The Antiquary.....................................................................................................................................................1

Walter Scott.............................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION..................................................................................................................................2

CHAPTER FIRST..................................................................................................................................7

CHAPTER SECOND...........................................................................................................................11

CHAPTER THIRD...............................................................................................................................16

CHAPTER FOURTH...........................................................................................................................21

CHAPTER FIFTH................................................................................................................................27

CHAPTER SIXTH...............................................................................................................................31

CHAPTER SEVENTH.........................................................................................................................40

CHAPTER EIGHTH............................................................................................................................46

CHAPTER NINTH. ..............................................................................................................................50

CHAPTER TENTH..............................................................................................................................55

CHAPTER ELEVENTH......................................................................................................................59

CHAPTER TWELFTH. ........................................................................................................................66

CHAPTER THIRTEENTH..................................................................................................................69

CHAPTER FOURTEENTH.................................................................................................................75

CHAPTER FIFTEENTH. .....................................................................................................................80

CHAPTER SIXTEENTH.....................................................................................................................86

CHAPTER SEVENTEENTH. ..............................................................................................................92

CHAPTER EIGHTEENTH..................................................................................................................98

CHAPTER NINETEENTH................................................................................................................104

CHAPTER TWENTIETH..................................................................................................................111

CHAPTER TWENTYFIRST...........................................................................................................118

CHAPTER TWENTYSECOND......................................................................................................127

CHAPTER TWENTYTHIRD. .........................................................................................................134

CHAPTER TWENTYFOURTH......................................................................................................139

CHAPTER TWENTYFIFTH...........................................................................................................145

CHAPTER TWENTYSIXTH..........................................................................................................151

CHAPTER TWENTYSEVENTH. ...................................................................................................156

CHAPTER TWENTYEIGHTH.......................................................................................................162

CHAPTER TWENTYNINTH. .........................................................................................................165

CHAPTER THIRTIETH....................................................................................................................169

CHAPTER THIRTYFIRST.............................................................................................................176

CHAPTER THIRTYSECOND........................................................................................................180

CHAPTER THIRTYTHIRD............................................................................................................184

CHAPTER THIRTYFOURTH........................................................................................................190

CHAPTER THIRTYFIFTH.............................................................................................................196

CHAPTER THIRTYSIXTH. ............................................................................................................202

CHAPTER THIRTYSEVENTH......................................................................................................207

CHAPTER THIRTYEIGHTH.........................................................................................................212

CHAPTER THIRTYNINTH. ...........................................................................................................217

CHAPTER FORTIETH. .....................................................................................................................222

CHAPTER FORTYFIRST...............................................................................................................228

CHAPTER FORTYSECOND. .........................................................................................................234

CHAPTER FORTYTHIRD. .............................................................................................................240

CHAPTER FORTYFOURTH, .........................................................................................................245

CHAPTER FORTYFIFTH. ..............................................................................................................250

The present work completes a series of fictitious narratives, intended to illustrate the manners of Scotland at

three different periods. Waverley embraced the age of our fathers, Guy Mannering that of our own youth, and

the Antiquary refers to the last ten years of the eighteenth century. I have, in the two last narratives

especially, sought my principal personages in the class of society who are the last to feel the influence of that

general polish which assimilates to each other the manners of different nations. Among the same class I have

placed some of the scenes in which I have endeavoured to illustrate the operation of the higher and more

violent passions; both because the lower orders are less restrained by the habit of suppressing their feelings,

and because I agree, with my friend Wordsworth, that they seldom fail to express them in the strongest and

most powerful language. This is, I think, peculiarly the case with the peasantry of my own country, a class

with whom I have long been familiar. The antique force and simplicity of their language, often tinctured with

the Oriental eloquence of Scripture, in the mouths of those of an elevated understanding, give pathos to their

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

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,

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

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,

``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.''

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 stagecoach, 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

The prominent part performed by the Beggar in the following narrative, induces the author to prefix a few

remarks of that character, as it formerly existed in Scotland, though it is now scarcely to be traced.

Many of the old Scottish mendicants were by no means to be confounded with the utterly degraded class of

beings who now practise that wandering trade. Such of them as were in the habit of travelling through a

particular district, were usually well received both in the farmer's ha', and in the kitchens of the country

gentlemen. Martin, author of the Reliquiae Divi Sancti Andreae, written in 1683, gives the following account

of one class of this order of men in the seventeenth century, in terms which would induce an antiquary like

Mr. Oldbuck to regret its extinction. He conceives them to be descended from the ancient bards, and

proceeds:``They are called by others, and by themselves, Jockies, who go about begging; and use still to

recite the Sloggorne (gatheringwords or warcries) 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 then told me there were not now above twelve of them in the whole isle; but he remembered when

they abounded, so as at one time he was one of five that usually met at St. Andrews.''

The race of Jockies (of the above description) has, I suppose, been long extinct in Scotland; but the old

remembered beggar, even in my own time, like the Baccoch, or travelling cripple of Ireland, was expected to

merit his quarters by something beyond an exposition of his distresses. He was often a talkative, facetious

fellow, prompt at repartee, and not withheld from exercising his powers that way by any respect of persons,

his patched cloak giving him the privilege of the ancient jester. To be a gude crack, that is, to possess talents

for conversation, was essential to the trade of a ``puir body'' of the more esteemed class; and Burns, who

delighted in the amusement their discourse afforded, seems to have looked forward with gloomy firmness to

the possibility of himself becoming one day or other a member of their itinerant society. In his poetical

works, it is alluded to so often, as perhaps to indicate that he considered the consummation as not utterly

impossible. Thus in the fine dedication of his works to Gavin Hamilton, he says,

Again, in his Epistle to Davie, a brother Poet, he states, that in their closing career

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

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 outhouses, and the usual

awmous (alms) of a handful of meal (called a gowpen) was scarce denied by the poorest cottager. The

mendicant disposed these, according to their different quality, in various bags around his person, and thus

carried about with him the principal part of his sustenance, which he literally received for the asking. At the

houses of the gentry, his cheer was mended by scraps of broken meat, and perhaps a Scottish ``twalpenny,'' or

English penny, which was expended in snuff or whiskey. In fact, these indolent peripatetics suffered much

less real hardship and want of food, than the poor peasants from whom they received alms.

If, in addition to his personal qualifications, the mendicant chanced to be a King's Bedesman, or BlueGown,

he belonged, in virtue thereof, to the aristocracy of his order, and was esteemed a parson of great importance.

These Bedesmen are an order of paupers to whom the Kings of Scotland were in the custom of distributing a

certain alms, in conformity with the ordinances of the Catholic Church, and who where expected in return to

pray for the royal welfare and that of the state. This order is still kept up. Their number is equal to the number

of years which his Majesty has lived; and one BlueGown additional is put on the roll for every returning

royal birthday. 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 birthday, 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

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

``Item, to Mr. Peter Young, Elimosinar, twentie four gownis of blew clayth, to be gevin to xxiiij auld men,

according to the yeiris of his hienes age, extending to viii xx viii elnis clayth; price of the elne xxiiij s. Inde, ij

``Item, for sextene elnis bukrum to the saidis gownis, price of the elne x s. Inde, viij li.

``Item, twentie four pursis, and in ilk purse twentie four schelling Inde, xxciij li. xvj s.

In the Account of John, Earl of Mar, Great Treasurer of Scotland, and of Sir Gideon Murray of Enbank,

``Item, to James Murray, merchant, for fyftene scoir sex elnis and aine half elne of blew claith to be gownis

to fyftie ane aigeit men, according to the yeiris of his Majesteis age, at xl s. the elne Inde, vj c xiij li.

``Item, to workmen for careing the blewis to James Aikman, tailyeour, his hous xiij s. iiij d.

``Item, for sex elnis and ane half of harden to the saidis gownis, at vj s. viij d. the elne Inde, xliij s. iiij d.

``Item, to the said workmen for careing of the gownis fra the said James Aikman's hous to the palace of

``Item, for making the saidis fyftie ane gownis, at xij s. the peice Inde, xxx li. xij s.

``Item, to Sir Peter Young, li s. to be put in everie ane of the saidis lj pursis to the said poore men j c xxx l jj

``Item, to the said Sir Peter, to buy breid and drink to the said puir men vj li. xiij s. iiij d.

``Item, upoun the last day of Junii to Doctor Young, Deane of Winchester, Elimozinar Deput to his Majestic,

twentie fyve pund sterling, to be gevin to the puir be the way in his Majesteis progress Inde, iij c li.''

I have only to add, that although the institution of King's Bedesmen still subsists, they are now seldom to be

seen on the streets of Edinburgh, of which their peculiar dress made them rather a characteristic feature.

Having thus given an account of the genus and species to which Edie Ochiltree appertains, the author may

add, that the individual he had in his eye was Andrew Gemmells, an old mendicant of the character described,

who was many years since well known, and must still be remembered, in the vales of Gala, Tweed, Ettrick,

The author has in his youth repeatedly seen and conversed with Andrew, but cannot recollect whether he held

the rank of BlueGown. 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 bonmot of a man of established character for wit glides through the fashionable world, Many of his good

things are held in remembrance, but are generally too local and personal to be introduced here.

Andrew had a character peculiar to himself among his tribe for aught I ever heard. He was ready and willing

to play at cards or dice with any one who desired such amusement. This was more in the character of the Irish

itinerant gambler, called in that country a ``carrow,'' than of the Scottish beggar. But the late Reverend Doctor

Robert Douglas, minister of Galashiels, assured the author, that the last time he saw Andrew Gemmells, he

was engaged in a game at brag with a gentleman of fortune, distinction, and birth. To preserve the due

gradations of rank, the party was made at an open window of the chateau, the laird sitting on his chair in the

inside, the beggar on a stool in the yard; and they played on the windowsill. 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 cardplaying or conversation, with Andrew Gemmells.

This singular mendicant had generally, or was supposed to have, much money about his person, as would

have been thought the value of his life among modern footpads. 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,''

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 ayear

worse since he had first practised it. On another occasion he observed, begging was in modern times scarcely

the profession of a gentleman; and that, if he had twenty sons, he would not easily be induced to breed one of

them up in his own line. When or where this laudator temporis acti closed his wanderings, the author never

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,

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 PotterrowPort, 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

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

was not so well received on its first appearance as either of its predecessors, though in course of time it rose

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 northeast 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 passageboat 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 sharplooking old dame, with a pair of spectacles on a

very thin nose, who inhabited a ``laigh shop,'' anglice`, a cellar, opening to the High Street by a straight and

steep stair, at the bottom of which she sold tape, thread, needles, skeins of worsted, coarse linen cloth, and

such feminine gear, to those who had the courage and skill to descend to the profundity of her dwelling,

without falling headlong themselves, or throwing down any of the numerous articles which, piled on each

The written handbill, 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 floodtide, 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 placesor 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 halfmutchkin extraordinary with his crony the hostlerorin short, he did

The young gentleman, who began to grow somewhat impatient, was now joined by a companion in this petty

misery of human lifethe person who had taken out the other place. He who is bent upon a journey is

usually easily to be distinguished from his fellowcitizens. The boots, the greatcoat, 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

mailcoach 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

He was a goodlooking man of the age of sixty, perhaps older,but his hale complexion and firm step

announced that years had not impaired his strength or health. His countenance was of the true Scottish cast,

strongly marked, and rather harsh in features, with a shrewd and penetrating eye, and a countenance in which

habitual gravity was enlivened by a cast of ironical humour. His dress was uniform, and of a colour becoming

his age and gravity; a wig, well dressed and powdered, surmounted by a slouched hat, had something of a

professional air. He might be a clergyman, yet his appearance was more that of a man of the world than

usually belongs to the kirk of Scotland, and his first ejaculation put the matter beyond question.

He arrived with a hurried pace, and, casting an alarmed glance towards the dialplate of the church, then

looking at the place where the coach should have been, exclaimed, ``Deil's in itI am too late after all!''

The young man relieved his anxiety, by telling him the coach had not yet appeared. The old gentleman,

apparently conscious of his own want of punctuality, did not at first feel courageous enough to censure that of

the coachman. He took a parcel, containing apparently a large folio, from a little boy who followed him, and,

patting him on the head, bid him go back and tell Mr. B, that if he had known he was to have had so

much time, he would have put another word or two to their bargain, then told the boy to mind his

business, and he would be as thriving a lad as ever dusted a duodecimo. The boy lingered, perhaps in hopes

of a penny to buy marbles; but none was forthcoming. Our senior leaned his little bundle upon one of the

posts at the head of the staircase, and, facing the traveller who had first arrived, waited in silence for about

At length, after one or two impatient glances at the progress of the minutehand 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.

Mrs. Macleuchar, aware that she had a defensive part to sustain in the encounter which was to follow, was in

``Mrs. Macleuchar,Good woman'' (with an elevated voice) then apart, ``Old doited hag, she's as deaf

``I am just serving a customer.Indeed, hinny, it will no be a bodle cheaper than I tell ye.''

``Woman,'' reiterated the traveller, ``do you think we can stand here all day till you have cheated that poor

``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

``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

``We have taken places, ma'am,'' said the younger stranger, ``in your diligence for

Queensferry''``Which should have been halfway 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

``The coach?Gude guide us, gentlemen, is it no on the stand yet?'' answered the old lady, her shrill tone

of expostulation sinking into a kind of apologetic whine. ``Is it the coach ye hae been waiting for?''

``What else could have kept us broiling in the sun by the side of the gutter here, youyou faithless woman,

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 wellfeigned astonishment, ``Gude guide ussaw ever

``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 postchaisehe would call a hackney coachhe would take four horseshe

musthe would be on the north side, todayand all the expense of his journey, besides damages, direct

and consequential, arising from delay, should be accumulated on the devoted head of Mrs. Macleuchar.

There, was something so comic in his pettish resentment, that the younger traveller, who was in no such

pressing hurry to depart, could not help being amused with it, especially as it was obvious, that every now

and then the old gentleman, though very angry, could not help laughing at his own vehemence. But when

Mrs. Macleuchar began also to join in the laughter, he quickly put a stop to her illtimed merriment.

``Woman,'' said he, ``is that advertisement thine?'' showing a bit of crumpled printed paper: ``Does it not set

forth, that, God willing, as you hypocritically express it, the Hawes Fly, or Queensferry Diligence, would set

forth today 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 leasingmaking? Answerand for

once in thy long, useless, and evil life, let it be in the words of truth and sincerity,hast thou such a

coach?is it in rerum natura?or is this base annunciation a mere swindle on the incautious to beguile

them of their time, their patience, and three shillings of sterling money of this realm?Hast thou, I say,

``O dear, yes, sir; the neighbours ken the diligence weel, green picked oat wi' redthree yellow wheels and

``Woman, thy special description will not serveit may be only a lie with a circumstance.''

``O, man, man!'' said the overwhelmed Mrs. Macleuchar, totally exhausted at having been so long the butt of

``Not so fast, not so fast, womanWill three shillings transport me to Queensferry, agreeably to thy

treacherous program?or will it requite the damage I may sustain by leaving my business undone, or repay

the expenses which I must disburse if I am obliged to tarry a day at the South Ferry for lack of tide?Will

it hire, I say, a pinnace, for which alone the regular price is five shillings?''

Here his argument was cut short by a lumbering noise, which proved to be the advance of the expected

vehicle, pressing forward with all the dispatch to which the brokenwinded 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 floodtide, she, Mrs.

Macleuchar, should be held responsible for all the consequences that might ensue.

The coach had continued in motion for a mile or two before the stranger had completely repossessed himself

of his equanimity, as was manifested by the doleful ejaculations, which he made from time to time, on the too

great probability, or even certainty, of their missing the floodtide. 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 titlepage to colophon. His fellowtraveller took the liberty of inquiring the subject of his studies. He

lifted up his eyes with something of a sarcastic glance, as if he supposed the young querist would not relish,

or perhaps understand, his answer, and pronounced the book to be Sandy Gordon's Itinerarium

Roman remains in Scotland. The querist, unappalled by this learned title, proceeded to put several questions,

which indicated that he had made good use of a good education, and, although not possessed of minute

information on the subject of antiquities, had yet acquaintance enough with the classics to render him an

interested and intelligent auditor when they were enlarged upon. The elder traveller, observing with pleasure

the capacity of his temporary companion to understand and answer him, plunged, nothing loath, into a sea of

discussion concerning urns, vases, votive, altars, Roman camps, and the rules of castrametation.

The pleasure of this discourse had such a dulcifying tendency, that, although two causes of delay occurred,

each of much more serious duration than that which had drawn down his wrath upon the unlucky Mrs.

Macleuchar, our =Antiquary= only bestowed on the delay the honour of a few episodical poohs and pshaws,

which rather seemed to regard the interruption of his disquisition than the retardation of his journey.

The first of these stops was occasioned by the breaking of a spring, which half an hour's labour hardly

repaired. To the second, the Antiquary was himself accessory, if not the principal cause of it; for, observing

that one of the horses had cast a forefoot shoe, he apprized the coachman of this important deficiency. ``It's

Jamie Martingale that furnishes the naigs on contract, and uphauds them,'' answered John, ``and I am not

entitled to make any stop, or to suffer prejudice by the like of these accidents.''

``And when you go toI mean to the place you deserve to go to, you scoundrel,who do you think will

uphold you on contract? If you don't stop directly and carry the poor brute, to the next smithy, I'll have you

punished, if there's a justice of peace in MidLothian;'' and, opening the coachdoor, out he jumped, while

the coachman obeyed his orders, muttering, that ``if the gentlemen lost the tide now, they could not say but it

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 Roundabout, a subject which he had been elaborately discussing,

and of which a specimen, ``very curious and perfect indeed,'' happened to exist about a hundred yards distant

from the spot where this interruption took place. But were I compelled to decompose the motives of my

worthy friend (for such was the gentleman in the sober suit, with powdered wig and slouched hat), I should

say, that, although he certainly would not in any case have suffered the coachman to proceed while the horse

was unfit for service, and likely to suffer by being urged forward, yet the man of whipcord escaped some

severe abuse and reproach by the agreeable mode which the traveller found out to pass the interval of delay.

So much time was consumed by these interruptions of their journey, that when they descended the hill above

the Hawes (for so the inn on the southern side of the Queensferry is denominated), the experienced eye of the

Antiquary at once discerned, from the extent of wet sand, and the number of black stones and rocks, covered

with seaweed, 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 Goodnatured Man,'' our hero

had exhausted himself in fretting away his misfortunes beforehand, so that he did not feel them when they

actually arrived, or whether he found the company in which he was placed too congenial to lead him to repine

at anything which delayed his journey, it is certain that he submitted to his lot with much resignation.

``The dl'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 gluepot, as the Irishman says. But,

however, time and tide tarry for no man, and so, my young friend, we'll have a snack here at the Hawes,

which is a very decent sort of a place, and I'll be very happy to finish the account I was giving you of the

difference between the mode of entrenching castra stativa and castra costiva, things confounded by too many

of our historians. Lackaday, if they had ta'en the pains to satisfy their own eyes, instead of following each

other's blind guidance!Well! we shall be pretty comfortable at the Hawes; and besides, after all, we must

have dined somewhere, and it will be pleasanter sailing with the tide of ebb and the evening breeze.''

In this Christian temper of making the best of all occurrences, our travellers alighted at the Hawes.

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

``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

``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,

``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 afterI have ane mysella ganging plea that my father left me, and his father

afore left to him. It's about our backyardye'll maybe hae heard of it in the Parliamenthouse, Hutchison

against Mackitchinsonit's a weelkenn'd pleaits 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 outerhouse.O it's a beautiful

thing to see how lang and how carefully justice is considered in this country!''

``Hold your tongue, you fool,'' said the traveller, but in great goodhumour, ``and tell us what you can give

haddocks,'' said Mackitchinson, twisting his napkin; ``and ye'll be for a muttonchop, and there's cranberry

``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

``Na, na,'' said Mackitchinson, whose long and heedful perusal of volumes of printed session papers had

made him acquainted with some law phrases``the denner shall be served quam primum and that

peremptorie.'' And with the flattering laugh of a promising host, he left them in his sanded parlour, hung with

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

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

northeastern coast of Scotland, which, for various reasons, we shall denominate Fairport. They had been

established for several generations, as landowners 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

illfated 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 lovematch with a captain in the Fortytwa, 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 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 lightheaded, or rei suae prodigus,'' said his instructor, ``I would know what to make of him.

But he never pays away a shilling without looking anxiously after the change, makes his sixpence go farther

than another lad's halfcrown, and wilt ponder over an old blackletter copy of the acts of parliament for

days, rather than go to the golf or the changehouse; and yet he will not bestow one of these days on a little

business of routine, that would put twenty shillings in his pocketa strange mixture of frugality and

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 readymoney man, kept up

his consequence with this class of his neighbours. The country gentlemen were generally above him in

fortune, and beneath him in intellect, and, excepting one with whom he lived in habits of intimacy, had little

intercourse with Mr. Oldbuck of Monkbarns. He, had, however, the usual resources, the company of the

clergyman, and of the doctor, when he chose to request it, and also his own pursuits and pleasures, being in

correspondence with most of the virtuosi of his time, who, like himself, measured decayed entrenchments,

made plans of ruined castles, read illegible inscriptions, and wrote essays on medals in the proportion of

twelve pages to each letter of the legend. Some habits of hasty irritation he had contracted, partly, it was said

in the borough of Fairport, from an early disappointment in love in virtue of which he had commenced

misogynist, as he called it, but yet more by the obsequious attention paid to him by his maiden sister and his

orphan niece, whom he had trained to consider him as the greatest man upon earth, and whom he used to

boast of as the only women he had ever seen who were well broke in and bitted to obedience; though, it must

be owned, Miss Grizzy Oldbuck was sometimes apt to jibb when he pulled the reins too tight. The rest of his

character must be gathered from the story, and we dismiss with pleasure the tiresome task of recapitulation.

During the time of dinner, Mr. Oldbuck, actuated by the same curiosity which his fellowtraveller had

entertained on his account, made some advances, which his aye and station entitled him to do in a more direct

manner, towards ascertaining the name, destination, and quality of his young companion.

``What! the cat, the rat, and Lovel our dog? Was he descended from King Richard's favourite?''

``He had no pretensions,'' he said, ``to call himself a whelp of that litter; his father was a northofEngland

gentleman. He was at present travelling to Fairport (the town near to which Monkbarns was situated), and, if

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

``Punch!'' said he, catching that generous sound as he entered the parlour, ``the deil a drap punch ye'se get

``Ay, ay, it's nae matter for thatbut do you mind the trick ye served me the last time ye were here!''

``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 auldwarld stories, that

the mind o' man canna resist, whirl'd them to the back o' beyont to look at the auld Roman campAh, 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

``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,

``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

``Do you hear how absolute the knave is? Well, my young friend, we must for once prefer the Falernian to

The ready landlord had the cork instantly extracted, decanted the wine into a vessel of suitable capaciousness,

and, declaring it parfumed the very room, left his guests to make the most of it.

Mackitchinson's wine was really good, and had its effect upon the spirits of the elder guest, who told some

good stories, cut some sly jokes, and at length entered into a learned discussion concerning the ancient

dramatists; a ground on which he found his new acquaintance so strong, that at length be began to suspect he

had made them his professional study. ``A traveller partly for business and partly for pleasure?why, the

stage partakes of both; it is a labour to the performers, and affords, or is meant to afford, pleasure to the

spectators. He seems, in manner and rank, above the class of young men who take that turn; but I remember

hearing them say, that the little theatre at Fairport was to open with the performance of a young gentleman,

being his first appearance on any stage.If this should be thee, Lovel!Lovel? yes, Lovel or Belville are

just the names which youngsters are apt to assume on such occasions on my life, I am sorry for the lad.''

Mr. Oldbuck was habitually parsimonious, but in no respects mean; his first thought was to save his

fellowtraveller 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

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 twothirds of the hire of a postchaise, 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 eighteenpence a stage. In this manner they travelled, until they

* [The ``Fairport'' of this novel is supposed to refer to the town of * Arbroath, in Forfarshire, and

``Musselcrag,'' post, to the fishing village of * Auchmithie, in the same county.]

Lovel probably expected that his travelling companion would have invited him to dinner on his arrival; but

his consciousness of a want of ready preparation for unexpected guests, and perhaps some other reasons,

prevented Oldbuck from paying him that attention. He only begged to see him as early as he could make it

convenient to call in a forenoon, recommended him to a widow who had apartments to let, and to a person

who kept a decent ordinary; cautioning both of them apart, that he only knew Mr. Lovel as a pleasant

companion in a postchaise, 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 wellfurnished trunk, which soon

arrived by sea, to his address at Fairport, probably went as far in his favour as the limited recommendation of

After he had settled himself in his new apartments at Fairport, Mr. Lovel bethought him of paying the

requested visit to his fellowtraveller. He did not make it earlier, because, with all the old gentleman's

goodhumour 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

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 northwest wind, the house had a solitary, and sheltered appearance. The exterior had

little to recommend it. It was an irregular oldfashioned building, some part of which had belonged to a

grange, or solitary farmhouse, 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

groundrent 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

* Ars Topiaria, the art of clipping yewhedges into fantastic figures. * A Latin poem, entitled Ars Topiaria,

and presented curious armchairs, towers, and the figures of Saint George and the Dragon. The taste of Mr.

Oldbuck did not disturb these monuments of an art now unknown, and he was the less tempted so to do, as it

must necessarily have broken the heart of the old gardener. One tall embowering holly was, however, sacred

from the shears; and, on a garden seat beneath its shade, Lovel beheld his old friend with spectacles on nose,

and pouch on side, busily employed in perusing the London Chronicle, soothed by the summer breeze

through the rustling leaves, and the distant dash of the waves as they rippled upon the sand.

Mr. Oldbuck immediately rose, and advanced to greet his travelling acquaintance with a hearty shake of the

hand. ``By my faith,'' said he, ``I began to think you had changed your mind, and found the stupid people of

Fairport so tiresome, that you judged them unworthy of your talents, and had taken French leave, as my old

friend and brotherantiquary MacCribb did, when he went off with one of my Syrian medals.''

``Quite as bad, let me tell you, if you had stolen yourself away without giving me the pleasure of seeing you

again. I had rather you had taken my copper Otho himself.But come, let me show you the way into my

sanctum sanctorummy cell I may call it, for, except two idle hussies of womankind,'' (by this

contemptuous phrase, borrowed from his brotherantiquary, the cynic Anthony aWood, 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,

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 childand all to no purposealthough I am almost positive

that these two last marks imply the figures, or letters, LV, and may give us a good guess at the real date of the

building, since we know, aliunde, that it was founded by Abbot Waldimir about the middle of the fourteenth

centuryand, I profess, I think that centre ornament might be made out by better eyes than mine.''

``I think,'' answered Lovel, willing to humour the old man, ``it has something the appearance of a mitre.''

``I protest you are right! you are right! it never struck me beforesee what it is to have younger eyesA

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 bishophe was a

mitred abbot, and at the very top of the rolltake care of these three stepsI know MacCribb denies

this, but it is as certain as that he took away my Antigonus, no leave askedyou'll see the name of the

Abbot of Trotcosey, Abbas Trottocosiensis, at the head of the rolls of parliament in the fourteenth and

fifteenth centuries there is very little light here, and these cursed womankind always leave their tubs in

Mr. Oldbuck had by this time attained the top of the winding stair which led to his own apartment, and

opening a door, and pushing aside a piece of tapestry with which it was covered, his first exclamation was,

``What are you about here, you sluts?'' A dirty barefooted chambermaid threw down her duster, detected in

the heinous fact of arranging the sanctum sanctorum, and fled out of an opposite door from the face of her

incensed master. A genteellooking young woman, who was superintending the operation, stood her ground,

``Indeed, uncle, your room was not fit to be seen, and I just came to see that Jenny laid everything down

``And how dare you, or Jenny either, presume to meddle with my private matters?'' (Mr. Oldbuck hated

puttting to rights as much as Dr. Orkborne, or any other professed student.) ``Go, sew your sampler, you

monkey, and do not let me find you here again, as you value your ears.I assure you, Mr. Lovel, that the

last inroad of these pretended friends to cleanliness was almost as fatal to my collection as Hudibras's visit to

My copperplate, with almanacks Engraved upon't and other knacks My moondial, with Napier's bones, And

several constellation Stones; My flea, my morpeon, and punaise, I purchased for my proper ease.

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

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 bookshelves, 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 leatherncovered easychair, worn smooth by constant use) was a huge

oaken cabinet, decorated at each corner with Dutch cherubs, having their little duckwings displayed, and

great jolterheaded 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 tiewigs and laced coats, staring representatives of his own ancestors. A large oldfashioned oaken

table was covered with a profusion of papers, parchments, books, and nondescript trinkets and gewgaws,

which seemed to have little to recommend them, besides rust and the antiquity which it indicates. In the midst

of this wreck of ancient books and utensils, with a gravity equal to Marius among the ruins of Carthage, sat a

large black cat, which, to a superstitious eye, might have presented the genius loci, the tutelar demon of the

apartment. The floor, as well as the table and chairs, was overflowed by the same mare magnum of

miscellaneous trumpery, where it would have been as impossible to find any individual article wanted, as to

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 crawtaes, 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

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 buryingground. 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 Colvecarles, or Kolbkerls, that is, Clavigeri, or clubbearers. 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,

Mr. Oldbuck next exhibited thumbscrews, 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

For he would rather have, at his bedhead, A twenty books, clothed in black or red, Of Aristotle, or his

This pithy motto he delivered, shaking his head, and giving each guttural the true AngloSaxon enunciation,

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 knighterrant 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 middlemen, 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 dearbought

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 slowhound, sir, and the snap of a bulldog. He would detect

you an old blackletter ballad among the leaves of a lawpaper, and find an editio princeps under the mask of

a school Corderius. Snuffy Davy bought the `Game of Chess, 1474,' the first book ever printed in England,

from a stall in Holland, for about two groschen, or twopence of our money. He sold it to Osborne for twenty

pounds, and as many books as came to twenty pounds more. Osborne resold this inimitable windfall to Dr.

Askew for sixty guineas. At Dr. Askew's sale,'' continued the old gentleman, kindling as he spoke, ``this

inestimable treasure blazed forth in its full value, and was purchased by Royalty itself for one hundred and

seventy pounds!Could a copy now occur, Lord only knows,'' he ejaculated, with a deep sigh and

liftedup hands``Lord only knows what would be its ransom; and yet it was originally secured, by skill

and research, for the easy equivalent of twopence sterling.* Happy, thrice happy, Snuffy Davie!and

* This bibliomaniacal anecdote is literally true; and David Wilson, the * author need not tell his brethren of

``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 fewa 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 psalmbook. 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

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 titlepageof that in the arrangement of the letters in

the word Finis. There was, it seemed, no peculiar distinction, however trifling or minute, which might not

give value to a volume, providing the indispensable quality of scarcity, or rare occurrence, was attached to it.

Not the least fascinating was the original broadside,the Dying Speech, Bloody Murder, or Wonderful

Wonder of Wonders,in its primary tattered guise, as it was hawked through the streets, and sold for the

cheap and easy price of one penny, though now worth the weight of that penny in gold. On these the

Antiquary dilated with transport, and read, with a rapturous voice, the elaborate titles, which bore the same

proportion to the contents that the painted signs without a showman's booth do to the animals within. Mr.

Oldbuck, for example, piqued himself especially in possessing an unique broadside, entitled and called

``Strange and Wonderful News from ChippingNorton, 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

* Of this thrice and four times rare broadside, the author possesses an * exemplar.

``You laugh at this,'' said the proprietor of the collection, ``and I forgive you. I do acknowledge that the

charms on which we doat are not so obvious to the eyes of youth as those of a fair lady; but you will grow

wiser, and see more justly, when you come to wear spectacles.Yet stay, I have one piece of antiquity,

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 longstalked wineglasses with bell mouths, such as are

seen in Teniers' pieces, and a small bottle of what be 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 sackyou, who admire the drama, know where that's to be found.Here's success to your

``And to you, sir, and an ample increase to your treasure, with no more trouble on your part than is just

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

Our two friends moved through a little orchard, where the aged appletrees, 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

fruittrees from penetrating the till, and compelling them to spread in a lateral direction, by placing

pavingstones 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 ivymantled porch there was

here a hospitium, hospitals, or hospitamentum (for it is written all these various ways in the old writings and

evidents), in which the monks received pilgrims. I know our minister has said, in the Statistical Account, that

the hospitium was situated either in the lands of Haltweary or upon those of Halfstarvet; but he is incorrect,

Mr. Lovelthat is the gate called still the Palmer's Port, and my gardener found many hewn stones, when

he was trenching the ground for winter celery, several of which I have sent as specimens to my learned

friends, and to the various antiquarian societies of which I am an unworthy member. But I will say no more at

present; I reserve something for another visit, and we have an object of real curiosity before us.''

While he was thus speaking, he led the way briskly through one or two rich pasturemeadows, to an open

heath or common, and so to the top of a gentle eminence. ``Here,'' he said, ``Mr. Lovel, is a truly remarkable

``True: but it is not for the prospect I brought you hither; do you see nothing else remarkable?nothing on

``Indistinctly!pardon me, sir, but the indistinctness must be in your powers of vision. Nothing can be

more plainly traceda proper agger or vallum, with its corresponding ditch or fossa. Indistinctly! why,

Heaven help you, the lassie, my niece, as lightheaded 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;

Lovel endeavoured to apologize, and to explain away his illtimed 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

``My dear sir,'' continued the senior, ``your eyes are not inexperienced: you know a ditch from level ground, I

presume, when you see them? Indistinct! why, the very common people, the very least boy that can herd a

cow, calls it the Kaim of Kinprunes; and if that does not imply an ancient camp, I am ignorant what does.''

Lovel having again acquiesced, and at length lulled to sleep the irritated and suspicious vanity of the

Antiquary, he proceeded in his task of cicerone. ``You must know,'' he said, ``our Scottish antiquaries have

been greatly divided about the local situation of the final conflict between Agricola and the Caledonians;

some contend for Ardoch in Strathallan, some for Innerpeffry, some for the Raedykes in the Mearns, and

some are for carrying the scene of action as far north as Blair in Athole. Now, after all this discussion,''

continued the old gentleman, with one of his slyest and most complacent looks, ``what would you think, Mr.

Lovel,I say, what would you think,if the memorable scene of conflict should happen to be on the

very spot called the Kaim of Kinprunes, the property of the obscure and humble individual who now speaks

to you?'' Then, having paused a little, to suffer his guest to digest a communication so important, he resumed

his disquisition in a higher tone. ``Yes, my good friend, I am indeed greatly deceived if this place does not

correspond with all the marks of that celebrated place of action. It was near to the Grampian

mountainslo! yonder they are, mixing and contending with the sky on the skirts of the horizon! It was in

conspectu classis in sight of the Roman fleet; and would any admiral, Roman or British, wish a fairer bay

to ride in than that on your right hand? It is astonishing how blind we professed antiquaries sometimes are!

Sir Robert Sibbald, Saunders Gordon, General Roy, Dr. Stokely,why, it escaped all of them. I was

unwilling to say a word about it till I had secured the ground, for it belonged to auld Johnnie Howie, a

* A bonnetlaird signifies a petty proprietor, wearing the dress, along * with the habits of a yeoman.

many a communing we had before he and I could agree. At lengthI am almost ashamed to say itbut I

even brought my mind to give acre for acre of my good cornland for this barren spot. But then it was a

national concern; and when the scene of so celebrated an event became my own, I was overpaid.Whose

patriotism would not grow warmer, as old Johnson says, on the plains of Marathon? I began to trench the

ground, to see what might be discovered; and the third day, sir, we found a stone, which I have transported to

Monkbarns, in order to have the sculpture taken off with plaster of Paris; it bears a sacrificing vessel, and the

letters A.D.L.L. which may stand, without much violence, for Agricola Dicavit Libens Lubens.''

``Certainly, sir; for the Dutch Antiquaries claim Caligula as the founder of a lighthouse, on the sole

authority of the letters C.C.P.F., which they interpret Caius Caligula Pharum Fecit.''

``True, and it has ever been recorded as a sound exposition. I see we shall make something of you even

before you wear spectacles, notwithstanding you thought the traces of this beautiful camp indistinct when you

``You will become more aptI 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

For pruinis, though interpreted to mean hoar frosts, to which I own we are somewhat subject in this

northeastern seacoast, may also signify a locality, namely, Prunes; the Castra Pruinis posita would

therefore be the Kaim of Kinprunes. But I waive this, for I am sensible it might be laid hold of by cavillers as

carrying down my Castra to the time of Theodosius, sent by Valentinian into Britain as late as the year 367,

or thereabout. No, my good friend, I appeal to people's eyesight. Is not here the Decuman gate? and there,

but for the ravage of the horrid plough, as a learned friend calls it, would be the Praetorian gate. On the left

hand you may see some slight vestiges of the porta sinistra, and on the right, one side of the porta dextra

wellnigh entire. Here, then, let us take our stand, on this tumulus, exhibiting the foundation of ruined

buildings,the central pointthe praetorium, doubtless, of the camp. From this place, now scarce to be

distinguished but by its slight elevation and its greener turf from the rest of the fortification, we may suppose

Agricola to have looked forth on the immense army of Caledonians, occupying the declivities of yon opposite

hill, the infantry rising rank over rank, as the form of ground displayed their array to its utmost

advantage,the cavalry and covinarii, by which I understand the charioteersanother guise of folks from

coats shine like dragon scales;their march Like a rough tumbling storm.See them, and view them,

Yes, my dear friend, from this stance it is probablenay, it is nearly certain, that Julius Agricola beheld

A voice from behind interrupted his ecstatic description ``Praetorian here, Praetorian there, I mind the

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

brickdust 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, BlueGowns.

``What is that you say, Edie?'' said Oldbuck, hoping, perhaps, that his ears had betrayed their duty``what

``About this bit bourock, your honour,'' answered the undaunted Edie; ``I mind the bigging o't.''

``The devil you do! Why, you old fool, it was here before you were born, and will be after you are hanged,

``Youyouyou,'' said the Antiquary, stammering between confusion and anger, ``you strolling old

``Ou, I ken this about it, Monkbarnsand 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 masonlads 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' thethePraetorian, and a' just for a bield at auld Aiken Drum's bridal, and a bit blithe

gaedown 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 masoncallants 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

``This,'' thought Lovel to himself, ``is a famous counterpart to the story of Keip on this syde.'' He then

ventured to steal a glance at our Antiquary, but quickly withdrew it in sheer compassion. For, gentle reader, if

thou hast ever beheld the visage of a damsel of sixteen, whose romance of true love has been blown up by an

untimely discovery, or of a child of ten years, whose castle of cards has been blown down by a malicious

companion, I can safely aver to you, that Jonathan Oldbuck of Monkbarns looked neither more wise nor less

``There is some mistake about this,'' he said, abruptly turning away from the mendicant.

``Deil a bit on my side o' the wa','' answered the sturdy beggar; ``I never deal in mistakes, they aye bring

mischances. Now, Monkbarns, that young gentleman, that's wi' your honour, thinks little of a carle like

me; and yet, I'll wager I'll tell him whar he was yestreen at the gloamin, only he maybe wadna like to hae't

``Never mind the old rogue,'' said Mr. Oldbuck; ``don't suppose I think the worse of you for your profession;

they are only prejudiced fools and coxcombs that do so. You remember what old Tully says in his oration,

pro Archia poeta, concerning one of your confraternityquis nostrum tam anino agresti ac duro

fuitututI forget the Latinthe 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

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, sirI am

no talepyet; 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

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

Monkbarnslet them give you some dinnerOr stay; if you do go to the manse, or to Knockwinnock, ye

``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

``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, Edieit is all a

``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 daftlike 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 dolittle deevil, Johnnie Howie.' `But Lord haud a care o' us, sirs, how

can that be,' quo' she again, `when the laird's sae booklearned, 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 kaleyard?' `Aweel, aweel,' quo' I, `but

ye'll hear he's circumvented him with some of his auldwarld stories,'for ye ken, laird, yon other time

``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

``Heaven reward your honour!'' This was uttered with the true mendicant whine, as, setting his pikestaff

before him, he began to move in the direction of Monkbarns.``But did your honour,'' turning round,

``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

``Who is this familiar old gentleman?'' said Lovel, when the mendicant was out of hearing.

``O, one of the plagues of the countryI have been always against poor'srates and a workhouseI

think I'll vote for them now, to have that scoundrel shut up. O, your oldremembered guest of a beggar

becomes as well acquainted with you as he is with his dishas 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 volehas been soldier, balladsinger, 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.''

``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 nownot that I'll publish my tract till I have examined the

``Yes, your churchwardens and dogwhips would make slender allowance for his vein of humour! But here,

curse him! he is a sort of privileged nuisanceone of the last specimens of the old fashioned Scottish

mendicant, who kept his rounds within a particular space, and was the newscarrier, 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

So saying our heroes parted, Mr. Oldbuck to return to his hospitium at Monkbarns, and Lovel to pursue his

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

fellowtraveller was a candidate for the public favour. Regular were the Antiquary's inquiries at an

oldfashioned barber who dressed the only three wigs in the parish which, in defiance of taxes and times,

were still subjected to the operation of powdering and frizzling, and who for that purpose divided his time

among the three employers whom fashion had yet left him; regular, I say, were Mr. Oldbuck's inquiries at this

personage concerning the news of the little theatre at Fairport, expecting every day to hear of Mr. Lovel's

appearance; on which occasion the old gentleman had determined to put himself to charges in honour of his

young friend, and not only to go to the play himself, but to carry his womankind along with him. But old

Jacob Caxon conveyed no information which warranted his taking so decisive a step as that of securing a box.

He brought information, on the contrary, that there was a young man residing at Fairport, of whom the town

(by which he meant all the gossips, who, having no business of their own, fill up their leisure moments by

attending to that of other people) could make nothing. He sought no society, but rather avoided that which the

apparent gentleness of his manners, and some degree of curiosity, induced many to offer him. Nothing could

be more regular, or less resembling an adventurer, than his mode of living, which was simple, but so

completely well arranged, that all who had any transactions with him were loud in their approbation.

``These are not the virtues of a stagestruck hero,'' thought Oldbuck to himself; and, however habitually

pertinacious in his opinions, he must have been compelled to abandon that which he had formed in the

present instance, but for a part of Caxon's communication. ``The young gentleman,'' he said, ``was sometimes

heard speaking to himsell, and rampauging about in his room, just as if he was ane o' the player folk.''

Nothing, however, excepting this single circumstance, occurred to confirm Mr. Oldbuck's supposition; and it

remained a high and doubtful question, what a wellinformed 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 soidisant Friends of the

People, which the borough had also the happiness of possessing. A coffeeroom was his detestation; and, I

grieve to say it, he had as few sympathies with the teatable.In short, since the name was fashionable in

novelwriting, and that is a great while agone, there was never a Master Lovel of whom so little positive was

One negative, however, was importantnobody 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 fourgun 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 dinnerparties, 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,

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 fellowtraveller. ``A decent sensible lad,'' said he to himself, ``who scorns

to enter into the fooleries and nonsense of these idiot people at FairportI must do something for himI

must give him a dinner;and I will write Sir Arthur to come to Monkbarns to meet him. I must consult my

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

``On Tuesday the 17th curt. stilo novo, I hold a coenobitical symposion at Monkbarns, and pray you to assist

thereat, at four o'clock precisely. If my fair enemy, Miss Isabel, can and will honour us by accompanying

you, my womankind will be but too proud to have the aid of such an auxiliary in the cause of resistance to

awful rule and right supremacy. If not, I will send the womankind to the manse for the day. I have a young

acquaintance to make known to you, who is touched with some strain of a better spirit than belongs to these

giddypaced 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

``Fly with this letter, Caxon,'' said the senior, holding out his missive, signatum atque sigillatum, ``fly to

Knockwinnock, and bring me back an answer. Go as fast as if the towncouncil were met and waiting for the

``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 timeand he had a quean of a servantlass that dressed it herself,

wi' the doup o' a candle and a drudgingbox. But I hae seen the day, Monkbarns, when the towncouncil of

Fairport wad hae as soon wanted their townclerk, or their gill of brandy owerhead after the haddies, as they

wad hae wanted ilk ane a weelfavoured, 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

``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

While he is engaged in his journey and return, it may not be impertinent to inform the reader to whose

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 demipique 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 whigburghers, and seized at once, in the name of George II., upon the Castle of Knockwinnock, and on

the four carriagehorses, 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 nonjuring

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

In other respects, Sir Arthur Wardour lived like most country gentlemen in Scotland, hunted and

fishedgave and received dinnersattended races and county meetingswas a deputylieutenant and

trustee upon turnpike acts. But, in his more advanced years, as he became too lazy or unwieldy for

fieldsports, 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.

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 lezemajesty had he doubted the

existence of any single individual of that formidable headroll 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

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

* The reader will understand that this refers to the reign of our late * gracious Sovereign, George the Third.

only point of union, 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 coachhorses, and the seizure of his manorplace 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

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 fardescended

knight took a flight too offensive to the feelings of the representative of the typographer. In these cases, the

breach between these two originals might have been immortal, but for the kind exertion and interposition of

the Baronet's daughter, Miss Isabella Wardour, who, with a son, now absent upon foreign and military

service, formed his whole surviving family. She was well aware how necessary Mr. Oldbuck was to her

father's amusement and comfort, and seldom failed to interpose with effect, when the office of a mediator

between them was rendered necessary by the satirical shrewdness of the one, or the assumed superiority of

the other. Under Isabella's mild influence, the wrongs of Queen Mary were forgotten by her father, and Mr.

Oldbuck forgave the blasphemy which reviled the memory of King William. However, as she used in general

to take her father's part playfully in these disputes, Oldbuck was wont to call Isabella his fair enemy, though

in fact he made more account of her than any other of her sex, of whom, as we have seen, he, was no admirer.

There existed another connection betwixt these worthies, which had alternately a repelling and attractive

influence upon their intimacy. Sir Arthur always wished to borrow; Mr. Oldbuck was not always willing to

lend. Mr. Oldbuck, per contra, always wished to be repaid with regularity; Sir Arthur was not always, nor

indeed often, prepared to gratify this reasonable desire; and, in accomplishing an arrangement between

tendencies so opposite, little miffs would occasionally take place. Still there was a spirit of mutual

accommodation upon the whole, and they dragged on like dogs in couples, with some difficulty and

occasional snarling, but without absolutely coming to a standstill or throttling each other.

Some little disagreement, such as we have mentioned, arising out of business, or politics, had divided the

houses of Knockwinnock and Monkbarns, when the emissary of the latter arrived to discharge his errand. In

his ancient Gothic parlour, whose windows on one side looked out upon the restless ocean, and, on the other,

upon the long straight avenue, was the Baronet seated, now turning over the leaves of a folio, now casting a

weary glance where the sun quivered on the darkgreen 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 whitishgrey coat, the hobbling gait, the

hat halfslouched, halfcocked, 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

``Take the old man into the kitchen, and let him get some refreshment,'' said the young lady, whose

``Mr. Oldbuck, my love, invites us to dinner on Tuesday the 17th,'' said the Baronet, pausing;``he really

seems to forget that he has not of late conducted himself so civilly towards me as might have been expected.''

``Dear sir, you have so many advantages over poor Mr. Oldbuck, that no wonder it should put him a little out

of humour; but I know he has much respect for your person and your conversation;nothing would give

``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 facta tiresome and frivolous accuracy of

``He must find it convenient in historical investigation, I should think, sir?'' said the young lady.

``It leads to an uncivil and positive mode of disputing; and nothing seems more unreasonable than to hear

him impugn even Bellenden's rare translation of Hector Boece, which I have the satisfaction to possess, and

which is a blackletter 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

``Why, yeyes; 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.''

``Very possiblyyes, we will acceptthe M`Intyres are of a very ancient Highland family. You may

answer his card in the affirmative, Isabella; I believe I have, no leisure to be Dear Sirring myself.''

So this important matter being adjusted, Miss Wardour intimated ``her own and Sir Arthur's compliments,

and that they would have the honour of waiting upon Mr. Oldbuck. Miss Wardour takes this opportunity to

renew her hostility with Mr. Oldbuck, on account of his late long absence from Knockwinnock, where his

visits give so much pleasure.'' With this placebo she concluded her note, with which old Caxon, now

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

Mr. Oldbuck received him at the Palmer'sport 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

``You are welcome to my symposion, Mr. Lovel. And now let me introduce you to my Clogdogdo's, as Tom

Otter calls themmy unlucky and goodfornothing womankindmalae bestiae, Mr. Lovel.''

``I shall be disappointed, sir, if I do not find the ladies very undeserving of your satire.''

``Tilleyvalley, Mr. Lovel,which, by the way, one commentator derives from tittivillitium, and another

from talleyho but tilleyvalley, I saya truce with your politeness. You will find them but samples of

womankindBut 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

The elderly lady rustled in silks and satins, and bore upon her head a structure resembling the fashion in the

ladies' memorandumbook for the year 1770a superb piece of architecture, not much less than a modern

Gothic castle, of which the curls might represent the turrets, the black pins the chevaux de frise, and the

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 te^te, which her brother was wont to say was fitter for a turban for Mahound or Termagant, than

a headgear for a reasonable creature, or Christian gentlewoman. Two long and bony arms were terminated

at the elbows by triple blond ruffles, and being, folded saltireways 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.

Highheeled shoes, and a short silk cloak, thrown in easy negligence over her shoulders, completed the

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 espie`glerie which became her very well,

and which was perhaps derived from the caustic humour peculiar to her uncle's family, though softened by

Mr. Lovel paid his respects to both ladies, and was answered by the elder with the prolonged courtesy of

When folks conceived a grace Of half an hour's space, And rejoiced in a Friday's capon,

and by the younger with a modern reverence, which, like the festive benediction of a modern divine, was of

While this salutation was exchanging, Sir Arthur, with his fair daughter hanging upon his arm, having

dismissed his chariot, appeared at the garden door, and in all due form paid his respects to the ladies.

``Sir Arthur,'' said the Antiquary, ``and you, my fair foe, let me make known to you my young friend Mr.

Lovel, a gentleman who, during the scarletfever 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 scholarlike, well seen, deeply

read, and thoroughly grounded in all the hidden mysteries of the greenroom and stage, from the days of

Davie Lindsay down to those of Dibdin he blushes again, which is a sign of grace.''

``My brother,'' said Miss Griselda, addressing Lovel, ``has a humorous way of expressing himself, sir;

nobody thinks anything of what Monkbarns saysso 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 sunwould you take anything?a

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

``O fy, fy, brother!Sir Arthur, did you ever hear the like? he must have everything his ain way, or he

will invent such storiesBut there goes Jenny to ring the old bell to tell us that the dinner is ready.''

Rigid in his economy, Mr. Oldbuck kept no male servant. This he disguised under the pretext that the

masculine sex was too noble to be employed in those acts of personal servitude, which, in all early periods of

society, were uniformly imposed on the female. ``Why,'' would he say, ``did the boy, Tam Rintherout, whom,

at my wise sister's instigation, I, with equal wisdom, took upon trialwhy 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 stepshod, or unshodsoft

as the pace of a cat, and docile as a spanielWhy? 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

Miss Wardour protested loudly against this ungallant doctrine; but the bell now rung for dinner.

``Let me do all the offices of fair courtesy to so fair an antagonist,'' said the old gentleman, offering his arm.

``I remember, Miss Wardour, Mahommed (vulgarly Mahomet) had some hesitation about the mode of

summoning his Moslemah to prayer. He rejected bells as used by Christians, trumpets as the summons of the

Guebres, and finally adopted the human voice. I have had equal doubt concerning my dinnercall. 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 bellrope: 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

With this discourse he led the way to his diningparlour, which Lovel had not yet seen;it was

wainscotted, and contained some curious paintings. The diningtable was attended by Jenny; but an old

superintendent, a sort of female butler, stood by the sideboard, and underwent the burden of bearing several

reproofs from Mr. Oldbuck, and inuendos, not so much marked, but not less cutting, from his sister.

The dinner was such as suited a professed antiquary, comprehending many savoury specimens of Scottish

viands, now disused at the tables of those who affect elegance. There was the relishing Solan goose, whose

smell is so powerful that he is never cooked within doors. Bloodraw he proved to be on this occasion, so

that Oldbuck half threatened to throw the greasy seafowl at the head of the negligent housekeeper, who

acted as priestess in presenting this odoriferous offering. But, by goodhap, she had been most fortunate in

the hotchpotch, 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 crappitheadsI

acknowledge our womankind excel in that dishit procures them the pleasure of scolding, for half an hour

at least, twice aweek, with auld Maggy Mucklebackit, our fishwife. The chickenpie, Mr. Lovel, is made

after a recipe bequeathed to me by my departed grandmother of happy memoryAnd 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 burnold books to readold wine to drinkand old friends, Sir Arthur

``And what news do you bring us from Edinburgh, Monkbarns?'' said Sir Arthur; ``how wags the world in

``Mad, Sir Arthur, madirretrievably franticfar beyond dipping in the sea, shaving the crown, or

drinking hellebore. The worst sort of frenzy, a military frenzy, hath possessed man, woman, and child.''

