposed since his illness,
+and made a formal apology to Sir Arthur, who, listening more to recent
+suspicion than to the gratitude due for former services, did not press
+him to keep his engagement more than good-breeding exactly demanded.
+
+When Lovel took leave of the ladies, Miss Wardour's manner seemed more
+anxious than he had hitherto remarked it. She indicated by a glance of
+her eye towards Captain M'Intyre, perceptible only by Lovel, the subject
+of her alarm, and hoped, in a voice greatly under her usual tone, it was
+not a less pleasant engagement which deprived them of the pleasure of
+Mr. Lovel's company. "No engagement had intervened," he assured her; "it
+was only the return of a complaint by which he had been for some time
+occasionally attacked."
+
+"The best remedy in such a case is prudence, and I—every friend of Mr.
+Lovel's will expect him to employ it."
+
+Lovel bowed low and coloured deeply, and Miss Wardour, as if she felt
+that she had said too much, turned and got into the carriage. Lovel had
+next to part with Oldbuck, who, during this interval, had, with Caxon's
+assistance, been arranging his disordered periwig, and brushing his
+coat, which exhibited some marks of the rude path they had traversed.
+"What, man!" said Oldbuck, "you are not going to leave us on account of
+that foolish Hector's indiscreet curiosity and vehemence? Why, he is
+a thoughtless boy—a spoiled child from the time he was in the nurse's
+arms—he threw his coral and bells at my head for refusing him a bit of
+sugar; and you have too much sense to mind such a shrewish boy: aequam
+servare mentem is the motto of our friend Horace. I'll school Hector by
+and by, and put it all to rights." But Lovel persisted in his design of
+returning to Fairport.
+
+The Antiquary then assumed a graver tone.—"Take heed, young man, to your
+present feelings. Your life has been given you for useful and valuable
+purposes, and should be reserved to illustrate the literature of your
+country, when you are not called upon to expose it in her defence, or
+in the rescue of the innocent. Private war, a practice unknown to the
+civilised ancients, is, of all the absurdities introduced by the Gothic
+tribes, the most gross, impious, and cruel. Let me hear no more of these
+absurd quarrels, and I will show you the treatise upon the duello, which
+I composed when the town-clerk and provost Mucklewhame chose to assume
+the privileges of gentlemen, and challenged each other. I thought of
+printing my Essay, which is signed Pacificator; but there was no need,
+as the matter was taken up by the town-council of the borough."
+
+"But I assure you, my dear sir, there is nothing between Captain
+M'Intyre and me that can render such respectable interference
+necessary."
+
+"See it be so; for otherwise, I will stand second to both parties."
+
+So saying, the old gentleman got into the chaise, close to which Miss
+M'Intyre had detained her brother, upon the same principle that
+the owner of a quarrelsome dog keeps him by his side to prevent his
+fastening upon another. But Hector contrived to give her precaution
+the slip, for, as he was on horseback, he lingered behind the carriages
+until they had fairly turned the corner in the road to Knockwinnock, and
+then, wheeling his horse's head round, gave him the spur in the opposite
+direction.
+
+A very few minutes brought him up with Lovel, who, perhaps anticipating
+his intention, had not put his horse beyond a slow walk, when the
+clatter of hoofs behind him announced Captain Mlntyre. The young
+soldier, his natural heat of temper exasperated by the rapidity of
+motion, reined his horse up suddenly and violently by Lovel's side, and
+touching his hat slightly, inquired, in a very haughty tone of voice,
+"What am I to understand, sir, by your telling me that your address was
+at my service?"
+
+"Simply, sir," replied Lovel, "that my name is Lovel, and that my
+residence is, for the present, Fairport, as you will see by this card."
+
+"And is this all the information you are disposed to give me?"
+
+"I see no right you have to require more."
+
+"I find you, sir, in company with my sister," said the young soldier,
+"and I have a right to know who is admitted into Miss M'Intyre's
+society."
+
+"I shall take the liberty of disputing that right," replied Lovel,
+with a manner as haughty as that of the young soldier;—"you find me in
+society who are satisfied with the degree of information on my affairs
+which I have thought proper to communicate, and you, a mere stranger,
+have no right to inquire further."
+
+"Mr. Lovel, if you served as you say you have"—
+
+"If!" interrupted Lovel,—"if I have served as I say I have?"
+
+"Yes, sir, such is my expression—if you have so served, you must know
+that you owe me satisfaction either in one way or other."
+
+"If that be your opinion, I shall be proud to give it to you, Captain
+M'Intyre, in the way in which the word is generally used among
+gentlemen."
+
+"Very well, sir," rejoined Hector, and, turning his horse round,
+galloped off to overtake his party.
+
+His absence had already alarmed them, and his sister, having stopped the
+carriage, had her neck stretched out of the window to see where he was.
+
+"What is the matter with you now?" said the Antiquary, "riding to and
+fro as your neck were upon the wager—why do you not keep up with the
+carriage?"
+
+"I forgot my glove, sir," said Hector.
+
+"Forgot your glove!—I presume you meant to say you went to throw it
+down—But I will take order with you, my young gentleman—you shall return
+with me this night to Monkbarns." So saying, he bid the postilion go on.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTIETH.
+
+                         —If you fail Honour here,
+                 Never presume to serve her any more;
+                 Bid farewell to the integrity of armes;
+                    And the honourable name of soldier
+            Fall from you, like a shivered wreath of laurel
+            By thunder struck from a desertlesse forehead.
+                                    A Faire Quarrell.
+
+Early the next morning, a gentleman came to wait upon Mr. Lovel, who was
+up and ready to receive him. He was a military gentleman, a friend of
+Captain M'Intyre's, at present in Fairport on the recruiting service.
+Lovel and he were slightly known to each other. "I presume, sir," said
+Mr. Lesley (such was the name of the visitor), "that you guess the
+occasion of my troubling you so early?"
+
+"A message from Captain M'Intyre, I presume?"
+
+"The same. He holds himself injured by the manner in which you declined
+yesterday to answer certain inquiries which he conceived himself
+entitled to make respecting a gentleman whom he found in intimate
+society with his family."
+
+"May I ask, if you, Mr. Lesley, would have inclined to satisfy
+interrogatories so haughtily and unceremoniously put to you?"
+
+"Perhaps not;—and therefore, as I know the warmth of my friend M'Intyre
+on such occasions, I feel very desirous of acting as peacemaker. From
+Mr. Lovel's very gentleman-like manners, every one must strongly wish to
+see him repel all that sort of dubious calumny which will attach itself
+to one whose situation is not fully explained. If he will permit me, in
+friendly conciliation, to inform Captain M'Intyre of his real name, for
+we are led to conclude that of Lovel is assumed"—
+
+"I beg your pardon, sir, but I cannot admit that inference."
+
+"—Or at least," said Lesley, proceeding, "that it is not the name by
+which Mr. Lovel has been at all times distinguished—if Mr. Lovel will
+have the goodness to explain this circumstance, which, in my opinion,
+he should do in justice to his own character, I will answer for the
+amicable arrangement of this unpleasant business."
+
+"Which is to say, Mr. Lesley, that if I condescend to answer questions
+which no man has a right to ask, and which are now put to me under
+penalty of Captain M'Intyre's resentment, Captain MIntyre will
+condescend to rest satisfied? Mr. Lesley, I have just one word to say
+on this subject—I have no doubt my secret, if I had one, might be safely
+entrusted to your honour, but I do not feel called upon to satisfy the
+curiosity of any one. Captain M'Intyre met me in society which of itself
+was a warrant to all the world, and particularly ought to be such to
+him, that I was a gentleman. He has, in my opinion, no right to go
+any further, or to inquire the pedigree, rank, or circumstances, of a
+stranger, who, without seeking any intimate connection with him, or his,
+chances to dine with his uncle, or walk in company with his sister."
