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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 + + + + + +</pre> + + +<a name="image-0001"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/bookcover.jpg" height="1073" width="754" +alt="Bookcover +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="image-0002"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/spines.jpg" height="1079" width="398" +alt="Spines +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<a name="2H_4_0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + THE ANTIQUARY +</h2> +<br><br> +<h2> + BY SIR WALTER SCOTT, BART. +</h2> +<br><br> +<a name="image-0003"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/titlepage1.jpg" height="1002" width="634" +alt="Titlepage +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + +<br><br> + +<a name="image-0004"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/frontispiece.jpg" height="504" width="749" +alt="Frontispiece +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + + + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + +<h2>CONTENTS</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0003"> +VOLUME ONE +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_INTR"> +INTRODUCTION +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2H_4_0005"> +EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0001"> +CHAPTER FIRST. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0002"> +CHAPTER SECOND. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0003"> +CHAPTER THIRD. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0004"> +CHAPTER FOURTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0005"> +CHAPTER FIFTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0006"> +CHAPTER SIXTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0007"> +CHAPTER SEVENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0008"> +CHAPTER EIGHTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0009"> +CHAPTER NINTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0010"> +CHAPTER TENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0011"> +CHAPTER ELEVENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0012"> +CHAPTER TWELFTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0013"> +CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0014"> +CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0015"> +CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0016"> +CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0017"> +CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0018"> +CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0019"> +CHAPTER NINETEENTH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0020"> +CHAPTER TWENTIETH. +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#2HCH0021"> +CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. +</a></p> + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + +<h2>ILLUSTRATIONS</h2> +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0001"> +Bookcover +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0002"> +Spines +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0003"> +Titlepage +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0004"> +Frontispiece +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0005"> +The Antiquary and Lovel—the Sanctum +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0006"> +Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0007"> +The Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0008"> +Eddie Ochiltree Visits Miss Wardour +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0009"> +Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0010"> +St. Ruth (arbroath Abbey) +</a></p> +<p class="toc"><a href="#image-0011"> +The Ruins of St. Ruth +</a></p> + + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + +<br><br> +<hr> +<br><br> + + + + +<h2>ILLUSTRATORS</h2> + +<br><br> + + +<center> +<table summary=""> +<tr><td> + + +<h2>Subject or Title + + +</h2> +</td> +<td> +<h2>Original Drawing + +</h2> +</td> +<td> +<h2>Etching +</h2> +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> +The Antiquary and Lovel—Kinpurnes +</td> +<td> +J. B. MacDonald +</td> +<td> +T. J. Dagleish +</td> +</tr> + +<tr> +<td> +The Antiquary and Lovel—The Sanctum +</td> +<td> +Robert Herdman +</td> +<td> +B. Dammon +</td> +</tr> + + + +<tr> +<td> +Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour +</td> +<td> +J. MacWhirter +</td> +<td> +Alex Ansted +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour +</td> +<td> +Sam Bough +</td> +<td> +C. de Billy +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +Edie Ochiltree visits Miss Wardour +</td> +<td> +W. McTaggart +</td> +<td> +C. O. Murray +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +George Cruikshank +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +St. Ruth (Arbroath Abbey) +</td> +<td> +Photo Etching by: +</td> +<td> +John Andrew & Son Co. +</td> +</tr> + + +<tr> +<td> +Ruins of St. Ruth +</td> +<td> +Original Etching by: +</td> +<td> +J. Moyr Smith + +</td></tr> +</table> +</center> + + + + + + +<br><br><br><br><br> + + + + +<a name="2H_4_0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + VOLUME ONE +</h2> +<pre> + 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 +</pre> +<a name="2H_INTR"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + INTRODUCTION +</h2> +<p> + The present work completes a series of fictitious narratives, intended to + illustrate the manners of Scotland at three different periods. <i>Waverley</i> + embraced the age of our fathers, <i>Guy Mannering</i> that of our own youth, + and the <i>Antiquary</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<br> +<hr> +<br> + +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + * [The late George Constable of Wallace Craigie, near Dundee.] +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>Reliquiae Divi Sancti Andreae,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>gude crack,</i> 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,— +</p> +<pre> + And when I downa yoke a naig, + Then, Lord be thankit, I can beg. +</pre> +<p> + Again, in his Epistle to Davie, a brother Poet, he states, that in their + closing career— +</p> +<pre> + The last o't, the warst o't, + Is only just to beg. +</pre> +<p> + And after having remarked, that +</p> +<pre> + To lie in kilns and barns at e'en, + When banes are crazed and blude is thin, +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>awmous</i> (alms) of a handful of meal (called a <i>gowpen</i>) 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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, +</p> +<pre> + Come, my lad, and drink some beer. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<h4> + BLEW GOWNIS. +</h4> +<pre> + 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 <i>s. </i> Inde, ij <i>c</i>j <i>li. </i>xij <i>s. </i> + + "Item, for sextene elnis bukrum to the saidis gownis, price of the elne x + <i>s. </i> Inde,viij <i>li. </i> + + "Item, twentie four pursis, and in ilk purse twentie four schelling + Inde, xxciij <i>li. </i> xvj <i>s. </i> + "Item, the price of ilk purse iiij <i>d. </i> Inde, viij <i>s. </i> + + "Item, for making of the saidis gownis viij <i>li. </i>" + + 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 <i>s. </i> the elne + Inde,vj <i>c</i> xiij <i>li. </i> + + "Item, to workmen for careing the blewis to James Aikman, tailyeour, his + hous xiij <i>s. </i> iiij <i>d. </i> + + "Item, for sex elnis and ane half of harden to the saidis gownis, at vj + <i>s. </i> viij <i>d. </i> the elne Inde,xliij <i>s. </i>iiij <i>d. </i> + + "Item, to the said workmen for careing of the gownis fra the said James + Aikman's hous to the palace of Halyrudehous xviij <i>s. </i> + + "Item, for making the saidis fyftie ane gownis, at xij <i>s. </i> the peice + Inde,xxx <i>li. </i>xij <i>s. </i> + + "Item, for fyftie ane pursis to the said puire menlj <i>s. </i> + + "Item, to Sir Peter Young,li <i>s. </i> to be put in everie ane of the saidis + ljpursis to the said poore men j <i>c</i>xxxl jj <i>s. </i> + + "Item, to the said Sir Peter, to buy breid and drink to the said puir men + vj <i>li. </i>xiij <i>s. </i>iiij <i>d. </i> + + "Item, to the said Sir Peter, to be delt amang uther puire folk j <i>c</i>li. + + "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 <i>c li. </i>" +</pre> + +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>laudator temporis acti</i> + closed his wanderings, the author never heard with certainty; but most + probably, as Burns says, +</p> +<pre> + —he died a cadger-powny's death, + At some dike side. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + * Note A. Mottoes. +</p> +<a name="2H_4_0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION +</h2> +<h3> + TO +</h3> +<h3> + THE ANTIQUARY. +</h3> +<p> + "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 <i>hab nab at a venture + style</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + The general sketch probably began to take full shape about the last day + of 1815. On December 29 Scott wrote to Ballantyne:— +</p> + +<pre> + + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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)." +</p> +<p> + Nor did he collect only— +</p> +<pre> + "The rare melody of some old ditties + That first were sung to please King Pepin's cradle. +</pre> +<p> + "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). +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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.'" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "'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.'" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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:— +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<pre> +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. +</pre> +<a name="2HCH0001"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER FIRST. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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," <i>anglice,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "Good woman,—what the d—l is her name?—Mrs. Macleuchar!" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "Mrs. Macleuchar,—Good woman" (with an elevated voice)—then apart, "Old + doited hag, she's as deaf as a post—I say, Mrs. Macleuchar!" +</p> +<p> + "I am just serving a customer.—Indeed, hinny, it will no be a bodle + cheaper than I tell ye." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "What's your wull?" answered Mrs. Macleuchar, relapsing into deafness. +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "What else could have kept us broiling in the sun by the side of the + gutter here, you—you faithless woman, eh?" +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>in rerum natura?</i>—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?" +</p> +<p> + "O dear, yes, sir; the neighbours ken the diligence weel, green picked + oat wi' red—three yellow wheels and a black ane." +</p> +<p> + "Woman, thy special description will not serve—it may be only a lie with + a circumstance." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>Itinerarium Septentrionale,</i>* a book + illustrative of the Roman remains in Scotland. +</p> +<p> + * Note B. Sandy Gordon's <i>Itinerarium.</i> +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "And when you go to—I mean to the place you deserve to go to, you + scoundrel,—who do you think will uphold <i>you</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>castra stativa</i> and <i>castra aestiva,</i> + 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." +</p> +<p> + In this Christian temper of making the best of all occurrences, our + travellers alighted at the Hawes. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0002"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER SECOND. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. <i>Sack,</i> says my bush, + <i>Be merry and drink Sherry,</i> that's my posie. + Ben Jonson's <i>New Inn.</i> +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>quam primum</i> and that <i>peremptorie.</i>" And + with the flattering laugh of a promising host, he left them in his sanded + parlour, hung with prints of the Four Seasons. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>Forty-twa,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>rei suae prodigus,</i>" 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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>jibb</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + His name, the young gentleman said, was Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "What! the cat, the rat, and Lovel our dog? Was he descended from King + Richard's favourite?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Was Mr. Lovel's excursion solely for pleasure?" +</p> +<p> + "Not entirely." +</p> +<p> + "Perhaps on business with some of the commercial people of Fairport?" +</p> +<p> + "It was partly on business, but had no reference to commerce." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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'." +</p> +<p> + "What do you mean, you impudent rascal?" +</p> +<p> + "Ay, ay, it's nae matter for that—but do you mind the trick ye served me + the last time ye were here!" +</p> +<p> + "I trick you!" +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Do you hear how absolute the knave is? Well, my young friend, we must + for once prefer the <i>Falernian</i> to the <i>vile Sabinum.</i>" +</p> +<p> + The ready landlord had the cork instantly extracted, decanted the wine + into a vessel of suitable capaciousness, and, declaring it <i>parfumed</i> the + very room, left his guests to make the most of it. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + * [The "Fairport" of this novel is supposed to refer to the town of * + Arbroath, in Forfarshire, and "Musselcrag," <i>post,</i> to the fishing + village of * Auchmithie, in the same county.] +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0003"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER THIRD. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>topiarian</i> artist,* and presented + curious arm-chairs, towers, and the figures of Saint George and the + Dragon. +</p> +<p> + * <i>Ars Topiaria,</i> the art of clipping yew-hedges into fantastic figures. + A Latin poem, entitled <i>Ars Topiaria,</i> contains a curious account of the + process. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "I hope, my good sir, I should have fallen under no such imputation." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>sanctum + sanctorum</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + 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, + <i>aliunde,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "I think," answered Lovel, willing to humour the old man, "it has + something the appearance of a mitre." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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, + <i>Abbas Trottocosiensis,</i> 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!" +</p> +<a name="image-0005"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa026.jpg" height="802" width="555" +alt="The Antiquary and Lovel--the Sanctum +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + 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 <i>sanctum + sanctorum,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And how dare you, or Jenny either, presume to meddle with my private + matters?" (Mr. Oldbuck hated <i>puttting to rights</i> 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 +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + And so forth, as old Butler has it." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>genius loci,</i> the tutelar + demon of the apartment. The floor, as well as the table and chairs, was + overflowed by the same <i>mare magnum</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>craw-taes,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>Colve-carles,</i> or <i>Kolb-kerls,</i> that is, <i>Clavigeri,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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— +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>editio princeps</i> 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! +</p> +<p> + * 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. +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>unique</i> 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."* +</p> +<p> + * Of this thrice and four times rare broadside, the author possesses an + exemplar. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0004"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER FOURTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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 <i>hospitium, hospitale,</i> or + <i>hospitamentum</i> (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 <i>hospitium</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "It commands a fine view," said his companion, looking around him. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, yes; I do see something like a ditch, indistinctly marked." +</p> +<p> + "Indistinctly!—pardon me, sir, but the indistinctness must be in your + powers of vision. Nothing can be more plainly traced—a proper <i>agger</i> or + <i>vallum,</i> with its corresponding ditch or <i>fossa.</i> 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!" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>in conspectu classis</i>—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. +</p> +<p> + * A bonnet-laird signifies a petty proprietor, wearing the dress, along + with the habits of a yeoman. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "In time, sir, and by good instruction"— +</p> +<p> + "—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, +</p> +<pre> + Ille Caledoniis posuit qui castra pruinis. +</pre> +<p> + For <i>pruinis,</i> though interpreted to mean <i>hoar frosts,</i> to which I own + we are somewhat subject in this north-eastern sea-coast, may also signify + a locality, namely, <i>Prunes;</i> the <i>Castra Pruinis posita</i> 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 <i>porta sinistra,</i> + and on the right, one side of the <i>porta dextra</i> wellnigh entire. Here, + then, let us take our stand, on this tumulus, exhibiting the foundation + of ruined buildings,—the central point—the <i>praetorium,</i> 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 <i>covinarii,</i> 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— +</p> +<pre> + —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!— +</pre> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + A voice from behind interrupted his ecstatic description—"Praetorian + here, Praetorian there, I mind the bigging o't." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "What is that you say, Edie?" said Oldbuck, hoping, perhaps, that his + ears had betrayed their duty—"what were you speaking about!" +</p> +<p> + "About this bit bourock, your honour," answered the undaunted Edie; "I + mind the bigging o't." +</p> +<p> + "The devil you do! Why, you old fool, it was here before you were born, + and will be after you are hanged, man!" +</p> +<p> + "Hanged or drowned, here or awa, dead or alive, I mind the bigging o't." +</p> +<p> + "You—you—you—," said the Antiquary, stammering between confusion and + anger, "you strolling old vagabond, what the devil do you know about it?