``And high time, I think,'' said Miss Wardour, ``when we are threatened with invasion from abroad and

``O, I did not doubt you would join the scarlet host against mewomen, like turkeys, are always subdued

by a red rag But what says Sir Arthur, whose dreams are of standing armies and German oppression?''

``Why, I say, Mr. Oldbuck,'' replied the knight, ``that so far as I am capable of judging, we ought to resist

cum toto corpore regnias the phrase is, unless I have altogether forgotten my Latinan 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

parishI think it is easy to make out that inuendoBut the rogue shall be taught better manners.''

``O no, my dear sir,'' exclaimed Miss Wardour, ``not old Edie, that we have known so long;I assure you

``Ay, there it goes,'' said the Antiquary; ``you, to be a staunch Tory, Sir Arthur, have nourished a fine sprig of

Whiggery in your bosomWhy, Miss Wardour is alone sufficient to control a whole quartersessiona

quartersession? ay, a general assembly or convocation to boota Boadicea shean Amazon, a

``And yet, with all my courage, Mr. Oldbuck, I am glad to hear our people are getting under arms.''

``Under arms, Lord love thee! didst thou ever read the history of Sister Margaret, which flowed from a head,

that, though now old and somedele grey, has more sense and political intelligence than you find nowadays

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 broadcloth 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 writingclerk

(habited as a sharpshooter) 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

cashaccount, blundered it three times, being disordered by the recollection of his military tellingsoff at the

He camebut valour so had fired his eye, And such a falchion glittered on his thigh, That, by the gods,

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 duckI

detest a drum like a quaker;and they thunder and rattle out yonder upon the town's common, so that every

``Dear brother, dinna speak that gate o' the gentlemen volunteersI 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 themAnd the trouble they take, I am sure it claims our

``And I am sure,'' said Miss M`Intyre, ``that my uncle sent twenty guineas to help out their equipments.''

``It was to buy liquorice and sugarcandy,'' 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.''

``No Sir Arthura 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 marshNi quito Rey, ni pongo ReyI neither make king nor

mar king, as Sancho says, but pray heartily for our own sovereign, pay scot and lot, and grumble at the

excisemanBut here comes the ewemilk cheese in good time; it is a better digestive than politics.''

When dinner was over, and the decanters placed on the table, Mr. Oldbuck proposed the King's health in a

bumper, which was readily acceded to both by Lovel and the Baronet, the Jacobitism of the latter being now a

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

``I will stand by what Mr. Lovel says; he was born in the north of England, and may know the very spot.''

Sir Arthur thought it unlikely that so young a gentleman should have paid much attention to matters of that

Lovel was obliged to confess himself in the ridiculous situation of one alike ignorant of the subject of

``Lord help the lad, his head has been woolgathering! 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

``I say the Pikar, Pihar, Piochtar, Piaghter, or Peughtar," vociferated Oldbuck; ``they spoke a Gothic

``Why, gentlemen,'' sad Lovel, ``I conceive that is a dispute which may be easily settled by philologists, if

``There is but one word,'' said the Baronet, ``but, in spite of Mr. Oldbuck's pertinacity, it is decisive of the

``Yes, in my favour,'' said Oldbuck: ``Mr. Lovel, you shall be judgeI have the learned Pinkerton on my

``Truly, gentlemen,'' said Lovel, ``before you muster your forces and overwhelm me with authorities, I should

There was a deep pause.``It is rather a narrow foundation to build a hypothesis upon,'' observed the

``Not a whit, not a whit,'' said Oldbuck; ``men fight best in a narrow ringan inch is as good as a mile for a

``It is decidedly Celtic,'' said the Baronet; ``every hill in the Highlands begins with Ben.''

``It is the Roman vallum,'' said Sir Arthur; ``the Picts borrowed that part of the word.''

``No such thing; if they borrowed anything, it must have been your Ben, which they might have from the

``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 onehalf of the word, and seem to resign the other. But what strikes me most, is the

``You are in an error,'' said Sir Arthur; ``it was a copious language, and they were a great and powerful

people; built two steeplesone at Brechin, one at Abernethy. The Pictish maidens of the bloodroyal were

``A childish legend,'' said Oldbuck, ``invented to give consequence to trumpery womankind. It was called the

Maiden Castle, quasi lucus a non lucendo, because it resisted every attack, and women never do.''

``There is a list of the Pictish kings,'' persisted Sir Arthur, ``well authenticated from Crentheminachcryme

(the, date of whose reign is somewhat uncertain) down to Drusterstone, whose death concluded their dynasty.

Half of them have the Celtic patronymic Mac prefixedMac, id est filius;what do you say to that, Mr.

Oldbuck? There is Drust Macmorachin, Trynel Maclachlin (first of that ancient clan, as it may be judged),

and Gormach Macdonald, Alpin Macmetegus, Drust Mactallargam'' (here he was interrupted by a fit of

KennethughughMacferedith, Eachan Macfungusand twenty more, decidedly Celtic names,

``Take a glass of wine, Sir Arthur, and drink down that beadroll of unbaptized jargon, that would choke the

devil why, that last fellow has the only intelligible name you have repeatedthey are all of the tribe of

Macfungusmushroom monarchs every one of them; sprung up from the fumes of conceit, folly, and

``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 whichbut I have a copy at home that stands next to my twelvemo copy of the Scots Acts,

and ranges on the shelf with them very well. What say you to that, Mr. Oldbuck?''

``Say?why, I laugh at Harry Maule and his history,'' answered Oldbuck, ``and thereby comply with his

``Do not laugh at a better man than yourself,'' said Sir Arthur, somewhat scornfully.

``I do not conceive I do, Sir Arthur, in laughing either at him or his history,''

``I presume he had no advantage of me in that particular,'' replied the Antiquary, somewhat tartly.

``Permit me, Mr. Oldbuckhe was a gentleman of high family, and ancient descent, and therefore''

``The descendant of a Westphalian printer should speak of him with deference? Such may be your opinion,

Sir Arthurit is not mine. I conceive that my descent from that painful and industrious typographer,

Wolfbrand Oldenbuck, who, in the month of December 1193, 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, bulletheaded, ironfisted, old

Gothic barons since the days of Crentheminachcryme not one of whom, I suppose, could write his own

``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 Ragmanroll.''

``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

``It's enough, sir,'' said Sir Arthur, starting up fiercely, and pushing back his chair; ``I shall hereafter take care

how I honour with my company one who shows himself so ungrateful for my condescension.''

``In that you will do as you find most agreeable, Sir Arthur; I hope, that as I was not aware of the extent

of the obligation which you have done me by visiting my poor house, I may be excused for not having carried

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

``Did you ever hear such an old tupheaded ass?'' said Oldbuck, briefly apostrophizing Lovel. ``But I must

So saying, he pushed off after the retreating Baronet, whom he traced by the clang of several doors which he

opened in search of the apartment for tea, and slammed with force behind him at every disappointment.

``You'll do yourself a mischief,'' roared the Antiquary; ``Qui ambulat in tenebris, nescit quo vaditYou'll

Sir Arthur had now got involved in darkness, of which the sedative effect is well known to nurses and

governesses who have to deal with pettish children. It retarded the pace of the irritated Baronet, if it did not

abate his resentment, and Mr. Oldbuck, better acquainted with the locale, got up with him as he had got his

``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 Gamelynwhy, he is an old acquaintance of mine,

man, and a favourite; he kept company with Bruce and Wallaceand, I'll be sworn on a blackletter Bible,

only subscribed the Ragmanroll with the legitimate and justifiable intention of circumventing the false

Southern'twas right Scottish craft, my good knighthundreds did it. Come, come, forget and

forgiveconfess we have given the young fellow here a right to think us two testy old fools.''

``Speak for yourself, Mr. Jonathan Oldbuck,'' said Sir Arthur with much majesty.

With that the door opened, and into the drawingroom marched the tall gaunt form of Sir Arthur, followed by

``I have been waiting for you, sir,'' said Miss Wardour, ``to propose we should walk forward to meet the

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

``I think Sir Arthur has got the black dog on his back again,'' said Miss Oldbuck.

``Black dog!black devil!he's more absurd than womankind What say you, Lovel?Why, the

``He took his leave, uncle, while Miss Wardour was putting on her things; but I don't think you observed

``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 spokenNo man should presume to say,

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

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.''

``Frighten!'' answered the Antiquary,``what do you mean? never mind the ladies. Have you seen

``Na, sirit's no a ghaist this turn,'' replied Caxton;``but I'm no easy in my mind.''

``Did you ever hear of any body that was?'' answered Oldbuck; ``what reason has an old battered

powderpuff like you to be easy in your mind, more than all the rest of the world besides?''

``It's no for mysell, sir; but it threatens an awfu' night; and Sir Arthur, and Miss Wardour, poor thing''

``Why, man, they must have met the carriage at the head of the loaning, or thereabouts; they must be home

``Na, sir; they didna gang the road by the turnpike to meet the carriage, they gaed by the sands.''

The word operated like electricity on Oldbuck. ``The sands!'' he exclaimed; ``impossible!''

``Ou, sir, that's what I said to the gardener; but he says he saw them turn down by the Musselcraig. In troth,

``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

myselfcall the gardener and ploughmanbid them bring ropes and laddersbid them raise more help

as they come alongkeep the top of the cliffs, and halloo down to them I'll go myself.''

``Had not Jenny betterbut no, I'll run myself,'' said the younger lady, partaking in all her uncle's

terrors``I'll run myself to Saunders Mucklebackit, and make him get out his boat.''

``Thank you, my dear, that's the wisest word that has been spoken yetRun! run!To go by the sands!''

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

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 oldfashioned politeness had none of the

ease of the present day which permits you, if you have a mind, to cut the person you have associated with for

a week, the instant you feel or suppose yourself in a situation which makes it disagreeable to own him. Sir

Arthur only stipulated, that a little ragged boy, for the guerdon of one penny sterling, should run to meet his

When this was arranged, and the emissary despatched, the knight and his daughter left the highroad, 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 springtide, 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

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

watermark. 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

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

ironbound 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 shipmasters. 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 seafowl, 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,

Appalled by this sudden change of weather, Miss Wardour drew close to her father, and held his arm fast. ``I

wish,'' at length she said, but almost in a whisper, as if ashamed to express her increasing apprehensions, ``I

wish we had kept the road we intended, or waited at Monkbarns for the carriage.''

Sir Arthur looked round, but did not see, or would not acknowledge, any signs of an immediate storm. They

would reach Knockwinnock, he said, long before the tempest began. But the speed with which he walked,

and with which Isabella could hardly keep pace, indicated a feeling that some exertion was necessary to

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,

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 Halkethead!

that person must have passed it;'' thus giving vent to the feeling of hope, though he had suppressed that of

``Thank God, indeed!'' echoed his daughter, half audibly, half internally, as expressing the gratitude which

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 bluegowned 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 Halkethead, rapidly diminishing in extent by the encroachments of a springtide and a

northwest wind, was in like manner a neutral field, where even a justice of peace and a strolling mendicant

``Turn back! turn back!'' exclaimed the vagrant; ``why did ye not turn when I waved to you?''

``We thought,'' replied Sir Arthur, in great agitation, ``we thought we could get round Halkethead.''

``Halkethead!the tide will be running on Halkethead by this time like the Fall of Fyers!it was a' I

could do to get round it twenty minutes sinceit was coming in three feet abreast. We will maybe get back

by Ballyburgh Ness Point yet. The Lord help us!it's our only chance. We can but try.''

``My God, my child!''``My father! my dear father!'' exclaimed the parent and daughter, as, fear lending

them strength and speed, they turned to retrace their steps, and endeavoured to double the point, the

``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 Skerryhe aye held his neb abune the water in my day but he's aneath it now.''

Sir Arthur cast a look in the direction in which the old man pointed. A huge rock, which in general, even in

springtides, displayed a hulk like the keel of a large vessel, was now quite under water, and its place only

indicated by the boiling and breaking of the eddying waves which encountered its submarine resistance.

``Mak haste, mak haste, my bonny leddy,'' continued the old manmak haste, and we may do yet! Take

haud o' my arman 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 brigit's sma' eneugh nowbut, while I see as muckle black about it as the

crown o' my hat, I winna believe but we'll get round the Ballyburgh Ness, for a' that's come and gane yet.''

Isabella, in silence, accepted from the old man the assistance which Sir Arthur was less able to afford her.

The waves had now encroached so much upon the beach, that the firm and smooth footing which they had

hitherto had on the sand must be exchanged for a rougher path close to the foot of the precipice, and in some

places even raised upon its lower ledges. It would have been utterly impossible for Sir Arthur Wardour, or his

daughter, to have found their way along these shelves without the guidance and encouragement of the beggar,

who had been there before in high tides, though never, he acknowledged, ``in sae awsome a night as this.''

It was indeed a dreadful evening. The howling of the storm mingled with the shrieks of the seafowl, and

sounded like the dirge of the three devoted beings, who, pent between two of the most magnificent, yet most

dreadful objects of naturea raging tide and an insurmountable precipicetoiled 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 firstrate manofwar,

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

``My father! my dear father!'' his daughter exclaimed, clinging to him``and you too, who have lost your

``That's not worth the counting,'' said the old man. ``I hae lived to be weary o' life; and here or yonderat

the back o' a dyke, in a wreath o' snaw, or in the wame o' a wave, what signifies how the auld gaberlunzie

``Good man,'' said Sir Arthur, ``can you think of nothing? of no help?I'll make you richI'll give

``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

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

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,

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 ropeand if I had ane, my

eesight, and my footstep, and my handgrip, hae a' failed mony a day sinsyneAnd then, how could I

save you? But there was a path here ance, though maybe, if we could see it, ye would rather bide where we

areHis 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 gatethat gate!fasten the rope weel round Crummieshorn, that's the

muckle black stanecast twa plies round itthat's it!now, weize yoursell a wee easelwarda

wee mair yet to that ither stanewe ca'd it the Cat'slugthere used to be the root o' an aik tree

therethat will do!canny now, ladcanny now tak tent and tak timeLord bless ye, tak

timeVera weel! Now ye maun get to Bessy's apron, that's the muckle braid flat blue staneand

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

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 craga most precarious and dizzy undertaking, which, however, after one or two perilous

escapes, placed him safe on the broad flat stone beside our friend Lovel. Their joint strength was able to raise

Isabella to the place of safety which they had attained. Lovel then descended in order to assist Sir Arthur,

around whom he adjusted the rope; and again mounting to their place of refuge, with the assistance of old

Ochiltree, and such aid as Sir Arthur himself could afford, he raised himself beyond the reach of the billows.

The 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 seafowl 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

``The lassie!the puir sweet, lassie!'' said the old man: ``mony such a night have I weathered at hame and

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.''

``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

Halkethead craigs after sundown 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 strengthBut to venture up againit's a mere and a clear tempting o'

``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 wellI am sure I can do it with perfect safety. Stay here, my good friend, by

``Dell be in my feet then,'' answered the bedesman sturdily; ``if ye gang, I'll gang too; for between the twa o'

``No, nostay you here and attend to Miss Wardouryou see Sir Arthur is quite exhausted.''

``Stay yoursell then, and I'll gae,'' said the old man;``let death spare the green corn and take the ripe.''

``Stay both of you, I charge you,'' said Isabella, faintly; ``I am well, and can spend the night very well

hereI feel quite refreshed.'' So saying, her voice failed hershe 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

``It is impossible to leave them,'' said Lovel``What is to be done?Hark! hark!did I not hear a

A distant hail was repeated, the sound plainly distinguishable among the various elemental noises, and the

clang of the seamews 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

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

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

``Haud a care, haud a care, Monkbarns!'' cried Caxon, clinging to the skirts of his patron, and withholding

him from danger as far as his strength permitted``God's sake, haud a care!Sir Arthur's drowned

already, and an ye fa' over the cleugh too, there will be but ae wig left in the parish, and that's the minister's.''

``Mind the peak there,'' cried Mucklebackit, an old fisherman and smuggler``mind the peakSteenie,

Steenie Wilks, bring up the tackleI'se warrant we'll sune heave them on board, Monkbarns, wad ye but

``I see them,'' said Oldbuck``I see them low down on that flat stoneHillihilloa, hillihoa!''

``I see them mysell weel eneugh,'' said Mucklebackit; ``they are sitting down yonder like hoodiecraws 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 syneGet up the pickaxe, make a step for the mastmake the chair fast with the

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 armchair, well secured and fastened, down to the

flat shelf on which the sufferers had roosted. Their joy at hearing the preparations going on for their

deliverance was considerably qualified when they beheld the precarious vehicle by means of which they were

to be conveyed to upper air. It swung about a yard free of the spot which they occupied, obeying each

impulse of the tempest, the empty air all around it, and depending upon the security of a rope, which, in the

increasing darkness, had dwindled to an almost imperceptible thread. Besides the hazard of committing a

human being to the vacant atmosphere in such a slight means of conveyance, there was the fearful danger of

the chair and its occupant being dashed, either by the wind or the vibrations of the cord, against the rugged

face of the precipice. But to diminish the risk as much as possible, the experienced seaman had let down with

the chair another line, which, being attached to it, and held by the persons beneath, might serve by way of gy,

as Mucklebackit expressed it, to render its descent in some measure steady and regular. Still, to commit one's

self in such a vehicle, through a howling tempest of wind and rain, with a beetling precipice above and a

raging abyss below, required that courage which despair alone can inspire. Yet, wild as the sounds and sights

of danger were, both above, beneath, and around, and doubtful and dangerous as the mode of escaping

appeared to be, Lovel and the old mendicant agreed, after a moment's consultation, and after the former, by a

sudden strong pull, had, at his own imminent risk, ascertained the security of the rope, that it would be best to

secure Miss Wardour in the chair, and trust to the tenderness and care of those above for her being safely

``Let my father go first,'' exclaimed Isabella; ``for God's sake, my friends, place him first in safety!''

``It cannot be, Miss Wardour,'' said Lovel;``your life must be first securedthe rope which bears your

``But ye maun listen to it, my bonnie lassie,'' said Ochiltree, ``for a' our lives depend on itbesides, 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'

Struck with the truth of this reasoning, she exclaimed, ``True, most true; I am ready and willing to undertake

``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

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 meIsabel, stay with me, I command you!''

``Lordsake, Sir Arthur, haud your tongue, and be thankful to God that there's wiser folk than you to manage

this job,'' cried the beggar, worn out by the unreasonable exclamations of the poor Baronet.

``Farewell, my father!'' murmured Isabella``farewell, my my friends!'' and shutting her eyes, as

Edie's experience recommended, she gave the signal to Lovel, and he to those who were above. She rose,

while the chair in which she sate was kept steady by the line which Lovel managed beneath. With a beating

heart he watched the flutter of her white dress, until the vehicle was on a level with the brink of the precipice.

``Canny now, lads, canny now!'' exclaimed old Mucklebackit, who acted as commodore; ``swerve the yard a

A loud shout announced the successful experiment to her fellowsufferers beneath, who replied with a ready

and cheerful halloo. Monkbarns, in his ecstasy of joy, stripped his greatcoat 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 hoastye'll no get out o'your nightcowl this

fortnightand that will suit us unco ill.Na, nathere's the chariot down by; let twa o' the folk carry

``You're right,'' said the Antiquary, readjusting the sleeves and collar of his coat, ``you're right, Caxon; this is

In a few distinct words, evincing how much her resolution had surmounted even the mortal fear of so

agitating a hazard, she explained the nature of the situation beneath, and the wishes of Lovel and Ochiltree.

``Right, right, that's right tooI should like to see the son of Sir Gamelyn de Guardover on dry land

myselfI have a notion he would sign the abjuration oath, and the Ragmanroll 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' comesBowse 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 hemprespice finem, respice funemlook 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

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,

``What have we here?'' said Oldbuck, as the vehicle once more ascended``what patched and

weatherbeaten 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 theebut who the

``Ane that's weel worth ony twa o' us, Monkbarns;it's the young stranger lad they ca' Loveland 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 gyHae a care o' the Cat'slug cornerbide weel aff Crummie'shorn!''

``Have a care indeed,'' echoed Oldbuck. ``What! is it my rara avismy black swanmy phoenix of

``As muckle care as if he were a graybeard o' brandy; and I canna take mair if his hair were like John

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

The old man promised to obey. Oldbuck thrust something into his handOchiltree looked at it by the

torchlight, and returned it``Na, na! I never tak gowdbesides, 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

``Aweel, since sae it is, and I can only sleep in ae barn at ance, I'll gae down with Saunders

Mucklebackithe has aye a soup o' something comfortable about his beggingand, 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

Oldbuck laid the band of strong possession on Lovel``Deil a stride ye's go to Fairport this night, young

manyou 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 windbut Caxon shall help us outHere, you old idiot, come on the other side of me.And

how the deil got you down to that infernal Bessy'sapron, 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

``I have been pretty well accustomed to climbing, and I have long observed fowlers practise that pass down

``But how, in the name of all that is wonderful, came you to discover the danger of the pettish Baronet and

``From the verge!umphAnd what possessed you dumosa pendere procul de rupe?though dumosa

is not the appropriate epithetwhat the deil, man, tempted ye to the verge of the craig?''

``WhyI like to see the gathering and growling of a coming stormor, in your own classical language,

Mr. Oldbuck, suave est mari magnoand so forthbut here we reach the turn to Fairport. I must wish

``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 salmonlength for

shathmont'slength. 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 fullgrown 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.Shathmontsalmont you see the close alliance of the sounds; dropping out two h's, and a t,

and assuming an l, makes the whole differenceI wish to heaven no antiquarian derivation had demanded

``Shalt have my nightgown, man, and slippers, and catch the antiquarian fever as men do the plague, by

wearing infected garments. Nay, I know what you would be atyou are afraid to put the old bachelor to

charges. But is there not the remains of that glorious chickenpiewhich, meo arbitrio, is better cold than

hotand that bottle of my oldest port, out of which the silly brainsick Baronet (whom I cannot pardon,

since he has escaped breaking his neck) had just taken one glass, when his infirm noddle went a

So saying he dragged Lovel forward, till the Palmer'sport 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.

The reached the room in which they had dined, and were clamorously welcomed by Miss Oldbuck.

``Indeed, brother, amang a' the steery, Maria wadna be guided by me she set away to the

``Eh!whatwhat's that you say, sister?did the girl go out in a night like this to the

``Tittletattle, woman,'' said the impatient and agitated Antiquary, ``where is my dear Mary?''

``I could have sworn it,'' said Oldbuck laughing, but obviously much relieved``I could have sworn

it;the lazy monkey did not care if we were all drowned together. Why did you say she went out?''

``But ye wadna wait to hear out my tale, Monkbarnsshe 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 tensair droukit was she, puir

``Right, Grizel, rightlet womankind alone for coddling each other. But hear me, my venerable

sisterstart 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 honouredBut perpend

my words: let Lovel and me have forthwith the relics of the chickenpie, and the reversion of the port.''

``The chickenpie! the port!ou dear! brotherthere was but a wheen banes, and scarce a drap o' the

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

``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 mansair 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

Oldbuck replied, catching the same tone, ``Worthy man! he cared not how soon Monkbarns had devolved

on an heirfemale, I've a notion;and while he was occupied in this Christian office of consolation against

``Dear brother, how can you speak of sic frivolities, when you have had sic an escape from the craig?''

``Better than my supper has had from the minister's craig, Grizzleit's all discussed, I suppose?''

``Hout, Monkbarns, ye speak as if there was nae mair meat in the housewad ye not have had me offer the

O, first they eated the white puddings, And then they eated the black, O, And thought the gudeman unto

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 nightcap and branched morninggown 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

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 beaddress, such as we before described, been less preponderant, her grey

``Speak!what should I speak about? I want to get to my bedand this poor young fellowlet a bed

``Why, what's the matter now?are there not beds and rooms enough in the house?was it not an

ancient hospitium, in which, I am warranted to say, beds were nightly made down for a score of pilgrims?''

``O dear, Monkbarns! wha kens what they might do lang syne?but in our timebedsay, troth,

there's beds enow sic as they areand rooms enow toobut 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

manseMiss Beckie is aye fond to see us(and sae is the minister, brother)But now, gude save

``Troth is there, and it is in decent order too, though naebody has sleepit there since Dr. Heavysterne,

``And what! I am sure ye ken yoursell what a night he had ye wadna expose the young gentleman to the

Lovel interfered upon hearing this altercation, and protested he would far rather walk home than put them to

the least inconveniencethat 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 forthadding 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,

be 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 ofstrong aleright anno domininone of your Wassia Quassia

decoctions, but brewed of Monkbarns barleyJohn 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

``To be sure, to be sureevery 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

manorhouse 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

courtyard, 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 middenstead. I once narrowly escaped such an affray

but I humbled myself, and apologised to Redcowl; for, even in my younger days, I was no friend to the

monomachia, or duel, and would rather walk with Sir Priest than with Sir KnightI care not who knows so

much of my valour. Thank God, I am old now, and can indulge my irritabilities without the necessity of

Here Miss Oldbuck reentered, with a singularly sage expression of countenance.`Mr. Lovel's bed's

ready, brotherclean sheetsweel aireda spunk of fire in the chimneyI am sure, Mr. Lovel,''

(addressing him), ``it's no for the troubleand I hope you will have a good night's restBut''

``My dear madam,'' said Lovel, ``allow me to ask you the meaning of your obliging anxiety on my account.''

``Ou, Monkbarns does not like to hear of itbut he kens himsell that the room has an ill name. It's weel

minded that it was there auld Rab Tull the townclerk was sleeping when he had that marvellous

communication about the grand lawplea between us and the feuars at the Musselcraig.It had cost a

hantle siller, Mr. Lovel; for lawpleas were no carried on without siller lang syne mair than they are

nowand the Monkbarns of that dayour 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 talebut 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 fifteenin presence, as they

ca'tand auld Rab Tull, the townclerk, he cam ower to make a last search for the paper that was wanting,

before our gudesire gaed into Edinburgh to look after his pleaso there was little time to come and gang

on. He was but a doited snuffy body, Rab, as I've heardbut then he was the townclerk of Fairport, and

the Monkbarns heritors aye employed him on account of their connection wi' the burgh, ye ken.''

``Sister Grizel, this is abominable,'' interrupted Oldbuck; ``I vow to Heaven ye might have raised the ghosts

of every abbot of Trotcosey, since the days of Waldimir, in the time you have been detailing the introduction

to this single spectre.Learn to be succinct in your narrative.Imitate the concise style of old Aubrey,

an experienced ghostseer, who entered his memoranda on these subjects in a terse businesslike manner;

exempli gratia `At Cirencester, 5th March, 1670, was an apparition.Being demanded whether good

spirit or bad, made no answer, but instantly disappeared with a curious perfume, and a melodious

twang'Vide his Miscellanies, p. eighteen, as well as I can remember, and near the middle of the page."

``O, Monkbarns, man! do ye think everybody is as booklearned as yoursell?But ye like to gar folk look

``Nature has been beforehand with me, Grizel, in both these instances, and in another which shall be

namelessbut take a glass of ale, Grizel, and proceed with your story, for it waxes late.''

``Jenny's just warming your bed, Monkbarns, and ye maun e'en wait till she's done.Weel, I was at the

search that our gudesire, Monkbarns that then was, made wi' auld Rab Tull's assistance;but

ne'erbelicket could they find that was to their purpose. Aud sae, after they bad touzled out mony a leather

pokefull o' papers, the townclerk had his drap punch at e'en to wash the dust out of his throatwe never

were glassbreakers 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 itBut 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 catBut he sawGod hae a care o' us! it gars my flesh aye

creep, though I hae tauld the story twenty timeshe saw a weelfa'ard auld gentleman standing by his

bedside, in the moonlight, in a queerfashioned dress, wi' mony a button and bandstring 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'sHe had a beard too, and whiskers turned upwards on his upperlip,

as lang as baudrons'and mony mair particulars there were that Rab Tull tauld o', but they are forgotten

nowit's an auld story. Aweel, Rab was a justliving man for a country writerand 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 Glenlivatbut 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 be had nae sooner tried the spirit wi'

that, than out cam sic a blatter o' Latin about his lugs, that poor Rab Tull, wha was nae great scholar, was

clean overwhelmed. Od, but he was a bauld body, and he minded the Latin name for the deed that he was

wanting. It was something about a cart, I fancy, for the ghaist cried aye, Carter, carter''

``Carta, you transformer of languages!'' cried Oldbuck;``if my ancestor had learned no other language in

the other world, at least he would not forget the Latinity for which he was so famous while in this.''

``Weel, weel, carta be it then, but they ca'd it carter that tell'd me the story. It cried aye carta, if sae be that it

was carta, and made a sign to Rab to follow it. Rab Tull keepit a Highland heart, and banged out o' bed, and

till some of his readiest claesand he did follow the thing up stairs and down stairs to the place we ca' the

high dowcot(a sort of a little tower in the corner of the auld house, where there was a Tickle 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 eastcountry tabernacle of a cabinet that my brother has standing beside his library table, and then

``Tenues secessit in auras,'' quoth Oldbuck. ``Marry, sir, mansit odorBut, 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 twelvethirteen. It's not worth while to

``I would rather,'' said Lovel with awakened curiosity, ``I would rather hear your opinion of the way in which

``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

But I rather opine with Lord Bacon, who says that imagination is much akin to miracleworking faith. There

was always some idle story of the room being haunted by the spirit of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, my

greatgreatgreatgrandfatherit'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 pigeonhouse to be out of the wayAdd a

``O brother! brother! but Dr. Heavysterne, brotherwhose 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

``Why, Grizel, the doctor is a good, honest, puddingheaded German, of much merit in his own way, but

fond of the mystical, like many of his countrymen. You and he had a traffic the whole evening in which you

received tales of Mesmer, Shropfer, Cagliostro, and other modern pretenders to the mystery of raising spirits,

discovering hidden treasure, and so forth, in exchange for your legends of the green bedchamber;and

considering that the Illustrissimus ate a pound and a half of Scotch collops to supper, smoked six pipes, and

drank ale and brandy in proportion, I am not surprised at his having a fit of the nightmare. But everything is

now ready. Permit me to light you to your apartment, Mr. LovelI am sure you have need of restand I

trust my ancestor is too sensible of the duties of hospitality to interfere with the repose which you have so

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

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 dressingboxes 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 feelingnot, 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 usthose inanimate

things which we have gazed on in wayward infancy and impetuous youth, in anxious and scheming

manhoodthey 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

My eyes are dim with childish tears, My heart is idly stirred, For the same sound is in my ears Which in those

Thus fares it still in our decay; And yet the wiser mind Mourns less for what time takes away, Than what he

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

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 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 huntingpiece;

and as the leafy boughs of the foresttrees, 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 trunkhose, were engaged in holding greyhounds,

or staghounds, in the leash, or cheering them upon the objects of their game. Others, with boarspears,

swords, and oldfashioned guns, were attacking stags or boars whom they had brought to bay. The branches

of the woven forest were crowded with fowls of various kinds, each depicted with its proper plumage. It

seemed as if the prolific and rich invention of old Chaucer had animated the Flemish artist with its profusion,

and Oldbuck had accordingly caused the following verses, from that ancient and excellent poet, to be

embroidered in Gothic letters, on a sort of border which he had added to the tapestry:

Lo! here be oakis grete, streight as a line, Under the which the grass, so fresh of line, Be'th newly

sprungat eight foot or nine. Everich tree well from his fellow grew, With branches broad laden with

leaves new, That sprongen out against the sonne sheene, Some golden red and some a glad bright green.

And many an hart and many an hind, Was both before me, and behind. Of fawns, sownders, bucks and does,

Was full the wood and many roes, And many squirrels that ysate High on the trees and nuts ate.

The bed was of a dark and faded green, wrought to correspond with the tapestry, but by a more modern and

less skilful hand. The large and heavy stuffbottomed chairs, with black ebony backs, were embroidered after

the same pattern, and a lofty mirror, over the antique chimneypiece, corresponded in its mounting with that

``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

Ah! cruel maid, how hast thou changed The temper of my mind! My heart, by thee from all estranged,

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 hairbreadth escapethe fortunate assistance which he

had been able to render herYet 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 fateBut noshe could not be selfish or

unjustit was no part of her nature. She only desired to shut the door against hope, and, even in

But this loverlike 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 himand, 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 sunbeam, 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 dewdrops 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

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 birdhe was a fishor 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 seagull; 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 himthe rocks felt like down

pillows as he was dashed against themwhatever 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 nighthag, whom the learned call Ephialtes, are but too well acquainted. At length these

crude phantasmata arranged themselves into something more regular, if indeed the imagination of Lovel,

after he awoke (for it was by no means the faculty in which his mind was least rich), did not gradually,

insensibly, and unintentionally, arrange in better order the scene of which his sleep presented, it may be, a

less distinct outline. Or it is possible that his feverish agitation may have assisted him in forming the vision.

Leaving this discussion to the learned, we will say, that after a succession of wild images, such as we have

above described, our hero, for such we must acknowledge him, so far regained a consciousness of locality as

to remember where he was, and the whole furniture of the Green Chamber was depicted to his slumbering

eye. And here, once more, let me protest, that if there should be so much oldfashioned 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 hornsthe 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 dogsthe shouts of men, and the clatter of horses'

hoofs, seemed at once to surround himwhile 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 buglehorn became a brazen clasped volume; his huntingcap changed to such a furred headgear

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 has memory. As the vision shut his volume, a strain of delightful music seemed to

fill the apartmentLovel started, and became completely awake. The music, however, was still in his ears,

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 halfclosed 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 tenterhooks 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 morninggown, 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

halfopen, 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 charmsit was now nothing more than an air on the

harpsichord, tolerably well performedsuch 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

``Why sitt'st thou by that ruin'd hill, Thou aged carle so stern and grey? Dost thou its former pride recall, Or

``Know'st thou not me!'' the Deep Voice cried, ``So long enjoyed, so oft misused Alternate, in thy fickle

``Before my breath, like, blazing flax, Man and his marvels pass away; And changing empires wane and wax,

``Redeem mine hoursthe space is brief While in my glass the sandgrains shiver, And measureless

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 valetdechambre.

``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

Lovel, who was by this time once more on his legs, declined the old man's professional offices, but

accompanied the refusal with such a douceur as completely sweetened Caxon's mortification.

``It's a pity he disna get his hair tied and pouthered,'' said the ancient friseur, when he had got once more into

the kitchen, in which, on one pretence or other, he spent three parts of his idle timethat is to say, of his

``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 yeit will set ye better tae be slaistering at them and the lappermilk than meddling wi'

Mr. Lovel's headye wad spoil the maist natural and beautifaest head o' hair in a' Fairport, baith burgh and

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.

We must now request our readers to adjourn to the breakfast parlour of Mr. Oldbuck, who, despising the

modern slops of tea and coffee, was substantially regaling himself, more majorum, with cold roastbeef, and

a glass of a sort of beverage called muma species of fat ale, brewed from wheat and bitter herbs, of which

the present generation only know the name by its occurrence in revenue acts of parliament, coupled with

cider, perry, and other excisable commodities. Lovel, who was seduced to taste it, with difficulty refrained

from pronouncing it detestable, but did refrain, as he saw he should otherwise give great offence to his host,

who had the liquor annually prepared with peculiar care, according to the approved recipe bequeathed to him

by the sooften 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

``We canna compliment Mr. Lovel on his looks this morning, brotherbut 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

``Why, sister, consider this rose of yours has been knocked about by sea and wind all yesterday evening, as if

he had been a bunch of kelp or tangle, and how the devil would you have him retain his colour?''

``I certainly do still feel somewhat fatigued,'' said Lovel, ``notwithstanding the excellent accommodations

``Ah, sir!'' said Miss Oldbuck looking at him with a knowing smile, or what was meant to be one, ``ye'll not

``Really, madam,'' replied Lovel, ``I had no disturbance; for I cannot term such the music with which some

``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 creaturesthey 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 natureI would hae skreigh'd out

at once, and raised the house, be the consequence what liketand, 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

``A man of Mr. Oldbuck's learning, madam,'' answered the questioned party, ``would not be exposed to the

``Ay, ayye 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

saysonly 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 mattedroom it's a wee damp and dark, to be sure, but then

``No, no, sister;dampness and darkness are worse than spectresours are spirits of light, and I would

``I will do that blythely, Monkbarns, an I had the ingredients, as my cookery book ca's themThere was

vervain and dillI mind thatDavie Dibble will ken about them, though, maybe, he'll gie them Latin

``Hypericon, thou foolish woman!'' thundered Oldbuck; ``d'ye suppose you're making a haggisor do you

think that a spirit, though he be formed of air, can be expelled by a receipt against wind?This wise Grizel

of mine, Mr. Lovel, recollects (with what accuracy you may judge) a charm which I once mentioned to her,

and which, happening to hit her superstitious noddle, she remembers better than anything tending to a useful

purpose, I may chance to have said for this ten years. But many an old woman besides herself''

``Auld woman, Monkbarns!'' said Miss Oldbuck, roused something above her usual submissive tone; ``ye

``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 nonexisting

diseases.But I hope, my young friend, that, charmed or uncharmedsecured by the potency of

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.''

``Look ye there, nowbut again!I hate but; I know no form of expression in which he can appear, that

is amiable, excepting as a butt of sack. But is to me a more detestable combination of letters than no itself. No

is a surly, honest fellowspeaks his mind rough and round at once. But is a sneaking, evasive, halfbred,

exceptuous sort of a conjunction, which comes to pull away the cup just when it is at your lips

it does allay The good precedentfie upon but yet! But yet is as a jailor to bring forth

``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

afraidand I will, since you are good enough to wish it, take this opportunity of spending another day

``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

``I beg pardon, my dear sir; but, perhaps, you had better adjourn your visit till tomorrowI am a stranger,

``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 antiquitiesI am one of the old school,

When courtiers galloped o'er four counties The ball's fair partner to behold, And humbly hope she caught no

``Why, ififif you thought it would be expectedbut I believe I had better stay.''

``Nay, nay, my good friend, I am not so oldfashioned as to press you to what is disagreeable, neitherit is

sufficient that I see there is some remora, some cause of delay, some mid impediment, which I have no title to

inquire into. Or you are still somewhat tired, perhaps;I warrant I find means to entertain your intellects

without fatiguing your limbsI am no friend to violent exertion myselfa walk in the garden once

aday is exercise, enough for any thinking beingnone but a fool or a foxhunter would require more.

Well, what shall we set about?my Essay on Castrametationbut I have that in petto for our afternoon

cordial;or I will show you the controversy upon Ossian's Poems between MacCribb and me. I hold with

the acute Orcadianhe with the defenders of the authenticity;the controversy began in smooth, oily,

ladylike 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'sbut at worst, I have a hard

repartee for him on the affair of the abstracted AntigonusI will show you his last epistle and the scroll of

So saying, the Antiquary opened a drawer, and began rummaging among a quantity of miscellaneous papers,

ancient and modern. But it was the misfortune of this learned gentleman, as it may be that of many learned

and unlearned, that he frequently experienced, on such occasions, what Harlequin calls l'embarras des

richesses; in other words, the abundance of his collection often prevented him from finding the article he

sought for. ``Curse the papers!I believe,'' said Oldbuck, as he shuffled them to and fro``I believe they

make themselves wings like grasshoppers, and fly away bodilybut 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. Lovelthere

is the work I mentioned to you last nightthe 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, sirfor 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

selfreliance, 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 printinghouse, presses, fonts, forms, great and small pica, been shivered to

pieces around him Read, I say, his motto,for each printer had his motto, or device, when that

illustrious art was first practised. My ancestor's was expressed, as you see, in the Teutonic phrase, =Kunst

macht Gunst=that is, skill, or prudence, in availing ourselves of our natural talents and advantages, will

compel favour and patronage, even where it is withheld from prejudice or ignorance.''

``And that,'' said Lovel, after a moment's thoughtful silence ``that, then, is the meaning of these German

``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.''

``Why, it rather encroaches on my respected predecessor's fame for prudence and wisdomSed semel

insanivimus omnes everybody has played the fool in their turn. It is said, my ancestor, during his

apprenticeship with the descendant of old Faust, whom popular tradition hath sent to the devil under the name

of Faustus, was attracted by a paltry slip of womankind, his master's daughter, called Berthathey broke

rings, or went through some idiotical ceremony, as is usual on such idle occasions as the plighting of a

truelove troth, and Aldobrand set out on his journey through Germany, as became an honest handwerker;

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 halfstarved sprigs of nobility forsooth, in pursuit of the Yungfraw Bertha,

whose father was understood to have bequeathed her a dowry which might weigh against sixteen armorial

quarters. But Bertha, not a bad sample of womankind, had made a vow she would only marry that man who

would work her father's press. The skill, at that time, was as rare as wonderful; besides that the expedient rid

her at once of most of her gentle suitors, who would have as soon wielded a conjuring wand as a composing

stick. Some of the more ordinary typographers made the attempt: but none were sufficiently possessed of the

``Ah! it is all folly. HoweverAldobrand arrived in the ordinary dress, as we would say, of a journeyman

printerthe 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 Faustusthe blushing maiden

acknowledged her error in trusting to the eye more than the intellectand the elected bridegroom

thenceforward chose for his impress or device the appropriate words, `Skill wins favour.' But what is the

matter with you?you are in a brown study! Come, I told you this was but trumpery conversation for

``I beg your pardon,'' said Lovel; ``I am going to appear very silly and changeable in your eyes, Mr.

Oldbuckbut you seemed to think Sir Arthur might in civility expect a call from me?''

``Psha! psha! I can make your apology; and if you must leave us so soon as you say, what signifies how you

stand in his honours good graces?And I warn you that the Essay on Castrametation is something prolix,

and will occupy the time we can spare after dinner, so you may lose the Ossianic Controversy if we do not

dedicate this morning to it. We will go out to my evergreen bower, my sacred hollytree yonder, and have it

``Sing heighho! heighho! for the green holly, Most friendship is feigning, most loving mere folly.

But, egad,'' continued the old gentleman, ``when I look closer at you, I begin to think you may be of a

different opinion. Amen with all my heartI quarrel with no man's hobby, if he does not run it a tilt against

mine, and if he doeslet him beware his eyes. What say you?in the language of the world and

worldlings base, if you can condescend to so mean a sphere, shall we stay or go?''

``In the language of selfishness, then, which is of course the language of the worldlet us go by all means.''

``Amen, amen, quo' the Earl Marshall,'' answered Oldbuck, as he exchanged his slippers for a pair of stout

walking shoes, with cutikins, as he called them, of black cloth. He only interrupted the walk by a slight

deviation to the tomb of John o' the Girnel, remembered as the last bailiff of the abbey who had resided at

Monkbarns. Beneath an old oaktree upon a hillock, sloping pleasantly to the south, and catching a distant

view of the sea over two or three rich enclosures, and the Musselcrag, lay a mossgrown stone, and, in

memory of the departed worthy, it bore an inscription, of which, as Mr. Oldbuck affirmed (though many

doubted), the defaced characters could be distinctly traced to the following effect:

Here lyeth John o' ye Girnell; Erth has ye nit, and heuen ye kirnell. In hys tyme ilk wyfe's hennis clokit, Ilka

gud mannis herth wi' bairnis was stokit. He deled a boll o' bear in firlottis fyve, Four for ye halie kirke, and

``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 chapterthat in his time the wives'

hens always laid eggsand devil thank them, if they got onefifth of the abbey rents; and that honest men's

hearths were never unblest with offspringan addition to the miracle, which they, as well as I, must have

considered as perfectly unaccountable. But come onleave 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

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 middleaged 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 whitingsa bannockfluke and a

``Four devils and six of their imps!'' retorted the Antiquary; ``do you think I am mad, Maggie?''

``And div ye think,'' rejoined the virago, setting her arms akimbo, ``that my man and my sons are to gae to the

sea in weather like yestreen and the daysic 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 buyingit's men's lives.''

``Well, Maggie, I'll bid you fairI'll bid you a shilling for the fluke and the cockpadle, or sixpence

separatelyand if all your fish are as well paid, I think your man, as you call him, and your sons, will make

``Deil gin their boat were knockit against the BellRock rather! it wad be better, and the bonnier voyage o'

``Well, well, you old beldam, carry your fish up to Monkbarns, and see what my sister will give you for

``Na, na, Monkbarns, deil a fitI'll rather deal wi' yoursell; for though you're near enough, yet Miss Grizel

has an unco close gripI'll gie ye them'' (in a softened tone) ``for threeandsaxpence.''

``Eighteenpence!!!'' (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 andandand a halfadozen o' partans to make the sauce, for three

``Aweel, your honour maun hae't your ain gate, nae doubt; but a dram's worth siller nowthe distilleries is

``Ay, ayit's easy for your honour, and the like o' you gentlefolks to say sae, that hae stouth and routh,

and fire and fending and meat and claith, and sit dry and canny by the firesidebut 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

``It's even too true an apology, Maggie. Is your goodman off to sea this morning, after his exertions last

``In troth is he, Monkbarns; he was awa this morning by four o'clock, when the sea was working like barm

``That I willor I'll send little Jenny, she'll rin faster; but I'll ca' on Miss Grizzy for the dram mysell, and

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 selfcomplacency, ``ere my womankind could have made such a reasonable bargain with that old

skinflint, though they sometimes wrangle with her for an hour together under my study window, like three

seagulls screaming and sputtering in a gale of wind. But come, wend we on our way to Knockwinnock.''

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

Notwithstanding the fatigues and dangers of the preceding evening, Miss Wardour was able to rise at her

usual hour, and to apply herself to her usual occupations, after she had first satisfied her anxiety concerning

her father's state of health. Sir Arthur was no farther indisposed than by the effects of great agitation and

unusual fatigue, but these were sufficient to induce him to keep his bedchamber.

To look back on the events of the preceding day, was, to Isabella, a very unpleasing retrospect. She owed her

life, and that of her father, to the very person by whom, of all others, she wished least to be obliged, because

she could hardly even express common gratitude towards him without encouraging hopes which might be

injurious to them both. ``Why should it be my fate to receive such benefits, and conferred at so much

personal risk, from one whose romantic passion I have so unceasingly laboured to discourage? Why should

chance have given him this advantage over me? and why, oh why, should a halfsubdued feeling in my own

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

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

``No; stay, I want to speak with himWhere is he?'' for she had lost sight of him as he approached the

``Sitting in the sun on the stonebench in the court, beside the window of the flagged parlour.''

``Bid him stay thereI'll come down to the parlour, and speak with him at the window.''

She came down accordingly, and found the mendicant halfseated, halfreclining, 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 halfreclined, 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 courtyard, 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 courtyard by a grating, with

which, according to the fashion of ancient times, the lower windows of the castle were secured, gave an

interest of a different kind, and might be supposed, by a romantic imagination, an imprisoned damsel

communicating a tale of her durance to a palmer, in order that he might call upon the gallantry of every

knight whom he should meet in his wanderings, to rescue her from her oppressive thraldom.

After Miss Wardour had offered, in the terms she thought would be most acceptable, those thanks which the

beggar declined as far beyond his merit, she began to express herself in a manner which she supposed would

speak more feelingly to his apprehension. ``She did not know,'' she said, ``what her father intended

particularly to do for their preserver, but certainly it would be something that would make him easy for life; if

The old man smiled, and shook his head. ``I wad be baith a grievance and a disgrace to your fine servants, my

``Ye're very kindI doubtna, I doubtna; but there are some things a master can command, and some he

cannaI 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

``Well, then, Edie, what do you think of a neat cottage and a garden, and a daily dole, and nothing to do but

``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 mindsbut ye ken Sir Arthur has

odd sort o' waysand I wad be jesting or scorning at them and ye wad be angry, and then I wad be just

``O, you are a licensed man,'' said Isabella; ``we shall give you all reasonable scope: So you had better be

``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 farmsteading to anither, and gingerbread to the lasses, and helps the lads to mend

their fiddles, and the gudewives to clout their pans, and plaits rushswords and grenadier caps for the weans,

and busks the laird's flees, and has skill o' cowills and horseills, 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

``Well, Edie, if your idea of your importance is so strong as not to be shaken by the prospect of

``Na, na, Missit'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'tif it's refused at ae place, I get it at

anithersae I canna be said to depend on onybody in particular, but just on the country at large.''

``Well, then, only promise me that you will let me know should you ever wish to settle as you turn old, and

``Na, na, my leddy: I downa take muckle siller at ance it's against our rule; andthough it's maybe no

civil to be repeating the like o' thatthey say that siller's like to be scarce wi' Sir Arthur himsell, and that

he's run himsell out o' thought wi' his honkings and minings for lead and copper yonder.''

Isabella had some anxious anticipations to the same effect, but was shocked to hear that her father's

embarrassments were such public talk; as if scandal ever failed to stoop upon so acceptable a quarry as the

failings of the good man, the decline of the powerful, or the decay of the prosperous.Miss Wardour

sighed deeply``Well, Edie, we have enough to pay our debts, let folks say what they will, and requiting

``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.''

``Ou ayI'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 groundofficer 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 dogI 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

``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 weeltochered anebut dinna ye sneer awa the lad Lovel, as ye did a while sinsyne

on the walk beneath the Brierybank, 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

He uttered these words in a low but distinct tone of voice; and without waiting for an answer, walked towards

a low door which led to the apartments of the servants, and so entered the house.

Miss Wardour remained for a moment or two in the situation in which she had heard the old man's last

extraordinary speech, leaning, namely, against the bars of the window; nor could she determine upon saying

even a single word, relative to a subject so delicate, until the beggar was out of sight. It was, indeed, difficult

to determine what to do. That her having had an interview and private conversation with this young and

unknown stranger, should be a secret possessed by a person of the last class in which a young lady would

seek a confidant, and at the mercy of one who was by profession gossipgeneral 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 halfwished the officious assistance of Lovel

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

drawingroom, 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

Miss Isabella Wardour's complexion was considerably heightened, when, after the delay necessary to arrange

``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, yon look as if flying through the night air had been your natural and most

congenial occupation; your colour is even better than when you honoured my hospitium yesterday. And Sir

``Indifferently well, Mr. Oldbuck; but I am afraid, not quite able to receive your congratulations, or to

``I dare say notA good down pillow for his good white head were more meet than a couch so churlish as

``I had no thought of intruding,'' said Lovel, looking upon the ground, and speaking with hesitation and

suppressed emotion; ``I did notdid not mean to intrude upon Sir Arthur or Miss Wardour the presence of

one whowho must necessarily be unwelcomeas associated, I mean, with painful reflections.''

``Do not think my father so unjust and ungrateful,'' said Miss Wardour. ``I dare say,'' she continued,

participating in Lovel's embarrassment``I dare sayI am certainthat my father would be happy to

show his gratitudein any way that is, which Mr. Lovel could consider it as proper to point out.''

``Why the deuce,'' interrupted Oldbuck, ``what sort of a qualification is that?On my word, it reminds me

of our minister, who, choosing, like a formal old fop as he is, to drink to my sister's inclinations, thought it

necessary to add the saving clause, Provided, madam, they be virtuous. Come, let us have no more of this

nonsenseI 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

Miss Wardour shook her head``But indifferent, I fear, Mr. Oldbuck; but there lie some specimens which

``Ah! my poor dear hundred pounds, which Sir Arthur persuaded me to give for a share in that hopeful

And so saying, he sat down at the table in the recess, on which the mineral productions were lying, and

proceeded to examine them, grumbling and pshawing at each which he took up and laid aside.

In the meantime, Lovel, forced as it were by this secession of Oldbuck, into a sort of te^tea'te^te 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

``Mr. Lovel,'' answered Miss Wardour, observing the same tone of caution, ``I trust you will notI 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 affectedcould he see me as a friendas a sisterno man will beand, from all I

Oldbuck's anathema against the preposition but was internally echoed by Lovel. ``Forgive me if I interrupt

you, Miss Wardour; you need not fear my intruding upon a subject where I have been already severely

repressed;but do not add to the severity of repelling my sentiments the rigour of obliging me to disavow

``I am much embarrassed, Mr. Lovel,'' replied the young lady, ``by yourI would not willingly use a strong

wordyour romantic and hopeless pertinacity. It is for yourself I plead, that you would consider the calls

which your country has upon your talentsthat you will not waste, in an idle and fanciful indulgence of an

illplaced predilection, time, which, well redeemed by active exertion, should lay the foundation of future

``Mr. Lovel, you are hurtand, 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,

``No, Miss Wardour,'' answered Lovel, in a tone of passionate entreaty; ``do not go fartheris it not

enough to crush every hope in our present relative situation?do not carry your resolutions fartherwhy

``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

``Well, Miss Wardour, your wishes shall be obeyed;have patience with me one little month, and if, in the

course of that space, I cannot show you such reasons for continuing my residence at Fairport, as even you

shall approve of, I will bid adieu to its vicinity, and, with the same breath, to all my hopes of happiness.''

``Not so, Mr. Lovel; many years of deserved happiness, founded on a more rational basis than your present

wishes, are, I trust, before, you. But it is full time, to finish this conversation. I cannot force you to adopt my

adviceI 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 be will rise in my esteem and, in the meanwhile, for his sake as well as

mine, he must excuse my putting an interdict upon conversation on a subject so painful.''

A servant at this moment announced that Sir Arthur desired to speak to Mr. Oldbuck in his dressingroom.

``Let me show you the way,'' said Miss Wardour, who apparently dreaded a continuation of her

te^tea`te^te with Lovel, and she conducted the Antiquary accordingly to her father's apartment.