+
+"In that case, Captain M'Intyre requests you to be informed, that your
+farther visits at Monkbarns, and all connection with Miss M'Intyre, must
+be dropt, as disagreeable to him."
+
+"I shall certainly," said Lovel, "visit Mr. Oldbuck when it suits me,
+without paying the least respect to his nephew's threats or irritable
+feelings. I respect the young lady's name too much (though nothing
+can be slighter than our acquaintance) to introduce it into such a
+discussion."
+
+"Since that is your resolution, sir," answered Lesley, "Captain M'Intyre
+requests that Mr. Lovel, unless he wishes to be announced as a very
+dubious character, will favour him with a meeting this evening, at
+seven, at the thorn-tree in the little valley close by the ruins of St.
+Ruth."
+
+"Most unquestionably, I will wait upon him. There is only one
+difficulty—I must find a friend to accompany me, and where to seek one
+on this short notice, as I have no acquaintance in Fairport—I will be on
+the spot, however—Captain M'Intyre may be assured of that."
+
+Lesley had taken his hat, and was as far as the door of the apartment,
+when, as if moved by the peculiarity of Lovel's situation, he returned,
+and thus addressed him: "Mr. Lovel, there is something so singular in
+all this, that I cannot help again resuming the argument. You must be
+yourself aware at this moment of the inconvenience of your preserving
+an incognito, for which, I am convinced, there can be no dishonourable
+reason. Still, this mystery renders it difficult for you to procure the
+assistance of a friend in a crisis so delicate—nay, let me add, that
+many persons will even consider it as a piece of Quixotry in M'Intyre to
+give you a meeting, while your character and circumstances are involved
+in such obscurity."
+
+"I understand your innuendo, Mr. Lesley," rejoined Lovel; and though
+I might be offended at its severity, I am not so, because it is meant
+kindly. But, in my opinion, he is entitled to all the privileges of a
+gentleman, to whose charge, during the time he has been known in the
+society where he happens to move, nothing can be laid that is unhandsome
+or unbecoming. For a friend, I dare say I shall find some one or other
+who will do me that good turn; and if his experience be less than I
+could wish, I am certain not to suffer through that circumstance when
+you are in the field for my antagonist."
+
+"I trust you will not," said Lesley; "but as I must, for my own sake,
+be anxious to divide so heavy a responsibility with a capable assistant,
+allow me to say, that Lieutenant Taffril's gun-brig is come into the
+roadstead, and he himself is now at old Caxon's, where he lodges. I
+think you have the same degree of acquaintance with him as with me, and,
+as I am sure I should willingly have rendered you such a service were
+I not engaged on the other side, I am convinced he will do so at your
+first request."
+
+"At the thorn-tree, then, Mr. Lesley, at seven this evening—the arms, I
+presume, are pistols?"
+
+"Exactly. M'Intyre has chosen the hour at which he can best escape from
+Monkbarns—he was with me this morning by five, in order to return
+and present himself before his uncle was up. Good-morning to you, Mr.
+Lovel." And Lesley left the apartment.
+
+Lovel was as brave as most men; but none can internally regard such a
+crisis as now approached, without deep feelings of awe and uncertainty.
+In a few hours he might be in another world to answer for an action
+which his calmer thought told him was unjustifiable in a religious point
+of view, or he might be wandering about in the present like Cain, with
+the blood of his brother on his head. And all this might be saved by
+speaking a single word. Yet pride whispered, that to speak that word
+now, would be ascribed to a motive which would degrade him more low than
+even the most injurious reasons that could be assigned for his silence.
+Every one, Miss Wardour included, must then, he thought, account him
+a mean dishonoured poltroon, who gave to the fear of meeting Captain
+M'Intyre the explanation he had refused to the calm and handsome
+expostulations of Mr. Lesley. M'Intyre's insolent behaviour to himself
+personally, the air of pretension which he assumed towards Miss Wardour,
+and the extreme injustice, arrogance, and incivility of his demands
+upon a perfect stranger, seemed to justify him in repelling his rude
+investigation. In short, he formed the resolution which might have been
+expected from so young a man,—to shut the eyes, namely, of his calmer
+reason, and follow the dictates of his offended pride. With this purpose
+he sought Lieutenant Taffril.
+
+The lieutenant received him with the good breeding of a gentleman and
+the frankness of a sailor, and listened with no small surprise to the
+detail which preceded his request that he might be favoured with his
+company at his meeting with Captain M'Intyre. When he had finished,
+Taffril rose up and walked through his apartment once or twice. "This is
+a most singular circumstance," he said, "and really"—
+
+"I am conscious, Mr. Taffril, how little I am entitled to make my
+present request, but the urgency of circumstances hardly leaves me an
+alternative."
+
+"Permit me to ask you one question," asked the sailor;—"is there
+anything of which you are ashamed in the circumstances which you have
+declined to communicate."
+
+"Upon my honour, no; there is nothing but what, in a very short time, I
+trust I may publish to the whole world."
+
+"I hope the mystery arises from no false shame at the lowness of your
+friends perhaps, or connections?"
+
+"No, on my word," replied Lovel.
+
+"I have little sympathy for that folly," said Taffril—"indeed I cannot
+be supposed to have any; for, speaking of my relations, I may be said to
+have come myself from before the mast, and I believe I shall very soon
+form a connection, which the world will think low enough, with a very
+amiable girl, to whom I have been attached since we were next-door
+neighbours, at a time when I little thought of the good fortune which
+has brought me forward in the service."
+
+"I assure you, Mr. Taffril," replied Lovel, "whatever were the rank of
+my parents, I should never think of concealing it from a spirit of
+petty pride. But I am so situated at present, that I cannot enter on the
+subject of my family with any propriety."
+
+"It is quite enough," said the honest sailor—"give me your hand; I'll
+see you as well through this business as I can, though it is but an
+unpleasant one after all—But what of that? our own honour has the next
+call on us after our country;—you are a lad of spirit, and I own I think
+Mr. Hector M'Intyre, with his long pedigree and his airs of family,
+very much of a jackanapes. His father was a soldier of fortune as I am a
+sailor—he himself, I suppose, is little better, unless just as his uncle
+pleases; and whether one pursues fortune by land, or sea, makes no great
+difference, I should fancy."
+
+"None in the universe, certainly," answered Lovel.
+
+"Well," said his new ally, "we will dine together and arrange matters
+for this rencounter. I hope you understand the use of the weapon?"
+
+"Not particularly," Lovel replied.
+
+"I am sorry for that—M'Intyre is said to be a marksman."
+
+"I am sorry for it also," said Lovel, "both for his sake and my own: I
+must then, in self-defence, take my aim as well as I can."
+
+"Well," added Taffril, "I will have our surgeon's mate on the field—a
+good clever young fellow at caulking a shot-hole. I will let Lesley, who
+is an honest fellow for a landsman, know that he attends for the benefit
+of either party. Is there anything I can do for you in case of an
+accident?"
+
+"I have but little occasion to trouble you," said Lovel. "This small
+billet contains the key of my escritoir, and my very brief secret. There
+is one letter in the escritoir" (digesting a temporary swelling of the
+heart as he spoke), "which I beg the favour of you to deliver with your
+own hand."
+
+"I understand," said the sailor. "Nay, my friend, never be ashamed for
+the matter—an affectionate heart may overflow for an instant at the
+eyes, if the ship were clearing for action; and, depend on it, whatever
+your injunctions are, Dan Taffril will regard them like the bequest of a
+dying brother. But this is all stuff;—we must get our things in fighting
+order, and you will dine with me and my little surgeon's mate, at the
+Graeme's-Arms over the way, at four o'clock."