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "This," thought Lovel to himself, "is a famous counterpart to the story + of <i>Keip on this syde.</i>" 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. +</p> +<p> + "There is some mistake about this," he said, abruptly turning away from + the mendicant. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + Lovel's soul rushed to his cheeks, with the vivid blush of + two-and-twenty. +</p> +<p> + "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, + <i>pro Archia poeta,</i> concerning one of your confraternity—<i>quis nostrum + tam anino agresti ac duro fuit—ut—ut</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "Curse thee, go about thy business!" +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "Who is this familiar old gentleman?" said Lovel, when the mendicant was + out of hearing. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Why, he uses freedom apparently, which is the, soul of wit," answered + Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "In England," said Lovel, "such a mendicant would get a speedy check." +</p> +<p> + "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."* +</p> +<p> + * Note C. Praetorium. +</p> +<p> + So saying our heroes parted, Mr. Oldbuck to return to his <i>hospitium</i> at + Monkbarns, and Lovel to pursue his way to Fairport, where he arrived + without farther adventure. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0005"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER FIFTH. +</h2> +<pre> + <i>Launcelot Gobbo.</i> Mark me now: + Now will I raise the waters. + Merchant of Venice. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + He brought information, on the contrary, that there was a young man + residing at Fairport, of whom the <i>town</i> (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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>soi-disant</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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: +</p> +<p> + "Dear Sir Arthur, +</p> +<p> + "On Tuesday the 17th curt.<i>stilo novo,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "Fly with this letter, Caxon," said the senior, holding out his missive, + <i>signatum atque sigillatum,</i> "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + And off went Caxon upon his walk of three miles— +</p> +<pre> + He hobbled—but his heart was good! + Could he go faster than he could?— +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + * The reader will understand that this refers to the reign of our late + gracious Sovereign, George the Third. +</p> +<p> + 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: +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>miffs</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + Sir Arthur took the epistle with a due assumption of consequential + dignity. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "He must find it convenient in historical investigation, I should think, + sir?" said the young lady. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But you'll accept his invitation, sir?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Probably some relation of his brother-in-law Captain M'Intyre." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Dear Sirring</i> myself." +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>placebo</i> she concluded her note, with which old Caxon, now refreshed in + limbs and wind, set out on his return to the Antiquary's mansion. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0006"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER SIXTH. +</h2> +<pre> + <i>Moth.</i> 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 <i>Ordinary.</i> +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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—<i>malae bestiae,</i> Mr. Lovel." +</p> +<p> + "I shall be disappointed, sir, if I do not find the ladies very + undeserving of your satire." +</p> +<p> + "Tilley-valley, Mr. Lovel,—which, by the way, one commentator derives + from <i>tittivillitium,</i> and another from <i>talley-ho</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>chevaux de frise,</i> and the lappets the banners. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>tete,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>espieglerie</i> which became her very + well, and which was perhaps derived from the caustic humour peculiar to + her uncle's family, though softened by transmission. +</p> +<p> + 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, +</p> +<pre> + When folks conceived a grace + Of half an hour's space, + And rejoiced in a Friday's capon, +</pre> +<p> + and by the younger with a modern reverence, which, like the festive + benediction of a modern divine, was of much shorter duration. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + Miss Wardour protested loudly against this ungallant doctrine; but the + bell now rung for dinner. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "And what news do you bring us from Edinburgh, Monkbarns?" said Sir + Arthur; "how wags the world in Auld Reekie?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And high time, I think," said Miss Wardour, "when we are threatened with + invasion from abroad and insurrection at home." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, I say, Mr. Oldbuck," replied the knight, "that so far as I am + capable of judging, we ought to resist <i>cum toto corpore regni</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And yet, with all my courage, Mr. Oldbuck, I am glad to hear our people + are getting under arms." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>tellings-off</i> at + the morning-drill. I was ill, and sent for a surgeon— +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And I am sure," said Miss M'Intyre, "that my uncle sent twenty guineas + to help out their equipments." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Take care, Monkbarns! we shall set you down among the black-nebs by and + by." +</p> +<p> + "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—<i>Ni quito Rey, ni pongo Rey</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "I will stand by what Mr. Lovel says; he was born in the north of + England, and may know the very spot." +</p> +<p> + Sir Arthur thought it unlikely that so young a gentleman should have paid + much attention to matters of that sort. +</p> +<p> + "I am avised of the contrary," said Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "How say you, Mr. Lovel?—speak up for your own credit, man." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "More properly <i>Picts,</i>" interrupted the Baronet. +</p> +<p> + "I say the <i>Pikar, Pihar, Piochtar, Piaghter,</i> or <i>Peughtar,</i>" + vociferated Oldbuck; "they spoke a Gothic dialect"— +</p> +<p> + "Genuine Celtic," again asseverated the knight. +</p> +<p> + "Gothic! Gothic! I'll go to death upon it!" counter-asseverated the + squire. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "There is but one word," said the Baronet, "but, in spite of Mr. + Oldbuck's pertinacity, it is decisive of the question." +</p> +<p> + "Yes, in my favour," said Oldbuck: "Mr. Lovel, you shall be judge—I have + the learned Pinkerton on my side." +</p> +<p> + "I, on mine, the indefatigable and erudite Chalmers." +</p> +<p> + "Gordon comes into my opinion." +</p> +<p> + "Sir Robert Sibbald holds mine." +</p> +<p> + "Innes is with me!" vociferated Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "Riston has no doubt!" shouted the Baronet. +</p> +<p> + "Truly, gentlemen," said Lovel, "before you muster your forces and + overwhelm me with authorities, I should like to know the word in + dispute." +</p> +<p> + "<i>Benval</i>" said both the disputants at once. +</p> +<p> + "Which signifies <i>caput valli,</i>" said Sir Arthur. +</p> +<p> + "The head of the wall," echoed Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + There was a deep pause.—"It is rather a narrow foundation to build a + hypothesis upon," observed the arbiter. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "It is decidedly Celtic," said the Baronet; "every hill in the Highlands + begins with <i>Ben.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "But what say you to <i>Val,</i> Sir Arthur; is it not decidedly the Saxon + <i>wall?</i>" +</p> +<p> + "It is the Roman <i>vallum,</i>" said Sir Arthur;—"the Picts borrowed that + part of the word." +</p> +<p> + "No such thing; if they borrowed anything, it must have been your <i>Ben,</i> + which they might have from the neighbouring Britons of Strath Cluyd." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Castrum Puellarum.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "A childish legend," said Oldbuck, "invented to give consequence to + trumpery womankind. It was called the Maiden Castle, <i>quasi lucus a non + lucendo,</i> because it resisted every attack, and women never do." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Mac</i> prefixed—Mac, <i>id + est filius;</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Do not laugh at a better man than yourself," said Sir Arthur, somewhat + scornfully. +</p> +<p> + "I do not conceive I do, Sir Arthur, in laughing either at him or his + history," +</p> +<p> + "Henry Maule of Melgum was a gentleman, Mr. Oldbuck." +</p> +<p> + "I presume he had no advantage of me in <i>that</i> particular," replied the + Antiquary, somewhat tartly. +</p> +<p> + "Permit me, Mr. Oldbuck—he was a gentleman of high family, and ancient + descent, and therefore"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Mighty well—mighty well, Mr. Oldbuck—I wish you a good evening—Mr. + a—a—a—Shovel—I wish you a very good evening." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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; "<i>Qui ambulat in tenebris, + nescit quo vadit</i>—You'll tumble down the back-stair." +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>locale,</i> got up with him as he had got his grasp upon the handle of the + drawing-room door. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Speak for yourself, Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur with much + majesty. +</p> +<p> + "A-well, a-well—a wilful man must have his way." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "I think Sir Arthur has got the black dog on his back again," said Miss + Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "Black dog!—black devil!—he's more absurd than womankind—What say you, + Lovel?—Why, the lad's gone too." +</p> +<p> + "He took his leave, uncle, while Miss Wardour was putting on her things; + but I don't think you observed him." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "Come in then, you old fool, and say what you have got to say." +</p> +<p> + "I'll maybe frighten the ladies," said the ex-friseur. +</p> +<p> + "Frighten!" answered the Antiquary,—"what do you mean?—never mind the + ladies. Have you seen another ghaist at the Humlock-knowe?" +</p> +<p> + "Na, sir—it's no a ghaist this turn," replied Caxton;—"but I'm no easy + in my mind." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "It's no for mysell, sir; but it threatens an awfu' night; and Sir + Arthur, and Miss Wardour, poor thing"— +</p> +<p> + "Why, man, they must have met the carriage at the head of the loaning, or + thereabouts; they must be home long ago." +</p> +<p> + "Na, sir; they didna gang the road by the turnpike to meet the carriage, + they gaed by the sands." +</p> +<p> + The word operated like electricity on Oldbuck. "The sands!" he exclaimed; + "impossible!" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "What is the matter?" inquired Miss Oldbuck and Miss M'Intyre. +</p> +<p> + "The tide!—the tide!" answered the alarmed Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<a name="2HCH0007"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER SEVENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + —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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="image-0006"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa082.jpg" height="502" width="783" +alt="Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + 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 <i>cut</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "Thank God, indeed!" echoed his daughter, half audibly, half internally, + as expressing the gratitude which she strongly felt. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "Turn back! turn back!" exclaimed the vagrant; "why did ye not turn when + I waved to you?" +</p> +<p> + "We thought," replied Sir Arthur, in great agitation, "we thought we + could get round Halket-head." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>you?</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="image-0007"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa092.jpg" height="535" width="839" +alt="The Rescue of Sir Arthur and Miss Wardour +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "Do so, do so, for Heaven's sake!" said Sir Arthur eagerly. +</p> +<p> + "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," +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "No, no—stay you here and attend to Miss Wardour—you see Sir Arthur is + quite exhausted." +</p> +<p> + "Stay yoursell then, and I'll gae," said the old man;—"let death spare + the green corn and take the ripe." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "It is impossible to leave them," said Lovel—"What is to be done?—Hark! + hark!—did I not hear a halloo?" +</p> +<p> + "The skreigh of a Tammie Norie," answered Ochiltree—"I ken the skirl + weel." +</p> +<p> + "No, by Heaven!" replied Lovel, "it was a human voice." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0008"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER EIGHTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "I see them," said Oldbuck—"I see them low down on that flat + stone—Hilli-hilloa, hilli-ho-a!" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>gy,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + "Let my father go first," exclaimed Isabella; "for God's sake, my + friends, place him first in safety!" +</p> +<p> + "It cannot be, Miss Wardour," said Lovel;—"your life must be first + secured—the rope which bears your weight may"— +</p> +<p> + "I will not listen to a reason so selfish!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Not for worlds till I see my father safe." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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—<i>respice finem, respice funem</i>—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 <i>sus. per funem,</i> than <i>sus. per + coll.</i>" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "Have a care indeed," echoed Oldbuck. "What! is it my <i>rara avis</i>—my + black swan—my phoenix of companions in a post-chaise?—take care of + him, Mucklebackit." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "I," "and I," "and I," answered many a ready voice. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "I have been pretty well accustomed to climbing, and I have long observed + fowlers practise that pass down the cliff." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "I saw them from the verge of the precipice." +</p> +<p> + "From the verge!—umph—And what possessed you <i>dumosa pendere procul de + rupe?</i>—though <i>dumosa</i> is not the appropriate epithet—what the deil, + man, tempted ye to the verge of the craig?" +</p> +<p> + "Why—I like to see the gathering and growling of a coming storm—or, in + your own classical language, Mr. Oldbuck, <i>suave mari magno</i>—and so + forth—but here we reach the turn to Fairport. I must wish you + good-night." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>salmon-length</i> for <i>shathmont's-length.</i> 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 <i>h</i>'s, and a + <i>t,</i> and assuming an <i>l,</i> makes the whole difference—I wish to heaven no + antiquarian derivation had demanded heavier concessions." +</p> +<p> + "But, my dear sir, I really must go home—I am wet to the skin." +</p> +<p> + "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, <i>meo + arbitrio,</i> 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?" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0009"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER NINTH. +</h2> +<pre> + "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. +</pre> +<p> + They reached the room in which they had dined, and were clamorously + welcomed by Miss Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "Where's the younger womankind?" said the Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "But ye winna wait, Monkbarns—ye are so imperative and impatient"— +</p> +<p> + "Tittle-tattle, woman," said the impatient and agitated Antiquary, "where + is my dear Mary?" +</p> +<p> + "Just where ye suld be yoursell, Monkbarns—up-stairs, and in her warm + bed." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "The chicken-pie! the port!—ou dear! brother—there was but a wheen + banes, and scarce a drap o' the wine." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "I make no wark, as ye call it, woman." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "Dear brother, how can you speak of sic frivolities, when you have had + sic an escape from the craig?" +</p> +<p> + "Better than my supper has had from the minister's <i>craig,</i> Grizzle—it's + all discussed, I suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + Oldbuck half-whistled, half-hummed, the end of the old Scottish ditty, +</p> +<pre> + 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! +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "Lord haud a care o' us!" exclaimed the astounded maiden. +</p> +<p> + "What's the matter now, Grizel?" +</p> +<p> + "Wad ye but just speak a moment, Monkbarns?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "A bed?—The Lord preserve us!" again ejaculated Grizel. +</p> +<p> + "Why, what's the matter now?—are there not beds and rooms enough in the + house?—was it not an ancient <i>hospitium,</i> in which, I am warranted to + say, beds were nightly made down for a score of pilgrims?" +</p> +<p> + "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!"— +</p> +<p> + "Is there not the Green Room, Grizel?" +</p> +<p> + "Troth is there, and it is in decent order too, though naebody has + sleepit there since Dr. Heavysterne, and"— +</p> +<p> + "And what?" +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>anno domini</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + "What! a haunted apartment, I suppose?" +</p> +<p> + "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 + <i>monomachia,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + "You are resolved," said the Antiquary, "to do what you can to prevent + it." +</p> +<p> + "Me?—I am sure I have said naething, Monkbarns." +</p> +<p> +"My dear madam," said Lovel, "allow me to ask you the meaning of your +obliging anxiety on my account." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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; <i>exempli gratia</i>—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'—<i>Vide</i> his Miscellanies, p. eighteen, as well as I can remember, + and near the middle of the page." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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, <i>Carter, carter</i>—" +</p> +<p> + "<i>Carta,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "Weel, weel, <i>carta</i> be it then, but they ca'd it <i>carter</i> that tell'd me + the story. It cried aye <i>carta,</i> if sae be that it was <i>carta,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "<i>Tenues secessit in auras,</i>" quoth Oldbuck. "Marry, sir, <i>mansit + odor</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + "I would rather," said Lovel with awakened curiosity, "I would rather + hear your opinion of the way in which the deed was discovered." +</p> +<p> + "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.* +</p> +<p> + *Note D. Mr. Rutherford's dream. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>quantum sufficit</i> of + exaggeration, and you have a key to the whole mystery." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Illustrissimus</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0010"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER TENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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:* +</p> +<p> + *Probably Wordsworth's Lyrical Ballads had not as yet been published. +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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:- +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + And in another canton was the following similar legend:— +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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,— +</p> +<pre> + Ah! cruel maid, how hast thou changed + The temper of my mind! + My heart, by thee from all estranged, + Becomes like thee unkind. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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:— +</p> +<pre> + "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!" +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>whole</i> time—"it's a great pity, for he's a comely young + gentleman." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0011"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER ELEVENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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, <i>more majorum,</i> with cold roast-beef, and + a glass of a sort of beverage called <i>mum</i>—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 + <i>did</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "I certainly do still feel somewhat fatigued," said Lovel, + "notwithstanding the excellent accommodations with which your hospitality + so amply supplied me." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Really, madam," replied Lovel, "I had no disturbance; for I cannot term + such the music with which some kind fairy favoured me." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "No, no, sister;—dampness and darkness are worse than spectres—ours are + spirits of light, and I would rather have you try the spell." +</p> +<p> + "I will do that blythely, Monkbarns, an I had the ingredients, as my + cookery book ca's them—There was <i>vervain</i> and <i>dill</i>—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"— +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "Auld woman, Monkbarns!" said Miss Oldbuck, roused something above her + usual submissive tone; "ye really are less than civil to me." +</p> +<p> + "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, +</p> +<pre> + With vervain and with dill, + That hinder witches of their will, +</pre> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "I heartily wish I could, but"— +</p> +<p> + "Nay, but me no <i>buts</i>—I have set my heart upon it." +</p> +<p> + "I am greatly obliged, my dear sir, but"— +</p> +<p> + "Look ye there, now—<i>but</i> again!—I hate <i>but;</i> I know no form of + expression in which he can appear, that is amiable, excepting as a <i>butt</i> + of sack. But is to me a more detestable combination of letters than <i>no</i> + itself.<i>No</i> is a surly, honest fellow—speaks his mind rough and round at + once.<i>But</i> 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— +</p> +<pre> + —it does allay + The good precedent—fie upon <i>but yet!</i> + <i>But yet</i> is as a jailor to bring forth + Some monstrous malefactor." +</pre> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "I beg pardon, my dear sir; but, perhaps, you had better adjourn your + visit till to-morrow—I am a stranger, you know." +</p> +<p> + "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, +</p> +<pre> + When courtiers galloped o'er four counties + The ball's fair partner to behold, + And humbly hope she caught no cold." +</pre> +<p> + "Why, if—if—if you thought it would be expected—but I believe I had + better stay." +</p> +<p> + "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 + <i>remora,</i> 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 <i>petto</i> 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!" +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>l'embarras des richesses;</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "And that," said Lovel, after a moment's thoughtful silence—"that, then, + is the meaning of these German words?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And what is that said to have been, my good sir?" inquired his young + friend. +</p> +<p> + "Why, it rather encroaches on my respected predecessor's fame for + prudence and wisdom—<i>Sed semel insanivimus omnes</i>—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 <i>hand-werker;</i> + 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 <i>Yung-fraw</i> + 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 + <i>gentle</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "By no means; pray, proceed, Mr. Oldbuck—I listen with uncommon + interest." +</p> +<p> + "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, <i>Skill wins favour.</i>'—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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>fronde + super viridi.</i> +</p> +<pre> + Sing heigh-ho! heigh-ho! for the green holly, + Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly. +</pre> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "In the language of selfishness, then, which is of course the language of + the world—let us go by all means." +</p> +<p> + "Amen, amen, quo' the Earl Marshall," answered Oldbuck, as he exchanged + his slippers for a pair of stout walking shoes, with <i>cutikins,</i> 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:— +</p> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "How much for the bannock-fluke and cock-padle?" demanded the Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "Four white shillings and saxpence," answered the Naiad. +</p> +<p> + "Four devils and six of their imps!" retorted the Antiquary; "do you + think I am mad, Maggie?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "Well, well, you old beldam, carry your fish up to Monkbarns, and see + what my sister will give you for them." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Eighteen-pence, or nothing!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Half-a-crown then, Maggie, and a dram." +</p> +<p> + "Aweel, your honour maun hae't your ain gate, nae doubt; but a dram's + worth siller now—the distilleries is no working." +</p> +<p> + "And I hope they'll never work again in my time," said Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "It's even too true an apology, Maggie. Is your goodman off to sea this + morning, after his exertions last night?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Well, he's an industrious fellow. Carry the fish up to Monkbarns." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0012"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER TWELFTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + She rang the bell for her maid-servant. "Bring the old man up stairs." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "No; stay, I want to speak with him—Where is he?" for she had lost sight + of him as he approached the house. +</p> +<p> + "Sitting in the sun on the stone-bench in the court, beside the window of + the flagged parlour." +</p> +<a name="image-0008"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa146.jpg" height="785" width="540" +alt="Eddie Ochiltree Visits Miss Wardour +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "Bid him stay there—I'll come down to the parlour, and speak with him at + the window." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "Sir Arthur would give strict orders"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Well, Edie, if your idea of your importance is so strong as not to be + shaken by the prospect of independence"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Is there nothing, then, that I can do for you?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "What is it, Edie?—if it respects you it shall be done if it is in my + power." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0013"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER THIRTEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + —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. +</pre> +<p> + Miss Isabella Wardour's complexion was considerably heightened, when, + after the delay necessary to arrange her ideas, she presented herself in + the drawing-room. +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>hospitium</i> yesterday. And Sir Arthur—how fares my good old + friend?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + Miss Wardour shook her head—"But indifferent, I fear, Mr. Oldbuck; but + there lie some specimens which have lately been sent down." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + Oldbuck's anathema against the preposition <i>but</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "It is enough, Miss Wardour;—I see plainly that"— +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + A servant at this moment announced that Sir Arthur desired to speak to + Mr. Oldbuck in his dressing-room. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "Truly, Sir Arthur, I was not so much exposed to it—I kept <i>terra + firma</i>—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 <i>terra incognita</i> of Glen-Withershins?" +</p> +<p> + "Nothing good as yet," said the Baronet, turning himself hastily, as if + stung by a pang of the gout; "but Dousterswivel does not despair." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + * Probably Dr. Hutton, the celebrated geologist. +</p> +<p> + "The learned doctor is not infallible, I presume?" +</p> +<p> + "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, <i>Artem habent sine arte, partem sine + parte, quorum medium est mentiri, vita eorum mendicatum ire;</i> that is to + say, Miss Wardour"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "<i>You</i> have no great interest in the matter, Mr. Oldbuck," said the + Baronet. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + A declination of the Antiquary's stiff backbone acknowledged the + preference. +</p> +<p> + "You made acquaintance with this young gentleman in Edinburgh, I + suppose?" +</p> +<p> + Oldbuck told the circumstances of their becoming known to each other. +</p> +<p> + "Why, then, my daughter is an older acquaintance, of Mr. Lovel than you + are," said the Baronet. +</p> +<p> + "Indeed! I was not aware of that," answered Oldbuck somewhat surprised. +</p> +<p> + "I met Mr. Lovel," said Isabella, slightly colouring, "when I resided + this last spring with my aunt, Mrs. Wilmot." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Misbegot.</i> He is denominated, in the + Latin pedigree of our family, <i>Milcolumbus Nothus;</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>cito + peritura!</i> 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!" +</p> +<p> + "Indeed!" answered Lovel—"you surprise me greatly." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>teres atque rotundus</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Illumine',</i> and carried on an intercourse with the + invisible world." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>magisterium</i>—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!" +</p> +<p> + "But how could he impose upon Sir Arthur to any ruinous extent?" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "I am surprised that you, Mr. Oldbuck, should have encouraged Sir Arthur + by your example." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + Here the conversation paused, until renewed in the next CHAPTER. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0014"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER FOURTEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "He had had the pleasure," Lovel answered, to see her at Mrs. Wilmot's, + in Yorkshire." +</p> +<p> + "Indeed! you never mentioned that to me before, and you did not accost + her as an old acquaintance." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "What if I should answer your question by another," replied Lovel, "and + ask you what is your opinion of dreams?" +</p> +<p> + "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—<i>Si insanorum visis fides non est habenda, cur credatur + somnientium visis, quae multo etiam perturbatiora sunt, non intelligo.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Ay—that is to say, <i>you</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Pardon me, young man," said Oldbuck, laying his hand kindly on his + shoulder, and making a full halt—"<i>sufflamina</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>acme'</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "I have been at times foolish enough," he replied, "to nourish some + thoughts of the kind." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "I have hitherto attempted only a few lyrical pieces," said Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "Entirely so," replied Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "And that you are determined not to adopt a more active course of life?" +</p> +<p> + "For the present, such is my resolution," replied the young man. +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Scrutator;</i> and the other signed <i>Indagator,</i> 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 <i>OEdipus.</i>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?" +</p> +<p> + "I have no instant thoughts of publishing." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But the invasion of Agricola was <i>not</i> repelled." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And pitch Agricola's camp at the Kaim of—what do you call it," answered + Lovel, "in defiance of Edie Ochiltree?" +</p> +<p> + "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 + <i>toga</i> of the historian and the blue gown of the mendicant." +</p> +<p> + "Gallantly counselled!—Well, I will do my best—your kindness will + assist me with local information." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "It is a pity, sir, that you should have failed in a qualification + somewhat essential to the art." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "In that case, there should be two authors to each poem—one to think and + plan, another to execute." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>aestus,</i> the <i>awen</i> of + the Welsh bards, the <i>divinus afflatus</i> 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— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "By no means," answered Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "O, I am no mercenary author," answered Lovel, smiling; "I only wish to + be out of risk of loss." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "Why, Grizel," said the sage, somewhat abashed at this unexpected attack, + "I thought I made a very fair bargain." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>ultra + crepidam</i>—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 <i>analecta,</i> the + <i>collectanea,</i> 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." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0015"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Is there ony letters come yet for Jenny Caxon?" inquired the woman of + joints and giblets; "the lieutenant's been awa three weeks." +</p> +<p> + "Just ane on Tuesday was a week," answered the dame of letters. +</p> +<p> + "Wast a ship-letter?" asked the Fornerina. +</p> +<p> + "In troth wast." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Hout, lass—the provost will take care o' that." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Nor wi' huz for sax months," echoed Mrs. Shortcake—"He's but a brunt + crust." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>cinnamon</i>) "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." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>nick-sticks,</i>* + whilk, he said, were the true ancient way o' counting between tradesmen + and customers; and sae they are, nae doubt." +</p> +<p> + * Note E. Nick-sticks. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But just let's look at the outside o't, woman." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<a name="image-0009"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa185.jpg" height="459" width="737" +alt="Mrs. Heukbane and Mrs. Shortcake +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But winna ye first send awa Mr. Lovel's letter?" said Mrs. Heukbane. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Silly auld doited carles!" said Mrs. Shortcake; "what gar'd them gang to + the douking in a night like yestreen!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Aweel, aweel, Mrs. Mailsetter, I see what ye wad be at—but an ye like + to risk the bairn, I'll risk the beast." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>incognito.</i> +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "I canna help it!" blubbered the express; "they ca' me little Davie." +</p> +<p> + "And where are ye gaun?" +</p> +<p> + "I'm gaun to Monkbarns wi' a letter." +</p> +<p> + "Stirra, this is no the road to Monkbarns." +</p> +<p> + But Davie could oinly answer the expostulation with sighs and tears. +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "Father wad hae come himsell," said Davie, "on the muckle red mear, an ye + wad hae bidden till the morn's night." +</p> +<p> + "Four-and-twenty hours after the regular date of delivery! You little + cockatrice egg, do you understand the art of imposition so early?" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + Lovel, who, sitting on the supposed <i>Praetorium,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "No bad news, I hope?" said the Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "Of a very chequered complexion," answered his friend. "Farewell—in good + or bad fortune I will not forget your regard." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + So saying, he shook the Antiquary's hand warmly, turned from him, and + walked rapidly towards the town, "staying no longer question." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And how am I to win hame?" blubbered the disconsolate express. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<a name="2HCH0016"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER SIXTEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + "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. +</pre> +<p> + 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'." +</p> +<p> + "How does he live, Caxon?