Sir Arthur, his legs swathed in flannel, was stretched on the couch. ``Welcome, Mr. Oldbuck,'' he said; ``I

trust you have come better off than I have done from the inclemency of yesterday evening?''

``Truly, Sir Arthur, I was not so much exposed to itI kept terra firmayou fairly committed yourself to

the cold nightair 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 nightwindto dive into the bowels of the earth. What news

``Nothing good as yet,'' said the Baronet, turning himself hastily, as if stung by a pang of the gout; ``but

``Does he not?'' quoth Oldbuck; ``I do though, under his favour. Why, old Dr. Hn* told me, when I

Edinburgh, that we should never find copper enough, judging from the specimens I showed him, to make a

pair of sixpenny kneebucklesand I cannot see that those samples on the table below differ much in

``No; but he is one of our first chemists; and this tramping philosopher of yoursthis Dousterswivelis,

I have a notion, one, of those learned adventurers described by Kirchner, Artem habent sine arte, partem sine

parte, quorum medium est mentiri, vita eorum mendicatum ire; that is to say, Miss Wardour''

``It is unnecessary to translate,'' said Miss Wardour``I comprehend your general meaning; but I hope Mr.

``I doubt it not a little,'' said the Antiquary,``and we are a foul way out if we cannot discover this infernal

``Too much, too much, Sir Arthur; and yet, for the sake of my fair foe here, I would consent to lose it all so

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 visitI am distressed that I am

unable to see him, or indeed any one, but an old friend like you, Mr. Oldbuck.''

``Why, then, my daughter is an older acquaintance, of Mr. Lovel than you are,'' said the Baronet.

``I met Mr. Lovel,'' said Isabella, slightly colouring, ``when I resided this last spring with my aunt, Mrs.

``In Yorkshire?and what character did he bear then, or how was he engaged?'' said Oldbuck,``and

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

``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

``There was a reason for it,'' said Sir Arthur with dignity; ``you know the opinionsprejudices, 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

``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

``True,'' said the Baronet, with complacency``it is the shield of Malcolm the Usurper, as he is called. The

tower which he built is termed, after him, Malcolm's Tower, but more frequently Misticot's Tower, which I

conceive to be a corruption for Misbegot. He is denominated, in the Latin pedigree of our family,

Milcolumbus Nothus; and his temporary seizure of our property, and most unjust attempt to establish his own

illegitimate line in the estate of Knockwinnock, gave rise to such family feuds and misfortunes, as strongly to

found us in that horror and antipathy to defiled blood and illegitimacy which has been handed down to me

``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

``Nor the less of my assistant either,'' said the Baronet; ``my doors and table shall be equally open to him as if

``Come, I am glad of thathe'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 itor, indeed, whether he does

or nothe 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

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

seabeach, and partly from the steep green verge of the moat. The trees of the avenue have been already

mentioned, and many others rose around of large size,as if to confute the prejudice that timber cannot be

raised near to the ocean. Our walkers paused, and looked back upon the castle, as they attained the height of a

small knoll, over which lay their homeward road; for it is to be supposed they did not tempt the risk of the

tide by returning along the sands. The building flung its broad shadow upon the tufted foliage of the shrubs

beneath it, while the front windows sparkled in the sun. They were viewed by the gazers with very different

feelings. Lovel, with the fond eagerness of that passion which derives its food and nourishment from trifles,

as the chameleon is said to live on the air, or upon the invisible insects which it contains, endeavoured to

conjecture which of the numerous windows belonged to the apartment now graced by Miss Wardour's

presence. The speculations of the Antiquary were of a more melancholy cast, and were partly indicated by the

ejaculation of cito peritura! as he turned away from the prospect. Lovel, roused from his reverie, looked at

him as if to inquire the meaning of an exclamation so ominous. The old man shook his head. ``Yes, my

young friend,'' said he, ``I doubt greatly and it wrings my heart to say itthis ancient family is going

``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 selfsufficing invulnerable being, the teres atque

rotundus of the poet;the stoical exemption which philosophy affects to give us over the pains and

vexations of human life, is as imaginary as the state of mystical quietism and perfection aimed at by some

``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

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 manwait 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

``Well, Mr. Oldbuck, it may be so;but as yet I resemble you more in your practice than in your theory, for

I cannot help being deeply interested in the fate of the family we have just left.''

``And well you may,'' replied Oldbuck. ``Sir Arthur's embarrassments have of late become so many and so

pressing, that I am surprised you have not heard of them. And then his absurd and expensive operations

``I think I have seen that person, when, by some rare chance, I happened to be in the coffeeroom at

Fairport;a tall, beetlebrowed, awkwardbuilt man, who entered upon scientific subjects, as it appeared

to my ignorance at least, with more assurance than knowledgewas very arbitrary in laying down and

asserting his opinions, and mixed the terms of science with a strange jargon of mysticism. A simple youth

whispered me that he was an Illumine', and carried on an intercourse with the invisible world.''

``O, the samethe 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 charlatantalks of the magisteriumof

sympathies and antipathiesof the cabalaof the diviningrodand 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 know 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!''

``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 moneyI fear on Sir Arthur's guarantee. Some

gentlemenI was ass enough to be onetook 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,

``I am surprised that you, Mr. Oldbuck, should have encouraged Sir Arthur by your example.''

``Why,'' said Oldbuck, dropping his large grizzled eyebrow, ``I am something surprised and ashamed at it

myself; it was not the lucre of gainnobody cares less for money (to be a prudent man) than I dobut 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 (dn him) of appearances of old shafts, and vestiges of

mining operations, conducted in a manner quite different from those of modern times; and Iin 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.''

The account of Sir Arthur's unhappy adventure had led Oldbuck somewhat aside from his purpose of

catechising Lovel concerning the cause of his residence at Fairport. He was now, however, resolved to open

the subject. ``Miss Wardour was formerly known to you, she tells me, Mr. Lovel?''

``He had had the pleasure,'' Lovel answered, `to see her at Mrs. Wilmot's, in Yorkshire.''

``Indeed! you never mentioned that to me before, and you did not accost her as an old acquaintance.''

``II did not know,'' said Lovel, a good deal embarrassed, ``it was the same lady, till we met; and then it

``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

``What if I should answer your question by another,'' replied Lovel, ``and ask you what is your opinion of

``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 madnessthe unguided

horses run away with the carriage in both cases, only in the one the coachman is drunk, and in the other he

slumbers. What says our Marcus Tullius Si insanorum visis fides non est habenda, cur credatur

``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.''

``Aythat is to say, you have hit the mark in your own sage opinion? Lord! Lord! how this world is given

to folly! Well, I will allow for once the Oneirocritical scienceI 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

``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

The Antiquary burst into a fit of laughing. ``Excuse me, my young friendbut 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

``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

``Right, right,'' exclaimed the Antiquary. ``Fall in my opinion!not a whitI 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 meWhat make you

from Wittenberg? why have you left your own country and professional pursuits, for an idle residence in

``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

``Pardon me, young man,'' said Oldbuck, laying his hand kindly on his shoulder, and making a full

halt``sufflamina a little patience, if you please. I will suppose that you have no friends to share or

rejoice in your success in lifethat 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 dutyfor your active exertions are due not only to society, but in humble gratitude to the Being

``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 anythingI have the means of maintaining, myself with

complete independence; and so moderate are my wishes in this respect, that even these means, however

``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 saidI cannot pretend to be entitled

to advise you;you have attained the acme'the summit of perfection. And how came Fairport to be the

selected abode of so much selfdenying 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 Calfthe mammon of unrighteousness. Why, even I, man, am so

infected by the bad neighbourhood, that I feel inclined occasionally to become an idolater myself.''

``My principal amusements being literary,'' answered Lovel, ``and circumstances which I cannot mention

having induced me, for a time at least, to relinquish the military service, I have pitched on Fairport as a place

where I might follow my pursuits without any of those temptations to society which a more elegant circle

``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

Lovel, who was rather closely pressed by the inquisitiveness of the old gentleman, concluded it would be best

``I have been at times foolish enough,'' he replied, ``to nourish some thoughts of the kind.''

``Ah, poor fellow! nothing can be more melancholy; unless, as young men sometimes do, you had fancied

yourself in love with some trumpery specimen of womankind, which is indeed, as Shakspeare truly says,

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,

guesspoetrypoetrythe 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

``Just as I supposedpruning 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 pursuitbut you

``Why, then, it only remains for me to give you my best advice and assistance in the object of your pursuit. I

have myself published two essays in the Antiquarian Repository, and therefore am an author of

experience, There was my Remarks on Hearne's edition of Robert of Gloucester, signed Scrutator; and the

other signed Indagator, upon a passage in Tacitus. I might add, what attracted considerable notice at the time,

and that is my paper in the Gentleman's Magazine, upon the inscription of OElia Lelia, which I subscribed

OEdipus. So you see I am not an apprentice in the mysteries of authorcraft, and must necessarily understand

the taste and temper of the times. And now, once more, what do you intend to commence with?''

``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 noyour fugitive poetry is apt to become stationary with

the bookseller. It should be something at once solid and attractivenone of your romances or anomalous

noveltiesI would have you take high ground at once. Let me see: What think you of a real epic? the

grand oldfashioned historical poem which moved through twelve or twentyfour books. We'll have it

soI'll supply you with a subjectThe battle between the Caledonians and RomansThe Caledoniad;

or, Invasion Repelled;let that be the titleit will suit the present taste, and you may throw in a touch of

``No; but you are a poetfree of the corporation, and as little bound down to truth or probability as Virgil

``And pitch Agricola's camp at the Kaim ofwhat do you call it,'' answered Lovel, ``in defiance of Edie

``No more of that, an thou lovest meAnd yet, I dare say, ye may unwittingly speak most correct truth in

both instances, in despite of the toga of the historian and the blue gown of the mendicant.''

``Gallantly counselled!Well, I will do my bestyour kindness will assist me with local information.''

``Will I not, man?why, I will write the critical and historical notes on each canto, and draw out the plan

of the story myself. I pretend to some poetical genius, Mr. Lovel, only I was never able to write verses.''

``It is a pity, sir, that you should have failed in a qualification somewhat essential to the art.''

``Essential?not a whitit 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 stonemasonDost think Palladio or Vitruvius ever carried a

``In that case, there should be two authors to each poem one to think and plan, another to execute.''

``Why, it would not be amiss; at any rate, we'll make the experiment;not that I would wish to give my

name to the publicassistance from a learned friend might be acknowledged in the preface after what

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 firstrate poet, I am in no shape answerable for his

deficiencies, and the good notes may very probably help off an indifferent text. But he ishe must be a

good poet; he has the real Parnassian abstractionseldom answers a question till it is twice

repeateddrinks his tea scalding, and eats without knowing what he is putting into his mouth. This is the

real aestus, the awen of the Welsh bards, the divinus afflatus that transports the poet beyond the limits of

sublunary things. His visions, too, are very symptomatical of poetic furyI must recollect to send Caxon to

see he puts out his candle tonight poets and visionaries are apt to be negligent in that respect.'' Then,

``Yes, my dear Lovel, you shall have full notes; and, indeed, think we may introduce the whole of the Essay

on Castrametation into the appendixit 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 Museand 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 visionin 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 BoethiusNo;

I must not touch that topic, now that Sir Arthur is likely to have vexation enough besidesbut I'll annihilate

``But we must consider the expense of publication,'' said Lovel, willing to try whether this hint would fall like

``Expense!'' said Mr. Oldbuck, pausing, and mechanically fumbling in his pocket``that is true;I

``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

``O, I am no mercenary author,'' answered Lovel, smiling; ``I only wish to be out of risk of loss.''

``Hush! hush! we'll take care of thatthrow it all on the publishers. I do long to see your labours

commenced. You will choose blank verse, doubtless?it is more grand and magnificent for an historical

subject; and, what concerneth you, my friend, it is, I have an idea, more easily written.''

This conversation brought them to Monkbarns, where the Antiquary had to undergo a chiding from his sister,

who, though no philosopher, was waiting to deliver a lecture to him in the portico. ``Guide us, Monkbarns!

are things no dear eneugh already, but ye maun be raising the very fish on us, by giving that randy, Luckie

``Why, Grizel,'' said the sage, somewhat abashed at this unexpected attack, ``I thought I made a very fair

``A fair bargain! when ye gied the limmer a full half o' what she seekit!An ye will be a wifecarle, and

buy fish at your ain hands, ye suld never bid muckle mair than a quarter. And the impudent quean had the

``Truly,'' said Oldbuck (with a sly look to his companion), ``I think our estate was gracious that kept us out of

hearing of that controversy.Well, well, Grizel, I was wrong for once in my life ultra crepidamI fairly

admit. But hang expenses! care killed a catwe'll eat the fish, cost what it will.And then, Lovel,

you must know I pressed you to stay here today, the rather because our cheer will be better than usual,

yesterday having been a gaude' dayI love the reversion of a feast better than the feast itself. I delight in

the analecta, the collectanea, as I may call them, of the preceding day's dinner, which appear on such

Leaving Mr. Oldbuck and his friend to enjoy their hard bargain of fish, we beg leave to transport the reader to

the backparlour of the postmaster'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

``Eh, preserve us, sirs!'' said the butcher's wife, ``there's ten eleventwall letters to Tennant and

``Ay; but see, lass,'' answered the baker's lady, ``there's twa o' them faulded unco square, and sealed at the tae

``Is there ony letters come yet for Jenny Caxon?'' inquired the woman of joints and giblets; ``the lieutenant's

``It wad be frae the lieutenant then,'' replied the mistress of the rolls, somewhat disappointed``I never

``Od, here's another,'' quoth Mrs. Mailsetter. ``A shipletter postmark, Sunderland.'' All rushed to seize

it.``Na, na, leddies,'' said Mrs. Mailsetter, interfering; ``I hae had eneugh o' that warkKen ye that Mr.

Mailsetter got an unco rebuke frae the secretary at Edinburgh, for a complaint that was made about the letter

``Me opened!'' answered the spouse of the chief baker of Fairport; "ye ken yoursell, madam, it just cam open

``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

``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 neitherSee, the seal has an anchor

``Show me! show me!'' quoth the wives of the chief butcher and chief baker; and threw themselves on the

supposed loveletter, like the weird sisters in Macbeth upon the pilot's thumb, with curiosity as eager and

scarcely less malignant. Mrs. Heukbane was a tall womanshe 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

``Ay, it's frae him, sure eneugh,'' said the butcher's lady; ``I can read Richard Taffril on the corner, and

``Haud it lower down, madam,'' exclaimed Mrs. Shortcake, in a tone above the prudential whisper which their

occupation required``haud it lower downDiv ye think naebody can read hand o' writ but yoursell?''

``Whist, whist, sirs, for God's sake!'' said Mrs. Mailsetter, ``there's somebody in the shop,''then

aloud``Look to the customers, Baby!''Baby answered from without in a shrill tone``It's naebody

``Tell her,'' said the faithful postmistress, winking to her compeers, ``to come back the morn at ten o'clock,

and I'll let her kenwe havena had time to sort the mail letters yet she's aye in sic a hurry, as if her

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

``There's something about a needle and a pole,'' said Mrs. Shortcake, to whom her taller rival in gossiping had

``Now, that's downright shamefu','' said Mrs. Heukbane, ``to scorn the poor silly gait of a lassie after he's

keepit company wi' her sae lang, and had his will o' her, as I make nae doubt he has.''

``It's but ower muckle to be doubted,'' echoed Mrs. Shortcake; ``to cast up to her that her father's a barber

and has a pole at his door, and that she's but a mantymaker hersell! Hout fy for shame!''

``Hout tout, leddies,'' cried Mrs. Mailsetter, ``ye're clean wrang It's a line out o' ane o' his sailors' sangs

``Weel, weel, I wish it may be sae,'' said the charitable Dame Heukbane,``but it disna look weel for a

``I'm no denying that,'' said Mrs. Mailsetter; ``but it's a great advantage to the revenue of the postoffice thae

loveletters. See, here's five or six letters to Sir Arthur Wardour maist o' them sealed wi' wafers, and no

``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

``Nor wi' huz for sax months,'' echoed Mrs. Shortcake``He's but a brunt crust.''

``There's a letter,'' interrupted the trusty postmistress, ``from his son, the captain, I'm thinkingthe seal has

the same things wi' the Knockwinnock carriage. He'll be coming hame to see what he can save out o' the fire.''

The baronet thus dismissed, they took up the esquire``Twa letters for Monkbarnsthey're frae some o'

his learned friends now; see sae close as they're written, down to the very sealand a' to save sending a

double letterthat's just like Monkbarns himsell. When he gets a frank he fills it up exact to the weight of

an unce, that a carvyseed would sink the scalebut he's neer a grain abune it. Weel I wot I wad be broken

if I were to gie sic weight to the folk that come to buy our pepper and brimstone, and suchlike sweetmeats.''

``He's a shabby body the laird o' Monkbarns,'' said Mrs. Heukbane; ``he'll make as muckle about buying a

forequarter o' lamb in August as about a back sey o' beef. Let's taste another drop of the sinning'' (perhaps she

meant cinnamon) ``waters, Mrs. Mailsetter, my dear. Ah, lasses! an ye had kend his brother as I didmony

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

``I winna say ony ill o'this Monkbarns,'' said Mrs. Shortcake; ``his brother neer brought me ony wilddeukes,

and this is a douce honest man; we serve the family wi' bread, and he settles wi' huz ilka weekonly he

was in an unco kippage when we sent him a book instead o' the nicksticks,* whilk, he said, were

the true ancient way o' counting between tradesmen and customers; and sae they are, nae doubt.''

``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 cornI haena seen the like o' thisFor William Lovel,

Esquire, at Mrs. Hadoway's, High Street, Fairport, by Edinburgh, N.B. This is just the second letter he has

``Lord's sake, let's see, lass!Lord's sake, let's see!that's him that the hale town kens naething

aboutand a weelfa'ard lad he is; let's see, let's see!'' Thus ejaculated the two worthy representatives of

``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 postoffice amang ourselves if ony mischance befell it;the

postage is fiveandtwenty 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.''

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.

``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

``Weel, weel, leddies,'' said the postmistress, ``we'se sit down and crack about it.Baby, bring ben the

teawaterMuckle obliged to ye for your cookies, Mrs. Shortcakeand we'll steek the shop, and cry ben

Baby, and take a hand at the cartes till the gudeman comes hameand then we'll try your braw veal

``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 Monkbarnshe's in a high fever, wi' pu'ing the laird and Sir Arthur out o' the sea.''

``Silly auld doited carles!'' said Mrs. Shortcake; ``what gar'd them gang to the douking in a night like

``I was gi'en to understand it was auld Edie that saved them,'' said Mrs. Heukbane``Edie Ochiltree, the

BlueGown, ye ken; and that he pu'd the hale three out of the auld fishpound, for Monkbarns had threepit

``Hout, lass, nonsense!'' answered the postmistress; ``I'll tell ye, a' about it, as Caxon tell'd it to me. Ye see,

``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

``Why, Mrs. Heukbane,'' said the woman of letters, pursing up her mouth, ``ye ken my gudeman likes to ride

the expresses himsellwe maun gie our ain fishguts to our ain seamaws it's a red halfguinea to him

every time he munts his mear; and I dare say he'll be in suneor I dare to say, it's the same thing whether

``Only that Mr. Lovel will be in town before the express gaes aff,'' said Mrs. Heukbane; ``and where are ye

``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 neighbourlike, and living and letting live, as they say; and

since I hae been sic a fule as to show you the postoffice orderou, nae doubt, it maun be obeyed. But I'll

no need your callant, mony thanks to yeI'll send little Davie on your powny, and that will be just

``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

``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 Jockour Davie

``Aweel, aweel, Mrs. Mailsetter, I see what ye wad be at but an ye like to risk the bairn, I'll risk the

Orders were accordingly given. The unwilling pony was brought out of his bed of straw, and again equipped

for service Davie (a leathern postbag strapped across his shoulders) was perched upon the saddle, with a

tear in his eye, and a switch in his hand. Jock goodnaturedly led the animal out of town, and, by the crack of

his whip, and the whoop and halloo of his too wellknown voice, compelled it to take the road towards

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

protestedothers 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 Caxonanother, 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 headquarters 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'eothers that he was a spyothers that he was a general officer, who was

visiting the coast privatelyothers that he was a prince of the blood, who was travelling incognito.

Meanwhile the progress of the packet which occasioned so much speculation, towards its destined owner at

Monkbarns, had been perilous and interrupted. The bearer, Davie Mailsetter, as little resembling a bold

dragoon as could well be imagined, was carried onwards towards Monkbarns by the pony, so long as the

animal had in his recollection the crack of his usual instrument of chastisement, and the shout of the butcher's

boy. But feeling how Davie, whose short legs were unequal to maintain his balance, swung to and fro upon

his back, the pony began to disdain furthur compliance with the intimations he had received. First, then, he

slackened his pace to a walk This was no point of quarrel between him and his rider, who had been

considerably discomposed by the rapidity of his former motion, and who now took the opportunity of his

abated pace to gnaw a piece of gingerbread, which had been thrust into his hand by his mother in order to

reconcile this youthful emissary of the postoffice 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 selfwilled 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 stabledoor, 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?''

Old Edie was easily moved to compassion where childhood was in the case.``I wasna gaun that gate,'' he

thought, ``but it's the best o' my way o' life that I canna be weel out o' my road. They'll gie me quarters at

Monkbarns readily eneugh, and I'll e'en hirple awa there wi' the wean, for it will knock its hams out, puir

thing, if there's no somebody to guide the pony. Sae ye hae a letter, hinney? will ye let me see't?''

``I'm no gaun to let naebody see the letter,'' sobbed the boy, ``till I gie't to Mr. Lovel, for I am a faithfu'

``Very right, my little man,'' said Ochiltree, turning the reluctant pony's head towards Monkbarns; ``but we'll

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 prote'ge'. ``What the devil!here comes Old Edie, bag and baggage, I think.''

The beggar explained his errand, and Davie, who insisted upon a literal execution of his commission by going

on to Monkbarns, was with difficulty prevailed upon to surrender the packet to its proper owner, although he

met him a mile nearer than the place he bad been directed to. ``But my minnie said, I maun be sure to get

twenty shillings and five shillings for the postage, and ten shillings and sixpence for the express there's

``Let me seelet 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 hourMan and horse? why, 'tis a monkey on a starved cat!''

``Father wad hae come himsell,'' said Davie, ``on the muckle red mear, an ye wad hae bidden till the morn's

``Fourandtwenty hours after the regular date of delivery! You little cockatrice egg, do you understand the

``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

Lovel, who, sitting on the supposed Praetorium, had glanced over the contents of the packet, now put an end

to the altercation by paying Davies demand; and then turning to Mr. Oldbuck, with a look of much agitation,

he excused himself from returning with him to Monkbarns' that evening.``I must instantly go to Fairport,

and perhaps leave it on a moment's notice;your kindness, Mr. Oldbuck, I can never forget.''

``Of a very chequered complexion,'' answered his friend. ``Farewellin good or bad fortune I will not

inconvenienceI have fiftyor a hundred guineas at your servicetilltill Whitsundayor

``I am much obliged, Mr. Oldbuck, but I am amply provided,'' said his mysterious young friend. ``Excuse

meI really cannot sustain further conversation at present. I will write or see you, before I leave

So saying, he shook the Antiquary's hand warmly, turned from him, and walked rapidly towards the town,

``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

``It's a fine night,'' said the BlueGown, looking up to the skies; ``I had as gude gang back to the town, and

``Do so, do so, Edie;'' and rummaging for some time in his huge waistcoat pocket till be found the object of

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

``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

``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 posthouse, 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 postoffice at Tannonburgh; it's my puir thought, that he jaloused their looking into his

``Tut, don't plague me with your womankind, Caxon. About this poor young lad.Does he write nothing

``Ou, ayhale 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

``That's wrongI have a guess what he's busy about; but he must not work too hard neither. I'll go and see

Having formed this manful resolution, Mr. Oldbuck equipped himself for the expedition with his thick

walkingshoes and goldheaded 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

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 marketplace; 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 ``Goodmorrow, Mr. Oldbucka 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

``I wish to the Lord it were made and over, that I might hear no more about it.''

``Monkbarns, your honour,'' said the nursery and seedsman, ``I hope the plants gied satisfaction?and if ye

wanted ony flowerroots fresh frae Holland, or'' (this in a lower key) ``an anker or twa o' Cologne gin, ane o'

``Thank ye, thank ye,no occasion at present, Mr. Crabtree,'' said the Antiquary, pushing resolutely

``Mr. Oldbuck,'' said the townclerk (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 Fairwellspring through a part o' your

``What the deuce!have they nobody's land but mine to cut and carve on?I won't consent, tell them.''

``And the provost,'' said the clerk, going on, without noticing the rebuff, ``and the council, wad be agreeable

that you should hae the auld stones at Donagild's chapel, that ye was wussing to hae.''

``Eh!what?Oho! that's another storyWell, well, I'll call upon the provost, and we'll talk about it.''

``But ye maun speak your mind on't forthwith, Monkbarns, if ye want the stones; for Deacon Harlewalls

thinks the carved throughstanes might be put with advantage on the front of the new councilhousethat

is, the twa crosslegged figures that the callants used to ca' Robin and Bobbin, ane on ilka doorcheek; and

the other stane, that they ca'd Ailie Dailie, abune the door. It will be very tastefu', the Deacon says, and just in

``Lord deliver me from this Gothic generation!'' exclaimed the Antiquary,``A monument of a

knighttemplar on each side of a Grecian porch, and a Madonna on the top of it!O crimini! Well, tell

the provost I wish to have the stones, and we'll not differ about the watercourse. It's lucky I happened to

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

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 fiveandforty, and enclosed within a widow's closedrawn 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

``I am glad to see you, sirI am very glad to see you. My poor gentleman is, I am afraid, very unwell; and

oh, Mr. Oldbuck, he'll see neither doctor, nor minister, nor writer! And think what it would be, if, as my poor

Mr. Hadoway used to say, a man was to die without advice of the three learned faculties!''

``Greatly better than with them,'' grumbled the cynical Antiquary. ``I tell you, Mrs. Hadoway, the clergy live

by our sins, the medical faculty by our diseases, and the law gentry by our misfortunes.''

``O fie, Monkbarns!to hear the like o' that frae you! But yell walk up and see the poor young

lad?Hegh sirs? sae young and weelfavouredand 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 be now really looks as auld as me, that might be his motherno that I

``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' horseflesh 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' Morphiethey keep it at the Graeme's Arms, ower the street;and he rode

out yesterday morning and this morning before breakfastBut winna ye walk up to his room?''

``O dear, Mr. Oldbuck, not ane; if he wadna receive them when he was weel and sprightly, what chance is

``Ay, ay, very true,I should have been surprised had it been otherwiseCome, show me up stairs, Mrs.

The good landlady showed Mr. Oldbuck up her narrow staircase, warning him of every turn, and lamenting

all the while that he was laid under the necessity of mounting up so high. At length she gently tapped at the

door of her guest's parlour. ``Come in,'' said Lovel; and Mrs. Hadoway ushered in the Laird of Monkbarns.

The little apartment was neat and clean, and decently furnishedornamented, too, by such relics of her

youthful arts of sempstressship 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

writingtable before him, on which lay a quantity of books and papers, Lovel was seated on a couch, in his

nightgown 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

``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

``I understand as much from Mrs. HadowayI 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

``I hope, at least, we shall make our excursions on a better plan of mutual understanding.''

``Noall you young fellows think that would be equal to calling yourselves tailors at onceBut have

``Why, I should be sorry to boast myself as a great horseman; but when I acted as aidedecamp to Sir

``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 chariotscovinarii 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.

``My time,'' said Lovel, with a glance at his black dress, ``has been less pleasantly employed.''

``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 youhow 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

Ah, Mr. Lovel! if it be your lot to reach the chill, cloudy, and comfortless evening of life, you will remember

the sorrows of your youth as the light shadowy clouds that intercepted for a moment the beams of the sun

when it was rising. But I cram these words into your ears against the stomach of your sense.''

``I am sensible of your kindness,'' answered the youth; ``but the wound that is of recent infliction must always

smart severely, and I should be little comforted under my present calamity forgive me for saying

soby 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 fortuneare generally respectedmay, in your own phrase, vacare musis, indulge

yourself in the researches to which your taste addicts you; you may form your own society without

doorsand within you have the affectionate and sedulous attention of the nearest relatives.''

``Why, yesthe womankind, for womankind, are, thanks to my training, very civil and tractabledo not

disturb me in my morning studiescreep across the floor with the stealthy pace of a cat, when it suits me to

take a nap in my easychair after dinner or tea. All this is very well; but I want something to exchange ideas

``Then why do you not invite your nephew, Captain M`Intyre, who is mentioned by every one as a fine

``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 Chamonthas 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, noI'll none of Hector M`Intyre. But hark ye, Lovel;you are a quiet, gentletempered 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 gardenit will cost but a

triflethere is the space for an old one which was condemned long agoby 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

``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 offerit 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

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

pridethey 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

``O certainly,'' said Lovel; ``I cannot think of relinquishing a plan so hopeful.''

``It is indeed,'' said the Antiquary, looking gravely upward, for, though shrewd and acute enough in

estimating the variety of plans formed by others, he had a very natural, though rather disproportioned good

opinion of the importance of those which originated with himself``it is indeed one of those undertakings

which, if achieved with spirit equal to that which dictates its conception, may redeem from the charge of

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,

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 himapologizing 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 turnpikegate, which was about

``What shall we do?'' said Lovel, looking at the Antiquary, but pretty certain of the part he would take.

``Go, manwe'll go, by all means. Let me seeit will cost a postchaise though, which will hold you

and me, and Mary M`Intyre, very welland the other womankind may go to the manseand you can

``True, true, I forgot your Bucephalus. You are a foolish lad, by the by, for purchasing the brute outright; you

should stick to eighteenpence a side, if you will trust any creature's legs in preference to your own.''

``Why, as the horse's have the advantage of moving considerably faster, and are, besides, two pair to one, I

``Enough saidenough saiddo as you please. Well then, I'll bring either Grizel or the minister, for I

love to have my full pennyworth out of posthorsesand we meet at Tirlingen turnpike on Friday, at

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 novelwriting 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 himand 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 geehupping of the postilion, as the postchaise 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 comparisonSir Arthur's ramilies being the positive,

his own bobwig 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

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

brokenwinded backs 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

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 eyebrow, 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 Horseshoes, a small hedge inn, where Caxon humbly

opened the door, and let down the step of the hackchaise, while the inmates of the barouche were, by their

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

It frequently happens that the most beautiful points of Scottish scenery lie hidden in some sequestered dell,

and that you may travel through the country in every direction without being aware of your vicinity to what is

well worth seeing, unless intention or accident carry you to the very spot. This is particularly the case in the

country around Fairport, which is, generally speaking, open, unenclosed, and bare. But here and there the

progress of rills, or small rivers, has formed dells, glens, or as they are provincially termed, dens, on whose

high and rocky banks trees and shrubs of all kinds find a shelter, and grow with a luxuriant profusion, which

is the more gratifying, as it forms an unexpected contrast with the general face of the country. This was

eminently the case with the approach to the ruins of Saint Ruth, which was for some time merely a

sheeptrack, 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

Oldbuck now took upon himself the full authority of cicerone, and anxiously directed the company not to go

a footbreadth 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

I know each lane, and every alley green, Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood, And every bosky bower

Ah! deuce take it!that spray of a bramble has demolished all Caxon's labours, and nearly canted my wig

``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

So sinks the daystar in the ocean bed, And yet anon repairs his drooping head, And tricks his beams, and

``O! enough, enough!'' answered Oldbuck; ``I ought to have known what it was to give you advantage over

meBut 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

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 rocksin others covered with the

copse, which run up, feathering their sides lightly and irregularly, and breaking the uniformity of the green

pastureground.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 closecropt 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

timbertrees 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

``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 squareshafted windowsthere 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 devilyea, 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

``And, O John Knox'' said the Baronet, ``through whose influence, and under whose auspices, the patriotic

The Antiquary, somewhat in the situation of a W. 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

But Miss Wardour broke in to interrupt a conversation so dangerous. ``Pray, who was the author you quoted,

``The learned Leland, Miss Wardour, who lost his senses on witnessing the destruction of the conventual

``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

``Well, thank Heaven, there is no danger nowthey have hardly left us a spoonful in which to perform the

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

``And,'' added the Baronet, ``in exercising the rites of devotion with a pomp and ceremonial worthy of the

``And if Sir Arthur's excellence will permit,'' said the German, with a low bow, ``the monksh might also

make de vary curious experiment in deir laboraties, both in chemistry and magia naturalis.''

``I think,'' said the clergyman, ``they would have enough to do in collecting the teinds of the parsonage and

``And all,'' added Miss Wardour, nodding to the Antiquary, ``without interruption from womankind. ''

``True, my fair foe,'' said Oldbuck; ``this was a paradise where no Eve was admitted, and we may wonder the

With such criticisms on the occupations of those by whom the ruins had been formerly possessed, they

wandered for some time from one mossgrown shrine to another, under the guidance of Oldbuck, who

explained, with much plausibility, the groundplan 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

``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 remainsthese 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

The question was somewhat puzzling. Sir Arthur looked upward, as if hoping to be inspired with an

answerOldbuck shoved back his wigthe 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 abominationLovel 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

``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

``De hand of glory, my goot Master Oldenbuck, which is a vary great and terrible secretswhich de

monksh used to conceal their treasures when they were triven from their cloisters by what you call de

``Ay, indeed! tell us about that,'' said Oldbuck, ``for these are secrets worth knowing.''

``Why, my goot Master Oldenbuck, you will only laugh at meBut de hand of glory is vary well known in

de countries where your worthy progenitors did liveand 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 worsethen 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

``I dare take my corporal oath of that conclusion,'' said the Antiquary. ``And was it the custom, Mr.

``Alwaysh, Mr. Oldenbuck, when you did not want nobody to talk of nothing you wash doing aboutAnd

the monksh alwaysh did this when they did hide their churchplates, and their great chalices, and de rings,

``But, notwithstanding, you knights of the Rosy Cross have means, no doubt, of breaking the spell, and

discovering what the poor monks have put themselves to so much trouble to conceal?''

``Ah! goot Mr. Oldenbuck,'' replied the adept, shaking his head mysteriously, ``you was very hard to believe;

but if you had seen de great huge pieces of de plate so massive, Sir Arthur, so fine fashion, Miss

Wardourand de silver cross dat we did find (dat was Schroepfer and my ownself) for de Herr Freygraf, as

``Seeing is believing indeed. But what was your artwhat was your mystery, Mr. Dousterswivel?''

``Aha, Mr. Oldenbuck! dat is my little secret, mine goot sir you sall forgife me that I not tell that. But I

will tell you dere are various waysyes, indeed, dere is de dream dat you dream tree timesdat is a vary

``I am glad of that,'' said Oldbuck; ``I have a friend'' (with a sideglance to Lovel) ``who is peculiarly

``Den dere is de sympathies, and de antipathies, and de strange properties and virtues natural of divers herb,

``I would gladly rather see some of these wonders than hear of them,'' said Miss Wardour.

``Ah, but, my muchhonoured 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

``Umph!'' quoth the Antiquary, ``I have heard of that conundrum. That will be no very productive art in our

country; you should carry that property to Spain or Portugal, and turn it to good account.''

``Ah! my goot Master Oldenbuck, dere is de Inquisition and de Autodafe'they would burn me, who am

``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

In truth, the German was now got to a little copsethicket 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

diviningrod 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

``I shall take that license,'' whispered the Antiquary to Lovel, ``whether the water is discovered or no.''

A servant, who had come up with a basket of cold refreshments, was now despatched to a neighbouring

forester's hut for a mattock and pickaxe. The loose stones and rubbish being removed from the spot

indicated by the German, they soon came to the sides of a regularlybuilt well; and when a few feet of

rubbish were cleared out by the assistance of the forester and his sons, the water began to rise rapidly, to the

delight of the philosopher, the astonishment of the ladies, Mr. Blattergowl, and Sir Arthur, the surprise of

Lovel, and the confusion of the incredulous Antiquary. He did not fail, however, to enter his protest in Lovers

ear against the miracle. ``This is a mere trick,'' he said; ``the rascal had made himself sure of the existence of

this old well, by some means or other, before he played off this mystical piece of jugglery. Mark what he

talks of next. I am much mistaken if this is not intended as a prelude to some more serious fraud. See how the

rascal assumes consequence, and plumes himself upon the credit of his success, and how poor Sir Arthur

takes in the tide of nonsense which he is delivering to him as principles of occult science!''

``You do see, my goot patron, you do see, my goot ladies, you do see, worthy Dr. Bladderhowl, and even Mr.

Lofel and Mr. Oldenbuck may see, if they do will to see, how art has no enemy at all but ignorance. Look at

this little slip of hazel nutsit 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

philosopherpaf! it makes de grand discovery. But this is nothing, Sir Arthur,nothing at all, worthy

Dr. Botherhowl nothing at all, ladiesnothing 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

``And a little money would be necessary also, would it not?'' said the Antiquary.

``Bah! one trifle, not worth talking about, maight be necessaries,'' answered the adept.

``I thought as much,'' rejoined the Antiquary, drily; ``and I, in the meanwhile, without any diviningrod, will

show you an excellent venison pasty, and a bottle of London particular Madeira, and I think that will match

The feast was spread fronde super viridi, as Oldbuck expressed himself, under a huge old tree called the

Prior's Oak, and the company, sitting down around it, did ample honour to the, contents of the basket.

When their collation was ended, Sir Arthur resumed the account of the mysteries of the diviningrod, 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

``Ah, Sir Arthur, that was not a thing to speak to those gentlemans, because it is want of credulitywhat

``At least, however, let my daughter read the narrative she has taken down of the story of Martin Waldeck.''

``Ah! that was vary true storybut Miss Wardour, she is so sly and so witty, that she has made it just like

one romance as well as Goethe or Wieland could have done it, by mine honest wort.''

``To say the truth, Mr. Dousterswivel,'' answered Miss Wardour, ``the romantic predominated in the legend

so much above the probable, that it was impossible for a lover of fairyland like me to avoid lending a few

touches to make it perfect in its kind. But here it is, and if you do not incline to leave this shade till the heat of

the day has somewhat declined, and will have sympathy with my bad composition, perhaps Sir Arthur or Mr.

``Nor I,'' said Oldbuck, ``for I have forgot my spectacles. But here is Lovel, with sharp eyes and a good voice;

for Mr. Blattergowl, I know, never reads anything, lest he should be suspected of reading his sermons.''

The task was therefore imposed upon Lovel, who received, with some trepidation, as Miss Wardour

delivered, with a little embarrassment, a paper containing the lines traced by that fair hand, the possession of

which he coveted as the highest blessing the earth could offer to him. But there was a necessity of

suppressing his emotions; and after glancing over the manuscript, as if to become acquainted with the

* The outline of this story is taken from the German, though the Author * is at present unable to say in which

of the various collections of the popular * legends in that language the original is to be found.

the mountains called Blocksberg, or rather Brockenberg, are the chosen scenes for tales of witches, demons,

and apparitions. 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

* The shadow of the person who sees the phantom, being reflected upon * a cloud of mist, like the image of

the magic lantern upon a white sheet, is * supposed to have formed the apparition.

In elder times, the intercourse of the demon with the inhabitants was more familiar, and, according to the

traditions of the Harz, he was wont, with the caprice usually ascribed to these earthborn 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

A travelling capuchin had possessed himself of the pulpit of the thatched church at a little hamlet called

Morgenbrodt, lying in the Harz district, from which he declaimed against the wickedness of the inhabitants,

their communication with fiends, witches, and fairies, and, in particular, with the woodland goblin of the

Harz. The doctrines of Luther had already begun to spread among the peasantry (for the incident is placed

under the reign of Charles V.), and they laughed to scorn the zeal with which the venerable man insisted upon

his topic. At length, as his vehemence increased with opposition, so their opposition rose in proportion to his

vehemence. The inhabitants did not like to hear an accustomed quiet demon, who had inhabited the

Brockenberg for so many ages, summarily confounded with Baalpeor, 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 today and away tomorrow, may say what be 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

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

illluck ultimately attending on the apparent benefits conferred by the Harz spirit, failed to make any

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 demonhe lives among

us as if he were a peasant like ourselves haunts the lonely crags and recesses of the mountains like a

huntsman or goatherdand he who loves the Harz forest and its wild scenes cannot be indifferent to the

fate of the hardy children of the soil. But, if the demon were as malicious as you would make him, how

should he derive power over mortals, who barely avail themselves of his gifts, without binding themselves to

submit to his pleasure? When you carry your charcoal to the furnace, is not the money as good that is paid

you by blaspheming Blaize, the old reprobate overseer, as if you got it from the pastor himself? It is not the

goblins gifts which can endanger you, then, but it is the use you shall make of them that you must account

for. And were the demon to appear to me at this moment, and indicate to me a gold or silver mine, I would

begin to dig away even before his back were turned, and I would consider myself as under protection of a

much Greater than he, while I made a good use of the wealth he pointed out to me.''

To this the elder brother replied, that wealth ill won was seldom well spent; while Martin presumptuously

declared, that the possession of all the treasures of the Harz would not make the slightest alteration on his

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 boarchase. 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,

Max Waldeck, the eldest, watched during the first two hours of the night, and was considerably alarmed by

observing, upon the opposite bank of the glen, or valley, a huge fire surrounded by some figures that

appeared to wheel around it with antic gestures. Max at first bethought him of calling up his brothers; but

recollecting the daring character of the youngest, and finding it impossible to wake the elder without also

disturbing Martin conceiving also what he saw to be an illusion of the demon, sent perhaps in

consequence of the venturous expressions used by Martin on the preceding evening, he thought it best to

betake himself to the safeguard of such prayers as he could murmur over, and to watch in great terror and

annoyance this strange and alarming apparition. After blazing for some time, the fire faded gradually away

into darkness, and the rest of Max's watch was only disturbed by the remembrance of its terrors.

George now occupied the place of Max, who had retired to rest. The phenomenon of a huge blazing fire,

upon the opposite bank of the glen, again presented itself to the eye of the watchman. It was surrounded as

before by figures, which, distinguished by their opaque forms, being between the spectator and the red

glaring light, moved and fluctuated around it as if engaged in some mystical ceremony. George, though

equally cautious, was of a bolder character than his elder brother. He resolved to examine more nearly the

object of his wonder; and, accordingly. after crossing the rivulet which divided the glen, he climbed up the

opposite bank, and approached within an arrow's flight of the fire, which blazed apparently with the same

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 wellknown apparition of the Harz demon, as he had been often described to

him by the ancient shepherds and huntsmen who had seen his form traversing the mountains. He turned, and

was about to fly; but upon second thoughts, blaming his own cowardice, he recited mentally the verse of the

Psalmist, ``All good angels, praise the Lord!'' which is in that country supposed powerful as an exorcism, and

turned himself once more towards the place where he had seen the fire. But it was no longer visible.

The pale moon alone enlightened the side of the valley; and when George, with trembling steps, a moist

brow, and hair bristling upright under his collier's cap, came to the spot on which the fire had been so lately

visible, marked as it was by a scathed oaktree, 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 oaktree, which had so

lately appeared enveloped in wreaths of flame and smoke, were moist with the dews of midnight.

George returned to his hut with trembling steps, and, arguing like his elder brother, resolved to say nothing of

what he had seen, lest he should awake in Martin that daring curiosity which he almost deemed to be allied

It was now Martin's turn to watch. The household cock had given his first summons, and the night was

wellnigh spent. Upon examining the state of the furnace in which the wood was deposited in order to its

being coked or charred, he was surprised to find that the fire had not been sufficiently maintained; for in his

excursion and its consequences, George had forgot the principal object of his watch. Martin's first thought

was to call up the slumberers; but observing that both his brothers slept unwontedly deep and heavily, he

respected their repose, and set himself to supply the furnace with fuel without requiring their aid. What he

heaped upon it was apparently damp and unfit for the purpose, for the fire seemed rather to decay than revive.

Martin next went to collect some boughs from a stack which had been carefully cut and dried for this

purpose; but, when he returned, he found the fire totally extinguished. This was a serious evil, and threatened

them with loss of their trade for more than one day. The vexed and mortified watchman set about to strike a

light in order to rekindle the fire but the tinder was moist, and his labour proved in this respect also

ineffectual. He was now about to call up his brothers, for circumstances seemed to be pressing, when flashes

of light glimmered not only through the window, but through every crevice of the rudely built hut, and

summoned him to behold the same apparition which had before alarmed the successive watches of his

brethren. His first idea was, that the Muhllerhaussers, their rivals in trade, and with whom they had had many

quarrels, might have encroached upon their bounds for the purpose of pirating their wood; and he resolved to

awake his brothers, and be revenged on them for their audacity. But a short reflection and observation on the

gestures and manner of those who seemed to ``work in the fire,'' induced him to dismiss this belief, and

although rather sceptical in such matters, to conclude that what he saw was a supernatural phenomenon. ``But

be they men or fiends,'' said the undaunted forester, ``that busy themselves yonder with such fantastical rites

and gestures, I will go and demand a light to rekindle our furnace.'' He, relinquished at the same time the idea

of awaking his brethren. There was a belief that such adventures as he was about to undertake were accessible

only to one person at a time; he feared also that his brothers, in their scrupulous timidity, might interfere to

prevent his pursuing the investigation he had resolved to commence; and, therefore, snatching his boarspear

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

``Martin Waldeck, the forester,'' answered the hardy youth; ``and who are you?''

``The King of the Waste and of the Mine,'' answered the spectre;``and why hast thou dared to encroach

``I came in search of light to rekindle my fire,'' answered Martin, hardily, and then resolutely asked in his

``We celebrate,'' answered the complaisant demon, ``the wedding of Hermes with the Black DragonBut

take thy fire that thou camest to seek, and begone! no mortal may look upon us and live.''

The peasant struck his spearpoint 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 fireprong, 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

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

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

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

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

gallantlyequipped 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 cindersifter 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 heraldatarms, 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

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 pinetree, 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

The terrified brethren turned their vehicle toward the towers of a convent, which arose in a wood of

pinetrees beside the road. They were charitably received by a barefooted and longbearded capuchin, and

Martin survived only to complete the first confession he had made since the day of his sudden prosperity, and

to receive absolution from the very priest whom, precisely on that day three years, he had assisted to pelt out

of the hamlet of Morgenbrodt. The three years of precarious prosperity were supposed to have a mysterious

correspondence with the number of his visits to the spectral fire upon the bill.

The body of Martin Waldeck was interred in the convent where he expired, in which his brothers, having

assumed the habit of the order, lived and died in the performance of acts of charity and devotion. His lands, to

which no one asserted any claim, lay waste until they were reassumed by the emperor as a lapsed fief, and the

ruins of the castle, which Waldeck had called by his own name, are still shunned by the miner and forester as

haunted by evil spirits. Thus were the miseries attendant upon wealth, hastily attained and ill employed,

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 fictionsfor me,

``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 firtree for his walking cane, and wid de great green bush around

``There is no disputing any proposition so well guaranteed,'' answered the Antiquary, drily. But at this

The new comer was a handsome young man, about fiveandtwenty, in a military undress, and bearing, in

his look and manner, a good deal of the, martial professionnay, perhaps a little more than is quite

consistent with the ease of a man of perfect goodbreeding, 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

``From Fife, my liege,'' answered the young soldier, and continued, when he had politely saluted the rest of

the company, and particularly Sir Arthur and his daughter``I learned from one of the servants, as I rode

towards Monkbarns to pay my respects to you, that I should find the present company in this place, and I

willingly embrace the opportunity to pay my respects to so many of my friends at once.''

``And to a new one also, my trusty Trojan,'' said Oldbuck. ``Mr. Lovel, this is my nephew, Captain

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

The observations which Lovel made during the remainder of this pleasure party did not tend to reconcile him

with this addition to their society. Captain M`Intyre, with the gallantry to be expected from his age and

profession, attached himself to the service of Miss Wardour, and offered her, on every possible opportunity,

those marks of attention which Lovel would have given the world to have rendered, and was only deterred

from offering by the fear of her displeasure. With forlorn dejection at one moment, and with irritated

susceptibility at another, he saw this handsome young soldier assume and exercise all the privileges of a

cavaliere servente. He handed Miss Wardour's gloves, he assisted her in putting on her shawl, he attached

himself to her in the walks, had a hand ready to remove every impediment in her path, and an arm to support

her where it was rugged or difficult; his conversation was addressed chiefly to her, and, where circumstances

permitted, it was exclusively so. All this, Lovel well knew, might be only that sort of egotistical gallantry

which induces some young men of the present day to give themselves the air of engrossing the attention of

the prettiest women in company, as if the others were unworthy of their notice. But he thought he observed in

the conduct of Captain M`Intyre something of marked and peculiar tenderness, which was calculated to alarm

the jealousy of a lover. Miss Wardour also received his attentions; and although his candour allowed they

were of a kind which could not be repelled without some strain of affectation, yet it galled him to the heart to

The heartburning 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

``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

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

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

Miss Wardour, and her selfelected 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

te^tea`te^te with the young officer, fairly made a pause until Mr. Oldbuck came up. ``I wished to ask you a

It would be doing injustice to Miss Wardour's savoir faire, to suppose she was not aware that such a question

would lead to an answer of no limited length. The Antiquary, starting like a warhorse at the trumpet sound,

plunged at once into the various arguments for and against the date of 1273, which had been assigned to the

priory of St. Ruth by a late publication on Scottish architectural antiquities. He raked up the names of all the

priors who had ruled the institution, of the nobles who had bestowed lands upon it, and of the monarchs who

had slept their last sleep among its roofless courts. As a train which takes fire is sure to light another, if there

be such in the vicinity, the Baronet, catching at the name of one of his ancestors which occurred in Oldbuck's

disquisition, entered upon an account of his wars, his conquests, and his trophies; and worthy Dr. Blattergowl

was induced, from the mention of a grant of lands, cum decimis inclusis tam vicariis quam garbalibus, et

nunquan antea separatis, to enter into a long explanation concerning the interpretation given by the Teind

Court in the consideration of such a clause, which had occurred in a process for localling his last

augmentation of stipend. The orators, like three racers, each pressed forward to the goal, without much

regarding how each crossed and jostled his competitors. Mr. Oldbuck harangued, the Baronet declaimed, Mr.

Blattergowl prosed and laid down the law, while the Latin forms of feudal grants were mingled with the

jargon of blazonry, and the yet more barbarous phraseology of the Teind Court of Scotland. ``He was,''

exclaimed Oldbuck, speaking of the Prior Adhemar, ``indeed an exemplary prelate; and, from his strictness of

morals, rigid execution of penance, joined to the charitable disposition of his mind, and the infirmities

Here he chanced to cough, and Sir Arthur burst in, or rather continued``was called popularly

HellinHarness; he carried a shield, gules with a sable fess, which we have since disused, and was slain at

the battle of Vernoil, in France, after killing six of the English with his own''

``Decreet of certification,'' proceeded the clergyman, in that prolonged, steady, prosing tone, which, however

overpowered at first by the vehemence of competition, promised, in the long run, to obtain the ascendancy in

this strife of narrators; ``Decreet of certification having gone out, and parties being held as confessed, the

proof seemed to be held as concluded, when their lawyer moved to have it opened up, on the allegation that

they had witnesses to bring forward, that they had been in the habit of carrying the ewes to lamb on the

But here the, Baronet and Mr. Oldbuck having recovered their wind, and continued their respective

harangues, the three strands of the conversation, to speak the language of a ropework, were again twined

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

``So I find, Mary, that your neighbour has neither become more lively nor less learned during my absence.''

``Thank you, my dear sister. But you have got a wiser, if not so lively an addition to your society, than your

unworthy brotherPray, who is this Mr. Lovel, whom our old uncle has at once placed so high in his good

``Ay,that is to say, he bows when he comes into a room, and wears a coat that is whole at the elbows.''

``No, brother; it says a great deal more. It says that his manners and discourse express the feelings and

``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

``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

``What! that romantic story is true, then?And pray, does the valorous knight aspire, as is befitting on such

occasions, to the hand of the young lady whom he redeemed from peril? It is quite in the rule of romance, I

am aware; and I did think that she was uncommonly dry to me as we walked together, and seemed from time

to time as if she watched whether she was not giving offence to her gallant cavalier.''

``Dear Hector,'' said his sister, ``if you really continue to nourish any affection for Miss Wardour''

``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 M`lntyre is not inferior.''

``But, Hector,'' continued his sister, ``Sir Arthur always considers us as members of the Monkbarns family.''

``Sir Arthur may consider what he pleases,'' answered the Highlander scornfully; ``but any one with common

sense will consider that the wife takes rank from the husband, and that my father's pedigree of fifteen

unblemished descents must have ennobled my mother, if her veins had been filled with printer's ink.''

``For God's sake, Hector,'' replied his anxious sister, ``take care of yourself! a single expression of that kind,

repeated to my uncle by an indiscreet or interested eavesdropper, would lose you his favour for ever, and

``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 apronstring 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, wellregulated lives, if it

pleases Heaven. My part is takenI'll fawn on no man for an inheritance which should be mine by birth.''