+
+"Agreed," said Lovel.
+
+"Agreed," said Taffril; and the whole affair was arranged.
+
+It was a beautiful summer evening, and the shadow of the solitary
+thorn-tree was lengthening upon the short greensward of the narrow
+valley, which was skirted by the woods that closed around the ruins of
+St. Ruth. *
+
+* [Supposed to have been suggested by the old Abbey of Arbroath in *
+Forfarshire.] St. Ruth (arbroath Abbey)
+
+Lovel and Lieutenant Taffril, with the surgeon, came upon the ground
+with a purpose of a nature very uncongenial to the soft, mild, and
+pacific character of the hour and scene. The sheep, which during the
+ardent heat of the day had sheltered in the breaches and hollows of the
+gravelly bank, or under the roots of the aged and stunted trees, had
+now spread themselves upon the face of the hill to enjoy their evening's
+pasture, and bleated, to each other with that melancholy sound which
+at once gives life to a landscape, and marks its solitude.—Taffril and
+Lovel came on in deep conference, having, for fear of discovery, sent
+their horses back to the town by the Lieutenant's servant. The opposite
+party had not yet appeared on the field. But when they came upon the
+ground, there sat upon the roots of the old thorn a figure as vigorous
+in his decay as the moss-grown but strong and contorted boughs which
+served him for a canopy. It was old Ochiltree. "This is embarrassing
+enough," said Lovel:—"How shall we get rid of this old fellow?"
+
+"Here, father Adam," cried Taffril, who knew the mendicant of
+yore—"here's half-a-crown for you. You must go to the Four Horse-shoes
+yonder—the little inn, you know, and inquire for a servant with blue and
+yellow livery. If he is not come, you'll wait for him, and tell him
+we shall be with his master in about an hour's time. At any rate, wait
+there till we come back,—and—Get off with you—Come, come, weigh anchor."
+
+"I thank ye for your awmous," said Ochiltree, pocketing the piece of
+money; "but I beg your pardon, Mr. Taffril—I canna gang your errand e'en
+now."
+
+"Why not, man? what can hinder you?"
+
+"I wad speak a word wi' young Mr. Lovel."
+
+"With me?" answered Lovel: "what would you say with me? Come, say on,
+and be brief."
+
+The mendicant led him a few paces aside. "Are ye indebted onything to
+the Laird o' Monkbarns?"
+
+"Indebted!—no, not I—what of that?—what makes you think so?"
+
+"Ye maun ken I was at the shirra's the day; for, God help me, I gang
+about a' gates like the troubled spirit; and wha suld come whirling
+there in a post-chaise, but Monkbarns in an unco carfuffle—now, it's no
+a little thing that will make his honour take a chaise and post-horse
+twa days rinnin'."
+
+"Well, well; but what is all this to me?"
+
+"Ou, ye'se hear, ye'se hear. Weel, Monkbarns is closeted wi' the
+shirra whatever puir folk may be left thereout—ye needna doubt that—the
+gentlemen are aye unco civil amang themsells."
+
+"For heaven's sake, my old friend"—
+
+"Canna ye bid me gang to the deevil at ance, Mr. Lovel? it wad be mair
+purpose fa'ard than to speak o' heaven in that impatient gate."
+
+"But I have private business with Lieutenant Taffril here."
+
+"Weel, weel, a' in gude time," said the beggar—"I can use a little
+wee bit freedom wi' Mr. Daniel Taffril;—mony's the peery and the tap
+I worked for him langsyne, for I was a worker in wood as weel as a
+tinkler."
+
+"You are either mad, Adam, or have a mind to drive me mad."
+
+"Nane o' the twa," said Edie, suddenly changing his manner from the
+protracted drawl of the mendicant to a brief and decided tone. "The
+shirra sent for his clerk, and as the lad is rather light o' the tongue,
+I fand it was for drawing a warrant to apprehend you—I thought it had
+been on a fugie warrant for debt; for a' body kens the laird likes
+naebody to pit his hand in his pouch—But now I may haud my tongue, for
+I see the M'Intyre lad and Mr. Lesley coming up, and I guess that
+Monkbarns's purpose was very kind, and that yours is muckle waur than it
+should be."
+
+The antagonist now approached, and saluted with the stern civility
+which befitted the occasion. "What has this old fellow to do here?" said
+M'Intyre.
+
+"I am an auld fallow," said Edie, "but I am also an auld soldier o' your
+father's, for I served wi' him in the 42d."
+
+"Serve where you please, you have no title to intrude on us," said
+M'Intyre, "or"—and he lifted his cane in terrorem, though without the
+idea of touching the old man.
+
+But Ochiltree's courage was roused by the insult. "Haud down your
+switch, Captain M'Intyre! I am an auld soldier, as I said before, and
+I'll take muckle frae your father's son; but no a touch o' the wand
+while my pike-staff will haud thegither."
+
+"Well, well, I was wrong—I was wrong," said M'Intyre; "here's a crown
+for you—go your ways—what's the matter now?"
+
+The old man drew himself up to the full advantage of his uncommon
+height, and in despite of his dress, which indeed had more of the
+pilgrim than the ordinary beggar, looked from height, manner, and
+emphasis of voice and gesture, rather like a grey palmer or eremite
+preacher, the ghostly counsellor of the young men who were around him,
+than the object of their charity. His speech, indeed, was as homely
+as his habit, but as bold and unceremonious as his erect and dignified
+demeanour. "What are ye come here for, young men?" he said, addressing
+himself to the surprised audience; "are ye come amongst the most lovely
+works of God to break his laws? Have ye left the works of man, the
+houses and the cities that are but clay and dust, like those that built
+them—and are ye come here among the peaceful hills, and by the quiet
+waters, that will last whiles aught earthly shall endure, to destroy
+each other's lives, that will have but an unco short time, by the course
+of nature, to make up a lang account at the close o't? O sirs! hae ye
+brothers, sisters, fathers, that hae tended ye, and mothers that hae
+travailed for ye, friends that hae ca'd ye like a piece o' their ain
+heart? and is this the way ye tak to make them childless and brotherless
+and friendless? Ohon! it's an ill feight whar he that wins has the warst
+o't. Think on't, bairns. I'm a puir man—but I'm an auld man too—and what
+my poverty takes awa frae the weight o' my counsel, grey hairs and a
+truthfu' heart should add it twenty times. Gang hame, gang hame, like
+gude lads—the French will be ower to harry us ane o' thae days, and
+ye'll hae feighting eneugh, and maybe auld Edie will hirple out himsell
+if he can get a feal-dyke to lay his gun ower, and may live to tell you
+whilk o' ye does the best where there's a good cause afore ye."
+
+There was something in the undaunted and independent manner, hardy
+sentiment, and manly rude elocution of the old man, that had its
+effect upon the party, and particularly on the seconds, whose pride was
+uninterested in bringing the dispute to a bloody arbitrament, and
+who, on the contrary, eagerly watched for an opportunity to recommend
+reconciliation.
+
+"Upon my word, Mr. Lesley," said Taffril, "old Adam speaks like an
+oracle. Our friends here were very angry yesterday, and of course very
+foolish;—today they should be cool, or at least we must be so in
+their behalf. I think the word should be forget and forgive on both
+sides,—that we should all shake hands, fire these foolish crackers in
+the air, and go home to sup in a body at the Graeme's-Arms."
+
+"I would heartily recommend it," said Lesley; "for, amidst a great
+deal of heat and irritation on both sides, I confess myself unable to
+discover any rational ground of quarrel."