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But does he never stir abroad?" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "Tut, don't plague me with your womankind, Caxon. About this poor young + lad.—Does he write nothing but letters?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "I wish to the Lord it were made and over, that I might hear no more + about it." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Thank ye, thank ye,—no occasion at present, Mr. Crabtree," said the + Antiquary, pushing resolutely onward. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "What the deuce!—have they nobody's land but mine to cut and carve + on?—I won't consent, tell them." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Eh!—what?—Oho! that's another story—Well, well, I'll call upon the + provost, and we'll talk about it." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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!—<i>O crimini!</i>—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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Why does he not take some exercise?" said Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "Presently, presently. But has he no visitors?" +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "I hope, at least, we shall make our excursions on a better plan of + mutual understanding." +</p> +<p> + "That is to say, you think yourself a good horseman?" +</p> +<p> + "I would not willingly," answered Lovel, "confess myself a very bad one." +</p> +<p> + "No—all you young fellows think that would be equal to calling + yourselves tailors at once—But have you had experience? for, <i>crede + experto,</i> a horse in a passion is no joker." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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—<i>covinarii</i> 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?" +</p> +<p> + "My time," said Lovel, with a glance at his black dress, "has been less + pleasantly employed." +</p> +<p> + "The death of a friend?" said the Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "Yes, Mr. Oldbuck—of almost the only friend I could ever boast of + possessing." +</p> +<p> + "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— +</p> +<pre> + <i>Haec data poena diu viventibus.</i> +</pre> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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, + <i>vacare musis,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "O certainly," said Lovel; "I cannot think of relinquishing a plan so + hopeful." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "What shall we do?" said Lovel, looking at the Antiquary, but pretty + certain of the part he would take. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Why, I rather think I had better ride." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Why, as the horse's have the advantage of moving considerably faster, + and are, besides, two pair to one, I own I incline"— +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0017"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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, <i>dens,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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, +</p> +<pre> + I know each lane, and every alley green, + Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood, + And every bosky bower from side to side. * +</pre> +<p> + * (Milton's <i>Comus.</i>) +</p> +<p> + 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, <i>hors de propos.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "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: +</p> +<pre> + 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"—* +</pre> +<p> + * (<i>Lycidas.</i>) +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "And, O John Knox" said the Baronet, "through whose influence, and under + whose auspices, the patriotic task was accomplished!" +</p> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + But Miss Wardour broke in to interrupt a conversation so dangerous. + "Pray, who was the author you quoted, Mr. Oldbuck?" +</p> +<p> + "The learned Leland, Miss Wardour, who lost his senses on witnessing the + destruction of the conventual libraries in England." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Well, thank Heaven, there is no danger now—they have hardly left us a + spoonful in which to perform the dire feat." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "And," added the Baronet, "in exercising the rites of devotion with a + pomp and ceremonial worthy of the office of the priesthood." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>magia naturalis.</i>" +</p> +<p> + "I think," said the clergyman, "they would have enough to do in + collecting the teinds of the parsonage and vicarage of three good + parishes." +</p> +<p> + "And all," added Miss Wardour, nodding to the Antiquary, "without + interruption from womankind." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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.'" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "The hand of what?" exclaimed Oldbuck. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Ay, indeed! tell us about that," said Oldbuck, "for these are secrets + worth knowing." +</p> +<p> + "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," +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Seeing <i>is</i> believing indeed. But what was your art—what was your + mystery, Mr. Dousterswivel?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Den dere is de sympathies, and de antipathies, and de strange properties + and virtues natural of divers herb, and of de little divining-rod." +</p> +<p> + "I would gladly rather see some of these wonders than hear of them," said + Miss Wardour. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "I shall take that license," whispered the Antiquary to Lovel, "whether + the water is discovered or no." +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "And a little money would be necessary also, would it not?" said the + Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "Bah! one trifle, not worth talking about, maight be necessaries," + answered the adept. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + The feast was spread <i>fronde super viridi,</i> 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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0018"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "At least, however, let my daughter read the narrative she has taken down + of the story of Martin Waldeck." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Not I," said Sir Arthur; "I was never fond of reading aloud." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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:— +</p> + +<h3>The Fortunes of Martin Waldeck.</h3 + + +<p> 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. + +<p> + [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.] +</p> +<p> + 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. * +</p> +<p> + *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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + A travelling capuchin had possessed himself of the pulpit of the thatched + church at a little hamlet called <i>Morgenbrodt,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>coked</i> + or <i>charred,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "Martin Waldeck, the forester," answered the hardy youth;—"and who are + you?" +</p> +<p> + "The King of the Waste and of the Mine," answered the spectre;—"and why + hast thou dared to encroach on my mysteries?" +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> + + +<a name="2HCH0019"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER NINETEENTH. +</h2> +<pre> + 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. +</pre> +<p> + 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, +</p> +<pre> + —I bear an English heart, + Unused at ghosts and rattling bones to start." +</pre> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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— +</p> +<p> + "Hector, son of Priam, whence comest thou?" said the Antiquary. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>cavaliere servente.</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "Dishonourable!" echoed Lovel—"in what respect dishonourable?" +</p> +<p> + "I mean, disgraceful to the arts." +</p> +<p> + "Where? how?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 + <i>tete-a-tete</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + It would be doing injustice to Miss Wardour's <i>savoir faire,</i> 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, <i>cum decimis inclusis tam vicariis quam garbalibus, et + nunquan antea separatis,</i> 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"— +</p> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + But here the, Baronet and Mr. Oldbuck having recovered their wind, and + continued their respective harangues, the three <i>strands</i> of the + conversation, to speak the language of a rope-work, were again twined + together into one undistinguishable string of confusion. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "So I find, Mary, that your neighbour has neither become more lively nor + less learned during my absence." +</p> +<p> + "We lacked your patience and wisdom to instruct us, Hector." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Lovel, Hector, is a very gentleman-like young man." +</p> +<p> + "Ay,—that is to say, he bows when he comes into a room, and wears a coat + that is whole at the elbows." +</p> +<p> + "No, brother; it says a great deal more. It says that his manners and + discourse express the feelings and education of the higher class." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Dear Hector," said his sister, "if you really continue to nourish any + affection for Miss Wardour"— +</p> +<p> + "If, Mary?—what an <i>if</i> was there!" +</p> +<p> + "—I own I consider your perseverance as hopeless." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But, Hector," continued his sister, "Sir Arthur always considers us as + members of the Monkbarns family." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>tapis,</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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——." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + "I certainly shall not fail to do so," rejoined the soldier. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "The best remedy in such a case is prudence, and I—every friend of Mr. + Lovel's will expect him to employ it." +</p> +<p> + 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: <i>aequam + servare mentem</i> 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. +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>Pacificator;</i> but there was no need, + as the matter was taken up by the town-council of the borough." +</p> +<p> + "But I assure you, my dear sir, there is nothing between Captain M'Intyre + and me that can render such respectable interference necessary." +</p> +<p> + "See it be so; for otherwise, I will stand second to both parties." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And is this all the information you are disposed to give me?" +</p> +<p> + "I see no right you have to require more." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Mr. Lovel, if you served as you say you have"— +</p> +<p> + "If!" interrupted Lovel,—"<i>if</i> I have served as <i>I say</i> I have?" +</p> +<p> + "Yes, sir, such is my expression—<i>if</i> you have so served, you must know + that you owe me satisfaction either in one way or other." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Very well, sir," rejoined Hector, and, turning his horse round, galloped + off to overtake his party. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "I forgot my glove, sir," said Hector. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0020"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER TWENTIETH. +</h2> +<pre> + —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. +</pre> +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "A message from Captain M'Intyre, I presume?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "May I ask, if you, Mr. Lesley, would have inclined to satisfy + interrogatories so haughtily and unceremoniously put to you?" +</p> +<p> + "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"— +</p> +<p> + "I beg your pardon, sir, but I cannot admit that inference." +</p> +<p> + "—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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "At the thorn-tree, then, Mr. Lesley, at seven this evening—the arms, I + presume, are pistols?" +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Upon my honour, no; there is nothing but what, in a very short time, I + trust I may publish to the whole world." +</p> +<p> + "I hope the mystery arises from no false shame at the lowness of your + friends perhaps, or connections?" +</p> +<p> + "No, on my word," replied Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "None in the universe, certainly," answered Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "Well," said his new ally, "we will dine together and arrange matters for + this rencounter. I hope you understand the use of the weapon?" +</p> +<p> + "Not particularly," Lovel replied. +</p> +<p> + "I am sorry for that—M'Intyre is said to be a marksman." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Agreed," said Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "Agreed," said Taffril; and the whole affair was arranged. +</p> +<p> + 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. * +</p> +<p> + * [Supposed to have been suggested by the old Abbey of Arbroath in * + Forfarshire.] +</p> +<a name="image-0010"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa261.jpg" height="521" width="833" +alt="St. Ruth (arbroath Abbey) +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> + +<p> + 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?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Why not, man? what can hinder you?" +</p> +<p> + "I wad speak a word wi' young Mr. Lovel." +</p> +<p> + "With me?" answered Lovel: "what would you say with me? Come, say on, and + be brief." +</p> +<p> + The mendicant led him a few paces aside. "Are ye indebted onything to the + Laird o' Monkbarns?" +</p> +<p> + "Indebted!—no, not I—what of that?—what makes you think so?" +</p> +<p> + "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'." +</p> +<p> + "Well, well; but what is all this to me?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "For heaven's sake, my old friend"— +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "But I have private business with Lieutenant Taffril here." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "You are either mad, Adam, or have a mind to drive me mad." +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>fugie</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Serve where you please, you have no title to intrude on us," said + M'Intyre, "or"—and he lifted his cane <i>in terrorem,</i> though without the + idea of touching the old man. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "And I," said Lovel, "as I never desired any, have also to request these + gentlemen to arrange preliminaries as fast as possible." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "O yes! fly, fly!" repeated the wounded man, his words faltering with + convulsive sobs. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "Go, go," again urged Lieutenant Taffril—"to stay here is mere madness." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<a name="2HCH0021"><!-- H2 anchor --></a> + +<div style="height: 4em;"><br><br><br><br></div> + +<h2> + CHAPTER TWENTY-FIRST. +</h2> +<pre> + —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. +</pre> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + * 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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 <i>Refectory</i>], "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + Lovel replied in the negative. +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + * Links, or torches. +</p> +<p> + I am thinking, Maister Lovel, if twa puir contrite spirits like yours and + mine fand grace to make our petition"— +</p> +<p> + Here Lovel laid his hand eagerly on the mendicant's arm, saying,—"Hush! + I heard some one speak." +</p> +<p> + "I am dull o' hearing," answered Edie, in a whisper, "but we're surely + safe here—where was the sound?" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<a name="image-0011"><!--IMG--></a> +<center> +<img src="images/pa278.jpg" height="501" width="764" +alt="The Ruins of St. Ruth +"> +</center> +<!--IMAGE END--> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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 <i>Libra,</i> 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "Not at all," answered the Baronet, in a tone of feigned indifference; "I + think we have but little time." +</p> +<p> + "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?"* +</p> +<p> + * Note F. Witchcraft. +</p> +<pre> + "Why, I am not afraid," answered the poor Baronet,—"if—that is—does +anything—any great mischiefs, happen on such occasions?" +</pre> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "N—n—no," muttered the German, who began to partake of his pupil's + terrors, "I hope not." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "<i>Alle guten Geistern loben den Herrn!</i>" 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." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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"— +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + Dousterswivel flung himself on his knees—"Dear Sir Arthurs, let us go, + or let me go!" +</p> +<p> + "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!" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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!" +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "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. +</p> +<p> + "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?" +</p> +<p> + "I suppose," said Lovel, "his faith in this fellow is entirely restored + by this deception, which, unquestionably, he had arranged beforehand." +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "What if you should inform Mr. Oldbuck?" said Lovel. +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + "What say you then," said Lovel, "to letting Miss Wardour know the + circumstance?" +</p> +<p> + "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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + "We will talk of our farther motions," said Lovel, "as we go on board." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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." +</p> +<p> + 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. +</p> + + +<div style="height: 6em;"><br><br><br><br><br><br></div> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Antiquary, Volume 1, by Sir Walter Scott + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ANTIQUARY, VOLUME 1 *** + +***** This file should be named 7003-h.htm or 7003-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/7/0/0/7003/ + +Produced by David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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