Miss M`Intyre laid her hand on her brother's arm, and entreated him to suppress his vehemence. ``Who,'' she

said, ``injures or seeks to injure you, but your own hasty temper? what dangers are you defying, but those

you have yourself conjured up?Our uncle has hitherto been all that is kind and paternal in his conduct to

us, and why should you suppose he will in future be otherwise than what he has ever been, since we were left

``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 flinthis

investigations about invalided pots and pans and tobaccostoppers past serviceall these things put me out

``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

``Well,'' answered Captain M`Intyre, ``I am schooledgoodmanners be my speed! I'll do the civil thing

With this determination, in which he was for the time perfectly sincere, he joined the party who were walking

before them. The treble disquisition was by this time ended; and Sir Arthur was speaking on the subject of

foreign news, and the political and military situation of the country, themes upon which every man thinks

himself qualified to give an opinion. An action of the preceding year having come upon the tapis, Lovel,

accidentally mingling in the conversation, made some assertion concerning it, of the accuracy of which

Captain M`Intyre seemed not to be convinced, although his doubts were politely expressed.

``You must confess yourself in the wrong here, Hector,'' said his uncle, ``although I know no man less willing

to give up an argument; but you were in England at the time, and Mr. Lovel was probably concerned in the

``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

A blush crossed Lovel's countenance. ``I have not lately been with my regiment,'' he replied; ``I served the

``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

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 postchaise companions all his

Lovel in the meanwhile had taken out his pocketbook, and selecting a letter, from which he took off the

envelope, he handed it to M`lntyre. ``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 be

glanced his eye over it, could not deny that it was written in the General's hand, but drily observed, as be

returned it, that the address was wanting. ``The address, Captain M`Intyre,'' answered Lovel, in the same

``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 bulldog puppies, forsooth, that when the bull, poor fellow, is removed from the ring, fall

to brawl among themselves, worry each other, and bite honest folk's shins that are standing by?''

Sir Arthur trusted, he said, the young gentlemen would not so far forget themselves as to grow warm upon

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

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

When Lovel took leave of the ladies, Miss Wardour's manner seemed more anxious than he had hitherto

remarked it. She indicated by a glance of her eye towards Captain M`Intyre, perceptible only by Lovel, the

subject of her alarm, and hoped, in a voice greatly under her usual tone, it was not a less pleasant engagement

which deprived them of the pleasure of Mr. Lovel's company. ``No engagement had intervened,'' he assured

her; ``it was only the return of a complaint by which he had been for some time occasionally attacked.''

``The best remedy in such a case is prudence, and Ievery friend of Mr. Lovel's will expect him to employ

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 boya spoiled child from

the time he was in the nurse's armshe threw his coral and bells at my head for refusing him a bit of sugar;

and you have too much sense to mind such a shrewish boy: aequam servare mentem is the motto of our friend

Horace. I'll school Hector by and by, and put it all to rights.'' But Lovel persisted in his design of returning to

The Antiquary then assumed a graver tone.``Take heed, young man, to your present feelings. Your life

has been given yon 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 townclerk and provost Mucklewhame chose to assume the

privileges of gentlemen, and challenged each other. I thought of printing my Essay, which is signed

Pacificator; but there was no need, as the matter was taken up by the towncouncil of the borough.''

``But I assure you, my dear sir, there is nothing between Captain M`Intyre and me that can render such

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

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 M`lntyre. 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

``Simply, sir,'' replied Lovel, ``that my name is Lovel, and that my residence is, for the present, Fairport, as

``I find you, sir, in company with my sister,'' said the young soldier, ``and I have a right to know who is

``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.''

``Yes, sir, such is my expressionif you have so served, you must know that you owe me satisfaction

``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

``Very well, sir,'' rejoined Hector, and, turning his horse round, galloped off to overtake his party.

His absence had already alarmed them, and his sister, having stopped the carriage, had her neck stretched out

``What is the matter with you now?'' said the Antiquary, ``riding to and fro as your neck were upon the

``Forgot your glove!I presume you meant to say you went to throw it downBut I will take order with

you, my young gentlemanyou shall return with me this night to Monkbarns.'' So saying, he bid the

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

``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

``May I ask, if you, Mr. Lesley, would have inclined to satisfy interrogatories so haughtily and

``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 gentlemanlike 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

``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

``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 M`Intyre will condescend

to rest satisfied? Mr. Lesley, I have just one word to say on this subjectI 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

``In that case, Captain M`Intyre requests you to be informed, that your farther visits at Monkbarns, and all

``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

``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

``Most unquestionably, I will wait upon him. There is only one difficultyI must find a friend to

accompany me, and where to seek one on this short notice, as I have no acquaintance in FairportI

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

delicatenay, let me add, that many persons will even consider it as a piece of Quixotry in M`Intyre to

give you a meeting, while your character and circumstances are involved in such obscurity.''

``I understand your innuendo, Mr. Lesley,'' rejoined Lovel; and though I might be offended at its severity, I

am not so, because it is meant kindly. But, in my opinion, he is entitled to all the privileges of a gentleman, to

whose charge, during the time he has been known in the society where he happens to move, nothing can be

laid that is unhandsome or unbecoming. For a friend, I dare say I shall find some one or other who will do me

that good turn; and if his experience be less than I could wish, I am certain not to suffer through that

``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 gunbrig is come into the

roadstead, and he himself is now at old Caxon's, where he lodges. I think you have the same degree of

acquaintance with him as with me, and, as I am sure I should willingly have rendered you such a service were

I not engaged on the other side, I am convinced he will do so at your first request.''

``At the thorntree, then, Mr. Lesley, at seven this evening the arms, I presume, are pistols?''

``Exactly. M`Intyre has chosen the hour at which he can best escape from Monkbarnshe was with me this

morning by five, in order to return and present himself before his uncle was up. Goodmorning to you, Mr.

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

The lieutenant received him with the good breeding of a gentleman and the frankness of a sailor, and listened

with no small surprise to the detail which preceded his request that he might be favoured with his company at

his meeting with Captain M`Intyre. When he had finished, Taffril rose up and walked through his apartment

once or twice. ``This is a most singular circumstance,'' he said, ``and really''

``I am conscious, Mr. Taffril, how little I am entitled to make my present request, but the urgency of

``Permit me to ask you one question,'' asked the sailor; ``is there anything of which you are ashamed in

``Upon my honour, no; there is nothing but what, in a very short time, I trust I may publish to the whole

``I hope the mystery arises from no false shame at the lowness of your friends perhaps, or connections?''

``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 nextdoor neighbours, at a time when I little thought of the good fortune which

``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

``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 allBut 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 sailorhe

himself, I suppose, is little better, unless just as his uncle pleases; and whether one pursues fortune by land, or

``Well,'' said his new ally, ``we will dine together and arrange matters for this rencounter. I hope you

``I am sorry for it also,'' said Lovel, ``both for his sake and my own: I must then, in selfdefence, take my

``Well,'' added Taffril, ``I will have our surgeon's mate on the fielda good clever young fellow at

caulking a shothole. I will let Lesley, who is an honest fellow for a landsman, know that he attends for the

benefit of either party. Is there anything I can do for you in case of an accident?''

``I have but little occasion to trouble you,'' said Lovel. ``This small billet contains the key of my escritoir, and

my very brief secret. There is one letter in the escritoir'' (digesting a temporary swelling of the heart as he

``I understand,'' said the sailor. ``Nay, my friend, never be ashamed for the matteran 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

It was a beautiful summer evening, and the shadow of the solitary thorntree was lengthening upon the short

greensward of the narrow valley, which was skirted by the woods that closed around the ruins of St. Ruth.*

* [Supposed to have been suggested by the old Abbey of Arbroath in * Forfarshire.]

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

mossgrown but strong and contorted boughs which served him for a canopy. It was old Ochiltree. ``This is

``Here, father Adam,'' cried Taffril, who knew the mendicant of yore``here's halfacrown for you. You

must go to the Four Horseshoes yonderthe 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,andGet off with youCome, come, weigh

``I thank ye for your awmous,'' said Ochiltree, pocketing the piece of money; ``but I beg your pardon, Mr.

``With me?'' answered Lovel: ``what would you say with me? Come, say on, and be brief.''

The mendicant led him a few paces aside. ``Are ye indebted onything to the Laird o' Monkbarns?''

``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 postchaise, but Monkbarns in an unco carfufflenow, it's no a

little thing that will make his honour take a chaise and posthorse twa days rinnin'.''

``Ou, ye'se hear, ye'se hear. Weel, Monkbarns is closeted wi' the shirra whatever puir folk may be left

``Canna ye bid me gang to the deevil at ance, Mr. Lovel? it wad be mair purpose fa'ard than to speak o'

``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

``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 youI thought it had been on a fugie warrant for debt; for a' body kens

the laird likes naebody to pit his hand in his pouchBut 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

The antagonist now approached, and saluted with the stern civility which befitted the occasion. ``What has

``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

``Serve where you please, you have no title to intrude on us,'' said M`Intyre, ``or''and he lifted his cane in

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

``Well, well, I was wrongI was wrong,'' said M`Intyre; ``here's a crown for yougo your

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 themand 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 manbut I'm an auld man tooand 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 ladsthe 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 fealdyke to lay his gun ower, and may live to tell

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

``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'sArms.''

``I would heartily recommend it,'' said Lesley; ``for, amidst a great deal of heat and irritation on both sides, I

``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'sArms very joyously, but would rise the next morning with

reputations as ragged as our friend here, who has obliged us with a rather unnecessary display of his oratory. I

speak for myself, that I find myself bound to call upon you to proceed without more delay.''

``And I,'' said Lovel, ``as I never desired any, have also to request these gentlemen to arrange preliminaries as

``Bairns! bairns!'' cried old Ochiltree; but perceiving he was no longer attended to``Madmen, I should

saybut 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

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 nothingit is nothing give us the other

pistols.'' But in an instant he said, in a lower tone, ``I believe I have enoughand what's worse, I fear I

deserve it. Mr. Lovel, or whatever your name is, fly and save yourselfBear all witness, I provoked this

matter.'' Then raising himself again on his arm, he added, ``Shake hands, LovelI believe you to be a

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 doomedwhat's

done is past recalling. But awa, awa, if ye wad save your young blood from a shamefu' deathI see the

men out by yonder that are come ower late to part yebut, out and alack! sune eneugh, and ower sune, to

``He is righthe is right,'' exclaimed Taffril; ``you must not attempt to get on the highroadget 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 Musselcrag. Awayaway, for Heaven's sake!''

``O yes! fly, fly!'' repeated the wounded man, his words faltering with convulsive sobs.

``Come with me,'' said the mendicant, almost dragging him off; ``the Captain's plan is the bestI'll carry ye

to a place where ye might be concealed in the meantime, were they to seek ye 'wi' sleuthhounds.''

``It was worse madness to have come hither,'' said Lovel, pressing his hand``But farewell!'' And he

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

counterbalance 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 bloodguiltiness which he possessed in the morning.

These painful reflections were not interrupted by any conversation on the part of his guide, who threaded the

thicket before him, now holding back the sprays to make his path easy, now exhorting him to make haste,

now muttering to himself, after the custom of solitary and neglected old age, words which might have

escaped Lovel's ear even had he listened to them, or which, apprehended and retained, were too isolated to

convey any connected meaning,a habit which may be often observed among people of the old man's age

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 foxearth, was indicated by a small fissure in the rock, screened by the

boughs of an aged oak, which, anchored by its thick and twisted roots in the upper part of the cleft, flung its

branches almost straight outward from the cliff, concealing it effectually from all observation. It might indeed

have escaped the attention even of those who had stood at its very opening, so uninviting was the portal at

which the beggar entered. But within, the cavern was higher and more roomy, cut into two separate branches,

which, intersecting each other at right angles, formed an emblem of the cross, and indicated the abode of an

anchoret of former times. There are many caves of the same kind in different parts of Scotland. I need only

instance those of Gorton, near Rosslyn, in a scene well known to the admirers of romantic nature.

The light within the eave was a dusky twilight at the entrance, which failed altogether in the inner recesses.

``Few folks ken o' this place,'' said the old man; ``to the best o'my knowledge, there's just twa living by

mysell, and that's Jingling Jock and the Lang Linker. I have had mony a thought, that when I fand mysell auld

and forfairn, and no able to enjoy God's blessed air ony langer, I wad drag mysell here wi' a pickle aitmeal;

and see, there's a bit bonny dropping well that popples that selfsame 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 farmstead, 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 BlueGown that mends a' their

He then led Lovel, who followed him unresistingly, into one of the interior branches of the cave. ``Here,'' he

said, ``is a bit turnpikestair 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 dayAnd 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 ofay, 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 holeAnd, 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 gyrecarlins 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, aythey were daft days

thae;but they were a' vanity, and waur,and it's fitting that they wha hae led a light and evil life, and

abused charity when they were young, suld aiblins come to lack it when they are auld.''

While Ochiltree was thus recounting the exploits and tricks of his earlier life, with a tone in which glee and

compunction alternately predominated, his unfortunate auditor had sat down upon the hermit's seat, hewn out

of the solid rock, and abandoned himself to that lassitude, both of mind and body, which generally follows a

course of events that have agitated both, The effect of his late indisposition, which had much weakened his

system, contributed to this lethargic despondency. ``The puir bairn!'' said auld Edie, ``an he sleeps in this

damp hole, he'll maybe wauken nae mair, or catch some sair disease. It's no the same to him as to the like o'

us, that can sleep ony gate an anes our wames are fu'. Sit up, Maister Lovel, lad! After a's come and gane, I

dare say the captainlad will do weel eneughand, 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 usand

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 rightGod forbidor 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

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

* The king's keys are, in law phrase, the crowbars and hammers used * to force doors and locks, in

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 downbowls

may a' row right yetgie the lassie time to ken her mind. She's the wale o' the country for beauty, and a

gude friend o' mineI gang by the bridewell as safe as by the kirk on a Sabbathdeil 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

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

``The air's free eneugh,'' said the old man; ``the monks took care o' that, for they werena a langbreathed

generation, I reckon; they hae contrived queer tirliewirlie holes, that gang out to the open air, and keep the

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

``This secret passage ance gaed round great part o' the biggin,'' said the beggar, ``and through the wa' o' the

place I've heard Monkbarns ca' the Refractory'' [meaning probably Refectory], ``and so awa to the Prior's ain

house. It's like he could use it to listen what the monks were saying at mealtime, 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 yonderfor 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 thatby my certie, some o' our necks

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 stonework, it commanded a full view of the chancel in every direction, and was

probably constructed, as Edie intimated, to be a convenient watchtower, 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

``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 nighttime thae

flowers, and they're maist aye seen about rained buildings. Now, Maister Lovel, can ony o' you scholars gie a

``I am thinking,'' resumed the beggar, ``that they'll be, like mony folk's gude gifts, that often seem maist

gracious in adversityor 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 uponthae 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 itI wonder

whether this is mair pleasing to Heaven than when it was lighted up wi' lamps, and candles nae doubt, and

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' musicI 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.' I am thinking, Maister Lovel, if twa puir contrite spirits like yours and mine fand grace to make our

Here Lovel laid his hand eagerly on the mendicant's arm, saying,``Hush! I heard some one speak.''

``I am dull o' hearing,'' answered Edie, in a whisper, ``but we're surely safe herewhere was the sound?''

Lovel pointed to the door of the chancel, which, highly ornamented, occupied the west end of the building,

``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 themBut mortal, or of the other world, here they come!twa men and a light.''

And in very truth, while the mendicant spoke, two human figures darkened with their shadows the entrance of

the chancel which had before opened to the moonlit 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 staircase

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

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 bibblebabble 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

``That other ane,'' whispered Edie, ``maun be, according to a' likelihood, Sir Arthur WardourI ken

naebody but himsell wad come here at this time at e'en wi' that German blackguard; ane wad think he's

bewitched himhe gars him e'en trow that chalk is cheese. Let's see what they can be doing.''

This interruption, and the low tone in which Sir Arthur spoke, made Lovel lose all Sir Arthur's answer to the

adept, excepting the last three emphatic words, ``Very great expense;'' to which Dousterswivel at once

replied``Expenses!to be suredere must be de great expenses. You do not expect to reap before

you do sow de seed: de expense is de seedde riches and de mine of goot metal, and now de great big

chests of plate, they are de cropvary 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

harvestdat is, de great harvest for de little pinch of seed, for it must be proportions, you must

knowthen never call one honest man, Herman Dousterswivel. Now you see, mine patronfor I will not

conceal mine secret from you at allyou see this little plate of silver; you know de moon measureth de

whole zodiack in de space of twentyeight day every shild knows dat. Well, I take a silver plate when

she is in her fifteenth mansion, which mansion is in de head of Libra, and I engrave upon one side de worts,

[=Shedbarschemoth Schartachan=]dat is, de Emblems of de Intelligence of de moonand I make this

picture like a flying serpent with a turkeycock's headvary well. Then upon this side I make de table of

de moon, which is a square of nine, multiplied into itself, with eightyone 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

quartermoon 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 itselfBut I shall find no more tonight as maybe two or dree times

``But, Dousterswivel,'' said the simple Baronet, ``does not this look like magic?I am a true though

unworthy son of the Episcopal church, and I will have nothing to do with the foul fiend.''

``Bah! bah!not a bit magic in it at allnot a bitIt is all founded on de planetary influence, and de

sympathy and force of numbers. I will show you much finer dan dis. I do not say dere is not de spirit in it,

because of de suffumigation; but, if you are not afraid, he shall not be invisible.''

``I have no curiosity to see him at all,'' said the Baronet, whose courage seemed, from a certain quaver in his

``Dat is great pity,'' said Dousterswivel; ``I should have liked to show you de spirit dat guard dis treasure like

one fierce watchdogbut I know how to manage him;you would not care to see him?''

``Not at all,'' answered the Baronet, in a tone of feigned indifference; ``I think we have but little time.''

``You shall pardon me, my patron; it is not yet twelve, and twelve precise is just our planetary hours; and I

could show you de spirit vary well, in de meanwhile, just for pleasure. You see I would draw a pentagon

within a circle, which is no trouble at all, and make my suffumigation within it, and dere we would be like in

one strong castle, and you would hold de sword while I did say de needful worts. Den you should see de solid

wall open like de gate of ane city, and denlet me seeay, 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 huntingmatch; and den one

ugly, little, nasty black negro should appear and take de stag from themand pafall should be gone;

den you should hear horns winded dat all de ruins should ringmine wort, they should play fine hunting

piece, as goot as him you call'd Fischer with his oboi; vary wellden comes one herald, as we call Ernhold,

winding his hornand den come de great Peolphan, called de mighty Hunter of de North, mounted on hims

``Why, I am not afraid,'' answered the poor Baronet,``if that isdoes anythingany great

``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

``Well then, Dousterswivel, with every confidence in my courage and your skill, we will dispense with this

``With all mine heartit is just one thing to meand now it is de timehold you de sword till I kindle

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

``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

``Nnno,'' muttered the German, who began to partake of his pupil's terrors, ``I hope not.''

Here a violent of sneezing, which the mendicant was unable to suppress, and which could not be considered

by any means as the dying fall of an echo, accompanied by a grunting halfsmothered cough, confounded the

``Alle guten Geistern loben den Herrn!'' ejaculated the terrified adept. ``I was begun to think,'' he continued,

after a moment's silence, ``that this would be de bestermost done in de daylight we was bestermost to go

``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, thencome 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

The treasurefinder, trembling between his terror for the supernatural beings by whom he supposed himself

to be surrounded, and for his life, which seemed to be at the mercy of a desperate man, could only bring out,

``Mine patron, this is not the allerbestmost usage. Consider, mine honoured sir, that de spirits''

Here Edie, who began to enter into the humour of the scene, uttered an extraordinary howl, being an

exaltation and a prolongation of the most deplorable whine in which he was accustomed to solicit charity.

Dousterswivel flung himself on his knees``Dear Sir Arthurs, let us go, or let me go!''

``No, you cheating scoundrel!'' said the knight, unsheathing the sword which he had brought for the purposes

of the exorcism, ``that shift shall not serve youMonkbarns warned me long since of your juggling

pranksI will see this treasure before you leave this place, or I will have you confess yourself an impostor,

or, by Heaven, I'll run this sword through you, though all the spirits of the dead should rise around us!''

``For de lofe of Heaven be patient, mine honoured patron, and you shall hafe all de treasure as I knows

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

basrelief. He muttered to Sir Arthur, ``Mine patrons, it is hereGot save us all!''

Sir Arthur, who, after the first moment of his superstitious fear was over, seemed to have bent up all his

faculties to the pitch of resolution necessary to carry on the adventure, lent the adept his assistance to turn

over the stone, which, by means of a lever that the adept had provided, their joint force with difficulty

effected. No supernatural light burst forth from below to indicate the subterranean treasury, nor was there any

apparition of spirits, earthly or infernal. But when Dousterswivel had, with great trepidation, struck a few

strokes with a mattock, and as hastily thrown out a shovelful or two of earth (for they came provided with the

tools necessary for digging), something was heard to ring like the sound of a falling piece of metal, and

Dousterswivel, hastily catching up the substance which produced it, and which his shovel had thrown out

along with the earth, exclaimed, ``On mine dear wort, mine patrons, dis is allit is indeed; I mean all we

can do tonight;''and he gazed round him with a cowering and fearful glance, as if to see from what

``Let me see it,'' said Sir Arthur; and then repeated, still more sternly, ``I will be satisfiedI 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 experimentsuppose when the moon next changes, I will hazard the

``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

``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 knightbaronet? Od, he showed muckle mair spunk, too, than I thought had been in

himI thought he wad hae sent cauld iron through the vagabondSir Arthur wasna half sae bauld at

Bessie'sapron yon nightbut 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

``I suppose,'' said Lovel, ``his faith in this fellow is entirely restored by this deception, which,

``What! the siller?Ay, aytrust him for thatthey 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 landlouper. I wad likeit weel just to hae

come in at the clippingtime, and gien him a lounder wi' my pikestaff; 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

``Ou, I dinna kenMonkbarns 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

humlockknowe. Now, if he was taking it up in this way, he wad set up the tother's birse, and maybe do mair

ill nor gudehe's done that twice or thrice about thae minewarks; ye wad thought Sir Arthur had a

pleasure in gaun on wi' them the deeper, the mair he was warned against it by Monkbarns.''

``What say you then,'' said Lovel, ``to letting Miss Wardour know the circumstance?''

``Ou, puir thing, how could she stop her father doing his pleasure?and, besides, what wad it help? There's

a sough in the country about that six hundred pounds, and there's a writer chield in Edinburgh has been

driving the spurrowels 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 hidinghole 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

toand, 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'tand maybe I may need the cove, either for mysell, or for some ither

This argument, in which Edie Ochiltree, notwithstanding his scraps of morality and of divinity, seemed to

take, perhaps from old habit, a personal interest, could not be handsomely controverted by Lovel, who was at

that moment reaping the benefit of the secret of which the old man appeared to be so jealous.

This incident, however, was of great service to Lovel, as diverting his mind from the unhappy occurrence of

the evening, and considerably rousing the energies which had been stupefied by the first view of his calamity.

He reflected that it by no means necessarily followed that a dangerous wound must be a fatal onethat he

had been hurried from the spot even before the surgeon had expressed any opinion of Captain M`Intyre's

situationand 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 calculationwho, by some train or process of his own in observing the

heavenly bodies, stood independent of the assistance of a watch or timekeeper it was fitting they should

leave their hidingplace, and betake themselves to the seashore, in order to meet Lieutenant Taffril's boat

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 first level beam of the sun, as his brilliant disk began to emerge from the ocean, shot full upon the little

gunbrig which was lyingto in the offingclose 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

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, ladyell 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

auldyou and I serve the same master, ye ken, Captain Taffril; there's rigging provided forand 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 dramdrinker to be a gaberlunzie;sae take back your

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

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

* The author cannot remember where these lines are to be found: perhaps * in Bishop Hall's Satires. [They

About a week after the adventures commemorated in our last chapter, Mr. Oldbuck, descending to his

breakfastparlour, found that his womankind were not upon duty, his toast not made, and the silver jug,

which was wont to receive his libations of mum, not duly aired for its reception.

``This confounded hotbrained boy!'' he said to himself; ``now that he begins to get out of danger, I can

tolerate this life no longer. All goes to sixes and sevensan universal saturnalia seems to be proclaimed in

my peaceful and orderly family. I ask for my sisterno answer. I call, I shoutI invoke my inmates by

more names than the Romans gave to their deities at length Jenny, whose shrill voice I have heard this

halfhour lilting in the Tartarean regions of the kitchen, condescends to hear me and reply, but without

coming up stairs, so the conversation must be continued at the top of my lungs.'' Here he again began to

``And who the devil's to dress my periwig, you silly jade? when you knew that Miss Wardour and Sir

Arthur were coming here early after breakfast, how could you let Caxon go on such a Tomfool's errand?''

``Me! what could I hinder him?your honour wadna hae us contradict the captain e'en now, and him

* It is, I believe, a piece of freemasonry, or a point of conscience, among * the Scottish lower orders, never

to admit that a patient is doing better. The * closest approach to recovery which they can be brought to allow,

``Then he must be betterand what good is a dog and a gun to do here, but the one to destroy all my

furniture, steal from my larder, and perhaps worry the cat, and the other to shoot somebody through the head.

He has had gunning and pistolling enough to serve him one while, I should think.''

Here Miss Oldbuck entered the parlour, at the door of which Oldbuck was carrying on this conversation, he

``Dear brother,'' said the old lady, ``ye'll cry yoursell as hoarse as a corbieis that the way to skreigh when

``Upon my word, the sick person's like to have all the house to himself,I have gone without my breakfast,

and am like to go without my wig; and I must not, I suppose, presume to say I feel either hunger or cold, for

fear of disturbing the sick gentleman who lies six rooms off, and who feels himself well enough to send for

his dog and gun, though he knows I detest such implements ever since our elder brother, poor Williewald,

marched out of the world on a pair of damp feet, caught in the Kittlefittingmoss. But that signifies nothing; I

suppose I shall be expected by and by to lend a hand to carry Squire Hector out upon his litter, while he

indulges his sportsmanlike propensities by shooting my pigeons, or my turkeys I think any of the ferae

Miss M`Intyre now entered, and began to her usual morning's task of arranging her uncle's breakfast, with the

alertness of one who is too late in setting about a task, and is anxious to make up for lost time. But this did

not avail her. ``Take care, you silly womankindthat mum's too near the firethe bottle will burst; and I

suppose you intend to reduce the toast to a cinder as a burntoffering for Juno, or what do you call herthe

female dog there, with some such Pantheon kind of a name, that your wise brother has, in his first moments

of mature reflection, ordered up as a fitting inmate of my house (I thank him), and meet company to aid the

rest of the womankind of my household in their daily conversation and intercourse with him.''

``Dear uncle, don't be angry about the poor spaniel; she's been tied up at my brother's lodgings at Fairport,

and she's broke her chain twice, and came running down here to him; and you would not have us beat the

faithful beast away from the door? it moans as if it had some sense of poor Hector's misfortune, and will

``Why,'' said his uncle, ``they said Caxon had gone to Fairport after his dog and gun.''

``O dear sir, no,'' answered Miss M`Intyre, ``it was to fetch some dressings that were wanted, and Hector only

``Well, then, it is not altogether so foolish a business, considering what a mess of womankind have been

undertake''continued the old bachelor, looking at himself in the glass``to make it somewhat decent.

And now let us set to breakfastwith what appetite we may. Well may I say to Hector, as Sir Isaac Newton

did to his dog Diamond, when the animal (I detest dogs) flung down the taper among calculations which had

occupied the philosopher for twenty years, and consumed the whole mass of materials Diamond,

``I assure you, sir,'' replied his niece, ``my brother is quite sensible of the rashness of his own behaviour, and

``And much good that will do, when he has frightened the lad out of the country! I tell thee, Mary, Hector's

understanding, and far more that of feminity, is inadequate to comprehend the extent of the loss which he has

occasioned to the present age and to posterityaureum quidem opusa poem on such a subject, with

notes illustrative of all that is clear, and all that is dark, and all that is neither dark nor clear, but hovers in

dusky twilight in the region of Caledonian antiquities. I would have made the Celtic panegyrists look about

them. Fingal, as they conceitedly term FinMacCoul, should have disappeared before my search, rolling

himself in his cloud like the spirit of Loda. Such an opportunity can hardly again occur to an ancient and

greyhaired man; and to see it lost by the madcap spleen of a hotheaded boy! But I submit Heaven's

Thus continued the Antiquary to maunder, as his sister expressed it, during the whole time of breakfast,

while, despite of sugar and honey, and all the comforts of a Scottish morning teatable, his reflections

rendered the meal bitter to all who heard them. But they knew the nature of the man. ``Monkbarns's bark,''

said Miss Griselda Oldbuck, in confidential intercourse with Miss Rebecca Blattergowl, ``is muckle waur

In fact, Mr. Oldbuck had suffered in mind extremely while his nephew was in actual danger, and now felt

himself at liberty, upon his returning health, to indulge in complaints respecting the trouble he had been put

to, and the interruption of his antiquarian labours. Listened to, therefore, in respectful silence, by his niece

and sister, he unloaded his discontent in such grumblings as we have rehearsed, venting many a sarcasm

against womankind, soldiers, dogs, and guns, all which implements of noise, discord, and tumult, as he called

This expectoration of spleen was suddenly interrupted by the noise of a carriage without, when, shaking off

all sullenness at the sound, Oldbuck ran nimbly up stairs and down stairs, for both operations were necessary

A cordial greeting passed on both sides. And Sir Arthur, referring to his previous inquiries by letter and

``Better than he deserves,'' was the answer``better than he deserves, for disturbing us with his vixen

``The young gentleman,'' Sir Arthur said, ``had been imprudent; but he understood they were indebted to him

``No more suspicious than his own,'' answered the Antiquary, eager in his favourites defence;``the young

gentleman was a little foolish and headstrong, and refused to answer Hector's impertinent

interrogatoriesthat is all. Lovel, Sir Arthur, knows how to choose his confidants betterAy, Miss

Wardour, you may look at mebut it is very true;it was in my bosom that he deposited the secret cause

of his residence at Fairport; and no stone should have been left unturned on my part to assist him in the

On hearing this magnanimous declaration on the part of the old Antiquary, Miss Wardour changed colour

more than once, and could hardly trust her own ears. For of all confidants to be selected as the depositary of

love affairs,and such she naturally supposed must have been the subject of communication, next to

Edie Ochiltree, Oldbuck seemed the most uncouth and extraordinary; nor could she sufficiently admire or fret

at the extraordinary combination of circumstances which thus threw a secret of such a delicate nature into the

possession of persons so unfitted to be entrusted with it. She had next to fear the mode of Oldbuck's entering

upon the affair with her father, for such, she doubted not, was his intention. She well knew that the honest

gentleman, however vehement in his prejudices, had no great sympathy with those of others, and she had to

fear a most unpleasant explosion upon an e'claircissement taking place between them. It was therefore with

great anxiety that she heard her father request a private interview, and observed Oldbuck readily arise and

show the way to his library. She remained behind, attempting to converse with the ladies of Monkbarns, but

with the distracted feelings of Macbeth, when compelled to disguise his evil conscience by listening and

replying to the observations of the attendant thanes upon the storm of the preceding night, while his whole

soul is upon the stretch to listen for the alarm of murder, which he knows must be instantly raised by those

who have entered the sleeping apartment of Duncan. But the conversation of the two virtuosi turned on a

``Mr. Oldbuck,'' said Sir Arthur, when they had, after a due exchange of ceremonies, fairly seated themselves

in the sanctum sanctorum of the Antiquary,``you, who know so much of my family matters, may

``Really, then, Sir Arthur,'' continued the Antiquary, ``in the present state of the moneymarketand

``You mistake my meaning, Mr. Oldbuck,'' said the Baronet; ``I wished to ask your advice about laying out a

``The devil!'' exclaimed the Antiquary; and, sensible that his involuntary ejaculation of wonder was not over

and above civil, he proceeded to qualify it by expressing his joy that Sir Arthur should have a sum of money

to lay out when the commodity was so scarce. ``And as for the mode of employing it,'' said he, pausing, ``the

funds are low at present, as I said before, and there are good bargains of land to be had. But had you not

better begin by clearing off encumbrances, Sir Arthur?There is the sum in the personal bondand the

three notes of hand,'' continued he, taking out of the righthand drawer of his cabinet a certain red

memorandumbook, of which Sir Arthur, from the experience of former frequent appeals to it, abhorred the

``To about a thousand pounds,'' said Sir Arthur, hastily; ``you told me the amount the other day.''

``But there's another term's interest due since that, Sir Arthur, and it amounts (errors excepted) to eleven

hundred and thirteen pounds, seven shillings, five pennies, and threefourths of a penny sterlingBut look

``I daresay you are quite right, my dear sir,'' said the Baronet, putting away the book with his hand, as one

rejects the oldfashioned civility that presses food upon you after you have eaten till you

nauseate``perfectly right, I dare say; and in the course of three days or less you shall have the full value

``Bullion! I suppose you mean lead. What the deuce! have we hit on the vein then at last? But what could I do

with a thousand pounds' worth, and upwards, of lead? The former abbots of Trotcosey might have roofed

``By bullion,'' said the Baronet, ``I mean the precious metals,gold and silver.''

``Not far from hence,'' said Sir Arthur, significantly. ``And naow I think of it, you shall see the whole process,

``Why, it will be necessary for you to give me your friendly assistance, by advancing one hundred pounds or

Mr. Oldbuck, who had already been grasping in idea the sum, principal and interest, of a debt which he had

long regarded as wellnigh desperate, was so much astounded at the tables being so unexpectedly turned upon

him, that he could only reecho, in an accent of wo and surprise, the words, ``Advance one hundred pounds!''

``Yes, my good sir,'' continued Sir Arthur; ``but upon the best possible security of being repaid in the course

There was a pauseeither Oldbuck's nether jaw had not recovered its position, so as to enable him to utter

``I would not propose to you,'' continued Sir Arthur, ``to oblige me thus far, if I did not possess actual proofs

of the reality of those expectations which I now hold out to you. And I assure you, Mr. Oldbuck, that in

entering fully upon this topic, it is my purpose to show my confidence in you, and my sense of your kindness

Mr. Oldbuck professed his sense of obligation, but carefully avoided committing himself by any promise of

Here Oldbuck broke in, his eyes sparkling with indignation. ``Sir Arthur, I have so often warned you of the

knavery of that rascally quack, that I really wonder you should quote him to me.''

``But listenlisten,'' interrupted Sir Arthur in his turn, ``it will do you no harm. In short, Dousterswivel

persuaded me to witness an experiment which he had made in the ruins of St. Ruthand what do you think

``Another spring of water, I suppose, of which the rogue had beforehand taken care to ascertain the situation

With that, Sir Arthur drew from his pocket a large ram's horn, with a copper cover, containing a considerable

quantity of coins, chiefly silver, but with a few gold pieces intermixed. The Antiquary's eyes glistened as he

``Upon my wordScotch, English, and foreign coins, of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, and some of

them rari et rarioresetiam rarissimi! Here is the bonnetpiece of James V., the unicorn of James

II.,ay, and the gold festoon of Queen Mary, with her head and the Dauphin's. And these were really found

``The when,'' answered Sir Arthur, ``was at midnight the last full moonthe where, as I have told you, in

the ruins of St. Ruth's priorythe how, was by a nocturnal experiment of Dousterswivel, accompanied only

``Only a simple suffumigation,'' said the Baronet, ``accompanied by availing ourselves of the suitable

``Simple suffumigation? simple nonsensificationplanetary hour? planetary fiddlestick! Sapiens

dominabitur astris. My dear Sir Arthur, that fellow has made a gull of you above ground and under ground,

and he would have made a gull of you in the air too, if he had been by when you was craned up the devil's

turnpike yonder at Halketheadto be sure the transformation would have been then peculiarly apropos.''

``Well, Mr. Oldbuck, I am obliged to you for your indifferent opinion of my discernment; but I think you will

``Certainly, Sir Arthur,'' said the Antiquary,``to this extent at least, that I know Sir Arthur Wardour will

``Well, then,'' replied the Baronet, ``as there is a heaven above us, Mr. Oldbuck, I saw, with my own eyes,

these coins dug out of the chancel of St. Ruth at midnight. And as to Dousterswivel, although the discovery

be owing to his science, yet, to tell the truth, I do not think he would have had firmness of mind to have gone

``Ay! indeed?'' said Oldbuck, in the tone used when one wishes to hear the end of a story before making any

``Yes truly,'' continued Sir Arthur``I assure you I was upon my guardwe did hear some very

``Not a jot,'' said the Baronet;``the sounds, though of a hideous and preternatural character, rather

resembled those of a man who sneezes violently than any otherone deep groan I certainly heard besides;

and Dousterswivel assures me that he beheld the spirit Peolphan, the Great Hunter of the North (look for

him in your Nicolaus Remigius, or Petrus Thyracus, Mr. Oldbuck)who mimicked the motion of

``These indications, however singular as proceeding from such a personage, seem to have been apropos to the

matter,'' said the Antiquary; ``for you see the case, which includes these coins, has all the appearance of being

an oldfashioned Scottish snuffmill. But you persevered, in spite of the terrors of this sneezing goblin?''

``Why, I think it probable that a man of inferior sense or consequence might have given way; but I was

jealous of an imposture, conscious of the duty I owed to my family in maintaining my courage under every

contingency, and therefore I compelled Dousterswivel, by actual and violent threats, to proceed with what he

was about to do;and, sir, the proof of his skill and honesty is this parcel of gold and silver pieces, out of

which I beg you to select such coins or medals as will best suit your collection.''

``Why, Sir Arthur, since you are so good, and on condition you will permit me to mark the value according to

Pinkerton's catalogue and appreciation, against your account in my red book, I will with pleasure

``Nay,'' said Sir Arthur Wardour, ``I do not mean you should consider them as anything but a gift of

friendship and least of all would I stand by the valuation of your friend Pinkerton, who has impugned the

ancient and trustworthy authorities upon which, as upon venerable and mossgrown pillars, the credit of

``Ay, ay,'' rejoined Oldbuck, ``you mean, I suppose, Mair and Boece, the Jachin and Boaz, not of history but

of falsification and forgery. And notwithstanding all you have told me, I look on your friend Dousterswivel to

``Why then, Mr. Oldbuck,'' said Sir Arthur, ``not to awaken old disputes, I suppose you think, that because I

believe in the ancient history of my country, I have neither eyes nor ears to ascertain what modern events

``Pardon me, Sir Arthur,'' rejoined the Antiquary; ``but I consider all the affectation of terror which this

worthy gentleman, your coadjutor, chose to play off, as being merely one part of his trick or mystery. And

with respect to the gold or silver coins, they are so mixed and mingled in country and date, that I cannot

suppose they could be any genuine hoard, and rather suppose them to be, like the purses upon the table of

Money placed for show, Like nesteggs, to make clients lay, And for his false opinions pay.

It is the trick of all professions, my dear Sir Arthur. Pray, may I ask you how much this discovery cost you?''

``And you have gained what is equivalent to twenty in actual bullion, and what may be perhaps worth as

much more to such fools as ourselves, who are willing to pay for curiosity. This was allowing you a tempting

profit on the first hazard, I must needs admit. And what is the next venture he proposes?''

``An hundred and fifty pounds;I have given him onethird part of the money, and I thought it likely you

``I should think that this cannot be meant as a parting blow is not of weight and importance sufficient; he

will probably let us win this hand also, as sharpers manage a raw gamester. Sir Arthur, I hope you believe

``Certainly, Mr. Oldbuck; I think my confidence in you on these occasions leaves no room to doubt that.''

``Well, then, allow me to speak to Dousterswivel. If the money can be advanced usefully and advantageously

for you, why, for old neighbourhood's sake, you shall not want it but if, as I think, I can recover the treasure

for you without making such an advance, you will, I presume, have no objection!''

``To tell you the truth, he is in my carriage below; but knowing your prejudice against him''

``I thank Heaven, I am not prejudiced against any man, Sir Arthur: it is systems, not individuals, that incur

my reprobation.'' He rang the bell. ``Jenny, Sir Arthur and I offer our compliments to Mr. Dousterswivel, the

gentleman in Sir Arthur's carriage, and beg to have the pleasure of speaking with him here.''

Jenny departed and delivered her message. It had been by no means a part of the project of Dousterswivel to

let Mr. Oldbuck into his supposed mystery. He had relied upon Sir Arthur's obtaining the necessary

accommodation without any discussion as to the nature of the application, and only waited below for the

purpose of possessing himself of the deposit as soon as possible, for he foresaw that his career was drawing

to a close. But when summoned to the presence of Sir Arthur and Mr. Oldbuck, he resolved gallantly to put

confidence in his powers of impudence, of which, the reader may have observed, his natural share was very

``How do you do, goot Mr. Oldenbuck? and I do hope your young gentleman, Captain M`Intyre, is getting

better again? Ach! it is a bat business when young gentlemens will put lead balls into each other's body.''

``Lead adventures of all kinds are very precarious, Mr. Dousterswivel; but I am happy to learn,'' continued the

Antiquary, ``from my friend Sir Arthur, that you have taken up a better trade, and become a discoverer of

``Ach, Mr. Oldenbuck, mine goot and honoured patron should not have told a word about dat little matter;

for, though I have all relianceyes, indeed, on goot Mr. Oldenbuck's prudence and discretion, and his great

friendship for Sir Arthur Wardouryet, my heavens! it is an great ponderous secret.''

``More ponderous than any of the metal we shall make by it, I fear,'' answered Oldbuck.

``Dat is just as you shall have de faith and de patience for de grand experimentIf you join wid Sir Arthur,

as he is put one hundred and fiftysee, here is one fifty in your dirty Fairport banknoteyou put one

other hundred and fifty in de dirty notes, and you shall have de pure gold and silver, I cannot tell how much.''

``Nor any one for you, I believe,'' said the Antiquary. ``But, hark you, Mr. Dousterswivel: Suppose, without

troubling this same sneezing spirit with any farther fumigations, we should go in a body, and having fair

daylight and our good consciences to befriend us, using no other conjuring implements than good

substantial pickaxes and shovels, fairly trench the area of the chancel in the ruins of St. Ruth, from one end

to the other, and so ascertain the existence of this supposed treasure, without putting ourselves to any farther

expensethe ruins belong to Sir Arthur himself, so there can be no objectiondo you think we shall

``Bah!you will not find one copper thimbleBut Sir Arthur will do his pleasure. I have showed him

how it is possible very possibleto have de great sum of money for his occasions I have showed

him de real experiment. If he likes not to believe, goot Mr. Oldenbuck, it is nothing to Herman

Sir Arthur Wardour cast an intimidated glance at Oldbuck who, especially when present, held,

notwithstanding their frequent difference of opinion, no ordinary influence over his sentiments. In truth, the

Baronet felt, what he would not willingly have acknowledged, that his genius stood rebuked before that of the

Antiquary. He respected him as a shrewd, penetrating, sarcastic characterfeared his satire, and had some

confidence in the general soundness of his opinions. He therefore looked at him as if desiring his leave before

indulging his credulity. Dousterswivel saw he was in danger of losing his dupe, unless he could make some

``I know, my goot Mr. Oldenbuck, it is one vanity to speak to you about de spirit and de goblin. But look at

this curious horn;I know, you know de curiosity of all de countries, and how de great Oldenburgh horn,

as they keep still in the Museum at Copenhagen, was given to de Duke of Oldenburgh by one female spirit of

de wood. Now I could not put one trick on you if I were willingyou who know all de curiosity so

well and dere it is de horn full of coins;if it had been a box or case, I would have said nothing.''

``Being a horn,'' said Oldbuck, ``does indeed strengthen your argument. It was an implement of nature's

fashioning, and therefore much used among rude nations, although, it may be, the metaphorical horn is more

frequent in proportion to the progress of civilisation. And this present horn,'' he continued, rubbing it upon his

sleeve, ``is a curious and venerable relic, and no doubt was intended to prove a cornucopia, or horn of plenty,

to some one or other; but whether to the adept or his patron, may be justly doubted.''

``Well, Mr. Oldenbuck, I find you still hard of beliefbut let me assure you, de monksh understood de

``Let us leave talking of the magisterium, Mr. Dousterswivel, and think a little about the magistrate. Are you

aware that this occupation of yours is against the law of Scotland, and that both Sir Arthur and myself are in

``Mine heaven! and what is dat to de purpose when I am doing you all de goot I can?''

``Why, you must know that when the legislature abolished the cruel laws against witchcraft, they had no hope

of destroying the superstitious feelings of humanity on which such chimeras had been founded; and to

prevent those feelings from being tampered with by artful and designing persons, it is enacted by the ninth of

George the Second, chap. 5, that whosoever shall pretend, by his alleged skill in any occult or crafty science,

to discover such goods as are lost, stolen or concealed, he shall suffer punishment by pillory and

``Den, gentlemens, I shall take my leave of you, dat is all; I do not like to stand on your what you call

pilloryit is very bad way to take de air, I think; and I do not like your prisons no more, where one cannot

``If such be your taste, Mr. Dousterswivel,'' said the Antiquary, ``I advise you to stay where you are, for I

cannot let you go, unless it be in the society of a constable; and, moreover, I expect you will attend us just

now to the ruins of St. Ruth, and point out the place where you propose to find this treasure.''

``Mine heaven, Mr. Oldenbuck! what usage is this to your old friend, when I tell you so plain as I can speak,

dat if you go now, you will not get so much treasure as one poor shabby sixpence?''

``I will try the experiment, however, and you shall be dealt with according to its success,always with Sir

Sir Arthur, during this investigation, had looked extremely embarrassed, and, to use a vulgar but expressive

phrase, chopfallen. Oldbuck's obstinate disbelief led him strongly to suspect the imposture of

Dousterswivel, and the adept's mode of keeping his ground was less resolute than he had expected. Yet he did

``Mr. Oldbuck,'' said the Baronet, ``you do Mr. Dousterswivel less than justice. He has undertaken to make

this discovery by the use of his art, and by applying characters descriptive of the Intelligences presiding over

the planetary hour in which the experiment is to be made; and you require him to proceed, under pain of

punishment, without allowing him the use of any of the preliminaries which he considers as the means of

``I did not say that exactlyI only required him to be present when we make the search, and not to leave us

during the interval. I fear he may have some intelligence with the Intelligences you talk of, and that whatever

``Well, gentlemens,'' said Dousterswivel, sullenly, ``I will make no objections to go along with you but I tell

you beforehand, you shall not find so much of anything as shall be worth your going twenty yard from your

``We will put that to a fair trial,'' said the Antiquary; and the Baronet's equipage being ordered, Miss Wardour

received an intimation from her father, that she was to remain at Monkbarns until his return from an airing.

The young lady was somewhat at a loss to reconcile this direction with the communication which she

supposed must have passed between Sir Arthur and the Antiquary; but she was compelled, for the present, to

The journey of the treasureseekers was melancholy enough. Dousterswivel maintained a sulky silence,

brooding at once over disappointed expectation and the risk of punishment; Sir Arthur, whose golden dreams

had been gradually fading away, surveyed, in gloomy prospect, the impending difficulties of his situation;

and Oldbuck, who perceived that his having so far interfered in his neighbours affairs gave the Baronet a

right to expect some actual and efficient assistance, sadly pondered to what extent it would be necessary to

draw open the strings of his purse. Thus each being wrapped in his own unpleasant ruminations, there was

hardly a word said on either side, until they reached the Four Horseshoes, by which sign the little inn was

distinguished. They procured at this place the necessary assistance and implements for digging, and, while

they were busy about these preparations, were suddenly joined by the old beggar, Edie Ochiltree.

``The Lord bless your honour,'' began the BlueGown, with the genuine mendicant whine, ``and long life to

you!weel pleased am I to hear that young Captain M`Intyre is like to be on his legs again suneThink

``Aha, old truepenny!'' replied the Antiquary. ``Why, thou hast never come to Monkbarns since thy perils by

rock and floodhere's something for thee to buy snuff,''and, fumbling for his purse, he pulled out at the

``Ay, and there's something to pit it in,'' said the mendicant, eyeing the ram's horn``that loom's an auld

acquaintance o' mine. I could take my aith to that sneeshingmull amang a thousandI carried it for mony

a year, till I niffered it for this tin ane wi' auld George Glen, the dammer and sinker, when he took a fancy

``Ay! indeed?'' said Oldbuck;``so you exchanged it with a miner? but I presume you never saw it so well

``Troth, ye may swear that, Monkbarns: when it was mine it neer had abune the like o' saxpenny worth o'

black rappee in't at ance. But I reckon ye'll be gaun to mak an antic o't, as ye hae dune wi' mony an orra thing

besides. Od, I wish anybody wad mak an antic o' me; but mony ane will find worth in rousted bits o' capper

and horn and airn, that care unco little about an auld carle o' their ain country and kind.''

``You may now guess,'' said Oldbuck, turning to Sir Arthur, ``to whose good offices you were indebted the

other night. To trace this cornucopia of yours to a miner, is bringing it pretty near a friend of oursI hope

``And whare is your honours gaun the day,'' said the mendicant, ``wi' a' your picks and shules?Od, this

will be some o' your tricks, Monkbarns: ye'll be for whirling some o' the auld monks down by yonder out o'

their graves afore they hear the last callbut, wi' your leave, I'se follow ye at ony rate, and see what ye

The party soon arrived at the ruins of the priory, and, having gained the chancel, stood still to consider what

``Pray, Mr. Dousterswivel, what is your advice in this matter? Shall we have most likelihood of success if we

dig from east to west, or from west to east?or will you assist us with your triangular vial of Maydew, or

with your diviningrod of witcheshazel? or will you have the goodness to supply us with a few

thumping blustering terms of art, which, if they fail in our present service, may at least be useful to those who

have not the happiness to be bachelors, to still their brawling children withal?''

``Mr. Oldenbuck,'' said Dousterswivel, doggedly, ``I have told you already that you will make no good work

at all, and I will find some way of mine own to thank you for your civilities to meyes, indeed.''

``If your honours are thinking of tirling the floor,'' said old Edie, ``and wad but take a puir body's advice, I

would begin below that muckle stane that has the man there streekit out upon his back in the midst o't.''

``I have some reason for thinking favourably of that plan myself,'' said the Baronet.

``And I have nothing to say against it,'' said Oldbuck: ``it was not unusual to hide treasure in the tombs of the

The tombstone, the same beneath which the coins had been found by Sir Arthur and the German, was once

``It's travell'd earth that,'' said Edie, ``it howks gae eithly I ken it weel, for ance I wrought a simmer wi'

auld Will Winnet, the bedral, and howkit mair graves than ane in my day; but I left him in winter, for it was

unco cald wark; and then it cam a green Yule, and the folk died thick and fastfor ye ken a green Yule

makes a fat kirkyard; and I never dowed to bide a hard turn o' wark in my lifesae aff I gaed, and left Will

The diggers were now so far advanced in their labours as to discover that the sides of the grave which they

were clearing out had been originally secured by four walls of freestone, forming a parallelogram, for the

``It is worth while proceeding in our labours,'' said the Antiquary to Sir Arthur, ``were it but for curiosity's

``The arms on the shield,'' said Sir Arthur, and sighed as he spoke it, ``are the same with those on Misticot's

tower, supposed to have been built by Malcolm the usurper. No man knew where he was buried, and there is

an old prophecy in our family, that bodes us no good when his grave shall be discovered.''

If Malcolm the Misticot's grave were fun', The lands of Knockwinnock were lost and won.''

Oldbuck, with his spectacles on his nose, had already knelt down on the monument, and was tracing, partly

with his eye, partly with his finger, the mouldered devices upon the effigy of the deceased warrior. ``It is the

Knockwinnock arms, sure enough,'' he exclaimed, ``quarterly with the coat of Wardour.''

``Richard, called the redhanded Wardour, married Sybil Knockwinnock, the heiress of the Saxon family,

and by that alliance,'' said Sir Arthur, ``brought the castle and estate into the name of Wardour, in the year of

``Very true, Sir Arthur; and here is the batonsinister, the mark of illegitimacy, extended diagonally through

both coats upon the shield. Where can our eyes have been, that they did not see this curious monument

``Na, whare was the throughstane, that it didna come before our een till e'enow?'' said Ochiltree; ``for I hae

ken'd this auld kirk, man and bairn, for saxty lang years, and I neer noticed it afore; and it's nae sic mote

All were now induced to tax their memory as to the former state of the ruins in that corner of the chancel, and

all agreed in recollecting a considerable pile of rubbish which must have been removed and spread abroad in

order to malke the tomb visible. Sir Arthur might, indeed, have remembered seeing the monument on the

former occasion, but his mind was too much agitated to attend to the circumstance as a novelty.

While the assistants were engaged in these recollections and discussions, the workmen proceeded with their

labour. They had already dug to the depth of nearly five feet, and as the flinging out the soil became more and

``We're down to the till now,'' said one of them, ``and the neer a coffin or onything else is heresome

cunninger chiel's been afore us, I reckon;''and the labourer scrambled out of the grave.