+
+"Gentlemen," said M'Intyre, very coldly, "all this should have been
+thought of before. In my opinion, persons that have carried this matter
+so far as we have done, and who should part without carrying it any
+farther, might go to supper at the Graeme's-Arms very joyously, but
+would rise the next morning with reputations as ragged as our friend
+here, who has obliged us with a rather unnecessary display of his
+oratory. I speak for myself, that I find myself bound to call upon you
+to proceed without more delay."
+
+"And I," said Lovel, "as I never desired any, have also to request these
+gentlemen to arrange preliminaries as fast as possible."
+
+"Bairns! bairns!" cried old Ochiltree; but perceiving he was no longer
+attended to—"Madmen, I should say—but your blood be on your heads!" And
+the old man drew off from the ground, which was now measured out by
+the seconds, and continued muttering and talking to himself in sullen
+indignation, mixed with anxiety, and with a strong feeling of painful
+curiosity. Without paying farther attention to his presence or
+remonstrances, Mr. Lesley and the Lieutenant made the necessary
+arrangements for the duel, and it was agreed that both parties should
+fire when Mr. Lesley dropped his handkerchief.
+
+The fatal sign was given, and both fired almost in the same moment.
+Captain M'Intyre's ball grazed the side of his opponent, but did not
+draw blood. That of Lovel was more true to the aim; M'Intyre reeled
+and fell. Raising himself on his arm, his first exclamation was, "It is
+nothing—it is nothing—give us the other pistols." But in an instant he
+said, in a lower tone, "I believe I have enough—and what's worse, I
+fear I deserve it. Mr. Lovel, or whatever your name is, fly and save
+yourself—Bear all witness, I provoked this matter." Then raising himself
+again on his arm, he added, "Shake hands, Lovel—I believe you to be
+a gentleman—forgive my rudeness, and I forgive you my death—My poor
+sister!"
+
+The surgeon came up to perform his part of the tragedy, and Lovel stood
+gazing on the evil of which he had been the active, though unwilling
+cause, with a dizzy and bewildered eye. He was roused from his trance by
+the grasp of the mendicant. "Why stand you gazing on your deed?—What's
+doomed is doomed—what's done is past recalling. But awa, awa, if ye wad
+save your young blood from a shamefu' death—I see the men out by yonder
+that are come ower late to part ye—but, out and alack! sune eneugh, and
+ower sune, to drag ye to prison."
+
+"He is right—he is right," exclaimed Taffril; "you must not attempt to
+get on the high-road—get into the wood till night. My brig will be
+under sail by that time, and at three in the morning, when the tide
+will serve, I shall have the boat waiting for you at the Mussel-crag.
+Away-away, for Heaven's sake!"
+
+"O yes! fly, fly!" repeated the wounded man, his words faltering with
+convulsive sobs.
+
+"Come with me," said the mendicant, almost dragging him off; "the
+Captain's plan is the best—I'll carry ye to a place where ye might be
+concealed in the meantime, were they to seek ye 'wi' sleuth-hounds."
+
+"Go, go," again urged Lieutenant Taffril—"to stay here is mere madness."
+
+"It was worse madness to have come hither," said Lovel, pressing his
+hand—"But farewell!" And he followed Ochiltree into the recesses of the
+wood.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST.
+
+                      —The Lord Abbot had a soul
+               Subtile and quick, and searching as the fire;
+               By magic stairs he went as deep as hell,
+               And if in devils' possession gold be kept,
+         He brought some sure from thence—'tis hid in caves,
+                        Known, save to me, to none.—
+                                   The Wonder of a Kingdome.
+
+Lovel almost mechanically followed the beggar, who led the way with a
+hasty and steady pace, through bush and bramble, avoiding the beaten
+path, and often turning to listen whether there were any sounds of
+pursuit behind them. They sometimes descended into the very bed of the
+torrent, sometimes kept a narrow and precarious path, that the sheep
+(which, with the sluttish negligence towards property of that sort
+universal in Scotland, were allowed to stray in the copse) had made
+along the very verge of its overhanging banks. From time to time Lovel
+had a glance of the path which he had traversed the day before in
+company with Sir Arthur, the Antiquary, and the young ladies. Dejected,
+embarrassed, and occupied by a thousand inquietudes, as he then was,
+what would he now have given to regain the sense of innocence which
+alone can counter-balance a thousand evils! "Yet, then," such was his
+hasty and involuntary reflection, "even then, guiltless and valued by
+all around me, I thought myself unhappy. What am I now, with this young
+man's blood upon my hands?—the feeling of pride which urged me to the
+deed has now deserted me, as the actual fiend himself is said to do
+those whom he has tempted to guilt." Even his affection for Miss Wardour
+sunk for the time before the first pangs of remorse, and he thought
+he could have encountered every agony of slighted love to have had
+the conscious freedom from blood-guiltiness which he possessed in the
+morning.
+
+These painful reflections were not interrupted by any conversation on
+the part of his guide, who threaded the thicket before him, now holding
+back the sprays to make his path easy, now exhorting him to make haste,
+now muttering to himself, after the custom of solitary and neglected old
+age, words which might have escaped Lovel's ear even had he listened to
+them, or which, apprehended and retained, were too isolated to convey
+any connected meaning,—a habit which may be often observed among people
+of the old man's age and calling.
+
+At length, as Lovel, exhausted by his late indisposition, the harrowing
+feelings by which he was agitated, and the exertion necessary to keep up
+with his guide in a path so rugged, began to flag and fall behind, two
+or three very precarious steps placed him on the front of a precipice
+overhung with brushwood and copse. Here a cave, as narrow in its
+entrance as a fox-earth, was indicated by a small fissure in the rock,
+screened by the boughs of an aged oak, which, anchored by its thick and
+twisted roots in the upper part of the cleft, flung its branches almost
+straight outward from the cliff, concealing it effectually from all
+observation. It might indeed have escaped the attention even of those
+who had stood at its very opening, so uninviting was the portal at which
+the beggar entered. But within, the cavern was higher and more roomy,
+cut into two separate branches, which, intersecting each other at right
+angles, formed an emblem of the cross, and indicated the abode of an
+anchoret of former times. There are many caves of the same kind in
+different parts of Scotland. I need only instance those of Gorton, near
+Rosslyn, in a scene well known to the admirers of romantic nature.
+
+The light within the eave was a dusky twilight at the entrance, which
+failed altogether in the inner recesses. "Few folks ken o' this place,"
+said the old man; "to the best o'my knowledge, there's just twa living
+by mysell, and that's Jingling Jock and the Lang Linker. I have had mony
+a thought, that when I fand mysell auld and forfairn, and no able to
+enjoy God's blessed air ony langer, I wad drag mysell here wi' a pickle
+ait-meal; and see, there's a bit bonny dropping well that popples that
+self-same gate simmer and winter;—and I wad e'en streek mysell out here,
+and abide my removal, like an auld dog that trails its useless ugsome
+carcass into some bush or bracken no to gie living things a scunner wi'
+the sight o't when it's dead—Ay, and then, when the dogs barked at the
+lone farm-stead, the gudewife wad cry, Whisht, stirra, that'll be auld
+Edie,' and the bits o' weans wad up, puir things, and toddle to the door
+to pu' in the auld Blue-Gown that mends a' their bonny-dies—But there
+wad be nae mair word o' Edie, I trow."