``Hout, lad,'' said Edie, getting down in his room``let me try my hand for an auld bedral;ye're gude

So soon as he got into the grave, he struck his pikestaff forcibly down; it encountered resistance in its

descent, and the beggar exclaimed, like a Scotch schoolboy when he finds anything, ``Nae halvers and

Everybody, from the dejected Baronet to the sullen adept, now caught the spirit of curiosity, crowded round

the grave, and would have jumped into it, could its space have contained them. The labourers, who had begun

to flag in their monotonous and apparently hopeless task, now resumed their tools, and plied them with all the

ardour of expectation. Their shovels soon grated upon a hard wooden surface, which, as the earth was cleared

away, assumed the distinct form of a chest, but greatly smaller than that of a coffin. Now all hands were at

work to heave it out of the grave, and all voices, as it was raised, proclaimed its weight and augured its value.

When the chest or box was placed on the surface, and the lid forced up by a pickaxe, there was displayed first

a coarse canvas cover, then a quantity of oakum, and beneath that a number of ingots of silver. A general

exclamation hailed a discovery so surprising and unexpected. The Baronet threw his hands and eyes up to

heaven, with the silent rapture of one who is delivered from inexpressible distress of mind. Oldbuck, almost

unable to credit his eyes, lifted one piece of silver after another. There was neither inscription nor stamp upon

them, excepting one, which seemed to be Spanish. He could have no doubt of the purity and great value of

the treasure before him. Still, however, removing piece by piece, he examined row by row, expecting to

discover that the lower layers were of inferior value; but he could perceive no difference in this respect, and

found himself compelled to admit, that Sir Arthur had possessed himself of bullion to the value, perhaps of a

thousand pounds sterling. Sir Arthur now promised the assistants a handsome recompense for their trouble,

and began to busy himself about the mode of conveying this rich windfall to the Castle of Knockwinnock,

when the adept, recovering from his surprise, which had squalled that exhibited by any other individual of the

party, twitched his sleeve, and having offered his humble congratulations, turned next to Oldbuck with an air

``I did tell you, my goot friend, Mr. Oldenbuck, dat I was to seek opportunity to thank you for your civility;

``Why, Mr. Dousterswivel, do you pretend to have had any hand in our good success?you forget you

refused us all aid of your science, man; and you are here without your weapons that should have fought the

battle which you pretend to have gained in our behalf: you have used neither charm, lamen, sigil, talisman,

spell, crystal, pentacle, magic mirror, nor geomantic figure. Where be your periapts, and your abracadabras

Your toad, your crow, your dragon, and your panther, Your sun, your moon, your firmament, your adrop,

Your Lato, Azoch, Zernich, Chibrit, Heautarit, With all your broths, your menstrues, your materials, Would

Ah! rare Ben Jonson! long peace to thy ashes for a scourge of the quacks of thy day!who expected to see

The answer of the adept to the Antiquary's tirade we must defer to our next chapter.

The German, determined, it would seem, to assert the vantageground on which the discovery had placed

``Maister Oldenbuck, all dis may be very witty and comedy, but I have nothing to saynothing at allto

people dat will not believe deir own eyesights. It is vary true dat I ave not any of de things of de art, and it

makes de more wonder what I has done dis day. But I would ask of you, mine honoured and goot and

generous patron, to put your hand into your righthand waistcoat pocket, and show me what you shall find

Sir Arthur obeyed his direction, and pulled out the small plate of silver which he had used under the adept's

auspices upon the former occasion. ``It is very true,'' said Sir Arthur, looking gravely at the Antiquary; ``this

is the graduated and calculated sigil by which Mr. Dousterswivel and I regulated our first discovery.''

``Pshaw! pshaw! my dear friend,'' said Oldbuck, ``you are too wise to believe in the influence of a trumpery

crownpiece, beat out thin, and a parcel of scratches upon it. I tell thee, Sir Arthur, that if Dousterswivel had

known where to get this treasure himself, you would not have been lord of the least share of it.''

``In troth, please your honour,'' said Edie, who put in his word on all occasions, ``I think, since Mr.

Dunkerswivel has had sae muckle merit in discovering a' the gear, the least ye can do is to gie him that o't

that's left behind for his labour; for doubtless he that kend where to find sae muckle will hae nae difficulty to

Dousterswivel's brow grew very dark at this proposal of leaving him to his ``ain purchase,'' as Ochiltree

expressed it; but the beggar, drawing him aside, whispered a word or two in his ear, to which he seemed to

Meanwhile Sir Arthur, his heart warm with his good fortune, said aloud, ``Never mind our friend Monkbarns,

Mr. Dousterswivel, but come to the Castle tomorrow, and I'll convince you that I am not ungrateful for the

hints you have given me about this matterand the fifty Fairport dirty notes, as you call them, are heartily

at your service. Come, my lads, get the cover of this precious chest fastened up again.''

But the cover had in the confusion fallen aside among the rubbish, or the loose earth which had been removed

``Never mind, my good lads, tie the tarpaulin over it, and get it away to the carriage.Monkbarns, will you

``And, I hope, to take up your dinner also, Sir Arthur, and drink a glass of wine for joy of our happy

adventure. Besides, you should write about the business to the Exchequer, in case of any interference on the

part of the Crown. As you are lord of the manor, it will be easy to get a deed of gift, should they make any

``And I particularly recommend silence to all who are present,'' said Sir Arthur, looking round. All bowed and

``Why, as to that,'' said Monkbarns, ``recommending secrecy where a dozen of people are acquainted with the

circumstance to be concealed, is only putting the truth in masquerade, for the story will be circulated under

twenty different shapes. But never mindwe will state the true one to the Barons, and that is all that is

``I can recommend your honour to a sure hand,'' said Ochiltree; ``little Davie Mailsetter, and the butcher's

``We will talk over the matter as we go to Monkbarns,'' said Sir Arthur. ``My lads'' (to the workpeople),

``come with me to the Four Horseshoes, that I may take down all your names. Dousterswivel, I won't

ask you to go down to Monkbarns, as the laird and you differ so widely in opinion; but do not fail to come to

Dousterswivel growled out an answer, in which the words, ``duty,''``mine honoured patron,''and

``wait upon Sir Arthurs,''were alone distinguishable; and after the Baronet and his friend had left the

ruins, followed by the servants and workmen, who, in hope of reward and whisky, joyfully attended their

``Who was it as could have thought this?'' he ejaculated unconsciously. ``Mine heiligkeit! I have heard of

such things, and often spoken of such thingsbut, sapperment! I never, thought to see them! And if I had

gone but two or dree feet deeper down in the earthmein himmel! it had been all mine ownso much

Here the German ceased his soliloquy, for, raising his eyes, he encountered those of Edie Ochiltree, who had

not followed the rest of the company, but, resting as usual on his pikestaff, had planted himself on the other

side of the grave. The features of the old man, naturally shrewd and expressive almost to an appearance of

knavery, seemed in this instance so keenly knowing, that even the assurance of Dousterswivel, though a

professed adventurer, sunk beneath their glances. But he saw the necessity of an e'claircissement, and,

rallying his spirits, instantly began to sound the mendicant on the occurrences of the day. ``Goot Maister

``Edie Ochiltree, nae maisteryour puir bedesman and the king's,'' answered the BlueGown.

``I was just thinking it was very kind (for I darena say very simple) o' your honour to gie thae twa rich

gentles, wha hae lands and lairdships, and siller without end, this grand pose o' silver and treasure (three

times tried in the fire, as the Scripture expresses it), that might hae made yoursell and ony twa or three honest

``Indeed, Edie, mine honest friends, dat is very true; only I did not know, dat is, I was not sure, where to find

``What! was it not by your honours advice and counsel that Monkbarns and the Knight of Knockwinnock

``Ahayes; but it was by another circumstance. I did not know dat dey would have found de treasure, mine

friend; though I did guess, by such a tintamarre, and cough, and sneeze, and groan, among de spirit one other

night here, dat there might be treasure and bullion hereabout. Ach, mein himmel! the spirit will hone and

groan over his gelt, as if he were a Dutch Burgomaster counting his dollars after a great dinner at the

``And do you really believe the like o' that, Mr. Dusterdeevil ! a skeelfu' man like youhout fie!''

``Mein friend,'' answered the adept, foreed by circumstances to speak something nearer the truth than he

generally used to do, ``I believed it no more than you and no man at all, till I did hear them hone and moan

and groan myself on de oder night, and till I did this day see de cause, which was an great chest all full of de

``And what wad ye gie to ony ane,'' said Edie, ``that wad help ye to sic another kistfu' o' silver!''

``Now if the secret were mine,'' said the mendicant, ``I wad stand out for a half; for you see, though I am but

a puir ragged body, and couldna carry silver or gowd to sell for fear o' being taen up, yet I could find mony

folk would pass it awa for me at unco muckle easier profit than ye're thinking on.''

``Ach, himmel!Mein goot friend, what was it I said?I did mean to say you should have de tree

``No, no, Mr. Dusterdeevil, we will divide equally what we find, like brother and brother. Now, look at this

board that I just flung into the dark aisle out o' the way, while Monkbarns was glowering ower a' the silver

yonder. He's a sharp chiel MonkbarnsI was glad to keep the like o' this out o' his sight. Ye'll maybe can

read the character better than meI am nae that book learned, at least I'm no that muckle in practice.''

With this modest declaration of ignorance, Ochiltree brought forth from behind a pillar the cover of the box

or chest of treasure, which, when forced from its hinges, had been carelessly flung aside during the ardour of

curiosity to ascertain the contents which it concealed, and had been afterwards, as it seems, secreted by the

mendicant. There was a word and a number upon the plank, and the beggar made them more distinct by

spitting upon his ragged blue handkerchief, and rubbing off the clay by which the inscription was obscured. It

``S,'' said the philosopher, like a child getting his lesson in the primer``S, T, A, R, C,

H,Starch!dat is what de womanwashers put into de neckerchers, and de shirt collar.''

``Search!'' echoed Ochiltree; ``na, na, Mr. Dusterdeevil, ye are mair of a conjuror than a clerkit's search,

``Aha! I see it nowit is searchnumber one. Mein himmel! then there must be a number two, mein

goot friend: for search is what you call to seek and dig, and this is but number one! Mine wort, there is one

``Aweel, it may be sae; but we canna howk fort enowwe hae nae shules, for they hae taen them a'

awaand it's like some o' them will be sent back to fling the earth into the hole, and mak a' things trig

again. But an ye'll sit down wi' me a while in the wood, I'se satisfy your honour that ye hae just lighted on the

only man in the country that could hae tauld about Malcolm Misticot and his hidden treasureBut first

And, by the assistance of his knife, the beggar erased and defaced the characters so as to make them quite

unintelligible, and then daubed the board with clay so as to obliterate all traces of the erasure.

Dousterswivel stared at him in ambiguous silence. There was an intelligence and alacrity about all the old

man's movements, which indicated a person that could not be easily overreached, and yet (for even rogues

acknowledge in some degree the spirit of precedence) our adept felt the disgrace of playing a secondary part,

and dividing winnings with so mean an associate. His appetite for gain, however, was sufficiently sharp to

overpower his offended pride, and though far more an impostor than a dupe, he was not without a certain

degree of personal faith even in the gross superstitions by means of which he imposed upon others. Still,

being accustomed to act as a leader on such occasions, he felt humiliated at feeling himself in the situation of

a vulture marshalled to his prey by a carrioncrow.``Let me, however, hear this story to an end,'' thought

Dousterswivel, ``and it will be hard if I do not make mine account in it better as Maister Edie Ochiltrees

The adept, thus transformed into a pupil from a teacher of the mystic art, followed Ochiltree in passive

acquiescence to the Prior's Oaka spot, as the reader may remember, at a short distance from the ruins,

``Maister Dustandsnivel,'' said the narrator, ``it's an unco while since I heard this business treated

anent;for the lairds of Knockwinnock, neither Sir Arthur, nor his father, nor his grandfatherand I

mind a wee bit about them a'liked to hear it spoken about; nor they dinna like it yetBut nae matter; ye

may be sure it was clattered about in the kitchen, like onything else in a great house, though it were forbidden

in the ha'and sae I hae heard the circumstance rehearsed by auld servants in the family; and in thir present

days, when things o' that auldwarld sort arena keepit in mind round winter firesides as they used to be, I

question if there's onybody in the country can tell the tale but mysellaye outtaken the laird though, for

there's a parchment book about it, as I have heard, in the charterroom at Knockwinnock Castle.''

``Well, all dat is vary wellbut get you on with your stories, mine goot friend,'' said Dousterswivel.

``Aweel, ye see,'' continued the mendicant, ``this was a job in the auld times o' rugging and riving through the

hale country, when it was ilka ane for himsell, and God for us a'when nae man wanted property if he had

strength to take it, or had it langer than he had power to keep it. It was just he ower her, and she ower him,

whichever could win upmost, a' through the east country here, and nae doubt through the rest o' Scotland in

``Sae in these days Sir Richard Wardour came into the land, and that was the first o' the name ever was in this

country. There's been mony o' them sin' syne; and the maist, like him they ca'd HellinHarness, and the rest

o' them, are sleeping down in yon ruins. They were a proud dour set o' men, but unco brave, and aye stood up

for the weel o' the country, God sain them a'there's no muckle popery in that wish. They ca'd them the

Norman Wardours, though they cam frae the south to this country. So this Sir Richard, that they ca'd

Redhand, drew up wi' the auld Knockwinnock o' that dayfor then they were Knockwinnocks of that

Ilkand wad fain marry his only daughter, that was to have the castle and the land. Laith, laith was the

lass(Sybil Knockwinnock they ca'd her that tauld me the tale)laith, laith was she to gie into the

match, for she had fa'en a wee ower thick wi' a cousin o' her ain that her father had some illwill to; and sae it

was, that after she had been married to Sir Richard jimp four months for marry him she maun, it's

likeye'll no hinder her gieing them a present o' a bonny knave bairn. Then there was siccan a ca'thro', as

the like was never seen; and she's be burnt, and he's be slain, was the best words o' their mouths. But it was a'

sowdered up again some gait, and the bairn was sent awa, and bred up near the Highlands, and grew up to be

a fine wanle fallow, like mony ane that comes o' the wrang side o' the blanket; and Sir Richard wi' the

Redhand, he had a fair offspring o'his ain, and a was lound and quiet till his head was laid in the ground. But

then down came Malcolm Misticot(Sir Arthur says it should be Misbegot, but they aye ca'd him Misticot

that spoke o't lang syne)down cam this Malcolm, the lovebegot, frae Glenisla, wi' a string o'

langlegged Highlanders at his heels, that's aye ready for onybody's mischief, and he threeps the castle and

lands are his ain as his mother's eldest son, and turns a' the Wardours out to the hill. There was a sort of

fighting and bludespilling about it, for the gentles took different sides; but Malcolm had the uppermost for a

lang time, and keepit the Castle of Knockwinnock, and strengthened it, and built that muckle tower that they

``Mine goot friend, old Mr. Edie Ochiltree.'' interrupted the German, ``this is all as one like de long histories

of a baron of sixteen quarters in mine countries; but I would as rather hear of de silver and gold.''

``Why, ye see,'' continued the mendicant, ``this Malcolm was weel helped by an uncle, a brother o' his

father's, that was Prior o' St. Ruth here; and muckle treasure they gathered between them, to secure the

succession of their house in the lands of Knockwinnock. Folk said that the monks in thae days had the art of

multiplying metalsat ony rate, they were very rich. At last it came to this, that the young Wardour, that

was Redhand's son, challenged Misticot to fight with him in the lists as they ca'd themthat's no lists or

tailor's runds and selvedges o' claith, but a palin'thing they set up for them to fight in like gamecocks.

Aweel, Misticot was beaten, and at his brother's mercybut he wadna touch his life, for the blood of

Knockwinnock that was in baith their veins: so Malcolm was compelled to turn a monk, and he died soon

after in the priory, of pure despite and vexation. Naebody ever kenn'd whare his uncle the prior earded him,

or what he did wi' his gowd and silver, for he stood on the right o' halie kirk, and wad gie nae account to

onybody. But the prophecy gat abroad in the country, that whenever Misticot's grave was fund out, the estate

``Ach! mine goot old friend, Maister Edie, and dat is not so very unlikely, if Sir Arthurs will quarrel wit his

goot friends to please Mr. Oldenbuck.And so you do tink dat dis golds and silvers belonged to goot Mr.

``By my certie do IHow can it be otherwise?Search No. Ithat is as muckle as to say, search

and ye'll find number twa. Besides, yon kist is only silver, and I aye heard that' Misticot's pose had muckle

``Den, mine goot friends,'' said the adept, jumping up hastily, ``why do we not set about our little job

``For twa gude reasons,'' answered the beggar, who quietly kept his sitting posture;``first, because, as I

said before, we have naething to dig wi', for they hae taen awa the picks and shules; and, secondly, because

there will be a wheen idle gowks coming to glower at the hole as lang as it is daylight, and maybe the laird

may send somebody to fill it upand ony way we wad be catched. But if you will meet me on this place at

twal o'clock wi' a dark lantern, I'll hae tools ready, and we'll gang quietly about our job our twa sells, and

``Bebebut, mine goot friend,'' said Dousterswivel, from whose recollection his former nocturnal

adventure was not to be altogether erased, even by the splendid hopes which Edie's narrative held forth, ``it is

not so goot or so safe, to be about goot Maister Mishdigoat's grabe at dat time of nightyou have forgot

how I told you de spirits did hone and mone dere. I do assure you, dere is disturbance dere.''

``If ye're afraid of ghaists,'' answered the mendicant, coolly, ``I'll do the job mysell, and bring your share o'

``Nonomine excellent old Mr. Edie,too much trouble for youI will not have datI will

come myselfand it will be bettermost; for, mine old friend, it was I, Herman Dousterswivel, discovered

Maister Mishdigoat's grave when I was looking for a place as to put away some little trumpery coins, just to

play one little trick on my dear friend Sir Arthur, for a little sport and pleasures. Yes, I did take some what

you call rubbish, and did discover Maister Mishdigoat's own monumentshIt's like dat he meant I should

be his heirsso it would not be civility in me not to come mineself for mine inheritance.''

``At twal o'clock, then,'' said the mendicant, ``we meet under this tree. I'll watch for a while, and see that

naebody meddles wi' the graveit's only saying the laird's forbade itthen get my bit supper frae Ringan

the poinder up by, and leave to sleep in his barn; and I'll slip out at night, and neer be mist.''

``Do so, mine goot Maister Edie, and I will meet you here on this very place, though all de spirits should

So saying he shook hands with the old man, and with this mutual pledge of fidelity to their appointment, they

The night set in stormy, with wind and occasional showers of rain. ``Eh, sirs,'' said the old mendicant, as he

took his place on the sheltered side of the large oaktree to wait for his associate``Eh, sirs, but human

nature's a wilful and wilyard thing!Is it not an unco lucre o' gain wad bring this Dousterdivel out in a

blast o' wind like this, at twal o'clock at night, to thir wild gousty wa's?and amna I a bigger fule than

Having made these sage reflections, he wrapped himself close in his cloak, and fixed his eye on the moon as

she waded amid the stormy and dusky clouds, which the wind from time to time drove across her surface.

The melancholy and uncertain gleams that she shot from between the passing shadows fell full upon the rifted

arches and shafted windows of the old building, which were thus for an instant made distinctly visible in their

ruinous state, and anon became again a dark, undistinguished, and shadowy mass. The little lake had its share

of these transient beams of light, and showed its waters broken, whitened, and agitated under the passing

storm, which, when the clouds swept over the moon, were only distinguished by their sullen and murmuring

plash against the beach. The wooded glen repeated, to every successive gust that hurried through its narrow

trough, the deep and various groan with which the trees replied to the whirlwind, and the sound sunk again,

as the blast passed away, into a faint and passing murmur, resembling the sighs of an exhausted criminal after

the first pangs of his torture are over. In these sounds, superstition might have found ample gratification for

that State of excited terror which she fears and yet loves. But such feeling is made no part of Ochiltree's

``I have kept guard on the outposts baith in Germany and America,'' he said to himself, ``in mony a waur

night than this, and when I ken'd there was maybe a dozen o' their riflemen in the thicket before me. But I

As he muttered thus to himself, he instinctively shouldered his trusty pikestaff, assumed the port of a

sentinel on duty, and, as a step advanced towards the tree, called, with a tone assorting better with his military

``De devil, goot Edie,'' answered Dousterswivel, ``why does you speak so loud as a baarenhauter, or what you

``Just because I thought I was a sentinel at that moment,'' answered the mendicant. ``Here's an awsome night!

``Ayay, mine goot friend,'' said the German, ``here it is my pair of what you call saddlebag; one side

will be for you, one side for me;I will put dem on my horse to save you de trouble, as you are old man.''

``Weel, I hae just ae word to the bargainthere sall nane o' my gear gang on your beast's back.''

``Only of losing sight of horse, man, and money,'' again replied the gaberlunzie.

``Mony gentlemen,'' replied Ochiltree, ``can make that out for themselvesBut what's the sense of

quarrelling?If ye want to gang on, gang onif noI'll gae back to the gude aitstraw in Ringan

Aikwood's barn that I left wi' right illwill e'now, and I'll pit back the pick and shule whar I got them.''

Dousterswivel deliberated a moment, whether, by suffering Edie to depart, he might not secure the whole of

the expected wealth for his own exclusive use. But the want of digging implements, the uncertainty whether,

if he had them, he could clear out the grave to a sufficient depth without assistance, and, above all, the

reluctance which he felt, owing to the experience of the former night, to venture alone on the terrors of

Misticot's grave, satisfied him the attempt would be hazardous. Endeavouring, therefore, to assume his usual

cajoling tone, though internally incensed, he begged ``his goot friend Maister Edie Ochiltrees would lead the

way, and assured him of his acquiescence in all such an excellent friend could propose.''

``Aweel, aweel, then,'' said Edie, ``tak gude care o' your feet amang the lang grass and the loose stones. I

wish we may get the light keepit in neist, wi' this fearsome windbut there's a blink o' moonlight at times.''

Thus saying, old Edie, closely accompanied by the adept, led the way towards the ruins, but presently made a

``Ye're a learned man, Mr. Dousterdeevil, and ken muckle o' the marvellous works o' natureNow, will ye

tell me ae thing?D'ye believe in ghaists and spirits that walk the earth? d'ye believe in them, ay or

``Now, goot Mr. Edie,'' whispered Dousterswivel, in an expostulatory tone of voice, ``is this a times or a

``Indeed is it, baith the tane and the t'other, Mr. Dustanshovel; for I maun fairly tell ye, there's reports that

auld Misticot walks. Now this wad be an uncanny night to meet him in, and wha kens if he wad be ower weel

``Alle guten Geister''muttered the adept, the rest of the conjuration being lost in a tremulous warble of his

voice,``I do desires you not to speak so, Mr. Edie; for, from all I heard dat one other night, I do much

``Now I,'' said Ochiltree, entering the chancel, and flinging abroad his arm with an air of defiance, ``I wadna

gie the crack o' my thumb for him were he to appear at this moment: he's but a disembodied spirit, as we are

``For the lofe of heavens,'' said Dousterswivel, ``say nothing at all neither about somebodies or nobodies!''

``Aweel,'' said the beggar (expanding the shade of the lantern), ``here's the stane, and, spirit or no spirit, I'se

be a wee bit deeper in the grave;'' and he jumped into the place from which the precious chest had that

morning been removed. After striking a few strokes, he tired, or affected to tire, and said to his companion,

``I'm auld and failed now, and canna keep at ittime about's fair play, neighbour; ye maun get in and tak

the shule a bit, and shule out the loose earth, and then I'll tak turn about wi' you.''

Dousterswivel accordingly took the place which the beggar had evacuated, and toiled with all the zeal that

awakened avarice, mingled with the anxious wish to finish the undertaking and leave the place as soon as

Edie, standing much at his ease by the side of the hole, contented himself with exhorting his associate to

labour hard. ``My certie! few ever wrought for siccan a day's wage; an it be butsay the tenth part o' the

size o' the kist, No. I., it will double its value, being filled wi' gowd instead of silver. Od, ye work as if ye had

been bred to pick and shuleye could win your round halfcrown ilka day. Tak care o' your taes wi' that

stane!'' giving a kick to a large one which the adept had heaved out with difficulty, and which Edie pushed

Thus exhorted by the mendicant, Dousterswivel struggled and laboured among the stones and stiff clay,

toiling like a horse, and internally blaspheming in German. When such an unhallowed syllable escaped his

``O dinna swear! dinna swear! Wha kens whals listening! Eh! gude guide us, what's you!Hout, it's

just a branch of ivy flightering awa frae the wa'; when the moon was in, it lookit unco like a dead man's arm

wi' a taper in'tI thought it was Misticot himsell. But never mind, work you awayfling the earth weel

up by out o' the gateOd, if ye're no as clean a worker at a grave as Win Winnet himsell! What gars ye

``Stop!'' said the German, in a tone of anger and disappointment, ``why, I am down at de rocks dat de cursed

``Weel,'' said the beggar, ``that's the likeliest bit of ony. It will be but a muckle throughstane laid doun to

kiver the gowd tak the pick till't, and pit mair strength, manae gude downright devvel will split it,

In fact, the adept, moved by Edie's exhortations, fetched two or three desperate blows, and succeeded in

breaking, not indeed that against which he struck, which, as he had already conjectured, was the solid rock,

but the implement which he wielded, jarring at the same time his arms up to the shoulderblades.

``Hurra, boys!there goes Ringan's pickaxe!'' cried Edie ``it's a shame o' the Fairport folk to sell siccan

The adept, without reply, scrambled out of the pit, which was now about six feet deep, and addressed his

associate in a voice that trembled with anger. ``Does you know, Mr. Edies Ochiltrees, who it is you put off

``Brawly, Mr. Dusterdeevilbrawly do I ken ye, and has done mony a day; but there's nae jesting in the

case, for I am wearying to see ae our treasures; we should hae had baith ends o' the pockmanky filled by this

``Look you, you base old person,'' said the incensed philosopher, ``if you do put another jest upon me, I will

``And whare wad my hands and my pikestaff be a' the time?'' replied Edie, in a tone that indicated no

apprehension. ``Hout, tout, Maister Dusterdeevil, I haena lived sae lang in the warld neither, to be shuled out

o't that gate. What ails ye to be cankered, man, wi' your friends? I'll wager I'll find out the treasure in a

``I do swear to you,'' said the adept, whose suspicions were now fully awake, ``that if you have played me

``Hear till him now!'' said Ochiltree, ``he kens how to gar folk find out the gearOd, I'm thinking he's been

At this insinuation, which alluded obviously to the former scene betwixt himself and Sir Arthur, the

philosopher lost the slender remnant of patience he had left, and being of violent passions, heaved up the

truncheon of the broken mattock to discharge it upon the old man's head. The blow would in all probability

have been fatal, had not he at whom it was aimed exclaimed in a stern and firm voice, ``Shame to ye,

man!do ye think Heaven or earth will suffer ye to murder an auld man that might be your

Dousterswivel turned instinctively, and beheld, to his utter astonishment, a tall dark figure standing close

behind him. The apparition gave him no time to proceed by exorcism or otherwise, but having instantly

recourse to the voie de fait, took measure of the adept's shoulders three or four times with blows so

substantial, that he fell under the weight of them, and remained senseless for some minutes between fear and

stupefaction. When he came to himself, he was alone in the ruined chancel, lying upon the soft and damp

earth which had been thrown out of Misticot's grave. He raised himself with a confused sensation of anger,

pain, and terror, and it was not until he had sat upright for some minutes, that he could arrange his ideas

sufficiently to recollect how he came there, or with what purpose. As his recollection returned, he could have

little doubt that the bait held out to him by Ochiltree, to bring him to that solitary spot, the sarcasms by which

he had provoked him into a quarrel, and the ready assistance which he had at hand for terminating it in the

manner in which it had ended, were all parts of a concerted plan to bring disgrace and damage on Herman

Dousterswivel. He could hardly suppose that he was indebted for the fatigue, anxiety, and beating which he

had undergone, purely to the malice of Edie Ochiltree singly, but concluded that the mendicant had acted a

part assigned to him by some person of greater importance. His suspicions hesitated between Oldbuck and Sir

Arthur Wardour. The former had been at no pains to conceal a marked dislike of himbut the latter he had

deeply injured; and although he judged that Sir Arthur did not know the extent of his wrongs towards him,

yet it was easy to suppose he had gathered enough of the truth to make him desirous of revenge. Ochiltree

had alluded to at least one circumstance which the adept had every reason to suppose was private between Sir

Arthur and himself, and therefore must have been learned from the former. The language of Oldbuck also

intimated a conviction of his knavery, which Sir Arthur heard without making any animated defence. Lastly,

the way in which Dousterswivel supposed the Baronet to have exercised his revenge, was not inconsistent

with the practice of other countries with which the adept was better acquainted than with those of North

Britain. With him, as with many bad men, to suspect an injury, and to nourish the purpose of revenge, was

one and the same movement. And before Dousterswivel had fairly recovered his legs, he had mentally sworn

the ruin of his benefactor, which, unfortunately, he possessed too much the power of accelerating.

But although a purpose of revenge floated through his brain, it was no time to indulge such speculations. The

hour, the place, his own situation, and perhaps the presence or near neighbourhood of his assailants, made

selfpreservation the adept's first object. The lantern had been thrown down and extinguished in the scuffle.

The wind, which formerly howled so loudly through the aisles of the ruin, had now greatly fallen, lulled by

the rain, which was descending very fast. The moon, from the same cause, was totally obscured, and though

Dousterswivel had some experience of the ruins, and knew that he must endeavour to regain the eastern door

of the chancel, yet the confusion of his ideas was such, that he hesitated for some time ere he could ascertain

in what direction he was to seek it. In this perplexity, the suggestions of superstition, taking the advantage of

darkness and his evil conscience, began again to present themselves to his disturbed imagination. ``But bah!''

quoth he valiantly to himself, ``it is all nonsense all one part of de damn big trick and imposture. Devil! that

one thickskulled Scotch Baronet, as I have led by the nose for five year, should cheat Herman

As he had come to this conclusion, an incident occurred which tended greatly to shake the grounds on which

he had adopted it. Amid the melancholy sough of the dying wind, and the plash of the raindrops on leaves

and stones, arose, and apparently at no great distance from the listener, a strain of vocal music so sad and

solemn, as if the departed spirits of the churchmen who had once inhabited these deserted rains were

mourning the solitude and desolation to which their hallowed precincts had been abandoned. Dousterswivel,

who had now got upon his feet, and was groping around the wall of the chancel, stood rooted to the ground

on the occurrence of this new phenomenon. Each faculty of his soul seemed for the moment concentred in the

sense of hearing, and all rushed back with the unanimous information, that the deep, wild, and prolonged

chant which he now heard, was the appropriate music of one of the most solemn dirges of the Church of

Rome. Why performed in such a solitude, and by what class of choristers, were questions which the terrified

imagination of the adept, stirred with all the German superstitions of nixies, oakkings, werwolves,

hobgoblins, black spirits and white, blue spirits and grey, durst not even attempt to solve.

Another of his senses was soon engaged in the investigation. At the extremity of one of the transepts of the

church, at the bottom of a few descending steps, was a small irongrated door, opening, as far as he

recollected, to a sort of low vault or sacristy. As he cast his eye in the direction of the sound, he observed a

strong reflection of red light glimmering through these bars, and against the steps which descended to them.

Dousterswivel stood a moment uncertain what to do; then, suddenly forming a desperate resolution, he

Fortified with the sign of the cross, and as many exorcisms as his memory could recover, he advanced to the

grate, from which, unseen, he could see what passed in the interior of the vault. As he approached with timid

and uncertain steps, the chant, after one or two wild and prolonged cadences, died away into profound

silence. The grate, when he reached it, presented a singular spectacle in the interior of the sacristy. An open

grave, with four tall flambeaus, each about six feet high, placed at the four cornersa bier, having a corpse

in its shroud, the arms folded upon the breast, rested upon tressels at one side of the grave, as if ready to be

interreda priest, dressed in his cope and stole, held open the service bookanother churchman in his

vestments bore a holywater sprinkler, and two boys in white surplices held censers with incensea man,

of a figure once tall and commanding, but now bent with age or infirmity, stood alone and nearest to the

coffin, attired in deep mourning such were the most prominent figures of the group. At a little distance

were two or three persons of both sexes, attired in long mourning hoods and cloaks; and five or six others in

the same lugubrious dress, still farther removed from the body, around the walls of the vault, stood ranged in

motionless order, each bearing in his hand a huge torch of black wax. The smoky light from so many

flambeaus, by the red and indistinct atmosphere which it spread around, gave a hazy, dubious, and as it were

phantomlike appearance to the outlines of this singular apparition, The voice of the priestloud, clear,

and sonorousnow recited, from the breviary which he held in his hand, those solemn words which the

ritual of the Catholic church has consecrated to the rendering of dust to dust. Meanwhile, Dousterswivel, the

place, the hour, and the surprise considered, still remained uncertain whether what he saw was substantial, or

an unearthly representation of the rites to which in former times these walls were familiar, but which are now

rarely practised in Protestant countries, and almost never in Scotland. He was uncertain whether to abide the

conclusion of the ceremony, or to endeavour to regain the chancel, when a change in his position made him

visible through the grate to one of the attendant mourners. The person who first espied him indicated his

discovery to the individual who stood apart and nearest the coffin, by a sign, and upon his making a sign in

reply, two of the group detached themselves, and, gliding along with noiseless steps, as if fearing to disturb

the service, unlocked and opened the grate which separated them from the adept. Each took him by an arm,

and exerting a degree of force, which he would have been incapable of resisting had his fear permitted him to

attempt opposition, they placed him on the ground in the chancel, and sat down, one on each side of him, as if

to detain him. Satisfied he was in the power of mortals like himself, the adept would have put some questions

to them; but while one pointed to the vault, from which the sound of the priest's voice was distinctly heard,

the other placed his finger upon his lips in token of silence, a hint which the German thought it most prudent

to obey. And thus they detained him until a loud Alleluia, pealing through the deserted arches of St. Ruth,

When the hymn had died away with all its echoes, the voice of one of the sable personages under whose

guard the adept had remained, said, in a familiar tone and dialect, ``Dear sirs, Mr. Dousterswivel, is this you?

could not ye have let us ken an ye had wussed till hae been present at the ceremony? My lord couldna tak

``In de name of all dat is gootness, tell me what you are?'' interrupted the German in his turn.

``What I am? why, wha should I be but Ringan Aikwood, the Knockwinnock poinder?and what are ye

doing here at this time o' night, unless ye were come to attend the leddy's burial?''

``I do declare to you, mine goot Poinder Aikwood,'' said the German, raising himself up, ``that I have been

``Robbed! wha wad do sic a deed here?Murdered! od ye speak pretty blithe for a murdered manPut

``I will tell you, Maister Poinder Aikwood Ringan, just dat old miscreant dog villain bluegown, as you call

``I'll neer believe that,'' answered Ringan;``Edie was ken'd to me, and my father before me, for a true,

loyal, and soothfast man; and, mair by token, he's sleeping up yonder in our barn, and has been since ten at

e'enSae touch ye wha liket, Mr. Dousterswivel, and whether onybody touched ye or no, I'm sure Edie's

``Maister Ringan Aikwood Poinders, I do not know what you call sackless,but let alone all de oils and de

soot dat you say he has, and I will tell you I was dis night robbed of fifty pounds. by your oil and sooty

friend, Edies Ochiltree; and he is no more in your barn even now dan I ever shall be in de kingdom of

``Weel, sir, if ye will gae up wi' me, as the burial company has dispersed, we'se mak ye down a bed at the

lodge, and we'se see if Edie's at the barn. There was twa wildlooking chaps left the auld kirk when we were

coming up wi' the corpse, that's certain; and the priest, wha likes ill that ony heretics should look on at our

church ceremonies, sent twa o' the riding saulies after them; sae we'll hear a' about it frae them.''

Thus speaking, the kindly apparition, with the assistance of the mute personage, who was his son,

disencumbered himself of his cloak, and prepared to escort Dousterswivel to the place of that rest which the

``I will apply to the magistrates tomorrow,'' said the adept; ``oder, I will have de law put in force against all

While he thus muttered vengeance against the cause of his injury, he tottered from among the ruins,

supporting himself on Ringan and his son, whose assistance his state of weakness rendered very necessary.

When they were clear of the priory, and had gained the little meadow in which it stands, Dousterswivel could

perceive the torches which had caused him so much alarm issuing in irregular procession from the ruins, and

glancing their light, like that of the ignis fatuus, on the banks of the lake. After moving along the path for

some short space with a fluctuating and irregular motion, the lights were at once extinguished.

``We aye put out the torches at the Haliecross Well on sic occasions,'' said the forester to his guest. And

accordingly no farther visible sign of the procession offered itself to Dousterswivel, although his ear could

catch the distant and decreasing echo of horses' hoofs in the direction towards which the mourners had bent

We must now introduce our reader to the interior of the fisher's cottage mentioned in chapter eleventh of this

edifying history. I wish I could say that its inside was well arranged, decently furnished, or tolerably clean.

On the contrary, I am compelled to admit, there was confusion,there was dilapidation,there was dirt

good store. Yet, with all this, there was about the inmates, Luckie Mucklebackit and her family, an

appearance of ease, plenty, and comfort, that seemed to warrant their old sluttish proverb, ``The clartier the

cosier.'' A huge fire, though the season was summer, occupied the hearth, and served at once for affording

light, heat, and the means of preparing food. The fishing had been successful, and the family, with customary

improvidence, had, since unlading the cargo, continued an unremitting operation of broiling and frying that

part of the produce reserved for home consumption, and the bones and fragments lay on the wooden

trenchers, mingled with morsels of broken bannocks and shattered mugs of halfdrunk beer. The stout and

athletic form of Maggie herself, bustling here and there among a pack of halfgrown girls and younger

children, of whom she chucked one now here and another now there, with an exclamation of ``Get out o' the

gate, ye little sorrow!'' was strongly contrasted with the passive and halfstupified look and manner of her

husband's mother, a woman advanced to the last stage of human life, who was seated in her wonted chair

close by the fire, the warmth of which she coveted, yet hardly seemed to be sensible ofnow muttering to

herself, now smiling vacantly to the children as they pulled the strings of her toy or close cap, or twitched her

blue checked apron. With her distaff in her bosom, and her spindle in her hand, she plied lazily and

mechanically the oldfashioned Scottish thrift, according to the oldfashioned Scottish manner. The younger

children, crawling among the feet of the elder, watched the progress of grannies spindle as it twisted, and now

and then ventured to interrupt its progress as it danced upon the floor in those vagaries which the more

regulated spinningwheel has now so universally superseded, that even the fated Princess in the fairy tale

might roam through all Scotland without the risk of piercing her hand with a spindle, and dying of the wound.

Late as the hour was (and it was long past midnight), the whole family were still on foot, and far from

proposing to go to bed; the dame was still busy broiling carcakes on the girdle, and the elder girl, the

halfnaked mermaid elsewhere commemorated, was preparing a pile of Findhorn haddocks (that is, haddocks

While they were thus employed, a slight tap at the door, accompanied with the question, ``Are ye up yet,

sirs?'' announced a visitor. The answer, ``Ay, ay,come your ways ben, hinny,'' occasioned the lifting of

the latch, and Jenny Rintherout, the female domestic of our Antiquary, made her appearance.

``Ay, ay,'' exclaimed the mistress of the family``Hegh, sirs! can this be you, Jenny?a sight o' you's

``O woman, we've been sae ta'en up wi' Captain Hector's wound up by, that I havena had my fit out ower the

door this fortnight; but he's better now, and auld Caxon sleeps in his room in case he wanted onything. Sae,

as soon as our auld folk gaed to bed, I e'en snodded my head up a bit, and left the housedoor on the latch, in

case onybody should be wanting in or out while I was awa, and just cam down the gate to see an there was

``Ay, ay,'' answered Luckie Mucklebackit, ``I see you hae gotten a' your braws on; ye're looking about for

Steenie now but he's no at hame the night; and ye'll no do for Steenie, lass a feckless thing like you's

``Steenie will no do for me,'' retorted Jenny, with a toss of her head that might have become a higherborn

``Ou ay, hinnythae's your landward and burrowstown notions. My certie!fisherwives ken

``A wheen poor drudges ye are,'' answered the nymph of the land to the nymph of the sea. ``As sune as the

keel o' the coble touches the sand, deil a bit mair will the lazy fisher loons work, but the wives maun kilt their

coats, and wade into the surf to tak the fish ashore. And then the man casts aff the wat and puts on the dry,

and sits down wi' his pipe and his gillstoup ahint the ingle, like ony auld houdie, and neer a turn will he do

till the coble's afloat again! And the wife she maun get the scull on her back, and awa wi' the fish to the next

burrowstown, and scauld and ban wi'ilka wife that will scauld and ban wi'her till it's sauldand that's the

``Slaves?gae wa', lass!ca' the head o' the house slaves? little ye ken about it, lass. Show me a word

my Saunders daur speak, or a turn he daur do about the house, without it be just to tak his meat, and his drink,

and his diversion, like ony o' the weans. He has mair sense than to ca' anything about the bigging his ain, frae

the rooftree down to a crackit trencher on the bink. He kens weel eneugh wha feeds him, and cleeds him, and

keeps a' tight, thack and rape, when his coble is jowing awa in the Firth, puir fallow. Na, na, lass!them

that sell the goods guide the pursethem that guide the purse rule the house. Show me ane o' yer bits o'

farmerbodies that wad let their wife drive the stock to the market, and ca' in the debts. Na, na.''

``Aweel, aweel, Maggie, ilka land has its ain lauchBut where's Steenie the night, when a's come and

``I hae putten the gudeman to his bed, for he was e'en sair forfain; and Steenie's awa out about some

barnsbreaking wi' the auld gaberlunzie, Edie Ochiltree: they'll be in sune, and ye can sit doun.''

``Troth, gudewife'' (taking a seat), ``I haena that muckle time to stopbut I maun tell ye about the news.

Yell hae heard o' the muckle kist o' gowd that Sir Arthur has fund down by at St. Ruth?He'll be grander

than ever nowhe'll no can haud down his head to sneeze, for fear o' seeing his shoon.''

``Ou aya' the country's heard o' that; but auld Edie says that they ca' it ten times mair than ever was o't,

and he saw them howk it up. Od, it would be lang or a puir body that needed it got sic a windfa'.''

``Na, that's sure eneugh.And yell hae heard o' the Countess o' Glenallan being dead and lying in state,

and how she's to be buried at St. Ruth's as this night fa's, wi' torchlight; and a' the popist servants, and

Ringan Aikwood, that's a papist too, are to be there, and it will be the grandest show ever was seen.''

``Troth, hinny,'' answered the Nereid, ``if they let naebody but papists come there, it'll no be muckle o' a show

in this country, for the auld harlot, as honest Mr. Blattergowl ca's her, has few that drink o' her cup o'

enchantments in this corner o' our chosen lands.But what can ail them to bury the auld carlin (a rudas

Here she exalted her voice, and exclaimed twice or thrice, ``Gudemither! gudemither!'' but, lost in the apathy

of age and deafness, the aged sibyl she addressed continued plying her spindle without understanding the

``Speak to your grandmither, JennyOd, I wad rather hail the coble half a mile aff, and the norwast wind

``Grannie,'' said the little mermaid, in a voice to which the old woman was better accustomed, ``minnie wants

to ken what for the Glenallan folk aye bury by candlelight in the ruing of St. Ruth!''

The old woman paused in the act of twirling the spindle, turned round to the rest of the party, lifted her

withered, trembling, and claycoloured band, raised up her ashenhued and wrinkled face, which the quick

motion of two lightblue eyes chiefly distinguished from the visage of a corpse, and, as if catching at any

touch of association with the living world, answered, ``What gars the Glenallan family inter their dead by

``We might be a' dead and buried too,'' said Maggie, ``for onything ye wad ken about it;''and then, raising

``And is she ca'd hame then at last?'' said the old woman, in a voice that seemed to be agitated with much

more feeling than belonged to her extreme old age, and the general indifference and apathy of her

manner``is she then called to her last account after her lang race o' pride and power?O God, forgie

``But minnie was asking ye,'' resumed the lesser querist, ``what for the Glenallan family aye bury their dead

``They hae aye dune sae,'' said the grandmother, ``since the time the Great Earl fell in the sair battle o' the

Harlaw, when they say the coronach was cried in ae day from the mouth of the Tay to the Buck of the

Cabrach, that ye wad hae heard nae other sound but that of lamentation for the great folks that had fa'en

fighting against Donald of the Isles. But the Great Earl's mither was livingthey were a doughty and a dour

race, the women o' the house o' Glenallanand she wad hae nae coronach cried for her son, but had him

laid in the silence o' midnight in his place o' rest, without either drinking the dirge, or crying the lament. She

said he had killed enow that day he died, for the widows and daughters o' the Highlanders he had slain to cry

the coronach for them they had lost, and for her son too; and sae she laid him in his gave wi' dry eyes, and

without a groan or a wail. And it was thought a proud word o' the family, and they aye stickit by itand the

mair in the latter times, because in the nighttime they had mair freedom to perform their popish ceremonies

by darkness and in secrecy than in the daylightat least that was the case in my time; they wad hae been

disturbed in the daytime baith by the law and the commons of Fairportthey may be owerlooked now, as

I have heard: the warlds changedI whiles hardly ken whether I am standing or sitting, or dead or living.''

And looking round the fire, as if in a state of unconscious uncertainty of which she complained, old Elspeth

``Eh, sirs!'' said Jenny Rintherout, under her breath to her gossip, ``it's awsome to hear your gudemither break

``Ye're no that far wrang, lass; she minds naething o' what passes the daybut set her on auld tales, and she

can speak like a prent buke. She kens mair about the Glenallan family than maist folkthe gudeman's

father was their fisher mony a day. Ye maun ken the papists make a great point o' eating fishit's nae bad

part o' their religion that, whatever the rest isI could aye sell the best o' fish at the best o' prices for the

Countess's ain table, grace be wi' her! especially on a Friday But see as our gudemither's hands and lips

are gangingnow it's working in her head like barmshe'll speak eneugh the night. Whiles she'll no

``Hegh, Mrs. Mucklebackit, she's an awsome wife!'' said Jenny in reply. ``D'ye think she's a'thegither right?

Folk say she downa gang to the kirk, or speak to the minister, and that she was ance a papist but since her

gudeman's been dead, naebody kens what she is. D'ye think yoursell that she's no uncanny?''

``Canny, ye silly tawpie! think ye ae auld wife's less canny than anither? unless it be Alison BreckI really

couldna in conscience swear for her; I have kent the boxes she set fill'd wi' partans, when''

``Whisht, whisht, Maggie,'' whispered Jenny``your gudemither's gaun to speak again.''

``Wasna there some ane o' ye said,'' asked the old sibyl, ``or did I dream, or was it revealed to me, that

``And e'en sae let it be,'' said old Elspeth; ``she's made mony a sair heart in her dayay, e'en her ain

``Ay, he's living yet; but how lang he'll livehowever, dinna ye mind his coming and asking after you in

``It may be sae, MaggeI dinna mind itbut a handsome gentleman he was, and his father before him.

Eh! if his father had lived, they might hae been happy folk! But he was gane, and the lady carried it

inower and outower wi' her son, and garr'd him trow the thing he never suld hae trowed, and do the

thing he has repented a' his life, and will repent still, were his life as lang as this lang and wearisome ane o'

``O what was it, grannie?''and ``What was it, gudemither?'' and ``What was it, Luckie Elspeth?''

``Never ask what it was,'' answered the old sibyl, ``but pray to God that ye arena left to the pride and

wilfu'ness o' your ain hearts: they may be as powerful in a cabin as in a castleI can bear a sad witness to

that. O that weary and fearfu' night! will it never gang out o' my auld head!Eh! to see her lying on the

floor wi' her lang hair dreeping wi' the salt water! Heaven will avenge on a' that had to do wi't. Sirs! is

``Na, na, mithernae coble can keep the sea this wind; he's sleeping in his bed outower yonder ahint the

``Na, grannieSteenie's awa out wi' auld Edie Ochiltree, the gaberlunzie; maybe they'll be gaun to see the

``That canna be,'' said the mother of the family; ``we kent naething o't till Jock Rand cam in, and tauld us the

Aikwoods had warning to attendthey keep thae things unco private and they were to bring the corpse

a' the way frae the Castle, ten miles off, under cloud o' night. She has lain in state this ten days at Glenallan

``God assoilzie her!'' ejaculated old Elspeth, her head apparently still occupied by the event of the Countess's

death; ``she was a hardhearted woman, but she's gaen to account for it a', and His mercy is infiniteGod

grant she may find it sae!'' And she relapsed into silence, which she did not break again during the rest of the

``I wonder what that auld daft beggar carle and our son Steenie can be doing out in sic a nicht as this,'' said

Maggie Mucklebackit; and her expression of surprise was echoed by her visitor. ``Gang awa, ane o' ye,

hinnies, up to the heugh head, and gie them a cry in case they're within hearing; the carcakes will be burnt to

The little emissary departed, but in a few minutes came running back with the loud exclamation, ``Eh,

Minnie! eh, grannie! there's a white bogle chasing twa black anes down the heugh.''

A noise of footsteps followed this singular annunciation, and young Steenie Mucklebackit, closely followed

by Edie Ochiltree, bounced into the hut. They were panting and out of breath. The first thing Steenie did was

to look for the bar of the door, which his mother reminded him had been broken up for firewood in the hard

winter three years ago; ``for what use,'' she said, ``had the like o' them for bars?''

``There's naebody chasing us,'' said the beggar, after he had taken his breath: ``we're e'en like the wicked, that

``Troth, but we were chased,'' said Steenie, ``by a spirit or something little better.''

``It was a man in white on horseback,'' said Edie, ``for the soft grund that wadna bear the beast, flung him

about, I wot that weel; but I didna think my auld legs could have brought me aff as fast; I ran amaist as fast as

* [This refers to the flight of the government forces at the battle of * Prestonpans, 1745.]

``Hout, ye daft gowks!'' said Luckie Mucklebackit, ``it will hae been some o' the riders at the Countess's

``What!'' said Edie, ``is the auld Countess buried the night at St. Ruth's? Ou, that wad be the lights and the

noise that scarr'd us awa; I wish I had ken'dI wad hae stude them, and no left the man yonderbut

they'll take care o' him. Ye strike ower hard, Steenie I doubt ye foundered the chield.''

``Neer a bit,'' said Steenie, laughing; ``he has braw broad shouthers, and I just took measure o' them wi' the

stang. Od, if I hadna been something short wi' him, he wad hae knockit your auld hams out, lad.''

``Weel, an I win clear o' this scrape,'' said Edie, ``I'se tempt Providence nae mair. But I canna think it an

unlawfu' thing to pit a bit trick on sic a landlouping scoundrel, that just lives by tricking honester folk.''

``Od guide us, man,'' said Edie in great alarm, ``what garr'd ye touch the gear? a very leaf o' that pocketbook

``I dinna ken,'' said Steenie; ``the book had fa'en out o' his pocket, I fancy, for I fand it amang my feet when I

was graping about to set him on his logs again, and I just pat it in my pouch to keep it safe; and then came the

tramp of horse, and you cried, `Rin, rin,' and I had nae mair thought o' the book.''

``We maun get it back to the loon some gait or other; ye had better take it yoursell, I think, wi' peep o' light,

up to Ringan Aikwood's. I wadna for a hundred pounds it was fund in our hands.''

``A bonny night ye hae made o't, Mr. Steenie,'' said Jenny Rintherout, who, impatient of remaining so long

unnoticed, now presented herself to the young fisherman``A bonny night ye hae made o't, tramping about

wi' gaberlunzies, and getting yoursell hunted wi' worricows, when ye suld be sleeping in your bed, like your

This attack called forth a suitable response of rustic raillery from the young fisherman. An attack was now

commenced upon the carcakes and smoked fish, and sustained with great perseverance by assistance of a

bicker or two of twopenny ale and a bottle of gin. The mendicant then retired to the straw of an outhouse

adjoining,the children had one by one crept into their nests,the old grandmother was deposited in her

flockbed,Steenie, notwithstanding his preceding fatigue, had the gallantry to accompany Miss

Rintherout to her own mansion, and at what hour he returned the story saith not,and the matron of the

family, having laid the gatheringcoal upon the fire, and put things in some sort of order, retired to rest the

Old Edie was stirring with the lark, and his first inquiry was after Steenie and the pocketbook. The young

fisherman had been under the necessity of attending his father before daybreak, to avail themselves of the

tide, but he had promised that, immediately on his return, the pocketbook, with all its contents, carefully

wrapped up in a piece of sailcloth, should be delivered by him to Ringan Aikwood, for Dousterswivel, the

The matron had prepared the morning meal for the family, and, shouldering her basket of fish, tramped

sturdily away towards Fairport. The children were idling round the door, for the day was fair and sunshiney.

The ancient grandame, again seated on her wickerchair by the fire, had resumed her eternal spindle, wholly

unmoved by the yelling and screaming of the children, and the scolding of the mother, which had preceded

the dispersion of the family. Edie had arranged his various bags, and was bound for the renewal of his

wandering life, but first advanced with due courtesy to take his leave of the ancient crone.

``Gude day to ye, cummer, and mony ane o' them. I will be back about the foreend o'har'st, and I trust to

``Pray that ye may find me in my quiet grave,'' said the old woman, in a hollow and sepulchral voice, but

``Ye're auld, cummer, and sae am I mysell; but we maun abide His willwe'll no be forgotten in His good

``Nor our deeds neither,'' said the crone: ``what's dune in the body maun be answered in the spirit.''

``I wot that's true; and I may weel tak the tale hame to mysell, that hae led a misruled and roving life. But ye

were aye a canny wife. We're a' frailbut ye canna hae sae muckle to bow ye down.''

``Less than I might have hadbut mair, O far mair, than wad sink the stoutest brig e'er sailed out o'

Fairport harbour! Didna somebody say yestreenat least sae it is borne in on my mind, but auld folk

hae weak fanciesdid not somebody say that Joscelind, Countess of Glenallan, was departed frae life?''

``They said the truth whaever said it,'' answered old Edie; ``she was buried yestreen by torchlight at St.

``It was their fashion since the days of the Great Earl that was killed at Harlaw;they did it to show scorn

that they should die and be buried like other mortals; the wives o' the house of Glenallan wailed nae wail for

the husband, nor the sister for the brother.But is she e'en ca'd to the lang account?''

This she spoke with more alacrity than usually attended her expressions, and accompanied her words with an

attitude of the hand, as if throwing something from her. She then raised up her form, once tall, and still

retaining the appearance of having been so, though bent with age and rheumatism, and stood before the

beggar like a mummy animated by some wandering spirit into a temporary resurrection. Her lightblue eyes

wandered to and fro, as if she occasionally forgot and again remembered the purpose for which her long and

withered hand was searching among the miscellaneous contents of an ample oldfashioned pocket. At length

she pulled out a small chipbox, and opening it, took out a handsome ring, in which was set a braid of hair,

composed of two different colours, black and light brown, twined together, encircled with brilliants of

``Gudeman,'' she said to Ochiltree, ``as ye wad e'er deserve mercy, ye maun gang my errand to the house of

``The Earl of Glenallan, cummer! ou, he winna see ony o' the gentles o' the country, and what likelihood is

``Gang your ways and try;and tell him that Elspeth o' the Craigburnfoothe'll mind me best by that

namemaun see him or she be relieved frae her lang pilgrimage, and that she sends him that ring in token

Ochiltree looked on the ring with some admiration of its apparent value, and then carefully replacing it in the

box, and wrapping it in an old ragged handkerchief, he deposited the token in his bosom.

``Weel, gudewife,'' he said, ``I'se do your bidding, or it's no be my fault. But surely there was never sic a

braw propine as this sent to a yerl by an auld fishwife, and through the hands of a gaberlunzie beggar.''

With this reflection, Edie took up his pikestaff, put on his broadbrimmed bonnet, and set forth upon his

pilgrimage. The old woman remained for some time standing in a fixed posture, her eyes directed to the door

through which her ambassador had departed. The appearance of excitation, which the conversation had

occasioned, gradually left her features; she sank down upon her accustomed seat, and resumed her

Edie Ochiltree meanwhile advanced on his journey. The distance to Glenallan was ten miles, a march which

the old soldier accomplished in about four hours. With the curiosity belonging to his idle trade and animated

character, he tortured himself the whole way to consider what could be the meaning of this mysterious errand

with which he was entrusted, or what connection the proud, wealthy, and powerful Earl of Glenallan could

have with the crimes or penitence of an old doting woman, whose rank in life did not greatly exceed that of

her messenger. He endeavoured to call to memory all that he had ever known or heard of the Glenallan

family, yet, having done so, remained altogether unable to form a conjecture on the subject. He knew that the

whole extensive estate of this ancient and powerful family had descended to the Countess, lately deceased,

who inherited, in a most remarkable degree, the stern, fierce, and unbending character which had

distinguished the house of Glenallan since they first figured in Scottish annals. Like the rest of her ancestors,

she adhered zealously to the Roman Catholic faith, and was married to an English gentleman of the same

communion, and of large fortune, who did not survive their union two years. The Countess was, therefore,

left all early widow, with the uncontrolled management of the large estates of her two sons. The elder, Lord

Geraldin, who was to succeed to the title and fortune of Glenallan, was totally dependent on his mother

during her life. The second, when he came of age, assumed the name and arms of his father, and took

possession of his estate, according to the provisions of the Countess's marriagesettlement. After this period,

he chiefly resided in England, and paid very few and brief visits to his mother and brother; and these at length

were altogether dispensed with, in consequence of his becoming a convert to the reformed religion.

But even before this mortal offence was given to its mistress, his residence at Glenallan offered few

inducements to a gay young man like Edward Geraldin Neville, though its gloom and seclusion seemed to

suit the retired and melancholy habits of his elder brother. Lord Geraldin, in the outset of life, had been a

young man of accomplishment and hopes. Those who knew him upon his travels entertained the highest

expectations of his future career. But such fair dawns are often strangely overcast. The young nobleman

returned to Scotland, and after living about a year in his mother's society at Glenallan House, he seemed to

have adopted all the stern gloom and melancholy of her character. Excluded from politics by the incapacities

attached to those of his religion, and from all lighter avocationas by choice, Lord Geraldin led a life of the

strictest retirement. His ordinary society was composed of the clergyman of his communion, who

occasionally visited his mansion; and very rarely, upon stated occasions of high festival, one or two families

who still professed the Catholic religion were formally entertained at Glenallan House. But this was all; their

heretic neighbours knew nothing of the family whatever; and even the Catholics saw little more than the

sumptuous entertainment and solemn parade which was exhibited on those formal occasions, from which all

returned without knowing whether most to wonder at the stern and stately demeanour of the Countess, or the

deep and gloomy dejection which never ceased for a moment to cloud the features of her son. The late event

had put him in possession of his fortune and title, and the neighbourhood had already begun to conjecture

whether gaiety would revive with independence, when those who had some occasional acquaintance with the

interior of the family spread abroad a report, that the Earl's constitution was undermined by religious

austerities, and that in all probability he would soon follow his mother to the grave. This event was the more

probable, as his brother had died of a lingering complaint, which, in the latter years of his life, had affected at

once his frame and his spirits; so that heralds and genealogists were already looking back into their records to

discover the heir of this illfated family, and lawyers were talking with gleesome anticipation, of the

* [Supposed to represent Glammis Castle, in Forfarshire, with which the * Author was well acquainted.]

an ancient building of great extent, the most modern part of which had been designed by the celebrated Inigo

Jones, he began to consider in what way he should be most likely to gain access for delivery of his message;

and, after much consideration, resolved to send the token to the Earl by one of the domestics. With this

purpose he stopped at a cottage, where he obtained the means of making up the ring in a sealed packet like a

petition, addressed, Forr his hounor the Yerl of GlenllanThese. But being aware that missives delivered at

the doors of great houses by such persons as himself, do not always make their way according to address,

Edie determined, like an old soldier, to reconnoitre the ground before he made his final attack. As he

approached the porter's lodge, he discovered, by the number of poor ranked before it, some of them being

indigent persons in the vicinity, and others itinerants of his own begging profession,that there was about

``A good turn,'' said Edie to himself, ``never goes unrewarded I'll maybe get a good awmous that I wad

Accordingly, he ranked up with the rest of this ragged regiment, assuming a station as near the front as

possible,a distinction due, as he conceived, to his blue gown and badge, no less than to his years and

experience; but he soon found there was another principle of precedence in this assembly, to which he had

``Are ye a triple man, friend, that ye press forward sae bauldly?I'm thinking no, for there's nae Catholics

``Then shank yoursell awa to the double folk, or single folk, that's the Episcopals or Presbyterians yonder: it's

a shame to see a heretic hae sic a lang white beard, that would do credit to a hermit.''

Ochiltree, thus rejected from the society of the Catholic mendicants, or those who called themselves such,

went to station himself with the paupers of the communion of the church of England, to whom the noble

donor allotted a double portion of his charity. But never was a poor occasional conformist more roughly

rejected by a Highchurch congregation, even when that matter was furiously agitated in the days of good

``See to him wi' his badge!'' they said;``he hears ane o' the king's Presbyterian chaplains sough out a

sermon on the morning of every birthday, and now he would pass himsell for ane o' the Episcopal church!

Edie, thus rejected by Rome and Prelacy, was fain to shelter himself from the laughter of his brethren among

the thin group of Presbyterians, who had either disdained to disguise their religious opinions for the sake of

an augmented dole, or perhaps knew they could not attempt the imposition without a certainty of detection.

The same degree of precedence was observed in the mode of distributing the charity, which consisted in

bread, beef, and a piece of money, to each individual of all the three classes. The almoner, an ecclesiastic of

grave appearance and demeanour, superintended in person the accommodation of the Catholic mendicants,

asking a question or two of each as he delivered the charity, and recommending to their prayers the soul of

Joscelind, late Countess of Glenallan, mother of their benefactor. The porter, distinguished by his long staff

headed with silver, and by the black gown tufted with lace of the same colour, which he had assumed upon

the general mourning in the family, overlooked the distribution of the dole among the prelatists. The

As this last discussed some disputed point with the porter, his name, as it chanced to be occasionally

mentioned, and then his features, struck Ochiltree, and awakened recollections of former times. The rest of

the assembly were now retiring, when the domestic, again approaching the place where Edie still lingered,

said, in a strong Aberdeenshire accent, ``Fat is the auld feelbody deeing, that he canna gang avay, now that

``Francis Macraw,'' answered Edie Ochiltree, ``d'ye no mind Fontenoy, and `keep thegither front and rear?' ''

``Ohon! ohon!'' cried Francie, with a true northcountry yell of recognition, ``naebody could hae said that

word but my auld frontrank man, Edie Ochiltree! But I'm sorry to see ye in sic a peer state, man.''

``No sae ill aff as ye may think, Francis. But I'm laith to leave this place without a crack wi' you, and I kenna

when I may see you again, for your folk dinna mak Protestants welcome, and that's ae reason that I hae never

``Fusht, fusht,'' said Francie, ``let that flee stick i' the wa' when the dirt's dry it will rub out;and come

Having then spoke a confidential word with the porter (probably to request his connivance), and having

waited until the almoner had returned into the house with slow and solemn steps, Francie Macraw introduced

his old comrade into the court of Glenallan House, the gloomy gateway of which was surmounted by a huge

scutcheon, in which the herald and undertaker had mingled, as usual, the emblems of human pride and of

human nothingness,the Countess's hereditary coatofarms, with all its numerous quarterings, disposed

in a lozenge, and surrounded by the separate shields of her paternal and maternal ancestry, intermingled with

scythes, hour glasses, skulls, and other symbols of that mortality which levels all distinctions. Conducting his

friend as speedily as possible along the large paved court, Macraw led the way through a sidedoor to a small

apartment near the servants' hall, which, in virtue of his personal attendance upon the Earl of Glenallan, he

was entitled to call his own. To produce cold meat of various kinds, strong beer, and even a glass of spirits,

was no difficulty to a person of Francis's importance, who had not lost, in his sense of conscious dignity, the

keen northern prudence which recommended a good understanding with the butler. Our mendicant envoy

drank ale, and talked over old stories with his comrade, until, no other topic of conversation occurring, he

resolved to take up the theme of his embassy, which had for some time escaped his memory.

``He had a petition to present to the Earl,'' he said;for he judged it prudent to say nothing of the ring, not

``Hout, tout, man,'' said Francie, ``the Earl will look at nae petitionsbut I can gie't to the almoner.''

``But it relates to some secret, that maybe my lord wad like best to see't himsell.''

``I'm jeedging that's the very reason that the almoner will be for seeing it the first and foremost.''

``But I hae come a' this way on purpose to deliver it, Francis, and ye really maun help me at a pinch.''

``Neer speed then if I dinna,'' answered the Aberdeenshire man: ``let them be as cankered as they like, they

can but turn me awa, and I was just thinking to ask my discharge, and gang down to end my days at

With this doughty resolution of serving his friend at all ventures, since none was to be encountered which

could much inconvenience himself, Francie Macraw left the apartment. It was long before he returned, and

``I am nae seer gin ye be Edie Ochiltree o' Carrick's company in the Fortytwa, or gin ye be the deil in his

``Because my lord has been in sic a distress and surpreese as I neer saw a man in my life. But he'll see

youI got that job cookit. He was like a man awa frae himsell for mony minutes, and I thought he wad hae

swarv't a'thegither,and fan he cam to himsell, he asked fae brought the packetand fat trow ye I said?''

``An auld soger,'' says Edie``that does likeliest at a gentle's door; at a farmer's it's best to say ye're an auld

tinkler, if ye need ony quarters, for maybe the gudewife will hae something to souther.''

``But I said neer ane o' the twa,'' answered Francis; ``my lord cares as little about the tane as the totherfor

he's best to them that can souther up our sins. Sae I e'en said the bit paper was brought by an auld man wi' a

long fite beardhe might be a capeechin freer for fat I ken'd, for he was dressed like an auld palmer. Sae

``I wish I was weel through this business,'' thought Edie to himself; ``mony folk surmise that the Earl's no

very right in the judgment, and wha can say how far he may be offended wi' me for taking upon me sae

But there was now no room for retreata bell sounded from a distant part of the mansion, and Macraw

said, with a smothered accent, as if already in his master's presence, ``That's my lord's bell!follow me,

Edie followed his guide, who seemed to tread as if afraid of being overheard, through a long passage, and up

a back stair, which admitted them into the family apartments. They were ample and extensive, furnished at

such cost as showed the ancient importance and splendour of the family. But all the ornaments were in the

taste of a former and distant period, and one would have almost supposed himself traversing the halls of a

Scottish nobleman before the union of the crowns. The late Countess, partly from a haughty contempt of the

times in which she lived, partly from her sense of family pride, had not permitted the furniture to be altered or

modernized during her residence at Glenallan House. The most magnificent part of the decorations was a

valuable collection of pictures by the best masters, whose massive frames were somewhat tarnished by time.

In this particular also the gloomy taste of the family seemed to predominate. There were some fine family

portraits by Vandyke and other masters of eminence; but the collection was richest in the Saints and

Martyrdoms of Domenichino, Velasquez, and Murillo, and other subjects of the same kind, which had been

selected in preference to landscapes or historical pieces. The manner in which these awful, and sometimes

disgusting, subjects were represented, harmonized with the gloomy state of the apartments,a

circumstance which was not altogether lost on the old man, as he traversed them under the guidance of his

quondam fellowsoldier. He was about to express some sentiment of this kind, but Francie imposed silence

on him by signs, and opening a door at the end of the long picturegallery, ushered him into a small

antechamber hung with black. Here they found the almoner, with his ear turned to a door opposite that by

which they entered, in the attitude of one who listens with attention, but is at the same time afraid of being

The old domestic and churchman started when they perceived each other. But the almoner first recovered his

recollection, and advancing towards Macraw, said, under his breath, but with an authoritative tone, ``How

dare you approach the Earl's apartment without knocking? and who is this stranger, or what has he to do

``It's impossible just now to attend your reverence,'' answered Macraw, raising his voice so as to be heard in

the next room, being conscious that the priest would not maintain the altercation within hearing of his

He had scarce uttered the words, when it was rung again with greater violence than before; and the

ecclesiastic, perceiving further expostulation impossible, lifted his finger at Macraw, with a menacing

``I tell'd ye sae,'' said the Aberdeen man in a whisper to Edie, and then proceeded to open the door near which

The ancient forms of mourning were observed in Glenallan House, notwithstanding the obduracy with which

the members of the family were popularly supposed to refuse to the dead the usual tribute of lamentation. It

was remarked, that when she received the fatal letter announcing the death of her second, and, as was once

believed, her favourite son, the hand of the Countess did not shake, nor her eyelid twinkle, any more than

upon perusal of a letter of ordinary business. Heaven only knows whether the suppression of maternal

sorrow, which her pride commanded, might not have some effect in hastening her own death. It was at least

generally supposed that the apoplectic stroke, which so soon afterwards terminated her existence, was, as it

were, the vengeance of outraged Nature for the restraint to which her feelings had been subjected. But

although Lady Glenallan forebore the usual external signs of grief, she had caused many of the apartments,

amongst others her own and that of the Earl, to be hung with the exterior trappings of woe.

The Earl of Glenallan was therefore seated in an apartment hung with black cloth, which waved in dusky

folds along its lofty walls. A screen, also covered with black baize, placed towards the high and narrow

window, intercepted much of the broken light which found its way through the stained glass, that represented,

with such skill as the fourteenth century possessed, the life and sorrows of the prophet Jeremiah. The table at

which the Earl was seated was lighted with two lamps wrought in silver, shedding that unpleasant and

doubtful light which arises from the mingling of artificial lustre with that of general daylight. The same table

displayed a silver crucifix, and one or two clasped parchment books. A large picture, exquisitely painted by

Spagnoletto, represented the martyrdom of St. Stephen, and was the only ornament of the apartment.

The inhabitant and lord of this disconsolate chamber was a man not past the prime of life, yet so broken down

with disease and mental misery, so gaunt and ghastly, that he appeared but a wreck of manhood; and when he

hastily arose and advanced towards his visitor, the exertion seemed almost to overpower his emaciated frame.

As they met in the midst of the apartment, the contrast they exhibited was very striking. The hale cheek, firm

step, erect stature, and undaunted presence and bearing of the old mendicant, indicated patience and content

in the extremity of age, and in the lowest condition to which humanity can sink; while the sunken eye, pallid

cheek, and tottering form of the nobleman with whom he was confronted, showed how little wealth, power,

and even the advantages of youth, have to do with that which gives repose to the mind, and firmness to the

The Earl met the old man in the middle of the room, and having commanded his attendant to withdraw into

the gallery, and suffer no one to enter the antechamber till he rung the bell, awaited, with hurried yet fearful

impatience, until he heard first the door of his apartment, and then that of the antechamber, shut and fastened

by the springbolt. When he was satisfied with this security against being overheard, Lord Glenallan came

close up to the mendicant, whom he probably mistook for some person of a religious order in disguise, and

said, in a hasty yet faltering tone, ``In the name of all our religion holds most holy, tell me, reverend father,

what am I to expect from a communication opened by a token connected with such horrible recollections?''

The old man, appalled by a manner so different from what he had expected from the proud and powerful

nobleman, was at a loss how to answer, and in what manner to undeceive him. ``Tell me,'' continued the Earl,

in a tone of increasing trepidation and agony``tell me, do you come to say that all that has been done to

expiate guilt so horrible, has been too little and too trivial for the offence, and to point out new and more

efficacious modes of severe penance?I will not blench from it, fatherlet me suffer the pains of my

Edie had now recollection enough to perceive, that if he did not interrapt the frankness of Lord Glenallan's

admissions, he was likely to become the confidant of more than might be safe for him to know. He therefore

uttered with a hasty and trembling voice``Your lordship's honour is mistakenI am not of your

persuasion, nor a clergyman, but, with all reverence, only puir Edie Ochiltree, the king's bedesman and your

This explanation be accompanied by a profound bow after his manner, and then, drawing himself up erect,

rested his arm on his staff, threw back his long white hair, and fixed his eyes upon the Earl, as he waited for

``And you are not then,'' said Lord Glenallan, after a pause of surprise``You are not then a Catholic

``God forbid!'' said Edie, forgetting in his confusion to whom he was speaking; ``I am only the king's

The Earl turned hastily away, and paced the room twice or thrice, as if to recover the effects of his mistake,

and then, coming close up to the mendicant, he demanded, in a stern and commanding tone, what he meant

by intruding himself on his privacy, and from whence he had got the ring which he had thought proper to

send him. Edie, a man of much spirit, was less daunted at this mode of interrogation than he had been

confused by the tone of confidence in which the Earl had opened their conversation. To the reiterated

question from whom he had obtained the ring, he answered composedly, ``From one who was better known

``Better known to me, fellow?'' said Lord Glenallan: ``what is your meaning?explain yourself instantly,

or you shall experience the consequence of breaking in upon the hours of family distress.''

``It was auld Elspeth Mucklebackit that sent me here,'' said the beggar, ``in order to say''

``You dote, old man!'' said the Earl; ``I never heard the namebut this dreadful token reminds me''

``I mind now, my lord,'' said Ochiltree, ``she tauld me your lordship would be mair familiar wi' her, if I ca'd

her Elspeth o' the Craigburnfootshe had that name when she lived on your honour's land, that is, your

``Ay,'' said the appalled nobleman, as his countenance sunk, and his cheek assumed a hue yet more

cadaverous; ``that name is indeed written in the most tragic page of a deplorable history. But what can she

``Living, my lord; and entreats to see your lordship before she dies, for she has something to communicate

that hangs upon her very soul, and she says she canna flit in peace until she sees you.''

``Not until she sees me!what can that mean? But she is doting with age and infirmity. I tell thee, friend, I

called at her cottage myself, not a twelvemonth since, from a report that she was in distress, and she did not

``If your honour wad permit me,'' said Edie, to whom the length of the conference restored a part of his

professional audacity and native talkativeness``if your honour wad but permit me, I wad say, under

correction of your lordship's better judgment, that auld Elspeth's like some of the ancient ruined strengths and

castles that ane sees amang the hills. There are mony parts of her mind that appear, as I may say, laid waste

and decayed, but then there's parts that look the steever, and the stronger, and the grander, because they are

rising just like to fragments amaong the ruins o' the rest. She's an awful woman.''

``She always was so,'' said the Earl, almost unconsciously echoing the observation of the mendicant; ``she

always was different from other womenlikest perhaps to her who is now no more, in her temper and turn

``It will be a pleasure to neither of us,'' said the Earl, sternly, ``yet she shall be gratified. She lives, I think, on

``Just between Monkbarns and Knockwinnock Castle, but nearer to Monkbarns. Your lordship's honour will

A stare, as if he did not comprehend the question, was Lord Glenallan's answer. Edie saw his mind was

elsewhere, and did not venture to repeat a query which was so little germain to the matter.

``No, my lord,'' said Ochiltree stoutly; for the remembrance of the unequal division of the dole rose in his

``He who can conscientiously call himself good, has indeed reason to thank Heaven, be his form of

``A soldier, my lord; and mony a sair day's kemping I've seen. I was to have been made a sergeant,

``I winna say,'' replied Edie, ``that I have been better than my neighbours;it's a rough tradewar's

``And you are now old and miserable, asking from precarious charity the food which in your youth you tore

``I am a beggar, it is true, my lord; but I am nae just sae miserable neither. For my sins, I hae had grace to

repent of them, if I might say sae, and to lay them where they may be better borne than by me; and for my

food, naebody grudges an auld man a bit and a drinkSae I live as I can, and am contented to die when I

``And thus, then, with little to look back upon that is pleasant or praiseworthy in your past lifewith less to

look forward to on this side of eternity, you are contented to drag out the rest of your existence? Go, begone!

and in your age and poverty and weariness, never envy the lord of such a mansion as this, either in his

The Earl put into the old man's hand five or six guineas. Edie would perhaps have stated his scruples, as upon

other occasions, to the amount of the benefaction, but the tone of Lord Glenallan was too absolute to admit of

either answer or dispute. The Earl then called his servant``See this old man safe from the castlelet no

one ask him any questionsand you, friend, begone, and forget the road that leads to my house.''

``That would be difficult for me,'' said Edie, looking at the gold which he still held in his hand, ``that would

be e'en difficult, since your honour has gien me such gade cause to remember it.''

Lord Glenallan stared, as hardly comprehending the old man's boldness in daring to bandy words with him,

and, with his hand, made him another signal of departure, which the mendicant instantly obeyed.

Francis Macraw, agreeably to the commands of his master, attended the mendicant, in order to see him fairly

out of the estate, without permitting him to have conversation, or intercourse, with any of the Earl's

dependents or domestics. But, judiciously considering that the restriction did not extend to himself, who was

the person entrusted with the convoy, he used every measure in his power to extort from Edie the nature of

his confidential and secret interview with Lord Glenallan. But Edie had been in his time accustomed to

crossexamination, and easily evaded those of his quondam comrade. ``The secrets of grit folk,'' said

Ochiltree within himself, ``are just like the wild beasts that are shut up in cages. Keep them hard and fast

sneaked up, and it's a' very weel or betterbut ance let them out, they will turn and rend you. I mind how

ill Dugald Gunn cam aff for letting loose his tongue about the Major's leddy and Captain Bandilier.''

Francis was therefore foiled in his assaults upon the fidelity of the mendicant, and, like an indifferent

chessplayer, became, at every unsuccessful movement, more liable to the counterchecks of his opponent.

``Sae ye uphauld ye had nae particulars to say to my lord but about yer ain matters?''

``Ay, and about the wee bits o' things I had brought frae abroad,'' said Edie. ``I ken'd you popist folk are unco

``Troth, my Lord maun be turned feel outright,'' said the domestic, ``an he puts himsell into sic a carfuffle, for

``I doubtna ye may say true in the main, neighbour,'' replied the beggar; ``but maybe he's had some hard play

``Troth, Edie, and ye may say thatand since it's like yell neer come back to the estate, or, if ye dee, that

ye'll no find me there, I'se e'en tell you he had a heart in his young time sae wrecked and rent, that it's a

``Ay, say ye sae?'' said Ochiltree; ``that maun hae been about a woman, I reckon?''

``Troth, and ye hae guessed it,'' said Francie``jeest a cusin o' his nainMiss Eveline Neville, as they

suld hae ca'd her; there was a sough in the country about it, but it was hushed up, as the grandees were

``Ay, I was in America then,'' said the mendicant, ``and no in the way to hear the country clashes.''

``There was little clash about it, man,'' replied Macraw; ``he liked this young leddy, ana suld hae married her,

but his mother fand it out, and then the deil gaed o'er Jock Webster. At last, the peer lass clodded hersell o'er

``An end o`t wi' the puir leddy,'' said the mendicant, ``but, as I reckon, nae end o't wi' the yerl.''

``But what for did the auld Countess forbid the marriage?'' continued the persevering querist.

``Fat for!she maybe didna weel ken for fat hersell, for she gar'd a' bow to her bidding, right or

wrangBut it was ken'd the young leddy was inclined to some o' the heresies of the countrymair by

token, she was sib to him nearer than our Church's rule admits of. Sae the leddy was driven to the desperate

``Weel away!'' replied Ochiltree:``it's e'en queer I neer heard this tale afore.''

``It's e'en queer that ye heard it now, for deil ane o' the servants durst hae spoken o't had the auld Countess

been living. Eh, man, Edie! but she was a trimmerit wad hae taen a skeely man to hae squared wi'

her!But she's in her grave, and we may loose our tongues a bit fan we meet a friend.But fare ye weel,

EdieI maun be back to the eveningservice. An' ye come to Inverurie maybe sax months awa, dinna

What one kindly pressed, the other as firmly promised; and the friends having thus parted, with every

testimony of mutual regard, the domestic of Lord Glenallan took his road back to the seat of his master,

It was a fine summer evening, and the worldthat is, the little circle which was all in all to the individual

by whom it was trodden, lay before Edie Ochiltree, for the choosing of his night's quarters. When he had

passed the less hospitable domains of Glenallan, he had in his option so many places of refuge for the

evening, that he was nice, and even fastidious in the choice. Ailie Sim's public was on the roadside about a

mile before him, but there would be a parcel of young fellows there on the Saturday night, and that was a bar

to civil conversation. Other ``gudemen and gudewives,'' as the farmers and their dames are termed in

Scotland, successively presented themselves to his imagination. But one was deaf, and could not hear him;

another toothless, and could not make him hear; a third had a cross temper; and a fourth an illnatured

housedog. At Monkbarns or Knockwinnock he was sure of a favourable and hospitable reception; but they

``I dinna ken how it is,'' said the old man, ``but I am nicer about my quarters this night than ever I mind

having been in my life. I think, having seen a' the braws yonder, and finding out ane may be happier without

them, has made me proud o' my ain lotBut I wuss it bode me gude, for pride goeth before destruction. At

ony rate, the warst barn e'er man lay in wad be a pleasanter abode than Glenallan House, wi' a' the pictures

and black velvet, and silver bonnywawlies belonging to it Sae I'll e'en settle at ance, and put in for Ailie

As the old man descended the hill above the little hamlet to which he was bending his course, the setting sun

had relieved its inmates from their labour, and the young men, availing themselves of the fine evening, were

engaged in the sport of longbowls on a patch of common, while the women and elders looked on. The shout,

the laugh, the exclamations of winners and losers, came in blended chorus up the path which Ochiltree was

descending, and awakened in his recollection the days when he himself had been a keen competitor, and

frequently victor, in games of strength and agility. These remembrances seldom fail to excite a sigh, even

when the evening of life is cheered by brighter prospects than those of our poor mendicant. ``At that time of

day,'' was his natural reflection, ``I would have thought as little about ony auld palmering body that was

coming down the edge of Kinblythemont, as ony o' thae stalwart young chiels does e'enow about auld Edie

He was, however, presently cheered, by finding that more importance was attached to his arrival than his

modesty had anticipated. A disputed cast had occurred between the bands of players, and as the gauger

favoured the one party, and the schoolmaster the other, the matter might be said to be taken up by the higher

powers. The miller and smith, also, had espoused different sides, and, considering the vivacity of two such

disputants, there was reason to doubt whether the strife might be amicably terminated. But the first person

who caught a sight of the mendicant exclaimed, ``Ah! here comes auld Edie, that kens the rules of a' country

games better than ony man that ever drave a bowl, or threw an axletree, or putted a stane either;let's hae

Edie was accordingly welcomed, and installed as umpire, with a general shout of gratulation. With all the

modesty of a Bishop to whom the mitre is proffered, or of a new Speaker called to the chair, the old man

declined the high trust and responsibility with which it was proposed to invest him, and, in requital for his

selfdenial and humility, had the pleasure of receiving the reiterated assurances of young, old, and

middleaged, that be was simply the best qualified person for the office of arbiter ``in the haill countryside.''

Thus encouraged, he proceeded gravely to the execution of his duty, and, strictly forbidding all aggravating

expressions on either side, he heard the smith and gauger on one side, the miller and schoolmaster on the

other, as junior and senior counsel. Edie's mind, however, was fully made up on the subject before the

pleading began; like that of many a judge, who must nevertheless go through all the forms, and endure in its

full extent the eloquence and argumentation of the Bar. For when all had been said on both sides, and much

of it said over oftener than once, our senior, being well and ripely advised, pronounced the moderate and

healing judgment, that the disputed cast was a drawn one, and should therefore count to neither party. This

judicious decision restored concord to the field of players; they began anew to arrange their match and their

bets, with the clamorous mirth usual on such occasions of village sport, and the more eager were already

stripping their jackets, and committing them, with their coloured handkerchiefs, to the care of wives, sisters,

On the outside of the group of players began to arise sounds of a description very different from those of

sportthat sort of suppressed sigh and exclamation, with which the first news of calamity is received by

the hearers, began to be heard indistinctly. A buzz went about among the women of ``Eh, sirs! sae young and

sae suddenly summoned!''It then extended itself among the men, and silenced the sounds of sportive

All understood at once that some disaster had happened in the country, and each inquired the cause at his

neighbour, who knew as little as the querist. At length the rumour reached, in a distinct shape, the ears of

Edie Ochiltree, who was in the very centre of the assembly. The boat of Mucklebackit, the fisherman whom

we have so often mentioned, had been swamped at sea, and four men had perished, it was affirmed, including

Mucklebackit and his son. Rumour had in this, however, as in other cases, gone beyond the truth. The boat

had indeed been overset; but Stephen, or, as he was called, Steenie Mucklebackit, was the only man who had

been drowned. Although the place of his residence and his mode of life removed the young man from the

society of the country folks, yet they failed not to pause in their rustic mirth to pay that tribute to sudden

calamity which it seldom fails to receive in cases of infrequent occurrence. To Ochiltree, in particular, the

news came like a knell, the rather that he had so lately engaged this young man's assistance in an affair of

sportive mischief; and though neither loss nor injury was designed to the German adept, yet the work was not

Misfortunes never come alone. While Ochiltree, pensively leaning upon his staff, added his regrets to those of

the hamlet which bewailed the young man's sudden death, and internally blamed himself for the transaction

in which he had so lately engaged him, the old man's collar was seized by a peaceofficer, who displayed his

The gauger and schoolmaster united their rhetoric, to prove to the constable and his assistant that he had no

right to arrest the king's bedesman as a vagrant; and the mute eloquence of the miller and smith, which was

vested in their clenched fists, was prepared to give Highland bail for their arbiter; his blue gown, they said,

``But his blue gown,'' answered the officer, ``is nae protection for assault, robbery, and murder; and my

``Nae thanks to you if he be; he had a sair struggle for his life, if a' be true he tells, and ye maun answer for't

The defenders of the mendicant shrunk back at hearing the atrocity of the charges against him, but more than

one kind hand thrust meat and bread and pence upon Edie, to maintain him in the prison, to which the officers

``Thanks to ye! God bless ye a', bairns!I've gotten out o' mony a snare when I was waur deserving o'

deliveranceI shall escape like a bird from the fowler. Play out your play, and never mind meI am

Accordingly, the unresisting prisoner was led off, while he mechanically accepted and stored in his wallets

the alms which poured in on every hand, and ere he left the hamlet, was as deepladen as a government

victualler. The labour of bearing this accumulating burden was, however, abridged, by the officer procuring a

cart and horse to convey the old man to a magistrate, in order to his examination and committal.

The disaster of Steenie, and the arrest of Edie, put a stop to the sports of the village, the pensive inhabitants of

which began to speculate upon the vicissitudes of human affairs, which had so suddenly consigned one of

their comrades to the grave, and placed their master of the revels in some danger of being hanged. The

character of Dousterswivel being pretty generally known, which was in his case equivalent to being pretty

generally detested, there were many speculations upon the probability of the accusation being malicious. But

all agreed, that if Edie Ochiltree behaved in all events to suffer upon this occasion, it was a great pity he had

``And the poor young fellow, Steenie Mucklebackit, is to be buried this morning,'' said our old friend the

Antiquary, as he exchanged his quilted nightgown for an oldfashioned black coat in lieu of the

snuffcoloured vestment which he ordinarily wore, ``and, I presume, it is expected that I should attend the

``Ou, ay,'' answered the faithful Caxon, officiously brushing the white threads and specks from his patron's

habit. ``The body, God help us! was sae broken against the rocks that they're fain to hurry the burial. The

sea's a kittle cast, as I tell my daughter, puir thing, when I want her to get up her spirits; the sea, says I, Jenny,

``As the calling of an old periwigmaker, that's robbed of his business by crops and the powdertax. Caxon,

thy topics of consolation are as ill chosen as they are foreign to the present purpose. Quid mihi cum faemina?

What have I to do with thy womankind, who have enough and to spare of mine own? I pray of you again,

``Ou, doubtless, your honour is expected,'' answered Caxon; ``weel I wot ye are expected. Ye ken, in this

country ilka gentleman is wussed to be sae civil as to see the corpse aff his grounds; ye needna gang higher

than the loanheadit's no expected your honour suld leave the land; it's just a Kelso convoy, a step and a

``A Kelso convoy!'' echoed the inquisitive Antiquary; ``and why a Kelso convoy more than any other?''

``Caxon,'' answered Oldbuck, ``thou art a mere periwigmaker Had I asked Ochiltree the question, he

``My business,'' replied Caxon, with more animation than he commonly displayed, ``is with the outside of

``True, Caxon, true; and it is no reproach to a thatcher that he is not an upholsterer.''

He then took out his memorandumbook and wrote down ``Kelso convoysaid to be a step and a half over

the threshold. AuthorityCaxon.QuaereWhence derived? Mem. To write to Dr. Graysteel upon

Having made this entry, he resumed``And truly, as to this custom of the landlord attending the body of

the peasant, I approve it, Caxon. It comes from ancient times, and was founded deep in the notions of mutual

aid and dependence between the lord and cultivator of the soil. And herein I must say, the feudal

system(as also in its courtesy towards womankind, in which it exceeded)herein, I say, the feudal

usages mitigated and softened the sternness of classical times. No man, Caxon, ever heard of a Spartan

attending the funeral of a Helotyet I dare be sworn that John of the Girnelye have heard of him,

``Ay, ay, sir,'' answered Caxon; ``naebody can hae been lang in your honour's company without hearing of

``Well,'' continued the Antiquary, ``I would bet a trifle there was not a kolb kerl, or bondsman, or peasant,

ascriptus glebae, died upon the monks' territories down here, but John of the Girnel saw them fairly and

``Ay, but if it like your honour, they say he had mair to do wi' the births than the burials. Ha! ha! ha!'' with a

``And besides,'' added Caxon, slyly, encouraged by his patron's approbation, ``they say, too, that the Catholic

``Right, Caxon! right as my glove! By the by, I fancy that phrase comes from the custom of pledging a glove

as the signal of irrefragable faithright, I say, as my glove, Caxon but we of the Protestant ascendency

have the more merit in doing that duty for nothing, which cost money in the reign of that empress of

But why talk I of these things to thee?my poor Lovel has spoiled me, and taught me to speak aloud when

it is much the same as speaking to myself. Where's my nephew, Hector M`Intyre?''

``Now, Monkbarns,'' said his sister, on his entering the parlour, ``ye maunna be angry.''

``What's the meaning of all this?'' said Oldbuck, in alarm of some impending bad news, and arguing upon the

supplicating tone of the ladies, as a fortress apprehends an attack from the very first flourish of the trumpet

which announces the summons ``what's all this?what do you bespeak my patience for?''

``No particular matter, I should hope, sir,'' said Hector, who, with his arm in a sling, was seated at the

breakfast table; ``however, whatever it may amount to I am answerable for it, as I am for much more

trouble that I have occasioned, and for which I have little more than thanks to offer.''

``No, no! heartily welcome, heartily welcomeonly let it be a warning to you,'' said the Antiquary,

``against your fits of anger, which is a short madnessIra furor brevisbut what is this new disaster?''

``If it please Heaven, not the lachrymatory from Clochnaben!'' interjected Oldbuck.

``Indeed, uncle,'' said the young lady, ``I am afraidit was that which stood upon the sideboardthe

``In which she has fully succeeded, I presume, for I see that on the table is salted. But that is nothingmy

lachrymatory, the main pillar of my theory on which I rested to show, in despite of the ignorant obstinacy of

MacCribb, that the Romans had passed the defiles of these mountains, and left behind them traces of their

arts and arms, is goneannihilated reduced to such fragments as might be the shreds of a

``Why, really, sir, I am afraid I should make a bad figure in a regiment of your raising.''

``At least, Hector, I would have you despatch your camp train, and travel expeditus, or relictis impedimentis.

You cannot conceive how I am annoyed by this beastshe commits burglary, I believe, for I heard her

charged with breaking into the kitchen after all the doors were locked, and eating up a shoulder of

mutton.''(Our readers, if they chance to remember Jenny Rintherout's precaution of leaving the door open

when she went down to the fisher's cottage, will probably acquit poor Juno of that aggravation of guilt which

the lawyers call a claustrum fregit, and which makes the distinction between burglary and privately stealing.)

``I am truly sorry, sir,'' said Hector, ``that Juno has committed so much disorder; but Jack Muirhead, the

breaker, was never able to bring her under command. She has more travel than any bitch I ever knew,

``We will both of us retreat tomorrow, or today, but I would not willingly part from my mother's brother in

``O brother! brother!'' ejaculated Miss M`Intyre, in utter despair at this vituperative epithet.

``Why, what would you have me call it?'' continued Hector; ``it was just such a thing as they use in Egypt to

cool wine, or sherbet, or water;I brought home a pair of themI might have brought home twenty.''

``Yes, sir, much such a sort of earthen jar as that which was on the sideboard. They are in my lodgings at

Fairport; we brought a parcel of them to cool our wine on the passagethey answer wonderfully well. If I

could think they would in any degree repay your loss, or rather that they could afford you pleasure, I am sure

``Indeed, my dear boy, I should be highly gratified by possessing them. To trace the connection of nations by

their usages, and the similarity of the implements which they employ, has been long my favourite study.

``Well, sir, I shall be much gratified by your acceptance of them, and a few trifles of the same kind. And now,

``But Junoshe is only thoughtless too, I assure youthe breaker tells me she has no vice or

``Well, I grant Juno also a free pardonconditioned, that you will imitate her in avoiding vice and

stubbornness, and that henceforward she banish herself forth of Monkbarns parlour.''

``Then, uncle,'' said the soldier, ``I should have been very sorry and ashamed to propose to you anything in

the way of expiation of my own sins, or those of my follower, that I thought worth your acceptance; but now,

as all is forgiven, will you permit the orphannephew, to whom you have been a father, to offer you a trifle,

which I have been assured is really curious, and which only the cross accident of my wound has prevented

my delivering to you before? I got it from a French savant, to whom I rendered some service after the

The captain put a small ringcase into the Antiquary's hands, which, when opened, was found to contain an

antique ring of massive gold, with a cameo, most beautifully executed, bearing a head of Cleopatra. The

Antiquary broke forth into unrepressed ecstasy, shook his nephew cordially by the hand, thanked him an

hundred times, and showed the ring to his sister and niece, the latter of whom had the tact to give it sufficient

admiration; but Miss Griselda (though she had the same affection for her nephew) had not address enough to

``It's a bonny thing,'' she said, ``Monkbarns, and, I dare say, a valuable; but it's out o'my wayye ken I am

``There spoke all Fairport in one voice!'' exclaimed Oldbuck ``it is the very spirit of the borough has infected

us all; I think I have smelled the smoke these two days, that the wind has stuck, like a remora, in the

northeastand its prejudices fly farther than its vapours. Believe me, my dear Hector, were I to walk up

the High Street of Fairport, displaying this inestimable gem in the eyes of each one I met, no human creature,

from the provost to the towncrier, would stop to ask me its history. But if I carried a bale of linen cloth

under my arm, I could not penetrate to the Horsemarket ere I should be overwhelmed with queries about its

precise texture and price. Oh, one might parody their brutal ignorance in the words of Gray:

Weave the warp and weave the woof, The windingsheet of wit and sense, Dull garment of defensive proof,

The most remarkable proof of this peaceoffering being quite acceptable was, that while the Antiquary was

in full declamation, Juno, who held him in awe, according to the remarkable instinct by which dogs instantly

discover those who like or dislike them, had peeped several times into the room, and encountering nothing

very forbidding in his aspect, had at length presumed to introduce her full person; and finally, becoming bold

by impunity, she actually ate up Mr. Oldbuck's toast, as, looking first at one then at another of his audience,

You remember the passage in the Fatal Sisters, which, by the way, is not so fine as in the originalBut,

heyday! my toast has vanished!I see which wayAh, thou type of womankind! no wonder they take

offence at thy generic appellation!'' (So saying, he shook his fist at Juno, who scoured out of the

parlour.)``However, as Jupiter, according to Homer, could not rule Juno in heaven, and as Jack

Muirhead, according to Hector M`Intyre, has been equally unsuccessful on earth, I suppose she must have her

own way.'' And this mild censure the brother and sister justly accounted a full pardon for Juno's offences, and

When breakfast was over, the Antiquary proposed to his nephew to go down with him to attend the funeral.

``O, that does not signifyyour presence is all that is requisite. I assure you, you will see something that

will entertain no, that's an improper phrasebut that will interest you, from the resemblances which I

will point out betwixt popular customs on such occasions and those of the ancients.''

``Heaven forgive me!'' thought M`Intyre;``I shall certainly misbehave, and lose all the credit I have so

When they set out, schooled as he was by the warning and entreating looks of his sister, the soldier made his

resolution strong to give no offence by evincing inattention or impatience. But our best resolutions are frail,

when opposed to our predominant inclinations. Our Antiquary,to leave nothing unexplained, had

commenced with the funeral rites of the ancient Scandinavians, when his nephew interrupted him, in a

discussion upon the ``age of hills,'' to remark that a large seagull, which flitted around them, had come twice

within shot. This error being acknowledged and pardoned, Oldbuck resumed his disquisition.

``These are circumstances you ought to attend to and be familiar with, my dear Hector; for, in the strange

contingencies of the present war which agitates every corner of Europe, there is no knowing where you may

be called upon to serve. If in Norway, for example, or Denmark, or any part of the ancient Scania, or

Scandinavia, as we term it, what could be more convenient than to have at your fingers' ends the history and

antiquities of that ancient country, the officina gentium, the mother of modern Europe, the nursery of those

How animating, for example, at the conclusion of a weary march, to find yourself in the vicinity of a Runic

monument, and discover that you have pitched your tent beside the tomb of a hero!''

``I am afraid, sir, our mess would be better supplied if it chanced to be in the neighbourhood of a good

``Alas, that you should say so! No wonder the days of Cressy and Agincourt are no more, when respect for

``By no means, sirby no manner of means. I dare say that Edward and Henry, and the rest of these heroes,

thought of their dinner, however, before they thought of examining an old tombstone. But I assure you, we

are by no means insensible to the memoir of our fathers' fame; I used often of an evening to get old Rory

M`Alpin to sing us songs out of Ossian about the battles of Fingal and Lamon Mor, and Magnus and the

``And did you believe,'' asked the aroused Antiquary, ``did you absolutely believe that stuff of Macpherson's

``Believe it, sir?how could I but believe it, when I have heard the songs sung from my infancy?''

``But not the same as Macpherson's English Ossianyou're not absurd enough to say that, I hope?'' said the

But Hector stoutly abode the storm; like many a sturdy Celt, he imagined the honour of his country and

native language connected with the authenticity of these popular poems, and would have fought kneedeep,

or forfeited life and land, rather than have given up a line of them. He therefore undauntedly maintained, that

Rory M`Alpin could repeat the whole book from one end to another;and it was only upon

crossexamination that he explained an assertion so general, by adding ``At least, if he was allowed whisky

``Why, we had our duty, sir, to attend to, and could not sit listening all night to a piper.''

``But do you recollect, now,'' said Oldbuck, setting his teeth firmly together, and speaking without opening

them, which was his custom when contradicted``Do you recollect, now, any of these verses you thought

``I don't pretend to much skill, uncle; but it's not very reasonable to be angry with me for admiring the

antiquities of my own country more than those of the Harolds, Harfagers, and Hacos you are so fond of.''

``Why, these, sirthese mighty and unconquered Goths were your ancestors! The barebreeched Celts

whom they subdued, and suffered only to exist, like a fearful people, in the crevices of the rocks, were but

Hector's brow now grew red in his turn. ``Sir,'' he said, ``I don't understand the meaning of Mancipia and

Serfs, but I conceive that such names are very improperly applied to Scotch Highlanders: no man but my

mother's brother dared to have used such language in my presence; and I pray you will observe, that I

consider it as neither hospitable, handsome, kind, nor generous usage towards your guest and your kinsman.

``Were great and gallant chiefs, I dare say, Hector; and really I did not mean to give you such immense

offence in treating a point of remote antiquity, a subject on which I always am myself cool, deliberate, and

unimpassioned. But you are as hot and hasty, as if you were Hector and Achilles, and Agamemnon to boot.''

``I am sorry I expressed myself so hastily, uncle, especially to you, who have been so generous and good. But

``Peace be with them all, every man of them,'' said the Antiquary. ``But to return to our subjectDo you

``Very hard this,'' thought M`Intyre, ``that he will speak with such glee of everything which is ancient,

excepting my family.''Then, after some efforts at recollection, he added aloud, ``Yes, sir,I think I do

``And will readily excuse hearing it. But you can give me some idea of the sense in our own vernacular

``I shall prove a wretched interpreter,'' said M`Intyre, running over the original, well garnished with aghes,

aughs, and oughs, and similar gutterals, and then coughing and hawking as if the translation stuck in his

throat. At length, having premised that the poem was a dialogue between the poet Oisin, or Ossian, and

Patrick, the tutelar Saint of Ireland, and that it was difficult, if not impossible, to render the exquisite felicity

``Patrick the psalmsinger, Since you will not listen to one of my stories, Though you never heard it before, I

``Good! good!'' exclaimed the Antiquary; ``but go on. Why, this is, after all, the most admirable foolingI

``He replies in character,'' said M`Intyre; ``but you should hear M`Alpin sing the original. The speeches of

``Like M`Alpin's drone and small pipes, I suppose,'' said Oldbuck. ``Well? Pray go on.''

Upon my word, son of Fingal, While I am warbling the psalms, The clamour of your old women's tales

``Excellent!why, this is better and better. I hope Saint Patrick sung better than Blattergowl's precentor, or

it would be hangchoice between the poet and psalmist. But what I admire is the courtesy of these two

eminent persons towards each other. It is a pity there should not be a word of this in Macpherson's

``If you are sure of that,'' said M`Intyre, gravely, ``he must have taken very unwarrantable liberties with his

``It means, I think,'' said the young soldier, with some reluctance, ``son of a female dog:

``Because I should have thought the nudity might have been quoted as existing in a different part of the

``One of the herd of Proteus,'' said the Antiquary``a phoca, or seal, lying asleep on the beach.''

Upon which M`Intyre, with the eagerness of a young sportsman, totally forgot both Ossian, Patrick, his uncle,

and his wound, and exclaiming``I shall have her! I shall have her!'' snatched the walkingstick out of the

hand of the astonished Antiquary, at some risk of throwing him down, and set off at full speed to get between

the animal and the sea, to which element, having caught the alarm, she was rapidly retreating.

Not Sancho, when his master interrupted his account of the combatants of Pentapolin with the naked arm, to

advance in person to the charge of the flock of sheep, stood more confounded than Oldbuck at this sudden

``Is the devil in him,'' was his first exclamation, ``to go to disturb the brute that was never thinking of

him!''Then elevating his voice, ``Hectornephewfoollet alone the Phocalet alone the

Phoca!they bite, I tell you, like furies. He minds me no more than a post. Therethere they are at

itGad, the Phoca has the best of it! I am glad to see it,'' said he, in the bitterness of his heart, though really

alarmed for his nephew's safety``I am glad to see it, with all my heart and spirit.''

In truth, the seal, finding her retreat intercepted by the lightfooted soldier, confronted him manfully, and

having sustained a heavy blow without injury, she knitted her brows, as is the fashion of the animal when

incensed, and making use at once of her forepaws and her unwieldy strength, wrenched the weapon out of

the assailant's hand, overturned him on the sands, and scuttled away into the sea, without doing him any

farther injury. Captain M`Intyre, a good deal out of countenance at the issue of his exploit, just rose in time to

receive the ironical congratulations of his uncle, upon a single combat worthy to be commemorated by Ossian

himself, ``since,'' said the Antiquary, ``your magnanimous opponent has fled, though not upon eagle's wings,

from the foe that was lowEgad, she walloped away with all the grace of triumph, and has carried my

M`Intyre had little to answer for himself, except that a Highlander could never pass a deer, a seal, or a

salmon, where there was a possibility of having a trial of skill with them, and that he had forgot one of his

arms was in a sling. He also made his fall an apology for returning back to Monkbarns, and thus escape the

farther raillery of his uncle, as well as his lamentations for his walkingstick.

``I cut it,'' he said, ``in the classic woods of Hawthornden, when I did not expect always to have been a

bachelorI would not have given it for an ocean of sealsO Hector! Hector! thy namesake was born

The Antiquary, being now alone, hastened his pace, which had been retarded by these various discussions,

and the rencontre which had closed them, and soon arrived before the halfdozen cottages at Musselcrag.

They had now, in addition to their usual squalid and uncomfortable appearance, the melancholy attributes of

the house of mourning. The boats were all drawn up on the beach; and, though the day was fine, and the

season favourable, the chant, which is used by the fishers when at sea, was silent, as well as the prattle of the

children, and the shrill song of the mother, as she sits mending her nets by the door. A few of the neighbours,

some in their antique and wellsaved suits of black, others in their ordinary clothes, but all bearing an

expression of mournful sympathy with distress so sudden and unexpected, stood gathered around the door of

Mucklebackit's cottage, waiting till ``the body was lifted.'' As the Laird of Monkbarns approached, they made

way for him to enter, doffing their hats and bonnets as he passed, with an air of melancholy courtesy, and he

In the inside of the cottage was a scene which our Wilkie alone could have painted, with that exquisite feeling

The body was laid in its coffin within the wooden bedstead which the young fisher had occupied while alive.