+
+He then led Lovel, who followed him unresistingly, into one of the
+interior branches of the cave. "Here," he said, "is a bit turnpike-stair
+that gaes up to the auld kirk abune. Some folks say this place was
+howkit out by the monks lang syne to hide their treasure in, and some
+said that they used to bring things into the abbey this gate by night,
+that they durstna sae weel hae brought in by the main port and in open
+day—And some said that ane o' them turned a saint (or aiblins wad hae
+had folk think sae), and settled him down in this Saint Ruth's cell, as
+the auld folks aye ca'd it, and garr'd big the stair, that he might
+gang up to the kirk when they were at the divine service. The Laird
+o' Monkbarns wad hae a hantle to say about it, as he has about maist
+things, if he ken'd only about the place. But whether it was made for
+man's devices or God's service, I have seen ower muckle sin done in it
+in my day, and far ower muckle have I been partaker of—ay, even here in
+this dark cove. Mony a gudewife's been wondering what for the red cock
+didna craw her up in the morning, when he's been roasting, puir fallow,
+in this dark hole—And, ohon! I wish that and the like o' that had been
+the warst o't! Whiles they wad hae heard the din we were making in the
+very bowels o' the earth, when Sanders Aikwood, that was forester in
+thae days, the father o' Ringan that now is, was gaun daundering about
+the wood at e'en, to see after the Laird's game and whiles he wad hae
+seen a glance o' the light frae the door o' the cave, flaughtering
+against the hazels on the other bank;—and then siccan stories as Sanders
+had about the worricows and gyre-carlins that haunted about the auld
+wa's at e'en, and the lights that he had seen, and the cries that he had
+heard, when there was nae mortal e'e open but his ain; and eh! as he wad
+thrum them ower and ower to the like o' me ayont the ingle at e'en, and
+as I wad gie the auld silly carle grane for grane, and tale for tale,
+though I ken'd muckle better about it than ever he did. Ay, ay—they were
+daft days thae;—but they were a' vanity, and waur,—and it's fitting that
+they wha hae led a light and evil life, and abused charity when they
+were young, suld aiblins come to lack it when they are auld."
+
+While Ochiltree was thus recounting the exploits and tricks of his
+earlier life, with a tone in which glee and compunction alternately
+predominated, his unfortunate auditor had sat down upon the hermit's
+seat, hewn out of the solid rock, and abandoned himself to that
+lassitude, both of mind and body, which generally follows a course of
+events that have agitated both, The effect of his late indisposition,
+which had much weakened his system, contributed to this lethargic
+despondency. "The puir bairn!" said auld Edie, "an he sleeps in this
+damp hole, he'll maybe wauken nae mair, or catch some sair disease. It's
+no the same to him as to the like o' us, that can sleep ony gate an anes
+our wames are fu'. Sit up, Maister Lovel, lad! After a's come and gane,
+I dare say the captain-lad will do weel eneugh—and, after a', ye are no
+the first that has had this misfortune. I hae seen mony a man killed,
+and helped to kill them mysell, though there was nae quarrel between
+us—and if it isna wrang to kill folk we have nae quarrel wi', just
+because they wear another sort of a cockade, and speak a foreign
+language, I canna see but a man may have excuse for killing his ain
+mortal foe, that comes armed to the fair field to kill him. I dinna say
+it's right—God forbid—or that it isna sinfu' to take away what ye canna
+restore, and that's the breath of man, whilk is in his nostrils; but I
+say it is a sin to be forgiven if it's repented of. Sinfu' men are we
+a'; but if ye wad believe an auld grey sinner that has seen the evil
+o' his ways, there is as much promise atween the twa boards o' the
+Testament as wad save the warst o' us, could we but think sae."
+
+With such scraps of comfort and of divinity as he possessed, the
+mendicant thus continued to solicit and compel the attention of Lovel,
+until the twilight began to fade into night. "Now," said Ochiltree, "I
+will carry ye to a mair convenient place, where I hae sat mony a time to
+hear the howlit crying out of the ivy tod, and to see the moonlight come
+through the auld windows o' the ruins. There can be naebody come
+here after this time o' night; and if they hae made ony search, thae
+blackguard shirra'-officers and constables, it will hae been ower lang
+syne. Od, they are as great cowards as ither folk, wi' a' their warrants
+and king's keys*—I hae gien some o' them a gliff in my day, when they
+were coming rather ower near me—But, lauded be grace for it! they canna
+stir me now for ony waur than an auld man and a beggar, and my badge
+is a gude protection; and then Miss Isabella Wardour is a tower o'
+strength, ye ken"—(Lovel sighed)—"Aweel, dinna be cast down—bowls may a'
+row right yet—gie the lassie time to ken her mind. She's the wale o' the
+country for beauty, and a gude friend o' mine—I gang by the bridewell
+as safe as by the kirk on a Sabbath—deil ony o' them daur hurt a hair o'
+auld Edie's head now; I keep the crown o' the causey when I gae to the
+borough, and rub shouthers wi' a bailie wi' as little concern as an he
+were a brock."
+
+* The king's keys are, in law phrase, the crow-bars and hammers used to
+force doors and locks, in execution of the king's warrant.
+
+While the mendicant spoke thus, he was busied in removing a few loose
+stones in one angle of the eave, which obscured the entrance of the
+staircase of which he had spoken, and led the way into it, followed by
+Lovel in passive silence.
+
+"The air's free eneugh," said the old man; "the monks took care o' that,
+for they werena a lang-breathed generation, I reckon; they hae contrived
+queer tirlie-wirlie holes, that gang out to the open air, and keep the
+stair as caller as a kail-blade."
+
+Lovel accordingly found the staircase well aired, and, though narrow, it
+was neither ruinous nor long, but speedily admitted them into a narrow
+gallery contrived to run within the side wall of the chancel, from which
+it received air and light through apertures ingeniously hidden amid the
+florid ornaments of the Gothic architecture.
+
+"This secret passage ance gaed round great part o' the biggin," said the
+beggar, "and through the wa' o' the place I've heard Monkbarns ca' the
+Refractory" [meaning probably Refectory], "and so awa to the Prior's ain
+house. It's like he could use it to listen what the monks were saying at
+meal-time,—and then he might come ben here and see that they were busy
+skreighing awa wi' the psalms doun below there; and then, when he saw a'
+was right and tight, he might step awa and fetch in a bonnie lass at
+the cove yonder—for they were queer hands the monks, unless mony lees is
+made on them. But our folk were at great pains lang syne to big up
+the passage in some parts, and pu' it down in others, for fear o' some
+uncanny body getting into it, and finding their way down to the cove: it
+wad hae been a fashious job that—by my certie, some o' our necks wad hae
+been ewking."
+
+They now came to a place where the gallery was enlarged into a small
+circle, sufficient to contain a stone seat. A niche, constructed exactly
+before it, projected forward into the chancel, and as its sides were
+latticed, as it were, with perforated stone-work, it commanded a full
+view of the chancel in every direction, and was probably constructed, as
+Edie intimated, to be a convenient watch-tower, from which the superior
+priest, himself unseen, might watch the behaviour of his monks, and
+ascertain, by personal inspection, their punctual attendance upon those
+rites of devotion which his rank exempted him from sharing with them. As
+this niche made one of a regular series which stretched along the wall
+of the chancel, and in no respect differed from the rest when seen from
+below, the secret station, screened as it was by the stone figure of
+St. Michael and the dragon, and the open tracery around the niche, was
+completely hid from observation. The private passage, confined to its
+pristine breadth, had originally continued beyond this seat; but the
+jealous precautions of the vagabonds who frequented the cave of St. Ruth
+had caused them to build it carefully up with hewn stones from the ruin.
+
+"We shall be better here," said Edie, seating himself on the stone
+bench, and stretching the lappet of his blue gown upon the spot, when he
+motioned Lovel to sit down beside him—"we shall be better here than doun
+below; the air's free and mild, and the savour of the wallflowers, and
+siccan shrubs as grow on thae ruined wa's, is far mair refreshing than
+the damp smell doun below yonder. They smell sweetest by night-time thae
+flowers, and they're maist aye seen about rained buildings. Now, Maister
+Lovel, can ony o' you scholars gie a gude reason for that?"
+
+Lovel replied in the negative.