At a little distance stood the father, whose ragged weatherbeaten countenance, shaded by his grizzled hair,

had faced many a stormy night and nightlike day. He was apparently revolving his loss in his mind, with

that strong feeling of painful grief peculiar to harsh and rough characters, which almost breaks forth into

hatred against the world, and all that remain in it, after the beloved object is withdrawn. The old man had

made the most desperate efforts to save his son, and had only been withheld by main force from renewing

them at a moment when, without the possibility of assisting the sufferer, he must himself have perished. All

this apparently was boiling in his recollection. His glance was directed sidelong towards the coffin, as to an

object on which he could not stedfastly look, and yet from which he could not withdraw his eyes. His answers

to the necessary questions which were occasionally put to him, were brief, harsh, and almost fierce. His

family had not yet dared to address to him a word, either of sympathy or consolation. His masculine wife,

virago as she was, and absolute mistress of the family, as she justly boasted herself, on all ordinary occasions,

was, by this great loss, terrified into silence and submission, and compelled to hide from her husband's

observation the bursts of her female sorrow. As he had rejected food ever since the disaster had happened, not

daring herself to approach him, she had that morning, with affectionate artifice, employed the youngest and

favourite child to present her husband with some nourishment. His first action was to put it from him with an

angry violence that frightened the child; his next, to snatch up the boy and devour him with kisses. ``Yell be a

bra' fallow, an ye be spared, Patie,but ye'll never never can bewhat he was to me!He has

sailed the coble wi' me since he was ten years auld, and there wasna the like o' him drew a net betwixt this

And he had been silent from that moment until compelled to answer the necessary questions we have already

In another corner of the cottage, her face covered by her apron, which was flung over it, sat the motherthe

nature of her grief sufficiently indicated by the wringing of her hands, and the convulsive agitation of the

bosom, which the covering could not conceal. Two of her gossips, officiously whispering into her ear the

commonplace topic of resignation under irremediable misfortune, seemed as if they were endeavouring to

The sorrow of the children was mingled with wonder at the preparations they beheld around them, and at the

unusual display of wheaten bread and wine, which the poorest peasant, or fisher, offers to the guests on these

mournful occasions; and thus their grief for their brother's death was almost already lost in admiration of the

But the figure of the old grandmother was the most remarkable of the sorrowing group. Seated on her

accustomed chair, with her usual air of apathy, and want of interest in what surrounded her, she seemed every

now and then mechanically to resume the motion of twirling her spindle; then to look towards her bosom for

the distaff, although both had been laid aside. She would then cast her eyes about, as if surprised at missing

the usual implements of her industry, and appear struck by the black colour of the gown in which they had

dressed her, and embarrassed by the number of persons by whom she was surrounded. Then, finally, she

would raise her head with a ghastly look, and fix her eyes upon the bed which contained the coffin of her

grandson, as if she had at once, and for the first time, acquired sense to comprehend her inexpressible

calamity. These alternate feelings of embarrassment, wonder, and grief, seemed to succeed each other more

than once upon her torpid features. But she spoke not a wordneither had she shed a tearnor did one of

the family understand, either from look or expression, to what extent she comprehended the uncommon

bustle around her. Thus she sat among the funeral assembly like a connecting link between the surviving

mourners and the dead corpse which they bewaileda being in whom the light of existence was already

When Oldbuck entered this house of mourning, he was received by a general and silent inclination of the

head, and, according to the fashion of Scotland on such occasions, wine and spirits and bread were offered

round to the guests. Elspeth, as these refreshments were presented, surprised and startled the whole company

by motioning to the person who bore them to stop; then, taking a glass in her hand, she rose up, and, as the

smile of dotage played upon her shrivelled features, she pronounced, with a hollow and tremulous voice,

All shrunk from the ominous pledge, and set down the untasted liquor with a degree of shuddering horror,

which will not surprise those who know how many superstitions are still common on such occasions among

the Scottish vulgar. But as the old woman tasted the liquor, she suddenly exclaimed with a sort of shriek,

``What's this?this is winehow should there be wine in my son's house?Ay,'' she continued with a

suppressed groan, ``I mind the sorrowful cause now,'' and, dropping the glass from her hand, she stood a

moment gazing fixedly on the bed in which the coffin of her grandson was deposited, and then sinking

gradually into her seat, she covered her eyes and forehead with her withered and pallid hand.

At this moment the clergyman entered the cottage. Mr. Blattergowl, though a dreadful proser, particularly on

the subject of augmentations, localities, teinds, and overtures in that session of the General Assembly, to

which, unfortunately for his auditors, he chanced one year to act as moderator, was nevertheless a good man,

in the old Scottish presbyterian phrase, Godward and manward. No divine was more attentive in visiting

the sick and afflicted, in catechising the youth, in instructing the ignorant, and in reproving the erring. And

hence, notwithstanding impatience of his prolixity and prejudices, personal or professional, and

notwithstanding, moreover, a certain habitual contempt for his understanding, especially on affairs of genius

and taste, on which Blattergowl was apt to be diffuse, from his hope of one day fighting his way to a chair of

rhetoric or belles lettres,notwithstanding, I say, all the prejudices excited against him by these

circumstances, our friend the Antiquary looked with great regard and respect on the said Blattergowl, though

I own he could seldom, even by his sense of decency and the remonstrances of his womankind, be hounded

out, as he called it, to hear him preach. But he regularly took shame to himself for his absence when

Blattergowl came to Monkbarns to dinner, to which he was always invited of a Sunday, a mode of testifying

his respect which the proprietor probably thought fully as agreeable to the clergyman, and rather more

To return from a digression which can only serve to introduce the honest clergyman more particularly to our

readers, Mr. Blattergowl had no sooner entered the hut, and received the mute and melancholy salutations of

the company whom it contained, than he edged himself towards the unfortunate father, and seemed to

endeavour to slide in a few words of condolence or of consolation. But the old man was incapable as yet of

receiving either; he nodded, however, gruffly, and shook the clergyman's hand in acknowledgment of his

The minister next passed to the mother, moving along the floor as slowly, silently, and gradually, as if he had

been afraid that the ground would, like unsafe ice, break beneath his feet, or that the first echo of a footstep

was to dissolve some magic spell, and plunge the hut, with all its inmates, into a subterranean abyss. The

tenor of what he had said to the poor woman could only be judged by her answers, as, halfstifled by sobs

illrepressed, and by the covering which she still kept over her countenance, she faintly answered at each

pause in his speech``Yes, sir, yes!Ye're very gudeye're very gude! Nae doubt, nae

doubt!It's our duty to submit!But, oh dear! my poor Steenie! the pride o' my very heart, that was sae

handsome and comely, and a help to his family, and a comfort to us a', and a pleasure to a' that lookit on

him!Oh, my bairn! my bairn! my bairn! what for is thou lying there! and eh! what for am I left to

There was no contending with this burst of sorrow and natural affection. Oldbuck had repeated recourse to

his snuffbox to conceal the tears which, despite his shrewd and caustic temper, were apt to start on such

occasions. The female assistants whimpered, the men held their bonnets to their faces, and spoke apart with

each other. The clergyman, meantime, addressed his ghostly consolation to the aged grandmother. At first she

listened, or seemed to listen, to what he said, with the apathy of her usual unconsciousness. But as, in

pressing this theme, he approached so near to her ear that the sense of his words became distinctly intelligible

to her, though unheard by those who stood more distant, her countenance at once assumed that stern and

expressive cast which characterized her intervals of intelligence. She drew up her head and body, shook her

head in a manner that showed at least impatience, if not scorn of his counsel, and waved her hand slightly, but

with a gesture so expressive, as to indicate to all who witnessed it a marked and disdainful rejection of the

ghostly consolation proffered to her. The minister stepped back as if repulsed, and, by lifting gently and

dropping his hand, seemed to show at once wonder, sorrow, and compassion for her dreadful state of mind.

The rest of the company sympathized, and a stifled whisper went through them, indicating how much her

In the meantime, the funeral company was completed, by the arrival of one or two persons who had been

expected from Fairport. The wine and spirits again circulated, and the dumb show of greeting was anew

interchanged. The grandame a second time took a glass in her hand, drank its contents, and exclaimed, with a

sort of laugh,``Ha! ha! I hae tasted wine twice in ae dayWhan did I that before, think ye, cummers?

Never since'' and the transient glow vanishing from her countenance, she set the glass down, and

As the general amazement subsided, Mr. Oldbuck, whose heart bled to witness what he considered as the

errings of the enfeebled intellect struggling with the torpid chill of age and of sorrow, observed to the

clergyman that it was time to proceed with the ceremony. The father was incapable of giving directions, but

the nearest relation of the family made a sign to the carpenter, who in such cases goes through the duty of the

undertaker, to proceed in his office. The creak of the screwnails presently announced that the lid of the last

mansion of mortality was in the act of being secured above its tenant. The last act which separates us for ever,

even from the mortal relies of the person we assemble to mourn, has usually its effect upon the most

indifferent, selfish, and hardhearted. With a spirit of contradiction, which we may be pardoned for

esteeming narrowminded, the fathers of the Scottish kirk rejected, even on this most solemn occasion, the

form of an address to the Divinity, lest they should be thought to give countenance to the rituals of Rome or

of England. With much better and more liberal judgment, it is the present practice of most of the Scottish

clergymen to seize this opportunity of offering a prayer, and exhortation, suitable to make an impression

upon the living, while they are yet in the very presence of the relics of him whom they have but lately seen

such as they themselves, and who now is such as they must in their time become. But this decent and

praiseworthy practice was not adopted at the time of which I am treating, or at least, Mr. Blattergowl did not

The coffin, covered with a pall, and supported upon handspikes by the nearest relatives, now only waited

the father to support the head, as is customary. Two or three of these privileged persons spoke to him, but he

only answered by shaking his hand and his head in token of refusal. With better intention than judgment, the

friends, who considered this as an act of duty on the part of the living, and of decency towards the deceased,

would have proceeded to enforce their request, had not Oldbuck interfered between the distressed father and

his wellmeaning tormentors, and informed them, that he himself, as landlord and master to the deceased,

``would carry his head to the grave.'' In spite of the sorrowful occasion, the hearts of the relatives swelled

within them at so marked a distinction on the part of the laird; and old Alison Breck, who was present among

other fishwomen, swore almost aloud, ``His honour Monkbarns should never want sax warp of oysters in

the season'' (of which fish he was understood to be fond), ``if she should gang to sea and dredge for them

hersell, in the foulest wind that ever blew.'' And such is the temper of the Scottish common people, that, by

this instance of compliance with their customs, and respect for their persons, Mr. Oldbuck gained more

popularity than by all the sums which he had yearly distributed in the parish for purposes of private or general

The sad procession now moved slowly forward, preceded by the beadles, or saulies, with their

batons,miserablelooking old men, tottering as if on the edge of that grave to which they were

marshalling another, and clad, according to Scottish guise, with threadbare black coats, and huntingcaps

decorated with rusty crape. Monkbarns would probably have remonstrated against this superfluous expense,

had he been consulted; but, in doing so, he would have given more offence than he gained popularity by

condescending to perform the office of chiefmourner. Of this he was quite aware, and wisely withheld

rebuke, where rebuke and advice would have been equally unavailing. In truth, the Scottish peasantry are still

infected with that rage for funeral ceremonial, which once distinguished the grandees of the kingdom so

much, that a sumptuary law was made by the Parliament of Scotland for the purpose of restraining it; and I

have known many in the lowest stations, who have denied themselves not merely the comforts, but almost the

necessaries of life, in order to save such a sum of money as might enable their surviving friends to bury them

like Christians, as they termed it; nor could their faithful executors be prevailed upon, though equally

necessitous, to turn to the use and maintenance of the living the money vainly wasted upon the interment of

The procession to the churchyard, at about halfamile's distance, was made with the mournful solemnity

usual on these occasions,the body was consigned to its parent earth,and when the labour of the

gravediggers had filled up the trench, and covered it with fresh sod, Mr. Oldbuck, taking his hat off, saluted

the assistants, who had stood by in melancholy silence, and with that adieu dispersed the mourners.

The clergyman offered our Antiquary his company to walk homeward; but Mr. Oldbuck had been so much

struck with the deportment of the fisherman and his mother, that, moved by compassion, and perhaps also, in

some degree, by that curiosity which induces us to seek out even what gives us pain to witness, he preferred a

solitary walk by the coast, for the purpose of again visiting the cottage as he passed.

The coffin had been borne from the place where it rested. The mourners, in regular gradation, according to

their rank or their relationship to the deceased, had filed from the cottage, while the younger male children

were led along to totter after the bier of their brother, and to view with wonder a ceremonial which they could

hardly comprehend. The female gossips next rose to depart, and, with consideration for the situation of the

parents, carried along with them the girls of the family, to give the unhappy pair time and opportunity to open

their hearts to each other and soften their grief by communicating it. But their kind intention was without

effect. The last of them had darkened the entrance of the cottage, as she went out, and drawn the door softly

behind her, when the father, first ascertaining by a hasty glance that no stranger remained, started up, clasped

his hands wildly above his head, uttered a cry of the despair which he had hitherto repressed, and, in all the

impotent impatience of grief, half rushed half staggered forward to the bed on which the coffin had been

deposited, threw himself down upon it, and smothering, as it were, his head among the bedclothes, gave

vent to the full passion of his sorrow. It was in vain that the wretched mother, terrified by the vehemence of

her husband's afflictionaffliction still more fearful as agitating a man of hardened manners and a robust

framesuppressed her own sobs and tears, and, pulling him by the skirts of his coat, implored him to rise

and remember, that, though one was removed, he had still a wife and children to comfort and support. The

appeal came at too early a period of his anguish, and was totally unattended to; he continued to remain

prostrate, indicating, by sobs so bitter and violent, that they shook the bed and partition against which it

rested, by clenched hands which grasped the bedclothes, and by the vehement and convulsive motion of his

``O, what a day is this! what a day is this!'' said the poor mother, her womanish affliction already exhausted

by sobs and tears, and now almost lost in terror for the state in which she beheld her husband``O, what an

hour is this! and naebody to help a poor lone womanO, gudemither, could ye but speak a word to

To her astonishment, and even to the increase of her fear, her husband's mother heard and answered the

appeal. She rose and walked across the floor without support, and without much apparent feebleness, and

standing by the bed on which her son had extended himself, she said, ``Rise up, my son, and sorrow not for

him that is beyond sin and sorrow and temptation. Sorrow is for those that remain in this vale of sorrow and

darknessI, wha dinna sorrow, and wha canna sorrow for ony ane, hae maist need that ye should a' sorrow

The voice of his mother, not heard for years as taking part in the active duties of life, or offering advice or

consolation, produced its effect upon her son. He assumed a sitting posture on the side of the bed, and his

appearance, attitude, and gestures, changed from those of angry despair to deep grief and dejection. The

grandmother retired to her nook, the mother mechanically took in her hand her tattered Bible, and seemed to

``Hegh, sirs!'' said the poor mother, ``wha is that can be coming in that gate e'enow?They canna hae

The knock being repeated, she rose and opened the door, saying querulously, ``Whatna gait's that to disturb a

A tall man in black stood before her, whom she instantly recognised to be Lord Glenallan. ``Is there not,'' he

said, ``an old woman lodging in this or one of the neighbouring cottages, called Elspeth, who was long

``It's my gudemither, my lord,'' said Margaret; ``but she canna see onybody e'enowOhon! we're dreeing a

``God forbid,'' said Lord Glenallan, ``that I should on light occasion disturb your sorrow;but my days are

numbered your motherinlaw is in the extremity of age, and, if I see her not today, we may never meet

``And what,'' answered the desolate mother, ``wad ye see at an auld woman, broken down wi' age and sorrow

and heartbreak? Gentle or semple shall not darken my door the day my bairn's been carried out a corpse.''

While she spoke thus, indulging the natural irritability of disposition and profession, which began to mingle

itself with her grief when its first uncontrolled bursts were gone by, she held the door about onethird part

open, and placed herself in the gap, as if to render the visitor's entrance impossible. But the voice of her

husband was heard from within``Wha's that, Maggie? what for are ye steaking them out?let them

come in; it doesna signify an auld rope's end wha comes in or wha gaes out o' this house frae this time

The woman stood aside at her husband's command, and permitted Lord Glenallan to enter the hut. The

dejection exhibited in his broken frame and emaciated countenance, formed a strong contrast with the effects

of grief, as they were displayed in the rude and weatherbeaten visage of the fisherman, and the masculine

features of his wife. He approached the old woman as she was seated on her usual settle, and asked her, in a

tone as audible as his voice could make it, ``Are you Elspeth of the Craigburnfoot of Glenallan?''

``Wha is it that asks about the unhallowed residence of that evil woman?'' was the answer returned to his

``He who was called William Lord Geraldin,'' said the Earl; ``and whom his mother's death has made Earl of

``Open the bole,'' said the old woman firmly and hastily to her daughterinlaw, ``open the bole wi' speed,

that I may see if this be the right Lord Geraldinthe son of my mistress him that I received in my arms

within the hour after he was bornhim that has reason to curse me that I didna smother him before the hour

The window, which had been shut in order that a gloomy twilight might add to the solemnity of the funeral

meeting, was opened as she commanded, and threw a sudden and strong light through the smoky and misty

atmosphere of the stifling cabin. Falling in a stream upon the chimney, the rays illuminated, in the way that

Rembrandt would have chosen, the features of the unfortunate nobleman, and those of the old sibyl, who

now, standing upon her feet, and holding him by one hand, peered anxiously in his features with her

lightblue eyes, and holding her long and withered forefinger within a small distance of his face, moved it

slowly as if to trace the outlines and reconcile what she recollected with that she now beheld. As she finished

her scrutiny, she said, with a deep sigh, ``It's a sair sair change; and wha's fault is it?but that's written

down where it will be rememberedit's written on tablets of brass with a pen of steel, where all is recorded

that is done in the flesh. And what,'' she said after a pause, ``what is Lord Geraldin seeking from a poor

auld creature like me, that's dead already, and only belongs sae far to the living that she isna yet laid in the

``Nay,'' answered Lord Glenallan, ``in the name of Heaven, why was it that you requested so urgently to see

me?and why did you back your request by sending a token which you knew well I dared not refuse?''

As he spoke thus, he took from his purse the ring which Edie Ochiltree had delivered to him at Glenallan

House. The sight of this token produced a strange and instantaneous effect upon the old woman. The palsy of

fear was immediately added to that of age, and she began instantly to search her pockets with the tremulous

and hasty agitation of one who becomes first apprehensive of having lost something of great importance;

then, as if convinced of the reality of her fears, she turned to the Earl, and demanded, ``And how came ye by

it then?how came ye by it? I thought I had kept it sae securelywhat will the Countess say?''

``You know,'' said the Earl, ``at least you must have heard, that my mother is dead.''

``Dead! are ye no imposing upon me? has she left a' at last, lands and lordship and lineages?''

``I mind now,'' answered Elspeth``I heard of it before but there has been sic distress in our house since,

and my memory is sae muckle impairedBut ye are sure your mother, the Lady Countess, is gane hame?''

``Then,'' said Elspeth, ``it shall burden my mind nae langer! When she lived, wha dared to speak what it

would hae displeased her to hae had noised abroad? But she's ganeand I will confess all.''

Then turning to her son and daughterinlaw, she commanded them imperatively to quit the house, and leave

Lord Geraldin (for so she still called him) alone with her. But Maggie Mucklebackit, her first burst of grief

being over, was by no means disposed in her own house to pay passive obedience to the commands of her

motherinlaw, an authority which is peculiarly obnoxious to persons in her rank of life, and which she was

the more astonished at hearing revived, when it seemed to have been so long relinquished and forgotten.

``It was an unco thing,'' she said, in a grumbling tone of voice,for the rank of Lord Glenallan was

somewhat imposing ``it was an unco thing to bid a mother leave her ain house wi' the tear in her ee, the

The fisherman, in a stubborn and sullen tone, added to the same purpose. ``This is nae day for your

auldwarld stories, mother. My lord, if he be a lord, may ca' some other dayor he may speak out what he

has gotten to say if he likes it; there's nane here will think it worth their while to listen to him or you either.

But neither for laird or loon, gentle or semple, will I leave my ain house to pleasure onybody on the very day

Here his voice choked, and he could proceed no farther; but as he had risen when Lord Glenallan came in,

and had since remained standing, he now threw himself doggedly upon a seat, and remained in the sullen

But the old woman, whom this crisis seemed to repossess in all those powers of mental superiority with

which she had once been eminently gifted, arose, and advancing towards him, said, with a solemn voice,

``My son, as ye wad shun hearing of your mother's shameas ye wad not willingly be a witness of her

guiltas ye wad deserve her blessing and avoid her curse, I charge ye, by the body that bore and that

nursed ye, to leave me at freedom to speak with Lord Geraldin, what nae mortal ears but his ain maun listen

to. Obey my words, that when ye lay the moulds on my headand, oh that the day were come! ye may

remember this hour without the reproach of having disobeyed the last earthly command that ever your mother

The terms of this solemn charge revived in the fisherman's heart the habit of instinctive obedience in which

his mother had trained him up, and to which he had submitted implicitly while her powers of exacting it

remained entire. The recollection mingled also with the prevailing passion of the moment; for, glancing his

eye at the bed on which the dead body had been laid, he muttered to himself, ``He never disobeyed me, in

reason or out o' reason, and what for should I vex her?'' Then, taking his reluctant spouse by the arm, he led

As the unhappy parents withdrew, Lord Glenallan, to prevent the old woman from relapsing into her lethargy,

again pressed her on the subject of the communication which she proposed to make to him.

``Ye will have it sune eneugh,'' she replied;``my mind's clear eneugh now, and there is notI think

there is nota chance of my forgetting what I have to say. My dwelling at Craigburnfoot is before my een,

as it were present in reality: the green bank, with its selvidge, just where the burn met wi' the seathe

twa little barks, wi' their sails furled, lying in the natural cove which it formedthe high cliff that joined it

with the pleasuregrounds of the house of Glenallan, and hung right ower the streamAh! yesI may

forget that I had a husband and have lost himthat I hae but ane alive of our four fair sons that

misfortune upon misfortune has devoured our illgotten wealththat they carried the corpse of my son's

eldestborn frae the house this morningBut I never can forget the days I spent at bonny Craigburnfoot!''

``You were a favourite of my mother,'' said Lord Glenallan, desirous to bring her back to the point, from

``I was, I was,ye needna mind me o' that. She brought me up abune my station, and wi' knowledge mair

than my fellowsbut, like the tempter of auld, wi' the knowledge of gude she taught me the knowledge of

``For God's sake, Elspeth,'' said the astonished Earl, ``proceed, if you can, to explain the dreadful hints you

have thrown out! I well know you are confidant to one dreadful secret, which should split this roof even to

``I will,'' she said``I will!just bear wi' me for a little;'' and again she seemed lost in recollection,

but it was no longer tinged with imbecility or apathy. She was now entering upon the topic which had long

loaded her mind, and which doubtless often occupied her whole soul at times when she seemed dead to all

around her. And I may add, as a remarkable fact, that such was the intense operation of mental energy upon

her physical powers and nervous system, that, notwithstanding her infirmity of deafness, each word that Lord

Glenallan spoke during this remarkable conference, although in the lowest tone of horror or agony, fell as full

and distinct upon Elspeth's ear as it could have done at any period of her life. She spoke also herself clearly,

distinctly, and slowly, as if anxious that the intelligence she communicated should be fully understood;

concisely at the same time, and with none of the verbiage or circumlocutory additions natural to those of her

sex and condition. In short, her language bespoke a better education, as well as an uncommonly firm and

resolved mind, and a character of that sort from which great virtues or great crimes may be naturally

``I need not tell you,'' said the old woman, addressing the Earl of Glenallan, ``that I was the favourite and

confidential attendant of Joscelind, Countess of Glenallan, whom God assoilzie!''(here she crossed

herself)``and I think farther, ye may not have forgotten that I shared her regard for mony years. I returned

it by the maist sincere attachment, but I fell into disgrace frae a trifling act of disobedience, reported to your

mother by ane that thought, and she wasna wrang, that I was a spy upon her actions and yours.''

``I charge thee, woman,'' said the Earl, in a voice trembling with passion, ``name not her name in my

``I =must,='' returned the penitent firmly and calmly, ``or how can you understand me?''

The Earl leaned upon one of the wooden chairs of the hut, drew his hat over his face, clenched his hands

together, set his teeth like one who summons up courage to undergo a painful operation, and made a signal to

``I say, then,'' she resumed, ``that my disgrace with my mistress was chiefly owing to Miss Eveline Neville,

then bred up in Glenallan House as the daughter of a cousingerman and intimate friend of your father that

was gane. There was muckle mystery in her history,but wha dared to inquire farther than the Countess

liked to tell?All in Glenallan House loved Miss Nevilleall but twa, your mother and mysellwe

``God! for what reason, since a creature so mild, so gentle, so formed to inspire affection, never walked on

``It may hae been sae,'' rejoined Elspeth, ``but your mother hated a' that cam of your father's familya' but

himsell. Her reasons related to strife which fell between them soon after her marriage; the particulars are

naething to this purpose. But oh! doubly did she hate Eveline Neville when she perceived that there was a

growing kindness atween you and that unfortunate young leddy! Ye may mind that the Countess's dislike

didna gang farther at first than just showing o' the cauld shoutherat least it wasna seen farther; but at the

lang run it brak out into such downright violence that Miss Neville was even fain to seek refuge at

Knockwinnock Castle with Sir Arthur's leddy, wha (God sain her!) was then wi' the living.''

``You rend my heart by recalling these particularsBut go on,and may my present agony be accepted

``She had been absent some months,'' continued Elspeth, ``when I was ae night watching in my hut the return

of my husband from fishing, and shedding in private those bitter tears that my proud spirit wrung frae me

whenever I thought on my disgrace. The sneck was drawn, and the Countess your mother entered my

dwelling. I thought I had seen a spectre, for even in the height of my favour, this was an honour she had never

done me, and she looked as pale and ghastly as if she had risen from the grave. She sat down, and wrung the

draps from her hair and cloak,for the night was drizzling, and her walk had been through the plantations,

that were a' loaded with dew. I only mention these things that you may understand how weel that night lives

in my memory,and weel it may. I was surprised to see her, but I durstna speak first, mair than if I had

seen a phantomNa, I durst not, my lord, I that hae seen mony sights of terror, and never shook at them.

Sae, after a silence, she said, `Elspeth Cheyne (for she always gave me my maiden name), are not ye the

daughter of that Reginald Cheyne who died to save his master, Lord Glenallan, on the field of Sheriffmuir?'

And I answered her as proudly as hersell nearly `As sure as you are the daughter of that Earl of Glenallan

``And what followed?what followed?For Heaven's sake, good womanBut why should I use that

``And little I should value earthly command,'' answered Elspeth, ``were there not a voice that has spoken to

me sleeping and waking, that drives me forward to tell this sad tale. Aweel, my Lordthe Countess said to

me, `My son loves Eveline Nevillethey are agreedthey are plighted: should they have a son, my right

over Glenallan mergesI sink from that moment from a Countess into a miserable stipendiary dowager, I

who brought lands and vassals, and high blood and ancient fame, to my husband, I must cease to be mistress

when my son has an heirmale. But I care not for thathad he married any but one of the hated Nevilles, I

had been patient. But for themthat they and their descendants should enjoy the right and honours of my

ancestors, goes through my heart like a twoedged dirk. And this girlI detest her!'And I answered,

``Wretch!'' exclaimed the Earl, in spite of his determination to preserve silence``wretched woman! what

``I hated what my mistress hated, as was the use with the liege vassals of the house of Glenallan; for though,

my Lord, I married under my degree, yet an ancestor of yours never went to the field of battle, but an

ancestor of the frail, demented, auld, useless wretch wha now speaks with you, carried his shield before him.

But that was not a','' continued the beldam, her earthly and evil passions rekindling as she became heated in

her narration``that was not a'; I hated Miss Eveline Neville for her ain sake, I brought her frae England,

and, during our whole journey, she gecked and scorned at my northern speech and habit, as her southland

leddies and kimmers had done at the boardingschool, as they cald it''(and, strange as it may seem, she

spoke of an affront offered by a heedless schoolgirl without intention, with a degree of inveteracy which, at

such a distance of time, a mortal offence would neither have authorized or excited in any wellconstituted

mind)``Yes, she scorned and jested at mebut let them that scorn the tartan fear the dirk!''

She paused, and then went on``But I deny not that I hated her mair than she deserved. My mistress, the

Countess, persevered and said, `Elspeth Cheyne, this unruly boy will marry with the false English blood.

Were days as they have been, I could throw her into the Massymore* of Glenallan, and

* Massamora, an ancient name for a dungeon, derived from the Moorish * language, perhaps as far back as

fetter him in the Keep of Strathbonnel. But these times are past, and the authority which the nobles of the

land should exercise is delegated to quibbling lawyers and their baser dependants. Hear me, Elspeth Cheyne!

if you are your father's daughter as I am mine, I will find means that they shall not marry. She walks often to

that cliff that overhangs your dwelling to look for her lover's boat(ye may remember the pleasure ye then

took on the sea, my Lord)let him find her forty fathom lower than he expects!'Yes! ye may stare and

frown and clench your hand; but, as sure as I am to face the only Being I ever fearedand, oh that I had

feared him mair! these were your mother's words. What avails it to me to lie to you?But I wadna

consent to stain my hand with blood. Then she said, `By the religion of our holy Church they are ower

sibb thegither. But I expect nothing but that both will become heretics as well as disobedient

reprobates;'that was her addition to that argument. And then, as the fiend is ever ower busy wi' brains like

mine, that are subtle beyond their use and station, I was unhappily permitted to add`But they might be

brought to think themselves sae sibb as no Christian law will permit their wedlock.' ''

Here the Earl of Glenallan echoed her words, with a shriek so piercing as almost to rend the roof of the

``The daughter, ye would say, of your father?'' continued Elspeth. ``Nobe it a torment or be it a comfort

to you ken the truth, she was nae mair a daughter of your father's house than I am.''

``Woman, deceive me not!make me not curse the memory of the parent I have so lately laid in the grave,

``Bethink ye, my Lord Geraldin, ere ye curse the memory of a parent that's gane, is there none of the blood of

``No,'' replied the sibyl, ``I mean yoursell, Lord Geraldin. Had you not transgressed the obedience of a son by

wedding Eveline Neville in secret while a guest at Knockwinnock, our plot might have separated you for a

time, but would have left at least your sorrows without remorse to canker them. But your ain conduct had put

poison in the weapon that we threw, and it pierced you with the mair force because ye cam rushing to meet it.

Had your marriage been a proclaimed and acknowledged action, our stratagem to throw an obstacle into your

way that couldna be got ower, neither wad nor could hae been practised against ye.''

``Great Heaven!'' said the unfortunate nobleman``it is as if a film fell from my obscured eyes! Yes, I now

well understand the doubtful hints of consolation thrown out by my wretched mother, tending indirectly to

impeach the evidence of the horrors of which her arts had led me to believe myself guilty.''

``She could not speak mair plainly,'' answered Elspeth, ``without confessing her ain fraud,and she would

have submitted to be torn by wild horses, rather than unfold what she had done; and if she had still lived, so

would I for her sake. They were stout hearts the race of Glenallan, male and female, and sae were a' that in

auld times cried their gatheringword of Clochnaben they stood shouther to shouthernae man parted

frae his chief for love of gold or of gain, or of right or of wrang. The times are changed, I hear, now.''

The unfortunate nobleman was too much wrapped up in his own confused and distracted reflections, to notice

the rude expressions of savage fidelity, in which, even in the latest ebb of life, the unhappy author of his

``Great Heaven!'' he exclaimed, ``I am then free from a guilt the most horrible with which man can be

stained, and the sense of which, however involuntary, has wrecked my peace, destroyed my health, and

bowed me down to an untimely grave. Accept,'' he fervently uttered, lifting his eyes upwards, ``accept my

humble thanks! If I live miserable, at least I shall not die stained with that unnatural guilt!And

thouproceed if thou hast more to tellproceed, while thou hast voice to speak it, and I have powers to

``Yes,'' answered the beldam, ``the hour when you shall hear, and I shall speak, is indeed passing rapidly

away. Death has crossed your brow with his finger, and I find his grasp turning. every day coulder at my

heart. Interrupt me nae mair with exclamations and groans and accusations, but hear my tale to an end! And

thenif ye be indeed sic a Lord of Glenallan as I hae heard of in my daymake your merrymen gather

the thorn, and the brier, and the green hollin, till they heap them as high as the houseriggin', and burn! burn!

burn! the auld witch Elspeth, and a' that can put ye in mind that sic a creature ever crawled upon the land!''

He spoke in a halfsuffocated yet determined voice, resolved that no irritability on his part should deprive

him of this opportunity of acquiring proofs of the wonderful tale he then heard. But Elspeth had become

exhausted by a continuous narration of such unusual length; the subsequent part of her story was more

broken, and though still distinctly intelligible in most parts, had no longer the lucid conciseness which the

first part of her narrative had displayed to such an astonishing degree. Lord Glenallan found it necessary,

when she had made some attempts to continue her narrative without success, to prompt her memory by

demanding``What proofs she could propose to bring of the truth of a narrative so different from that

``The evidence,'' she replied, ``of Eveline Neville's real birth was in the Countess's possession, with reasons

for its being for some time kept private;they may yet be found, if she has not destroyed them, in the left

hand drawer of the ebony cabinet that stood in the dressingroom. These she meant to suppress for the time,

until you went abroad again, when she trusted, before your return, to send Miss Neville back to her ain

``But did you not show me letters of my father's, which seemed to me, unless my senses altogether failed me

``We did; and, with my testimony, how could you doubt the fact, or her either? But we suppressed the true

explanation of these letters, and that was, that your father thought it right the young leddy should pass for his

``But wherefore, when you learned our union, was this dreadful artifice persisted in?''

``It wasna,'' she replied, ``till Lady Glenallan had communicated this fause tale, that she suspected ye had

actually made a marriagenor even then did you avow it sae as to satisfy her whether the ceremony had in

verity passed atween ye or noBut ye remember, O ye canna but remember weel, what passed in that

``I did,and I wad hae taen a yet mair holy pledge on it, if there had been aneI wad not hae spared the

``Wretch! do you call that horrid perjury, attended with consequences yet more dreadfuldo you esteem

``I served her, wha was then the head of Glenallan, as she required me to serve her. The cause was between

God and her consciencethe manner between God and mineShe is gane to her account, and I maun

``No,'' answered Lord Glenallan``you have yet more to tellyou have to tell me of the death of the

angel whom your perjury drove to despair, stained, as she thought herself, with a crime so horrible. Speak

truthwas that dreadfulwas that horrible incident''he could scarcely articulate the words ``was

it as reported? or was it an act of yet further, though not more atrocious cruelty, inflicted by others?''

``I understand you,'' said Elspeth. ``But report spoke truth; our false witness was indeed the cause, but the

deed was her ain distracted act. On that fearfu' disclosure, when ye rushed frae the Countess's presence and

saddled your horse, and left the castle like a fireflaught, the Countess hadna yet discovered your private

marriage; she hadna fund out that the union, which she had framed this awfu' tale to prevent, had e'en taen

place. Ye fled from the house as if the fire o' Heaven was about to fa' upon it, and Miss Neville, atween

reason and the want o't, was put under sure ward. But the ward sleep't, and the prisoner wakedthe

window was openthe way was before herthere was the cliff, and there was the sea!O, when will I

``No, my lord. I had gane out to the covethe tide was in, and it flowed, as ye'll remember, to the foot o'

that cliffit was a great convenience that for my husband's tradeWhere am I wandering?I saw a

white object dart frae the tap o' the cliff like a seamaw through the mist, and then a heavy flash and sparkle

of the waters showed me it was a human creature that had fa'en into the waves. I was bold and strong, and

familiar with the tide. I rushed in and grasped her gown, and drew her out and carried her on my

shouthersI could hae carried twa sic thencarried her to my hut, and laid her on my bed. Neighbours

cam and brought help; but the words she uttered in her ravings, when she got back the use of speech, were

such, that I was fain to send them awa, and get up word to Glenallan House. The Countess sent down her

Spanish servant Teresaif ever there was a fiend on earth in human form, that woman was ane. She and I

were to watch the unhappy leddy, and let no other person approach.God knows what Teresa's part was to

hae beenshe tauld it not to me but Heaven took the conclusion in its ain hand. The poor leddy! she

took the pangs of travail before her time, bore a male child, and died in the arms of meof her mortal

enemy! Ay, ye may weepshe was a sightly creature to see tobut think ye, if I didna mourn her then,

that I can mourn her now? Na, na, I left Teresa wi' the dead corpse and newborn babe, till I gaed up to take

the Countess's commands what was to be done. Late as it was, I ca'd her up, and she gar'd me ca' up your

``Yes, Lord Geraldin, e'en your brother, that some said she aye wished to be her heir. At ony rate, he was the

person maist concerned in the succession and heritance of the house of Glenallan.''

``And is it possible to believe, then, that my brother, out of avarice to grasp at my inheritance, would lend

``Your mother believed it,'' said the old beldam with a fiendish laugh``it was nae plot of my making; but

what they did or said I will not say, because I did not hear. Lang and sair they consulted in the black wainscot

dressingroom; and when your brother passed through the room where I was waiting, it seemed to me (and I

have often thought sae since syne) that the fire of hell was in his cheek and een. But he had left some of it

with his mother, at ony rate. She entered the room like a woman demented, and the first words she spoke

were, `Elspeth Cheyne, did you ever pull a newbudded flower?' I answered, as ye may believe, that I often

had. `Then,' said she, `ye will ken the better how to blight the spurious and heretical blossom that has sprung

forth this night to disgrace my father's noble houseSee here;'(and she gave me a golden

bodkin)`nothing but gold must shed the blood of Glenallan. This child is already as one of the dead, and

since thou and Teresa alone ken that it lives, let it be dealt upon as ye will answer to me!' and she turned

away in her fury, and left me with the bodkin in my hand.Here it is; that and the ring of Miss Neville, are

a' I hae preserved of my illgotten gearfor muckle was the gear I got. And weel hae I keepit the secret,

Her long and bony hand held out to Lord Glenallan a gold bodkin, down which in fancy be saw the blood of

``I kenna if I could hae had it or no. I returned to my cottage without feeling the ground that I trode on; but

Teresa and the child were ganea' that was alive was ganenaething left but the lifeless corpse.''

``I could but guess. I have tauld ye your mother's purpose, and I ken Teresa was a fiend. She was never mair

seen in Scotland, and I have heard that she returned to her ain land. A dark curtain has fa'en ower the past,

and the few that witnessed ony part of it could only surmise something of seduction and suicide. You

``You indeed know all that I can sayAnd now, heir of Glenallan, can you forgive me?''

``And how shall I ask of the pure and unstained what is denied to me by a sinner like mysell? If I hae sinned,

hae I not suffered?Hae I had a day's peace or an hour's rest since these lang wet locks of hair first lay

upon my pillow at Craigburnfoot? Has not my house been burned, wi' my bairn in the cradle?Have

not my boats been wrecked, when a' others weather'd the gale?Have not a' that were near and dear to me

dree'd penance for my sin?Has not the fire had its share o' themthe winds had their partthe sea

had her part? And oh!'' she added, with a lengthened groan, looking first upwards towards Heaven, and

then bending her eyes on the floor ``O that the earth would take her part, that's been lang lang wearying

Lord Glenallan had reached the door of the cottage, but the generosity of his nature did not permit him to

leave the unhappy woman in this state of desperate reprobation. ``May God forgive thee, wretched woman,''

he said, ``as sincerely as I do! Turn for mercy to Him who can alone grant mercy, and may your prayers

``Na, nanae priest! nae priest!'' she ejaculated; and the door of the cottage opening as she spoke,

The Antiquary, as we informed the reader in the end of the thirtyfirst chapter, had shaken off the company

of worthy Mr. Blattergowl, although he offered to entertain him with an abstract of the ablest speech he had

ever known in the teind court, delivered by the procurator for the church in the remarkable case of the parish

of Gatherem. Resisting this temptation, our senior preferred a solitary path, which again conducted him to the

cottage of Mucklebackit. When he came in front of the fisherman's hut, he observed a man working intently,

as if to repair a shattered boat which lay upon the beach, and going up to him was surprised to find it was

Mucklebackit himself. ``I am glad,'' he said in a tone of sympathy``I am glad, Saunders, that you feel

``And what would ye have me to do,'' answered the fisher gruffly, ``unless I wanted to see four children

starve, because ane is drowned? It's weel wi' you gentles, that can sit in the house wi' handkerchers at your

een when ye lose a friend; but the like o' us maun to our wark again, if our hearts were beating as hard as my

Without taking more notice of Oldbuck, he proceeded in his labour; and the Antiquary, to whom the display

of human nature under the influence of agitating passions was never indifferent, stood beside him, in silent

attention, as if watching the progress of the work. He observed more than once the man's hard features, as if

by the force of association, prepare to accompany the sound of the saw and hammer with his usual symphony

of a rude tune, hummed or whistled,and as often a slight twitch of convulsive expression showed, that ere

the sound was uttered, a cause for suppressing it rushed upon his mind. At length, when he had patched a

considerable rent, and was beginning to mend another, his feelings appeared altogether to derange the power

of attention necessary for his work. The piece of wood which he was about to nail on was at first too long;

then he sawed it off too short, then chose another equally ill adapted for the purpose. At length, throwing it

down in anger, after wiping his dim eye with his quivering hand, he exclaimed, ``There is a curse either on

me or on this auld black bitch of a boat, that I have hauled up high and dry, and patched and clouted sae

mony years, that she might drown my poor Steenie at the end of them, an' be dd to her!'' and he flung his

hammer against the boat, as if she had been the intentional cause of his misfortune. Then recollecting himself,

he added, ``Yet what needs ane be angry at her, that has neither soul nor sense?though I am no that

muckle better mysell. She's but a rickle o' auld rotten deals nailed thegither, and warped wi' the wind and the

seaand I am a dour carle, battered by foul weather at sea and land till I am maist as senseless as hersell.

Thus speaking, he went to gather together his instruments, and attempt to resume his labour,but Oldbuck

took him kindly by the arm. ``Come, come,'' he said, ``Saunders, there is no work for you this dayI'll send

down Shavings the carpenter to mend the boat, and he may put the day's work into my accountand you

had better not come out tomorrow, but stay to comfort your family under this dispensation, and the gardener

``I thank ye, Monkbarns,'' answered the poor fisher; ``I am a plainspoken man, and hae little to say for

mysell; I might hae learned fairer fashions frae my mither lang syne, but I never saw muckle gude they did

her; however, I thank ye. Ye were aye kind and neighbourly, whatever folk says o' your being near and close;

and I hae often said, in thae times when they were ganging to raise up the puir folk against the gentles I

hae often said, neer a man should steer a hair touching to Monkbarns while Steenie and I could wag a

fingerand so said Steenie too. And, Monkbarns, when ye laid his head in the grave (and mony thanks for

the respect), ye, saw the mouls laid on an honest lad that likit you weel, though he made little phrase about

Oldbuck, beaten from the pride of his affected cynicism, would not willingly have had any one by on that

occasion to quote to him his favourite maxims of the Stoic philosophy. The large drops fell fast from his own

eyes, as he begged the father, who was now melted at recollecting the bravery and generous sentiments of his

son, to forbear useless sorrow, and led him by the arm towards his own home, where another scene awaited

As he entered, the first person whom he beheld was Lord Glenallan. Mutual surprise was in their

countenances as they saluted each otherwith haughty reserve on the part of Mr. Oldbuck, and

``I do not mean,'' said the Antiquary, ``to intrude upon your lordshipI only came to see this distressed

``And you have found one, sir, who has still greater claims on your compassion.''

``My compassion? Lord Glenallan cannot need my compassion. If Lord Glenallan could need it, I think he

``Is of such ancient date, my lordwas of such short duration, and was connected with circumstances so

So saying, the Antiquary turned away, and left the hut; but Lord Glenallan followed him into the open air,

and, in spite of a hasty ``Good morning, my lord,'' requested a few minutes' conversation, and the favour of

``Your lordship will find many more capable to advise you, my lord, and by whom your intercourse will be

deemed an honour. For me, I am a man retired from business and the world, and not very fond of raking up

the past events of my useless life;and forgive me if I say, I have particular pain in reverting to that period

``Like a villain, you would say,'' said Lord Glenallan``for such I must have appeared to you.''

``But, sir, if I can show you that I am more sinned against than sinningthat I have been a man miserable

beyond the power of description, and who looks forward at this moment to an untimely grave as to a haven of

rest, you will not refuse the confidence which, accepting your appearance at this critical moment as a hint

``Assuredly, my lord, I shall shun no longer the continuation of this extraordinary interview.''

``I must then recall to you our occasional meetings upwards of twenty years since at Knockwinnock

Castle,and I need not remind you of a lady who was then a member of that family.''

``Very different from those with which I before and since have regarded her sex. Her gentleness, her docility,

her pleasure in the studies which I pointed out to her, attached my affections more than became my age

though that was not then much advancedor the solidity of my character. But I need not remind your

lordship of the various modes in which you indulged your gaiety at the expense of an awkward and retired

student, embarrassed by the expression of feelings so new to him, and I have no doubt that the young lady

joined you in the welldeserved ridiculeit is the way of womankind. I have spoken at once to the painful

circumstances of my addresses and their rejection, that your lordship may be satisfied everything is full in my

memory, and may, so far as I am concerned, tell your story without scruple or needless delicacy.''

``I will,'' said Lord Glenallan. ``But first let me say, you do injustice to the memory of the gentlest and

kindest, as well as to the most unhappy of women, to suppose she could make a jest of the honest affection of

a man like you. Frequently did she blame me, Mr. Oldbuck, for indulging my levity at your expensemay I

now presume you will excuse the gay freedoms which then offended you?my state of mind has never

since laid me under the necessity of apologizing for the inadvertencies of a light and happy temper.''

``My lord, you are fully pardoned,'' said Mr. Oldbuck. ``You should be aware, that, like all others, I was

ignorant at the time that I placed myself in competition with your lordship, and understood that Miss Neville

was in a state of dependence which might make her prefer a competent independence and the hand of an

honest manBut I am wasting timeI would I could believe that the views entertained towards her by

``Not without cause, my lord. When I only, of all the magistrates of this countyhaving neither, like some

of them, the honour to be connected with your powerful familynor, like others, the meanness to fear

it,when I made some inquiry into the manner of Miss Neville's deathI shake you, my lord, but I must

be plainI do own I had every reason to believe that she had met most unfair dealing, and had either been

imposed upon by a counterfeit marriage, or that very strong measures had been adopted to stifle and destroy

the evidence of a real union. And I cannot doubt in my own mind, that this cruelty on your lordship's part,

whether coming of your own free will, or proceeding from the influence of the late Countess, hurried the

``You are deceived, Mr. Oldbuck, into conclusions which are not just, however naturally they flow from the

circumstances. Believe me, I respected you even when I was most embarrassed by your active attempts to

investigate our family misfortunes. You showed yourself more worthy of Miss Neville than I, by the spirit

with which you persisted in vindicating her reputation even after her death. But the firm belief that your

wellmeant efforts could only serve to bring to light a story too horrible to be detailed, induced me to join my

unhappy mother in schemes to remove or destroy all evidence of the legal union which had taken place

between Eveline and myself. And now let us sit down on this bank,for I feel unable to remain longer

standing, and have the goodness to listen to the extraordinary discovery which I have this day made.''

They sate down accordingly; and Lord Glenallan briefly narrated his unhappy family historyhis

concealed marriagethe horrible invention by which his mother had designed to render impossible that

union which had already taken place. He detailed the arts by which the Countess, having all the documents

relative to Miss Neville's birth in her hands, had produced those only relating to a period during which, for

family reasons, his father had consented to own that young lady as his natural daughter, and showed how

impossible it was that he could either suspect or detect the fraud put upon him by his mother, and vouched by

the oaths of her attendants, Teresa and Elspeth. ``I left my paternal mansion,'' he concluded, ``as if the furies

of hell had driven me forth, and travelled with frantic velocity I knew not whither. Nor have I the slightest

recollection of what I did or whither I went, until I was discovered by my brother. I will not trouble you with

an account of my sickbed and recovery, or how, long afterwards, I ventured to inquire after the sharer of my

misfortunes, and heard that her despair had found a dreadful remedy for all the ills of life. The first thing that

roused me to thought was hearing of your inquiries into this cruel business; and you will hardly wonder, that,

believing what I did believe, I should join in those expedients to stop your investigation, which my brother

and mother had actively commenced. The information which I gave them concerning the circumstances and

witnesses of our private marriage enabled them to baffle your zeal. The clergyman, therefore, and witnesses,

as persons who had acted in the matter only to please the powerful heir of Glenallan, were accessible to his

promises and threats, and were so provided for, that they had no objections to leave this country for another.

For myself, Mr. Oldbuck,'' pursued this unhappy man, ``from that moment I considered myself as blotted out

of the book of the living, and as having nothing left to do with this world. My mother tried to reconcile me to

life by every arteven by intimations which I can now interpret as calculated to produce a doubt of the

horrible tale she herself had fabricated. But I construed all she said as the fictions of maternal affection. I will

forbear all reproach. She is no moreand, as her wretched associate said, she knew not how the dart was

poisoned, or how deep it must sink, when she threw it from her hand. But, Mr. Oldbuck, if ever, during these

twenty years, there crawled upon earth a living being deserving of your pity, I have been that man. My food

has not nourished memy sleep has not refreshed memy devotions have not comforted meall that

is cheering and necessary to man has been to me converted into poison. The rare and limited intercourse

which I have held with others has been most odious to me. I felt as if I were bringing the contamination of

unnatural and inexpressible guilt among the gay and the innocent. There have been moments when I had

thoughts of another description to plunge into the adventures of war, or to brave the dangers of the

traveller in foreign and barbarous climatesto mingle in political intrigue, or to retire to the stern seclusion

of the anchorites of our religion;all these are thoughts which have alternately passed through my mind,

but each required an energy, which was mine no longer, after the withering stroke I had received. I vegetated

on as I could in the same spotfancy, feeling, judgment, and health, gradually decaying, like a tree whose

bark has been destroyed,when first the blossoms fade, then the boughs, until its state resembles the

decayed and dying trunk that is now before you. Do you now pity and forgive me?''

``My lord,'' answered the Antiquary, much affected, ``my pitymy forgiveness, you have not to ask, for

your dismal story is of itself not only an ample excuse for whatever appeared mysterious in your conduct, but

a narrative that might move your worst enemies (and I, my lord, was never of the number) to tears and to

sympathy. But permit me to ask what you now mean to do, and why you have honoured me, whose opinion

``Mr. Oldbuck,'' answered the Earl, ``as I could never have foreseen the nature of that confession which I

have heard this day, I need not say that I had no formed plan of consulting you, or any one, upon affairs the

tendency of which I could not even have suspected. But I am without friends, unused to business, and, by

long retirement, unacquainted alike with the laws of the land and the habits of the living generation; and

when, most unexpectedly, I find myself immersed in the matters of which I know least, I catch, like a

drowning man, at the first support that offers. You are that support, Mr. Oldbuck. I have always heard you

mentioned as a man of wisdom and intelligenceI have known you myself as a man of a resolute and

independent spirit;and there is one circumstance,'' said he, ``which ought to combine us in some

degreeour having paid tribute to the same excellence of character in poor Eveline. You offered yourself

to me in my need, and you were already acquainted with the beginning of my misfortunes. To you, therefore,

``You shall seek none of them in vain, my lord,'' said Oldbuck, ``so far as my slender ability extends;and

I am honoured by the preference, whether it arises from choice, or is prompted by chance. But this is a matter

``To ascertain the fate of my child,'' said the Earl, ``be the consequences what they may, and to do justice to

the honour of Eveline, which I have only permitted to be suspected to avoid discovery of the yet more

``Must bear its own burden,'' answered the Earl with a sigh: ``better that she were justly convicted of deceit,

should that be found necessary, than that others should be unjustly accused of crimes so much more

``Then, my lord,'' said Oldbuck, ``our first business must be to put the information of the old woman, Elspeth,

``That,'' said Lord Glenallan, ``will be at present, I fear, impossible. She is exhausted herself, and surrounded

by her distressed family. Tomorrow, perhaps, when she is alone and yet I doubt, from her imperfect

sense of right and wrong, whether she would speak out in any one's presence but my own. I am too sorely

``Then, my lord,'' said the Antiquary, whom the interest of the moment elevated above points of expense and

convenience, which had generally more than enough of weight with him, ``I would propose to your lordship,

instead of returning, fatigued as you are, so far as to Glenallan House, or taking the more uncomfortable

alternative of going to a bad inn at Fairport, to alarm all the busybodies of the townI would propose, I

say, that you should be my guest at Monkbarns for this night. By tomorrow these poor people will have

renewed their outofdoors vocationfor sorrow with them affords no respite from labour, and we

After a formal apology for the encroachment, Lord Glenallan agreed to go with him, and underwent with

patience in their return home the whole history of John of the Girnel, a legend which Mr. Oldbuck was never

The arrival of a stranger of such note, with two saddlehorses and a servant in black, which servant had

holsters on his saddlebow, and a coronet upon the holsters, created a general commotion in the house of

Monkbarns. Jenny Rintherout, scarce recovered from the hysterics which she had taken on hearing of poor

Steenie's misfortune, chased about the turkeys and poultry, cackled and screamed louder than they did, and

ended by killing onehalf too many. Miss Griselda made many wise reflections on the hotheaded wilfulness

of her brother, who had occasioned such devastation, by suddenly bringing in upon them a papist nobleman.