+
+"I am thinking," resumed the beggar, "that they'll be, like mony folk's
+gude gifts, that often seem maist gracious in adversity—or maybe it's a
+parable, to teach us no to slight them that are in the darkness of sin
+and the decay of tribulation, since God sends odours to refresh the
+mirkest hour, and flowers and pleasant bushes to clothe the ruined
+buildings. And now I wad like a wise man to tell me whether Heaven is
+maist pleased wi' the sight we are looking upon—thae pleasant and quiet
+lang streaks o' moonlight that are lying sae still on the floor o' this
+auld kirk, and glancing through the great pillars and stanchions o' the
+carved windows, and just dancing like on the leaves o' the dark ivy as
+the breath o' wind shakes it—I wonder whether this is mair pleasing to
+Heaven than when it was lighted up wi' lamps, and candles nae doubt, and
+roughies,* and wi' the mirth and the frankincent that they speak of in
+the Holy Scripture, and wi' organs assuredly, and men and women singers,
+and sackbuts, and dulcimers, and a' instruments o' music—I wonder
+if that was acceptable, or whether it is of these grand parafle o'
+ceremonies that holy writ says, It is an abomination to me.
+
+* Links, or torches.
+
+I am thinking, Maister Lovel, if twa puir contrite spirits like yours
+and mine fand grace to make our petition"—
+
+Here Lovel laid his hand eagerly on the mendicant's arm, saying,—"Hush!
+I heard some one speak."
+
+"I am dull o' hearing," answered Edie, in a whisper, "but we're surely
+safe here—where was the sound?"
+
+Lovel pointed to the door of the chancel, which, highly ornamented,
+occupied the west end of the building, surmounted by the carved window,
+which let in a flood of moonlight over it.
+
+"They can be nane o' our folk," said Edie in the same low and cautious
+tone; "there's but twa o' them kens o' the place, and they're mony a
+mile off, if they are still bound on their weary pilgrimage. I'll never
+think it's the officers here at this time o' night. I am nae believer in
+auld wives' stories about ghaists, though this is gey like a place for
+them—But mortal, or of the other world, here they come!—twa men and a
+light."
+
+And in very truth, while the mendicant spoke, two human figures darkened
+with their shadows the entrance of the chancel—which had before opened
+to the moon-lit meadow beyond, and the small lantern which one of them
+displayed, glimmered pale in the clear and strong beams of the moon, as
+the evening star does among the lights of the departing day. The first
+and most obvious idea was, that, despite the asseverations of Edie
+Ochiltree, the persons who approached the ruins at an hour so uncommon
+must be the officers of justice in quest of Lovel. But no part of their
+conduct confirmed the suspicion. A touch and a whisper from the old man
+warned Lovel that his best course was to remain quiet, and watch their
+motions from their present place of concealment. Should anything appear
+to render retreat necessary, they had behind them the private stair-case
+and cavern, by means of which they could escape into the wood long
+before any danger of close pursuit. They kept themselves, therefore, as
+still as possible, and observed with eager and anxious curiosity every
+accent and motion of these nocturnal wanderers.
+
+After conversing together some time in whispers, the two figures
+advanced into the middle of the chancel; and a voice, which Lovel at
+once recognised, from its tone and dialect, to be that of Dousterswivel,
+pronounced in a louder but still a smothered tone, "Indeed, mine goot
+sir, dere cannot be one finer hour nor season for dis great purpose.
+You shall see, mine goot sir, dat it is all one bibble-babble dat Mr.
+Oldenbuck says, and dat he knows no more of what he speaks than one
+little child. Mine soul! he expects to get as rich as one Jew for his
+poor dirty one hundred pounds, which I care no more about, by mine
+honest wort, than I care for an hundred stivers. But to you, my most
+munificent and reverend patron, I will show all de secrets dat art can
+show—ay, de secret of de great Pymander." The Ruins of St. Ruth
+
+"That other ane," whispered Edie, "maun be, according to a' likelihood,
+Sir Arthur Wardour—I ken naebody but himsell wad come here at this time
+at e'en wi' that German blackguard;—ane wad think he's bewitched him—he
+gars him e'en trow that chalk is cheese. Let's see what they can be
+doing."
+
+This interruption, and the low tone in which Sir Arthur spoke, made
+Lovel lose all Sir Arthur's answer to the adept, excepting the last
+three emphatic words, "Very great expense;" to which Dousterswivel at
+once replied—"Expenses!—to be sure—dere must be de great expenses.
+You do not expect to reap before you do sow de seed: de expense is de
+seed—de riches and de mine of goot metal, and now de great big chests
+of plate, they are de crop—vary goot crop too, on mine wort. Now, Sir
+Arthur, you have sowed this night one little seed of ten guineas
+like one pinch of snuff, or so big; and if you do not reap de great
+harvest—dat is, de great harvest for de little pinch of seed, for it
+must be proportions, you must know—then never call one honest man,
+Herman Dousterswivel. Now you see, mine patron—for I will not conceal
+mine secret from you at all—you see this little plate of silver; you
+know de moon measureth de whole zodiack in de space of twenty-eight
+day—every shild knows dat. Well, I take a silver plate when she is
+in her fifteenth mansion, which mansion is in de head of Libra, and I
+engrave upon one side de worts, [Shedbarschemoth Schartachan]—dat is,
+de Emblems of de Intelligence of de moon—and I make this picture like a
+flying serpent with a turkey- cock's head—vary well. Then upon this side
+I make de table of de moon, which is a square of nine, multiplied into
+itself, with eighty-one numbers on every side, and diameter nine—dere it
+is done very proper. Now I will make dis avail me at de change of every
+quarter-moon dat I shall find by de same proportions of expenses I lay
+out in de suffumigations, as nine, to de product of nine multiplied
+into itself—But I shall find no more to-night as maybe two or dree times
+nine, because dere is a thwarting power in de house of ascendency."
+
+"But, Dousterswivel," said the simple Baronet, "does not this look like
+magic?—I am a true though unworthy son of the Episcopal church, and I
+will have nothing to do with the foul fiend."
+
+"Bah! bah!—not a bit magic in it at all—not a bit—It is all founded on
+de planetary influence, and de sympathy and force of numbers. I will
+show you much finer dan dis. I do not say dere is not de spirit in it,
+because of de suffumigation; but, if you are not afraid, he shall not be
+invisible."
+
+"I have no curiosity to see him at all," said the Baronet, whose courage
+seemed, from a certain quaver in his accent, to have taken a fit of the
+ague.
+
+"Dat is great pity," said Dousterswivel; "I should have liked to show
+you de spirit dat guard dis treasure like one fierce watchdog—but I know
+how to manage him;—you would not care to see him?"
+
+"Not at all," answered the Baronet, in a tone of feigned indifference;
+"I think we have but little time."
+
+"You shall pardon me, my patron; it is not yet twelve, and twelve
+precise is just our planetary hours; and I could show you de spirit
+vary well, in de meanwhile, just for pleasure. You see I would draw
+a pentagon within a circle, which is no trouble at all, and make my
+suffumigation within it, and dere we would be like in one strong castle,
+and you would hold de sword while I did say de needful worts. Den you
+should see de solid wall open like de gate of ane city, and den—let me
+see—ay, you should see first one stag pursued by three black greyhounds,
+and they should pull him down as they do at de elector's great
+hunting-match; and den one ugly, little, nasty black negro should appear
+and take de stag from them—and paf—all should be gone; den you should
+hear horns winded dat all de ruins should ring—mine wort, they should
+play fine hunting piece, as goot as him you call'd Fischer with his
+oboi; vary well—den comes one herald, as we call Ernhold, winding his
+horn—and den come de great Peolphan, called de mighty Hunter of de
+North, mounted on hims black steed. But you would not care to see all
+this?"*
+
+* Note F. Witchcraft.
+
+ "Why, I am not afraid," answered the poor Baronet,—"if—that is—does
+anything—any great mischiefs, happen on such occasions?"
+
+"Bah! mischiefs? no!—sometimes if de circle be no quite just, or
+de beholder be de frightened coward, and not hold de sword firm and
+straight towards him, de Great Hunter will take his advantage, and drag
+him exorcist out of de circle and throttle him. Dat does happens."
+
+"Well then, Dousterswivel, with every confidence in my courage and your
+skill, we will dispense with this apparition, and go on to the business
+of the night."
+
+"With all mine heart—it is just one thing to me—and now it is de
+time—hold you de sword till I kindle de little what you call chip."
+
+Dousterswivel accordingly set fire to a little pile of chips, touched
+and prepared with some bituminous substance to make them burn fiercely;
+and when the flame was at the highest, and lightened, with its
+shortlived glare, all the ruins around, the German flung in a handful of
+perfumes which produced a strong and pungent odour. The exorcist and his
+pupil both were so much affected as to cough and sneeze heartily; and,
+as the vapour floated around the pillars of the building, and penetrated
+every crevice, it produced the same effect on the beggar and Lovel.
+
+"Was that an echo?" said the Baronet, astonished at the sternutation
+which resounded from above; "or"—drawing close to the adept, "can it
+be the spirit you talked of, ridiculing our attempt upon his hidden
+treasures?"
+
+"N—n—no," muttered the German, who began to partake of his pupil's
+terrors, "I hope not."
+
+Here a violent of sneezing, which the mendicant was unable to suppress,
+and which could not be considered by any means as the dying fall of an
+echo, accompanied by a grunting half-smothered cough, confounded the two
+treasure-seekers. "Lord have mercy on us!" said the Baronet.
+
+"Alle guten Geistern loben den Herrn!" ejaculated the terrified adept.
+"I was begun to think," he continued, after a moment's silence, "that
+this would be de bestermost done in de day-light—we was bestermost to go
+away just now."
+
+"You juggling villain!" said the Baronet, in whom these expressions
+awakened a suspicion that overcame his terrors, connected as it was
+with the sense of desperation arising from the apprehension of impending
+ruin—"you juggling mountebank! this is some legerdemain trick of yours
+to get off from the performance of your promise, as you have so often
+done before. But, before Heaven! I will this night know what I have
+trusted to when I suffered you to fool me on to my ruin! Go on,
+then—come fairy, come fiend, you shall show me that treasure, or confess
+yourself a knave and an impostor, or, by the faith of a desperate and
+ruined man, I'll send you where you shall see spirits enough."
+
+The treasure-finder, trembling between his terror for the supernatural
+beings by whom he supposed himself to be surrounded, and for his life,
+which seemed to be at the mercy of a desperate man, could only bring
+out, "Mine patron, this is not the allerbestmost usage. Consider, mine
+honoured sir, that de spirits"—
+
+Here Edie, who began to enter into the humour of the scene, uttered an
+extraordinary howl, being an exaltation and a prolongation of the most
+deplorable whine in which he was accustomed to solicit charity.
+
+Dousterswivel flung himself on his knees—"Dear Sir Arthurs, let us go,
+or let me go!"
+
+"No, you cheating scoundrel!" said the knight, unsheathing the sword
+which he had brought for the purposes of the exorcism, "that shift shall
+not serve you—Monkbarns warned me long since of your juggling pranks—I
+will see this treasure before you leave this place, or I will have you
+confess yourself an impostor, or, by Heaven, I'll run this sword through
+you, though all the spirits of the dead should rise around us!"
+
+"For de lofe of Heaven be patient, mine honoured patron, and you shall
+hafe all de treasure as I knows of—yes, you shall indeed—But do not
+speak about de spirits—it makes dem angry."
+
+Edie Ochiltree here prepared himself to throw in another groan, but was
+restrained by Lovel, who began to take a more serious interest, as
+he observed the earnest and almost desperate demeanour of Sir Arthur.
+Dousterswivel, having at once before his eyes the fear of the foul
+fiend, and the violence of Sir Arthur, played his part of a conjuror
+extremely ill, hesitating to assume the degree of confidence necessary
+to deceive the latter, lest it should give offence to the invisible
+cause of his alarm. However, after rolling his eyes, muttering and
+sputtering German exorcisms, with contortions of his face and person,
+rather flowing from the impulse of terror than of meditated fraud, he at
+length proceeded to a corner of the building where a flat stone lay upon
+the ground, bearing upon its surface the effigy of an armed warrior in a
+recumbent posture carved in bas-relief. He muttered to Sir Arthur, "Mine
+patrons, it is here—Got save us all!"
+
+Sir Arthur, who, after the first moment of his superstitious fear
+was over, seemed to have bent up all his faculties to the pitch of
+resolution necessary to carry on the adventure, lent the adept his
+assistance to turn over the stone, which, by means of a lever that
+the adept had provided, their joint force with difficulty effected. No
+supernatural light burst forth from below to indicate the subterranean
+treasury, nor was there any apparition of spirits, earthly or infernal.
+But when Dousterswivel had, with great trepidation, struck a few strokes
+with a mattock, and as hastily thrown out a shovelful or two of earth
+(for they came provided with the tools necessary for digging), something
+was heard to ring like the sound of a falling piece of metal, and
+Dousterswivel, hastily catching up the substance which produced it, and
+which his shovel had thrown out along with the earth, exclaimed, "On
+mine dear wort, mine patrons, dis is all—it is indeed; I mean all we can
+do to-night;"—and he gazed round him with a cowering and fearful glance,
+as if to see from what comer the avenger of his imposture was to start
+forth.
+
+"Let me see it," said Sir Arthur; and then repeated, still more sternly,
+"I will be satisfied—I will judge by mine own eyes." He accordingly
+held the object to the light of the lantern. It was a small case, or
+casket,—for Lovel could not at the distance exactly discern its shape,
+which, from the Baronet's exclamation as he opened it, he concluded was
+filled with coin. "Ay," said the Baronet, "this is being indeed in good
+luck! and if it omens proportional success upon a larger venture, the
+venture shall be made. That six hundred of Goldieword's, added to the
+other incumbent claims, must have been ruin indeed. If you think we
+can parry it by repeating this experiment—suppose when the moon next
+changes,—I will hazard the necessary advance, come by it how I may."
+
+"Oh, mine good patrons, do not speak about all dat," said Dousterswivel,
+"as just now, but help me to put de shtone to de rights, and let
+us begone our own ways." And accordingly, so soon as the stone was
+replaced, he hurried Sir Arthur, who was now resigned once more to his
+guidance, away from a spot, where the German's guilty conscience and
+superstitious fears represented goblins as lurking behind each pillar
+with the purpose of punishing his treachery.
+
+"Saw onybody e'er the like o' that!" said Edie, when they had
+disappeared like shadows through the gate by which they had entered—"saw
+ony creature living e'er the like o' that!—But what can we do for that
+puir doited deevil of a knight-baronet? Od, he showed muckle mair spunk,
+too, than I thought had been in him—I thought he wad hae sent cauld iron
+through the vagabond—Sir Arthur wasna half sae bauld at Bessie's-apron
+yon night—but then, his blood was up even now, and that makes an unco
+difference. I hae seen mony a man wad hae felled another an anger him,
+that wadna muckle hae liked a clink against Crummies-horn yon time. But
+what's to be done?"
+
+"I suppose," said Lovel, "his faith in this fellow is entirely restored
+by this deception, which, unquestionably, he had arranged beforehand."
+
+"What! the siller?—Ay, ay—trust him for that—they that hide ken best
+where to find. He wants to wile him out o' his last guinea, and then
+escape to his ain country, the land-louper. I wad likeit weel just
+to hae come in at the clipping-time, and gien him a lounder wi' my
+pike-staff; he wad hae taen it for a bennison frae some o' the auld dead
+abbots. But it's best no to be rash; sticking disna gang by strength,
+but by the guiding o' the gally. I'se be upsides wi' him ae day."
+
+"What if you should inform Mr. Oldbuck?" said Lovel.
+
+"Ou, I dinna ken—Monkbarns and Sir Arthur are like, and yet they're no
+like neither. Monkbarns has whiles influence wi' him, and whiles Sir
+Arthur cares as little about him as about the like o' me. Monkbarns is
+no that ower wise himsell, in some things;—he wad believe a bodle to
+be an auld Roman coin, as he ca's it, or a ditch to be a camp, upon ony
+leasing that idle folk made about it. I hae garr'd him trow mony a
+queer tale mysell, gude forgie me. But wi' a' that, he has unco little
+sympathy wi' ither folks; and he's snell and dure eneugh in casting up
+their nonsense to them, as if he had nane o' his ain. He'll listen the
+hale day, an yell tell him about tales o' Wallace, and Blind Harry, and
+Davie Lindsay; but ye maunna speak to him about ghaists or fairies, or
+spirits walking the earth, or the like o' that;—he had amaist flung auld
+Caxon out o' the window (and he might just as weel hae flung awa
+his best wig after him), for threeping he had seen a ghaist at the
+humlock-knowe. Now, if he was taking it up in this way, he wad set up
+the tother's birse, and maybe do mair ill nor gude—he's done that
+twice or thrice about thae mine-warks; ye wad thought Sir Arthur had a
+pleasure in gaun on wi' them the deeper, the mair he was warned against
+it by Monkbarns."
+
+"What say you then," said Lovel, "to letting Miss Wardour know the
+circumstance?"
+
+"Ou, puir thing, how could she stop her father doing his pleasure?—and,
+besides, what wad it help? There's a sough in the country about that
+six hundred pounds, and there's a writer chield in Edinburgh has been
+driving the spur-rowels o' the law up to the head into Sir Arthur's
+sides to gar him pay it, and if he canna, he maun gang to jail or flee
+the country. He's like a desperate man, and just catches at this chance
+as a' he has left, to escape utter perdition; so what signifies plaguing
+the puir lassie about what canna be helped? And besides, to say
+the truth, I wadna like to tell the secret o' this place. It's unco
+convenient, ye see yoursell, to hae a hiding-hole o' ane's ain; and
+though I be out o' the line o' needing ane e'en now, and trust in the
+power o' grace that I'll neer do onything to need ane again, yet naebody
+kens what temptation ane may be gien ower to—and, to be brief, I downa
+bide the thought of anybody kennin about the place;—they say, keep a
+thing seven year, an' yell aye find a use for't—and maybe I may need the
+cove, either for mysell, or for some ither body."
+
+This argument, in which Edie Ochiltree, notwithstanding his scraps of
+morality and of divinity, seemed to take, perhaps from old habit, a
+personal interest, could not be handsomely controverted by Lovel, who
+was at that moment reaping the benefit of the secret of which the old
+man appeared to be so jealous.
+
+This incident, however, was of great service to Lovel, as diverting
+his mind from the unhappy occurrence of the evening, and considerably
+rousing the energies which had been stupefied by the first view of his
+calamity. He reflected that it by no means necessarily followed that a
+dangerous wound must be a fatal one—that he had been hurried from
+the spot even before the surgeon had expressed any opinion of Captain
+M'Intyre's situation—and that he had duties on earth to perform, even
+should the very worst be true, which, if they could not restore his
+peace of mind or sense of innocence, would furnish a motive for
+enduring existence, and at the same time render it a course of active
+benevolence.—Such were Lovel's feelings, when the hour arrived when,
+according to Edie's calculation—who, by some train or process of his own
+in observing the heavenly bodies, stood independent of the assistance
+of a watch or time-keeper—it was fitting they should leave their
+hiding-place, and betake themselves to the seashore, in order to meet
+Lieutenant Taffril's boat according to appointment.
+
+They retreated by the same passage which had admitted them to the
+prior's secret seat of observation, and when they issued from the
+grotto into the wood, the birds which began to chirp, and even to sing,
+announced that the dawn was advanced. This was confirmed by the light
+and amber clouds that appeared over the sea, as soon as their exit
+from the copse permitted them to view the horizon.—Morning, said to be
+friendly to the muses, has probably obtained this character from its
+effect upon the fancy and feelings of mankind. Even to those who, like
+Lovel, have spent a sleepless and anxious night, the breeze of the dawn
+brings strength and quickening both of mind and body. It was, therefore,
+with renewed health and vigour that Lovel, guided by the trusty
+mendicant, brushed away the dew as he traversed the downs which divided
+the Den of St. Ruth, as the woods surrounding the ruins were popularly
+called, from the sea-shore.
+
+The first level beam of the sun, as his brilliant disk began to emerge
+from the ocean, shot full upon the little gun-brig which was lying-to
+in the offing—close to the shore the boat was already waiting, Taffril
+himself, with his naval cloak wrapped about him, seated in the stern. He
+jumped ashore when he saw the mendicant and Lovel approach, and,
+shaking the latter heartily by the hand, begged him not to be cast down.
+"M'Intyre's wound," he said, "was doubtful, but far from desperate."
+His attention had got Lovel's baggage privately sent on board the
+brig; "and," he said, "he trusted that, if Lovel chose to stay with the
+vessel, the penalty of a short cruise would be the only disagreeable
+consequence of his rencontre. As for himself, his time and motions
+were a good deal at his own disposal, he said, excepting the necessary
+obligation of remaining on his station."
+
+"We will talk of our farther motions," said Lovel, "as we go on board."
+
+Then turning to Edie, he endeavoured to put money into his hand. "I
+think," said Edie, as he tendered it back again, "the hale folk here
+have either gane daft, or they hae made a vow to rain my trade, as they
+say ower muckle water drowns the miller. I hae had mair gowd offered me
+within this twa or three weeks than I ever saw in my life afore. Keep
+the siller, lad—yell hae need o't, I'se warrant ye, and I hae nane my
+claes is nae great things, and I get a blue gown every year, and as mony
+siller groats as the king, God bless him, is years auld—you and I serve
+the same master, ye ken, Captain Taffril; there's rigging provided
+for—and my meat and drink I get for the asking in my rounds, or, at an
+orra time, I can gang a day without it, for I make it a rule never to
+pay for nane;—so that a' the siller I need is just to buy tobacco and
+sneeshin, and maybe a dram at a time in a cauld day, though I am nae
+dram-drinker to be a gaberlunzie;—sae take back your gowd, and just gie
+me a lily-white shilling."
+
+Upon these whims, which he imagined intimately connected with the honour
+of his vagabond profession, Edie was flint and adamant, not to be moved
+by rhetoric or entreaty; and therefore Lovel was under the necessity of
+again pocketing his intended bounty, and taking a friendly leave of the
+mendicant by shaking him by the hand, and assuring him of his cordial
+gratitude for the very important services which he had rendered him,
+recommending, at the same time, secrecy as to what they had that night
+witnessed.—"Ye needna doubt that," said Ochiltree; "I never tell'd tales
+out o' yon cove in my life, though mony a queer thing I hae seen in't."
+
+The boat now put off. The old man remained looking after it as it made
+rapidly towards the brig under the impulse of six stout rowers, and
+Lovel beheld him again wave his blue bonnet as a token of farewell ere
+he turned from his fixed posture, and began to move slowly along the
+sands as if resuming his customary perambulations.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's The Antiquary, Volume 1, by Sir Walter Scott
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