And she ventured to transmit to Mr. Blattergowl some hint of the unusual slaughter which had taken place in

the bassecour, which brought the honest clergyman to inquire how his friend Monkbarns had got home, and

whether he was not the worse of being at the funeral, at a period so near the ringing of the bell for dinner, that

the Antiquary had no choice left but to invite him to stay and bless the meat. Miss M`Intyre had on her part

some curiosity to see this mighty peer, of whom all had heard, as an eastern caliph or sultan is heard of by his

subjects, and felt some degree of timidity at the idea of encountering a person, of whose unsocial habits and

stern manners so many stories were told, that her fear kept at least pace with her curiosity. The aged

housekeeper was no less flustered and hurried in obeying the numerous and contradictory commands of her

mistress, concerning preserves, pastry and fruit, the mode of marshalling and dishing the dinner, the necessity

of not permitting the melted butter to run to oil, and the danger of allowing Junowho, though formally

banished from the parlour, failed not to maraud about the outsettlements of the familyto enter the

The only inmate of Monkbarns who remained entirely indifferent on this momentous occasion was Hector

M`Intyre, who cared no more for an Earl than he did for a commoner, and who was only interested in the

unexpected visit, as it might afford some protection against his uncle's displeasure, if he harboured any, for

his not attending the funeral, and still more against his satire upon the subject of his gallant but unsuccessful

To these, the inmates of his household, Oldbuck presented the Earl of Glenallan, who underwent, with meek

and subdued civility, the prosing speeches of the honest divine, and the lengthened apologies of Miss

Griselda Oldbuck, which her brother in vain endeavoured to abridge. Before the dinner hour, Lord Glenallan

requested permission to retire a while to his chamber. Mr. Oldbuck accompanied his guest to the Green

Room, which had been hastily prepared for his reception. He looked around with an air of painful

``I think,'' at length he observed, ``I think, Mr. Oldbuck, that I have been in this apartment before.''

``Yes, my lord,'' answered Oldbuck, ``upon occasion of an excursion hither from Knockwinnockand

since we are upon a subject so melancholy, you may perhaps remember whose taste supplied these lines from

``I guess'', said the Earl, ``though I cannot recollect. She excelled me, indeed, in literary taste and

information, as in everything else; and it is one of the mysterious dispensations of Providence, Mr. Oldbuck,

that a creature so excellent in mind and body should have been cut off in so miserable a manner, merely from

Mr. Oldbuck did not attempt an answer to this burst of the grief which lay ever nearest to the heart of his

guest, but, pressing Lord Glenallan's hand with one of his own, and drawing the other across his shaggy

eyelashes, as if to brush away a mist that intercepted his sight, he left the Earl at liberty to arrange himself

``Now, only think what a man my brother is, Mr. Blattergowl, for a wise man and a learned man, to bring this

Yerl into our house without speaking a word to a body! And there's the distress of thae Mucklebackitswe

canna get a fin o' fishand we hae nae time to send ower to Fairport for beef, and the mutton's but new

killedand that silly fliskmahoy, Jenny Rintherout, has taen the exies, and done naething but laugh and

greet, the skirl at the tail o' the guffaw, for twa days successfully and now we maun ask that strange man,

that's as grand and as grave as the Yerl himsell, to stand at the sideboard! and I canna gang into the kitchen to

direct onything, for he's hovering there, making some pousowdie* for my Lord, for he

doesna eat like ither folk neitherAnd how to sort the strange servant man at dinner timeI am sure, Mr.

``Truly, Miss Griselda,'' replied the divine, ``Monkbarns was inconsiderate. He should have taen a day to see

the invitation, as they do wi' the titular's condescendence in the process of valuation and sale. But the great

man could not have come on a sudden to ony house in this parish where he could have been better served

with viversthat I must sayand also that the steam from the kitchen is very gratifying to my

nostrils;and if ye have ony household affairs to attend to, Mrs. Griselda, never make a stranger of

And taking down from the windowseat that amusing folio, (the Scottish Coke upon Littleton), he opened it,

as if instinctively, at the tenth title of Book Second, ``of Teinds or Tythes,'' and was presently deeply wrapped

The entertainment, about which Miss Oldbuck expressed so much anxiety, was at length placed upon the

table; and the Earl of Glenallan, for the first time since the date of his calamity, sat at a stranger's board,

surrounded by strangers. He seemed to himself like a man in a dream, or one whose brain was not fully

recovered from the effects of an intoxicating potion. Relieved, as he had that morning been, from the image

of guilt which had so long haunted his imagination, he felt his sorrows as a lighter and more tolerable load,

but was still unable to take any share in the conversation that passed around him. It was, indeed, of a cast

very different from that which he had been accustomed to. The bluntness of Oldbuck, the tiresome apologetic

harangues of his sister, the pedantry of the divine, and the vivacity of the young soldier, which savoured

much more of the camp than of the court, were all new to a nobleman who had lived in a retired and

melancholy state for so many years, that the manners of the world seemed to him equally strange and

unpleasing. Miss M`Intyre alone, from the natural politeness and unpretending simplicity of her manners,

appeared to belong to that class of society to which he had been accustomed in his earlier and better days.

Nor did Lord Glenallan's deportment less surprise the company. Though a plain but excellent familydinner

was provided (for, as Mr. Blattergowl had justly said, it was impossible to surprise Miss Griselda when her

larder was empty), and though the Antiquary boasted his best port, and assimilated it to the Falernian of

Horace, Lord Glenallan was proof to the allurements of both. His servant placed before him a small mess of

vegetables, that very dish, the cooking of which had alarmed Miss Griselda, arranged with the most minute

and scrupulous neatness. He ate sparingly of these provisions; and a glass of pure water, sparkling from the

fountainhead, completed his repast. Such, his servant said, had been his lordship's diet for very many years,

unless upon the high festivals of the Church, or when company of the first rank were entertained at Glenallan

House, when he relaxed a little in the austerity of his diet, and permitted himself a glass or two of wine. But

The Antiquary was a gentleman, as we have seen, in feeling, but blunt and careless in expression, from the

habit of living with those before whom he had nothing to suppress. He attacked his noble guest without

``A few halfcold greens and potatoesa glass of icecold water to wash them downantiquity gives no

warrant for it, my lord. This house used to be accounted a hospitium, a place of retreat for Christians; but

your lordship's diet is that of a heathen Pythagorean, or Indian Braminnay, more severe than either, if you

``I am a Catholic, you are aware,'' said Lord Glenallan, wishing to escape from the discussion, ``and you

``Lays down many rules of mortification,'' proceeded the dauntless Antiquary; ``but I never heard that they

were quite so rigorously practisedBear witness my predecessor, John of the Girnel, or the jolly Abbot,

And as he pared the fruit, in spite of his sister's ``O fie, Monkbarns!'' and the prolonged cough of the minister,

accompanied by a shake of his huge wig, the Antiquary proceeded to detail the intrigue which had given rise

to the fame of the abbot's apple with more slyness and circumstantiality than was at all necessary. His jest (as

may readily be conceived) missed fire, for this anecdote of conventual gallantry failed to produce the slightest

smile on the visage of the Earl. Oldbuck then took up the subject of Ossian, Macpherson, and MacCribb;

but Lord Glenallan had never so much as heard of any of the three, so little conversant had he been with

modern literature. The conversation was now in some danger of flagging, or of falling into the hands of Mr.

Blattergowl, who had just pronounced the formidable word, ``teindfree,'' when the subject of the French

Revolution was starteda political event on which Lord Glenallan looked with all the prejudiced horror of

a bigoted Catholic and zealous aristocrat. Oldbuck was far from carrying his detestation of its principles to

``There were many men in the first Constituent Assembly,'' he said, ``who held sound Whiggish doctrines,

and were for settling the Constitution with a proper provision for the liberties of the people. And if a set of

furious madmen were now in possession of the government, it was,'' he continued, ``what often happened in

great revolutions, where extreme measures are adopted in the fury of the moment, and the State resembles an

agitated pendulum which swings from side to side for some time ere it can acquire its due and perpendicular

station. Or it might be likened to a storm or hurricane, which, passing over a region, does great damage in its

passage, yet sweeps away stagnant and unwholesome vapours, and repays, in future health and fertility, its

The Earl shook his head; but having neither spirit nor inclination for debate, he suffered the argument to pass

This discussion served to introduce the young soldier's experiences; and he spoke of the actions in which he,

had been engaged, with modesty, and at the same time with an air of spirit and zeal which delighted the Earl,

who had been bred up, like others of his house, in the opinion that the trade of arms was the first duty of man,

``What would I give,'' said he apart to Oldbuck, as they rose to join the ladies in the drawingroom, ``what

would I give to have a son of such spirit as that young gentleman!He wants something of address and

manner, something of polish, which mixing in good society would soon give him; but with what zeal and

animation he expresses himselfhow fond of his profession how loud in the praise of othershow

``Hector is much obliged to you, my lord,'' replied his uncle, gratified, yet not so much so as to suppress his

consciousness of his own mental superiority over the young soldier; ``I believe in my heart nobody ever

spoke half so much good of him before, except perhaps the sergeant of his company, when was wheedling a

Highland recruit to enlist with him. He is a good lad notwithstanding, although he be not quite the hero your

lordship supposes him, and although my commendations rather attest the kindness than the vivacity of his

character. In fact, his high spirit is a sort of constitutional vehemence, which attends him in everything he sets

about, and is often very inconvenient to his friends. I saw him today engage in an animated contest with a

phoca, or seal (sealgh, our people more properly call them, retaining the Gothic guttural gh), with as much

vehemence as if he had fought against Dumourier Marry, my lord, the phoca had the better, as the said

Dumourier had of some other folks. And he'll talk with equal if not superior rapture of the good behaviour of

``He shall have full permission to sport over my grounds,'' said the Earl, ``if he is so fond of that exercise.''

``You will bind him to you, my lord,'' said Monkbarns, ``body and soul: give him leave to crack off his

birdingpiece at a poor covey of partridges or moorfowl, and he's yours for everI will enchant him by

the intelligence. But O, my lord, that you could have seen my phoenix Lovel!the very prince and

chieftain of the youth of this age; and not destitute of spirit neither I promise you he gave my termagant

kinsman a quid pro quo a Rowland for his Oliver, as the vulgar say, alluding to the two celebrated

After coffee, Lord Glenallan requested a private interview with the Antiquary, and was ushered to his library.

``I must withdraw you from your own amiable family,'' he said, ``to involve you in the perplexities of an

unhappy man. You are acquainted with the world, from which I have long been banished; for Glenallan

House has been to me rather a prison than a dwelling, although a prison which I had neither fortitude nor

``Let me first ask your lordship,'' said the Antiquary, ``what are your own wishes and designs in this matter?''

``I wish most especially,'' answered Lord Glenallan, ``to declare my luckless marriage, and to vindicate the

reputation of the unhappy Evelinethat is, if you see a possibility of doing so without making public the

``Suum cuique tribuito,'' said the Antiquary; ``do right to everyone. The memory of that unhappy young lady

has too long suffered, and I think it might be cleared without further impeaching that of your mother, than by

letting it be understood in general that she greatly disapproved and bitterly opposed the match. Allforgive

me, my lordall who ever heard of the late Countess of Glenallan, will learn that without much surprise.''

``But you forget one horrible circumstance, Mr. Oldbuck,'' said the Earl, in an agitated voice.

``The fate of the infantits disappearance with the confidential attendant of my mother, and the dreadful

``If you would have my free opinion, my lord,'' answered Mr. Oldbuck, ``and will not catch too rapidly at it

as matter of hope, I would say that it is very possible the child yet lives. For thus much I ascertained, by my

former inquiries concerning the event of that deplorable evening, that a child and woman were carried that

night from the cottage at the Craigburnfoot in a carriage and four by your brother Edward Geraldin Neville,

whose journey towards England with these companions I traced for several stages. I believed then it was a

part of the family compact to carry a child whom you meant to stigmatize with illegitimacy, out of that

country where chance might have raised protectors and proofs of its rights. But I now think that your brother,

having reason, like yourself, to believe the child stained with shame yet more indelible, had nevertheless

withdrawn it, partly from regard to the honour of his house, partly from the risk to which it might have been

As he spoke, the Earl of Glenallan grew extremely pale, and had nearly fallen from his chair.The alarmed

Antiquary ran hither and thither looking for remedies; but his museum, though sufficiently well filled with a

vast variety of useless matters, contained nothing that could be serviceable on the present or any other

occasion. As he posted out of the room to borrow his sister's salts, he could not help giving a constitutional

growl of chagrin and wonder at the various incidents which had converted his mansion, first into an hospital

for a wounded duellist, and now into the sick chamber of a dying nobleman. ``And yet,'' said he, ``I have

always kept aloof from the soldiery and the peerage. My coenobitium has only next to be made a lyingin

When he returned with the remedy, Lord Glenallan was much better. The new and unexpected light which

Mr. Oldbuck had thrown upon the melancholy history of his family had almost overpowered him. ``You

think, then, Mr. Oldbuck for you are capable of thinking, which I am notyou think, then, that it is

``I think,'' said the Antiquary, ``it is impossible that it could come to any violent harm through your brother's

means. He was known to be a gay and dissipated man, but not cruel nor dishonourable; nor is it possible, that,

if he had intended any foul play, he would have placed himself so forward in the charge of the infant, as I will

So saying, Mr. Oldbuck opened a drawer of the cabinet of his ancestor Aldobrand, and produced a bundle of

papers tied with a black ribband, and labelled,Examinations, etc., taken by Jonathan Oldbuck, J. P., upon

the 18th of February, 17; a little under was written, in a small hand, Eheu Evelina! The tears dropped fast

from the Earl's eyes, as he endeavoured, in vain, to unfasten the knot which secured these documents.

``Your lordship,'' said Mr. Oldbuck, ``had better not read these at present. Agitated as you are, and having

much business before you, you must not exhaust your strength. Your brother's succession is now, I presume,

your own, and it will be easy for you to make inquiry among his servants and retainers, so as to hear where

``I dare hardly hope it,'' said the Earl, with a deep sigh. ``Why should my brother have been silent to me?''

``Nay, my lord, why should he have communicated to your lordship the existence of a being whom you must

``Most truethere is an obvious and a kind reason for his being silent. If anything, indeed, could have

added to the horror of the ghastly dream that has poisoned my whole existence, it must have been the

``Then,'' continued the Antiquary, ``although it would be rash to conclude, at the distance of more than

twenty years, that your son must needs be still alive because he was not destroyed in infancy, I own I think

``It shall be done,'' replied Lord Glenallan, catching eagerly at the hope held out to him, the first he had

nourished for many years;``I will write to a faithful steward of my father, who acted in the same capacity

``Indeed!I am sorry for that, my lordit is a noble estate, and the ruins of the old castle of

Neville'sBurgh alone, which are the most superb relics of AngloNorman architecture in that part of the

country, are a possession much to be coveted. I thought your father had no other son or near relative.''

``He had not, Mr. Oldbuck,'' replied Lord Glenallan; ``but my brother adopted views in politics, and a form of

religion, alien from those which had been always held by our house. Our tempers had long differed, nor did

my unhappy mother always think him sufficiently observant to her. In short, there was a family quarrel, and

my brother, whose property was at his own free disposal, availed himself of the power vested in him to

choose a stranger for his heir. It is a matter which never struck me as being of the least consequencefor if

worldly possessions could alleviate misery, I have enough and to spare. But now I shall regret it, if it throws

any difficulty in the way of our inquiriesand I bethink me that it may; for in case of my having a lawful

son of my body, and my brother dying without issue, my father's possessions stood entailed upon my son. It

is not therefore likely that this heir, be he who he may, will afford us assistance in making a discovery which

``And in all probability the steward your lordship mentions is also in his service,'' said the Antiquary.

``It is most likely; and the man being a Protestanthow far it is safe to entrust him''

``I should hope, my lord,'' said Oldbuck gravely, ``that a Protestant may be as trustworthy as a Catholic. I am

doubly interested in the Protestant faith, my lord. My ancestor, Aldobrand Oldenbuck, printed the celebrated

Confession of Augsburg, as I can show by the original edition now in this house.''

``I have not the least doubt of what you say, Mr. Oldbuck,'' replied the Earl, ``nor do I speak out of bigotry or

intolerance; but probably the Protestant steward will favour the Protestant heir rather than the Catholicif,

indeed, my son has been bred in his father's faithor, alas! if indeed he yet lives.''

``We must look close into this,'' said Oldbuck, ``before committing ourselves. I have a literary friend at York,

with whom I have long corresponded on the subject of the Saxon horn that is preserved in the Minster there;

we interchanged letters for six years, and have only as yet been able to settle the first line of the inscription. I

will write forthwith to this gentleman, Dr. Dryasdust, and be particular in my inquiries concerning the

character, etc., of your brother's heir, of the gentleman employed in his affairs, and what else may be likely to

further your lordship's inquiries. In the meantime your lordship will collect the evidence of the marriage,

``Unquestionably,'' replied the Earl: ``the witnesses, who were formerly withdrawn from your research, are

still living. My tutor, who solemnized the marriage, was provided for by a living in France, and has lately

returned to this country as an emigrant, a victim of his zeal for loyalty, legitimacy, and religion.''

``That's one lucky consequence of the French, revolution, my lordyou must allow that, at least,'' said

Oldbuck: ``but no offence; I will act as warmly in your affairs as if I were of your own faith in politics and

religion. And take my adviceIf you want an affair of consequence properly managed, put it into the hands

of an antiquary; for as they are eternally exercising their genius and research upon trifles, it is impossible they

can be baffled in affairs of importance;use makes perfectand the corps that is most frequently drilled

upon the parade, will be most prompt in its exercise upon the day of battle. And, talking upon that subject, I

would willingly read to your lordship, in order to pass away the time betwixt and supper''

``I beg I may not interfere with family arrangements,'' said Lord Glenallan, ``but I never taste anything after

``Nor I either, my lord,'' answered his host, ``notwithstanding it is said to have been the custom of the

ancients. But then I dine differently from your lordship, and therefore am better enabled to dispense with

those elaborate entertainments which my womankind (that is, my sister and niece, my lord) are apt to place

on the table, for the display rather of their own housewifery than the accommodation of our wants.

However, a broiled bone, or a smoked haddock, or an oyster, or a slice of bacon of our own curing, with a

toast and a tankardor something or other of that sort, to close the orifice of the stomach before going to

``My nosupper is literal, Mr. Oldbuck; but I will attend you at your meal with pleasure.''

``Well, my lord,'' replied the Antiquary, ``I will endeavour to entertain your ears at least, since I cannot

banquet your palate. What I am about to read to your lordship relates to the upland glens.''

Lord Glenallan, though he would rather have recurred to the subject of his own uncertainties, was compelled

The Antiquary, therefore, took out his portfolio of loose sheets, and after premising that the topographical

details here laid down were designed to illustrate a slight essay upon castrametation, which had been read

with indulgence at several societies of Antiquaries, he commenced as follows: ``The subject, my lord, is the

hillfort of Quickensbog, with the site of which your lordship is doubtless familiarit is upon your

``I think I have heard the names of these places,'' said the Earl, in answer to the Antiquary's appeal.

Such was the scarcesubdued ejaculation of the Antiquary. But his hospitality got the better of his surprise,

and he proceeded to read his essay with an audible voice, in great glee at having secured a patient, and, as he

``Quickensbog may at first seem to derive its name from the plant Quicken, by which, Scottice`, we

understand couchgrass, doggrass, or the Triticum repens of Linnaeus, and the common English

monosyllable Bog, by which we mean, in popular language, a marsh or morassin Latin, Palus. But it may

confound the rash adopters of the more obvious etymological derivations, to learn that the couchgrass or

doggrass, or, to speak scientifically, the Triticum repens of Linnaeus, does not grow within a quarter of a

mile of this castrum or hillfort, whose ramparts are uniformly clothed with short verdant turf; and that we

must seek a bog or palus at a still greater distance, the nearest being that of Girdthemear, a full halfmile

distant. The last syllable, bog, is obviously, therefore, a mere corruption of the Saxon Burgh, which we find

in the various transmutations of Burgh, Burrow, Brough, Bruff, Buff, and Boff, which last approaches very

near the sound in questionsince, supposing the word to have been originally borgh, which is the genuine

Saxon spelling, a slight change, such as modern organs too often make upon ancient sounds, will produce

first Bogh, and then, elisa H, or compromising and sinking the guttural, agreeable to the common vernacular

practice, you have either Boff or Bog as it happens. The word Quickens requires in like manner to be

altered,decomposed, as it were,and reduced to its original and genuine sound, ere we can discern its

real meaning. By the ordinary exchange of the Qu into Wh, familiar to the rudest tyro who has opened a book

of old Scottish poetry, we gain either Whilkens, or Whichensborghput we may suppose, by way of

question, as if those who imposed the name, struck with the extreme antiquity of the place, had expressed in

it an interrogation, `To whom did this fortress belong?'Or, it might be Whackensburgh, from the Saxon

Whacken, to strike with the hand, as doubtless the skirmishes near a place of such apparent consequence must

I will be more merciful to my readers than Oldbuck was to his guest; for, considering his opportunities of

gaining patient attention from a person of such consequence as Lord Glenallan were not many, he used, or

In the morning of the following day, the Antiquary, who was something of a sluggard, was summoned from

his bed a full hour earlier than his custom by Caxon. ``What's the matter now?'' he exclaimed, yawning and

stretching forth his hand to the huge gold repeater, which, bedded upon his India silk handkerchief, was laid

safe by his pillow``what's the matter now, Caxon? it can't be eight o'clock yet.''

``Na, sir,but my lord's man sought me out, for he fancies me your honour's valleydesham,and sae I

am, there's nae doubt o't, baith your honour's and the minister'sat least ye hae nae other that I ken

o'and I gie a help to Sir Arthur too, but that's mair in the way o' my profession.''

``Well, wellnever mind that,'' said the Antiquary``happy is he that is his own valleydesham, as you

``Ou, sir, the great man's been up since peep o' day, and he's steered the town to get awa an express to fetch

his carriage, and it will be here briefly, and he wad like to see your honour afore he gaes awa.''

``Gadso!'' ejaculated Oldbuck, ``these great men use one's house and time as if they were their own property.

``Troth, sir, but just middling,'' replied the barber; ``she's been in a swither about the jocolate this morning,

and was like to hae toomed it a' out into the slapbason, and drank it hersell in her ecstaciesbut she's won

``Then all my womankind are on foot and scrambling, and I must enjoy my quiet bed no longer, if I would

``Ou, sir, what can they be about but this grand news o' my lord,'' answered the old man, ``that hasna been

ower the doorstane, they threep to me, for this twenty yearsthis grand news of his coming to visit your

``'Deed, sir, they hae various opinions. Thae fallows, that are the democraws, as they ca' them, that are again'

the king and the law, and hairpowder and dressing o' gentlemen's wigs a wheen blackguardsthey say

he's come doun to speak wi' your honour about bringing doun his hill lads and Highland tenantry to break up

the meetings of the Friends o' the People; and when I said your honour never meddled wi' the like o' sic

things where there was like to be straiks and bloodshed, they said, if ye didna, your nevoy did, and that he

was weel ken'd to be a kingsman that wad fight kneedeep, and that ye were the head and he was the hand,

``Come,'' said the Antiquary, laughing``I am glad the war is to cost me nothing but counsel.''

``Na, na,'' said Caxon``naebody thinks your honour wad either fight yoursell, or gie ony feck o' siller to

``Umph! well, that's the opinion of the democraws, as you call themWhat say the rest o' Fairport?''

``In troth,'' said the candid reporter, ``I canna say it's muckle better. Captain Coquet, of the

volunteersthat's him that's to be the new collector,and some of the other gentlemen of the Blue and a'

Blue Club, are just saying it's no right to let popists, that hae sae mony French friends as the Yerl of

``Not I, Caxon,'' said Oldbuck; ``fire away as if you were Captain Coquet's whole platoonI can stand it.''

``Weel then, they say, sir, that as ye didna encourage the petition about the peace, and wadna petition in

favour of the new tax, and as you were again' bringing in the yeomanry at the meal mob, but just for settling

the folk wi' the constables they say ye're no a gude friend to government; and that thae sort o' meetings

between sic a powerfu' man as the Yerl, and sic a wise man as you,Od they think they suld be lookit

``On my word,'' said the Antiquary, ``I am infinitely obliged to my neighbours for their good opinion of me!

And so I, that have never interfered with their bickerings, but to recommend quiet and moderate measures,

am given up on both sides as a man very likely to commit high treason, either against King or

People?Give me my coat, Caxongive me my coat;it's lucky I live not in their report. Have you

Caxon's countenance fell.``Na, sir, and the winds hae been high, and this is a fearfu' coast to cruise on in

thae eastern gales,the headlands rin sae far out, that a veshel's embayed afore I could sharp a razor; and

then there's nae harbour or city of refuge on our coasta' craigs and breakers;a veshel that rins ashore

wi' us flees asunder like the powther when I shake the pluffand it's as ill to gather ony o't again. I aye tell

my daughter thae things when she grows wearied for a letter frae Lieutenant TaffrilIt's aye an apology for

him. Ye sudna blame him, says I, hinny, for ye little ken what may hae happened.''

``Ay, ay, Caxon, thou art as good a comforter as a valetdechambre. Give me a white stock,

man,dye think I can go down with a handkerchief about my neck when I have company?''

``Dear sir, the Captain says a threenookit hankercher is the maist fashionable overlay, and that stocks belang

to your honour and me that are auld warld folk. I beg pardon for mentioning us twa thegither, but it was what

``It's very like it may be sae,'' replied the acquiescent barber: ``I am sure your honour kens best.''

Before breakfast, Lord Glenallan, who appeared in better spirits than he had evinced in the former evening,

went particularly through the various circumstances of evidence which the exertions of Oldbuck had formerly

collected; and pointing out the means which he possessed of completing the proof of his marriage, expressed

his resolution instantly to go through the painful task of collecting and restoring the evidence concerning the

birth of Eveline Neville, which Elspeth had stated to be in his mother's possession.

``And yet, Mr. Oldbuck,'' he said, ``I feel like a man who receives important tidings ere he is yet fully awake,

and doubt whether they refer to actual life, or are not rather a continuation of his dream. This womanthis

Elspeth,she is in the extremity of age, and approaching in many respects to dotage. Have I notit is a

hideous questionhave I not been hasty in the admission of her present evidence, against that which she

Mr. Oldbuck paused a moment, and then answered with firmness``No, my lord; I cannot think you have

any reason to suspect the truth of what she has told you last, from no apparent impulse but the urgency of

conscience. Her confession was voluntary, disinterested, distinct, consistent with itself, and with all the other

known circumstances of the case. I would lose no time, however, in examining and arranging the other

documents to which she has referred; and I also think her own statement should be taken down, if possible in

a formal manner. We thought of setting about this together. But it will be a relief to your lordship, and

moreover have a more impartial appearance, were I to attempt the investigation alone in the capacity of a

magistrate. I will do thisat least I will attempt it, so soon as I shall see her in a favourable state of mind to

Lord Glenallan wrung the Antiquary's hand in token of grateful acquiescence. ``I cannot express to you,'' he

said, ``Mr. Oldbuck, how much your countenance and cooperation in this dark and most melancholy business

gives me relief and confidence. I cannot enough applaud myself for yielding to the sudden impulse which

impelled me, as it were, to drag you into my confidence, and which arose from the experience I had formerly

of your firmness in discharge of your duty as a magistrate, and as a friend to the memory of the unfortunate.

Whatever the issue of these matters may prove,and I would fain hope there is a dawn breaking on the

fortunes of my house, though I shall not live to enjoy its light,but whatsoever be the issue, you have laid

``My lord,'' answered the Antiquary, ``I must necessarily have the greatest respect for your lordship's family,

which I am well aware is one of the most ancient in Scotland, being certainly derived from Aymer de

Geraldin, who sat in parliament at Perth, in the reign of Alexander II., and who by the less vouched, yet

plausible tradition of the country, is said to have been descended from the Marmor of Clochnaben. Yet, with

all my veneration for your ancient descent, I must acknowledge that I find myself still more bound to give

your lordship what assistance is in my limited power, from sincere sympathy with your sorrows, and

detestation at the frauds which have so long been practised upon you.But, my lord, the matin meal is, I

see, now preparedPermit me to show your lordship the way through the intricacies of my cenobitium,

which is rather a combination of cells, jostled oddly together, and piled one upon the top of the other, than a

regular house. I trust you will make yourself some amends for the spare diet of yesterday.''

But this was no part of Lord Glenallan's system. Having saluted the company with the grave and melancholy

politeness which distinguished his manners, his servant placed before him a slice of toasted bread, with a

glass of fair water, being the fare on which he usually broke his fast. While the morning's meal of the young

soldier and the old Antiquary was despatched in much more substantial manner, the noise of wheels was

``Your lordship's carriage, I believe,'' said Oldbuck, stepping to the window. ``On my word, a handsome

quadriga,for such, according to the best scholium, was the vox signata of the Romans for a chariot which,

``And I will venture to say,'' cried Hector, eagerly gazing from the window, ``that four handsomer or

bettermatched bays never were put in harnessWhat fine forehands!what capital chargers they would

``IIrather believe so,'' said Lord Glenallan; ``but I have been so negligent of my domestic matters,

``They are of your lordship's own breeding,'' said Calvert, ``got by Mad Tom out of Jemina and Yarico, your

``Two, my lord,one rising four, the other five off this grass, both very handsome.''

``Then let Dawkins bring them down to Monkbarns tomorrow,'' said the Earl``I hope Captain M`Intyre

Captain M`Intyre's eyes sparkled, and he was profuse in grateful acknowledgments; while Oldbuck, on the

other hand, seizing the Earl's sleeve, endeavoured to intercept a present which boded no good to his

``My lordmy lordmuch obligedmuch obligedBut Hector is a pedestrian, and never mounts on

horseback in battle he is a Highland soldier, moreover, and his dress ill adapted for cavalry service. Even

Macpherson never mounted his ancestors on horseback, though he has the impudence to talk of their being

carborneand that, my lord, is what is running in Hector's headit is the vehicular, not the equestrian

His noddle is running on a curricle, which he has neither money to buy, nor skill to drive if he had it; and I

assure your lordship, that the possession of two such quadrupeds would prove a greater scrape than any of his

``You must command us all at present, Mr. Oldbuck,'' said the Earl politely; ``but I trust you will not

ultimately prevent my gratifying my young friend in some way that may afford him pleasure.''

``Anything useful, my lord,'' said Oldbuck, ``but no curriculum I protest he might as rationally propose to

keep a quadriga at onceAnd now I think of it, what is that old postchaise from Fairport come jingling

``I did, sir,'' said Hector, rather sulkily, for he was not much gratified by his uncle's interference to prevent the

Earl's intended generosity, nor particularly inclined to relish either the disparagement which he cast upon his

skill as a charioteer, or the mortifying allusion to his bad success in the adventures of the duel and the seal.

``You did, sir?'' echoed the Antiquary, in answer to his concise information. ``And pray, what may be your

business with a postchaise? Is this splendid equipagethis biga, as I may call itto serve for an

``Really, sir,'' replied the young soldier, ``if it be necessary to give you such a specific explanation, I am

``Will you permit me to inquire into the nature of that business, Hector?'' answered his uncle, who loved the

exercise of a little brief authority over his relative. ``I should suppose any regimental affairs might be

transacted by your worthy deputy the sergeantan honest gentleman, who is so good as to make

Monkbarns his home since his arrival among usI should, I say, suppose that he may transact any business

of yours, without your spending a day's pay on two doghorses, and such a combination of rotten wood,

cracked glass, and leathersuch a skeleton of a postchaise, as that before the door.''

``It is not regimental business, sir, that calls me; and, since you insist upon knowing, I must inform you

Caxon has brought word this morning that old Ochiltree, the beggar, is to be brought up for examination

today, previous to his being committed for trial; and I'm going to see that the poor old fellow gets fair

``Ay?I heard something of this, but could not think it serious. And pray, Captain Hector, who are so

ready to be every man's second on all occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the

``He was a soldier in my father's company, sir,'' replied Hector; ``and besides, when I was about to do a very

foolish thing one day, he interfered to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir, as you could

``And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for iteh, Hector?Come, confess it was thrown

``Indeed it was, sir; but I see no reason that my folly should make me less grateful for his intended kindness.''

``Bravo, Hector! that's the most sensible thing I ever heard you say. But always tell me your plans without

reserve, why, I will go with you myself, man. I am sure the old fellow is not guilty, and I will assist him in

such a scrape much more effectually than you can do. Besides, it will save thee halfaguinea, my lada

consideration which I heartily pray you to have more frequently before your eyes.''

Lord Glenallan's politeness had induced him to turn away and talk with the ladies, when the dispute between

the uncle and nephew appeared to grow rather too animated to be fit for the ear of a stranger, but the Earl

mingled again in the conversation when the placable tone of the Antiquary expressed amity. Having received

a brief account of the mendicant, and of the accusation brought against him, which Oldbuck did not hesitate

to ascribe to the malice of Dousterswivel, Lord Glenallan asked, whether the individual in question had not

``Had he not,'' continued his Lordship, ``a coarse blue coat, or gown, with a badge?was he not a tall,

strikinglooking old man, with grey beard and hair, who kept his body remarkably erect, and talked with an

air of ease and independence, which formed a strong contrast to his profession?''

``Why, then,'' continued Lord Glenallan, ``although I fear I can be of no use to him in his present condition,

yet I owe him a debt of gratitude for being the first person who brought me some tidings of the utmost

importance. I would willingly offer him a place of comfortable retirement, when he is extricated from his

``I fear, my lord,'' said Oldbuck, ``he would have difficulty in reconciling his vagrant habits to the acceptance

of your bounty, at least I know the experiment has been tried without effect. To beg from the public at large

he considers as independence, in comparison to drawing his whole support from the bounty of an individual.

He is so far a true philosopher, as to be a contemner of all ordinary rules of hours and times. When he is

hungry he eats; when thirsty he drinks; when weary he sleeps; and with such indifference with respect to the

means and appliances about which we make a fuss, that I suppose he was never ill dined or ill lodged in his

life. Then he is, to a certain extent, the oracle of the district through which he travelstheir genealogist,

their newsman, their master of the revels, their doctor at a pinch, or their divine;I promise you he has too

many duties, and is too zealous in performing them, to be easily bribed to abandon his calling. But I should

be truly sorry if they sent the poor lighthearted old man to lie for weeks in a jail. I am convinced the

Thus finished the conference. Lord Glenallan, having taken leave of the ladies, renewed his offer to Captain

M`Intyre of the freedom of his manors for sporting, which was joyously accepted,

``I can only add,'' he said, ``that if your spirits are not liable to be damped by dull company, Glenallan House

is at all times open to you. On two days of the week, Friday and Saturday, l keep my apartment, which will be

rather a relief to you, as you will be left to enjoy the society of my almoner, Mr. Gladsmoor, who is a scholar

Hector, his heart exulting at the thoughts of ranging through the preserves of Glenallan House, and over the

wellprotected moors of Clochnabennay, joy of joys! the deerforest of StrathBonnelmade many

acknowledgements of the honour and gratitude he felt. Mr. Oldbuck was sensible of the Earl's attention to his

nephew; Miss M`Intyre was pleased because her brother was gratified; and Miss Griselda Oldbuck looked

forward with glee to the potting of whole bags of moorfowl and blackgame, of which Mr. Blattergowl was a

professed admirer. Thus,which is always the case when a man of rank leaves a private family where he

has studied to appear obliging,all were ready to open in praise of the Earl as soon as he had taken his

leave, and was wheeled off in his chariot by the four admired bays. But the panegyric was cut short, for

Oldbuck and his nephew deposited themselves in the Fairport hack, which, with one horse trotting, and the

other urged to a canter, creaked, jingled, and hobbled towards that celebrated seaport, in a manner that

formed a strong contrast to the rapidity and smoothness with which Lord Glenallan's equipage had seemed to

By dint of charity from the town'speople in aid of the load of provisions he had brought with him into

durance, Edie Ochiltree had passed a day or two's confinement without much impatience, regretting his want

``The prison,'' he said, ``wasna sae dooms bad a place as it was ca'd. Ye had aye a good roof ower your head

to fend aff the weather, and, if the windows werena glazed, it was the mair airy and pleasant for the summer

season. And there were folk enow to crack wi', and he had bread eneugh to eat, and what need he fash himsell

The courage of our philosophical mendicant began, however, to abate, when the sunbeams shone fair on the

rusty bars of his grated dungeon, and a miserable linnet, whose cage some poor debtor had obtained

``Ye're in better spirits than I am,'' said Edie, addressing the bird, ``for I can neither whistle nor sing for

thinking o' the bonny burnsides and green shaws that I should hae been dandering beside in weather like this.

But haethere's some crumbs t'ye, an ye are sae merry; and troth ye hae some reason to sing an ye kent it,

for your cage comes by nae faut o' your ain, and I may thank mysell that I am closed up in this weary place.''

Ochiltree's soliloquy was disturbed by a peaceofficer, who came to summon him to attend the magistrate. So

he set forth in awful procession between two poor creatures, neither of them so stout as he was himself, to be

conducted into the presence of inquisitorial justice. The people, as the aged prisoner was led along by his

decrepit guards, exclaimed to each other, ``Eh! see sic a greyhaired man as that is, to have committed a

highway robbery, wi' ae fit in the grave!''And the children congratulated the officers, objects of their

alternate dread and sport, Puggie Orrock and Jock Ormston, on having a prisoner as old as themselves.

Thus marshalled forward, Edie was presented (by no means for the first time) before the worshipful Bailie

Littlejohn, who, contrary to what his name expressed, was a tall portly magistrate, on whom corporation

crusts had not been conferred in vain. He was a zealous loyalist of that zealous time, somewhat rigorous and

peremptory in the execution of his duty, and a good deal inflated with the sense of his own power and

``Bring him in! bring him in!'' he exclaimed. ``Upon my word these are awful and unnatural times! the very

bedesmen and retainers of his Majesty are the first to break his laws. Here has been an old BlueGown

committing robberyI suppose the next will reward the royal charity which supplies him with his garb,

pension, and begging license, by engaging in hightreason, or sedition at leastBut bring him in.''

Edie made his obeisance, and then stood, as usual, firm and erect, with the side of his face turned a little

upward, as if to catch every word which the magistrate might address to him. To the first general questions,

which respected only his name and calling, the mendicant answered with readiness and accuracy; but when

the magistrate, having caused his clerk to take down these particulars, began to inquire whereabout the

mendicant was on the night when Dousterswivel met with his misfortune, Edie demurred to the motion. ``Can

ye tell me now, Bailie, you that understands the law, what gude will it do me to answer ony o' your

``Good?no good certainly, my friend, except that giving a true account of yourself, if you are innocent,

``But it seems mair reasonable to me now, that you, Bailie, or anybody that has anything to say against me,

``I don't sit here,'' answered the magistrate, ``to dispute points of law with you. I ask you, if you choose to

answer my question, whether you were at Ringan Aikwood, the forester's, upon the day I have specified?''

``Really, sir, I dinna feel myself called on to remember,'' replied the cautious bedesman.

``Or whether, in the course of that day or night,'' continued the magistrate, ``you saw Steven, or Steenie,

``O, brawlie did I ken Steenie, puir fallow,'' replied the prisoner;``but I canna condeshend on ony

``Bailie Littlejohn,'' said the mendicant, ``if it be your honour's pleasure, we'll cut a lang tale short, and I'll

just tell ye, I am no minded to answer ony o' thae questionsI'm ower auld a traveller to let my tongue

``Write down,'' said the magistrate, ``that he declines to answer all interrogatories, in respect that by telling

``Na, na,'' said Ochiltree, ``I'll no hae that set down as ony part o' my answerbut I just meant to say, that

in a' my memory and practice, I never saw ony gude come o' answering idle questions.''

``Write down,'' said the Bailie, ``that, being acquainted with judicial interrogatories by long practice, and

having sustained injury by answering questions put to him on such occasions, the declarant refuses''

``Na, na, Bailie,'' reiterated Edie, ``ye are no to come in on me that gait neither.''

``Dictate the answer yourself then, friend,'' said the magistrate, ``and the clerk will take it down from your

``Ay, ay,'' said Edie``that's what I ca' fair play; I'se do that without loss o' time. Sae, neighbour, ye may

just write down, that Edie Ochiltree, the declarant, stands up for the libertyna, I maunna say that

neitherI am nae libertyboy I hae fought again' them in the riots in Dublinbesides, I have ate the

King's bread mony a day. Stay, let me see. Ay write that Edie Ochiltree, the BlueGown, stands up for

the prerogative(see that ye spell that word rightit's a lang ane) for the prerogative of the subjects

of the land, and winna answer a single word that sall be asked at him this day, unless he sees a reason fort.

``Then, Edie,'' said the magistrate, ``since you will give no information on the subject, I must send you back

``Aweel, sir, if it's Heaven's will and man's will, nae doubt I maun submit,'' replied the mendicant. ``I hae nae

great objection to the prison, only that a body canna win out o't; and if it wad please you as weel, Bailie, I

wad gie you my word to appear afore the Lords at the Circuit, or in ony other coart ye like, on ony day ye are

``I rather think, my good friend,'' answered Bailie Littlejohn, ``your word might be a slender security where

your neck may be in some danger. I am apt to think you would suffer the pledge to be forfeited. If you could

At this moment the Antiquary and Captain M`Intyre entered the apartment.``Good morning to you,

gentlemen,'' said the magistrate; ``you find me toiling in my usual vocation looking after the iniquities of

the peoplelabouring for the respublica, Mr. Oldbuckserving the King our master, Captain

``It is one of the emblems of justice, doubtless,'' answered the Antiquary;``but I should have thought the

scales would have suited you better, Bailie, especially as you have them ready in the warehouse.''

``Very good, Monkbarnsexcellent! But I do not take the sword up as justice, but as a soldierindeed I

should rather say the musket and bayonetthere they stand at the elbow of my gouty chair, for I am scarce

fit for drill yeta slight touch of our old acquaintance podagra; I can keep my feet, however, while our

sergeant puts me through the manual. I should like to know, Captain M`Intyre, if he follows the regulations

correctlyhe brings us but awkwardly to the present.'' And he hobbled towards his weapon to illustrate his

``I rejoice we have such zealous defenders, Bailie,'' replied Mr. Oldbuck; ``and I dare say Hector will gratify

you by communicating his opinion on your progress in this new calling. Why, you rival the Hecate' of the

ancients, my good sira merchant on the Mart, a magistrate in the Townhouse, a soldier on the

Linksquid non pro patria? But my business is with the justice; so let commerce and war go slumber.''

``Why, here's an old acquaintance of mine, called Edie Ochiltree, whom some of your myrmidons have

mewed up in jail on account of an alleged assault on that fellow Dousterswivel, of whose accusation I do not

The magistrate here assumed a very grave countenance. ``You ought to have been informed that he is accused

of robbery, as well as assaulta very serious matter indeed; it is not often such criminals come under my

``And,'' replied Oldbuck, ``you are tenacious of the opportunity of making the very most of such as occur.

``It is rather out of rule,'' said the Bailie``but as you are in the commission, Monkbarns, I have no

hesitation to show you Dousterswivel's declaration, and the rest of the precognition.'' And he put the papers

into the Antiquary's hands, who assumed his spectacles, and sat down in a corner to peruse them.

The officers, in the meantime, had directions to remove their prisoner into another apartment; but before they

could do so, M`Intyre took an opportunity to greet old Edie, and to slip a guinea into his hand.

``Lord bless your honour!'' said the old man; ``it's a young soldier's gift, and it should surely thrive wi' an

auld ane. I'se no refuse it, though it's beyond my rules; for if they steek me up here, my friends are like

eneugh to forget meout o'sight out o'mind, is a true proverb; and it wadna be creditable for me, that am

the king's bedesman, and entitled to beg by word of mouth, to be fishing for bawbees out at the jail window

wi' the fit o' a stocking, and a string.'' As he made this observation he was conducted out of the apartment.

Mr. Dousterswivel's declaration contained an exaggerated account of the violence he had sustained, and also

``But what I should have liked to have asked him,'' said Monkbarns, ``would have been his purpose in

frequenting the ruins of St. Ruth, so lonely a place, at such an hour, and with such a companion as Edie

Ochiltree. There is no road lies that way, and I do not conceive a mere passion for the picturesque would

carry the German thither in such a night of storm and wind. Depend upon it, he has been about some roguery,

and in all probability hath been caught in a trap of his own setting Nec lex justitior ulla.''

The magistrate allowed there was something mysterious in that circumstance, and apologized for not pressing

Dousterswivel, as his declaration was voluntarily emitted. But for the support of the main charge, he showed

the declaration of the Aikwoods concerning the state in which Dousterswivel was found, and establishing the

important fact that the mendicant had left the barn in which he was quartered, and did not return to it again.

Two people belonging to the Fairport undertaker, who had that night been employed in attending the funeral

of Lady Glenallan, had also given declarations, that, being sent to pursue two suspicious persons who left the

ruins of St. Ruth as the funeral approached, and who, it was supposed, might have been pillaging some of the

ornaments prepared for the ceremony, they had lost and regained sight of them more than once, owing to the

nature of the ground, which was unfavourable for riding, but had at length fairly lodged them both in

Mucklebackit's cottage. And one of the men added, that ``he, the declarant, having dismounted from his

horse, and gone close up to the window of the hut, he saw the old BlueGown and young Steenie

Mucklebackit, with others, eating and drinking in the inside, and also observed the said Steenie Mucklebackit

show a pocketbook to the others; and declarant has no doubt that Ochiltree and Steenie Mucklebackit

were the persons whom he and his comrade had pursued, as above mentioned.'' And being interrogated why

he did not enter the said cottage, declares, ``he had no warrant so to do; and that as Mucklebackit and his

family were understood to be roughhanded folk, he, the declarant, had no desire to meddle or make with

``What do you say to that body of evidence against your friend?'' said the magistrate, when he had observed

``Why, were it in the case of any other person, I own I should say it looked, prima facie, a little ugly; but I

cannot allow anybody to be in the wrong for beating Dousterswivel Had I been an hour younger, or had

but one single flash of your warlike genius, Bailie, I should have done it myself long ago. He is nebulo

nebulonum, an impudent, fraudulent, mendacious quack, that has cost me a hundred pounds by his roguery,

and my neighbour Sir Arthur, God knows how much. And besides, Bailie, I do not hold him to be a sound

``Indeed?'' said Bailie Littlejohn; ``if I thought that, it would alter the question considerably.''

``Rightfor, in beating him,'' observed Oldbuck, ``the bedesman must have shown his gratitude to the king

by thumping his enemy; and in robbing him, he would only have plundered an Egyptian, whose wealth it is

lawful to spoil. Now, suppose this interview in the ruins of St. Ruth had relation to politics,and this story

of hidden treasure, and so forth, was a bribe from the other side of the water for some great man, or the funds

``My dear sir,'' said the magistrate, catching at the idea, ``you hit my very thoughts! How fortunate should I

be if I could become the humble means of sifting such a matter to the bottom!Don't you think we had

``Not just yet, while podagra deprives them of an essential member of their body. But will you let me

``Certainly; but you'll make nothing of him. He gave me distinctly to understand he knew the danger of a

judicial declaration on the part of an accused person, which, to say the truth, has hanged many an honester

``Well, but, Bailie,'' continued Oldbuck, ``you have no objection to let me try him?''

``None in the world, Monkbarns. I hear the sergeant below I'll rehearse the manual in the meanwhile.

Baby, carry my gun and bayonet down to the room belowit makes less noise there when we ground

arms.'' And so exit the martial magistrate, with his maid behind him bearing his weapons.

``A good squire that wench for a gouty champion,'' observed Oldbuck.``Hector, my lad, hook on, hook

onGo with him, boykeep him employed, man, for halfanhour or sobutter him with some

Captain M`Intyre, who, like many of his profession, looked down with infinite scorn on those citizen soldiers

who had assumed arms without any professional title to bear them, rose with great reluctance, observing that

he should not know what to say to Mr. Littlejohn; and that to see an old gouty shopkeeper attempting the

``It may be so, Hector,'' said the Antiquary, who seldom agreed with any person in the immediate proposition

which was laid down``it may possibly be so in this and some other instances; but at present the country

resembles the suitors in a smalldebt court, where parties plead in person, for lack of cash to retain the

professed heroes of the bar. I am sure in the one case we never regret the want of the acuteness and eloquence

of the lawyers; and so, I hope, in the other, we may manage to make shift with our hearts and muskets,

``I have no objection, I am sure, sir, that the whole world should fight if they please, if they will but allow me

``Yes, you are a very quiet personage indeed,'' said his uncle, ``whose ardour for quarrelling cannot pass so

But Hector, who saw which way the conversation was tending, and hated all allusions to the foil he had

sustained from the fish, made his escape before the Antiquary concluded the sentence.

The Antiquary, in order to avail himself of the permission given him to question the accused party, chose

rather to go to the apartment in which Ochiltree was detained, than to make the examination appear formal by

bringing him again into the magistrate's office. He found the old man seated by a window which looked out

on the sea; and as he gazed on that prospect, large tears found their way, as if unconsciously, to his eye, and

from thence trickled down his cheeks and white beard. His features were, nevertheless, calm and composed,

and his whole posture and mien indicated patience and resignation. Oldbuck had approached him without

being observed, and roused him out of his musing by saying kindly, ``I am sorry, Edie, to see you so much

The mendicant started, dried his eyes very hastily with the sleeve of his gown, and endeavouring to recover

his usual tone of indifference and jocularity, answered, but with a voice more tremulous than usual, ``I might

weel hae judged, Monkbarns, it was you, or the like o' you, was coming in to disturb me for it's ae great

advantage o' prisons and courts o' justice, that ye may greet your een out an ye like, and nane o' the folk that's

``Well, Edie,'' replied Oldbuck, ``I hope your present cause of distress is not so bad but it may be removed.''

``And I had hoped, Monkbarns,'' answered the mendicant, in a tone of reproach, ``that ye had ken'd me better

than to think that this bit trifling trouble o' my ain wad bring tears into my auld een, that hae seen far different

kind o' distress. Na, na!But here's been the puir lass, Caxon's daughter, seeking comfort, and has

gotten unco littlethere's been nae speerings o' Taffril's gunbrig since the last gale; and folk report on the

key that a king's ship had struck on the Reef of Rattray, and a' hands lostGod forbid! for as sure as you

live, Monkbarns, the puir lad Lovel, that ye liked sae weel, must have perished.''

``God forbid indeed!'' echoed the Antiquary, turning pale ``I would rather Monkbarns House were on

``I'm sure yell learn naething mair than I hae tauld ye, sir,'' said Ochiltree, ``for the officerfolk here were

very civil (that is, for the like o' them), and lookit up ae their letters and authorities, and could throw nae light

``It can't be true! it shall not be true!'' said the Antiquary, ``And I won't believe it if it were!Taffril's an

excellent sea man, and Lovel (my poor Lovel!) has all the qualities of a safe and pleasant companion by land

or by seaone, Edie, whom, from the ingenuousness of his disposition, I would choose, did I ever go a

seavoyage (which I never do, unless across the ferry), fragilem mecum solvere phaselum, to be the

companion of my risk, as one against whom the elements could nourish no vengeance. No, Edie, it is not, and

cannot be true it is a fiction of the idle jade Rumour, whom I wish hanged with her trumpet about her

neck, that serves only with its screechowl tones to fright honest folks out of their senses.Let me know

``Are ye axing me as a magistrate, Monkbarns, or is it just for your ain satisfaction!''

``Put up your pocketbook and your keelyvine pen then, for I downa speak out an ye hae writing materials in

your hands they're a scaur to unlearned folk like meOd, ane o' the clerks in the neist room will clink

down, in black and white, as muckle as wad hang a man, before ane kens what he's saying.''

Edie then went with great frankness through the part of the story already known to the reader, informing the

Antiquary of the scene which he had witnessed between Dousterswivel and his patron in the ruins of St. Ruth,

and frankly confessing that he could not resist the opportunity of decoying the adept once more to visit the

tomb of Misticot, with the purpose of taking a comic revenge upon him for his quackery. He had easily

persuaded Steenie, who was a bold thoughtless young fellow, to engage in the frolic along with him, and the

jest had been inadvertently carried a great deal farther than was designed. Concerning the pocketbook, he

explained that he had expressed his surprise and sorrow as soon as he found it had been inadvertently brought

off : and that publicly, before all the inmates of the cottage, Steenie had undertaken to return it the next day,

The Antiquary pondered a moment, and then said, ``Your account seems very probable, Edie, and I believe it

from what I know of the parties. But I think it likely that you know a great deal more than you have thought it

proper to tell me, about this matter of the treasure troveI suspect you have acted the part of the Lar

Familiaris in Plautusa sort of Brownie, Edie, to speak to your comprehension, who watched over hidden

treasures.I do bethink me you were the first person we met when Sir Arthur made his successful attack

upon Misticot's grave, and also that when the labourers began to flag, you, Edie. were again the first to leap

into the trench, and to make the discovery of the treasure. Now you must explain an this to me, unless you

``Lordsake, sir,'' replied the mendicant, ``what do I ken about your Howlowlaria?it's mair like a dog's

``Dear sir,'' answered Edie, assuming a countenance of great simplicity, ``what likelihood is there o'that? d'ye

think sae puir an auld creature as me wad hae kend o' sic a like thing without getting some gude out

o't?and ye wot weel I sought nane and gat nane, like Michael Scott's man. What concern could I hae

``That's just what I want you to explain to me,'' said Oldbuck; ``for I am positive you knew it was there.''

``Your honour's a positive man, Monkbarnsand, for a positive man, I must needs allow ye're often in the

``Then please to explain to me the whole affair from beginning to end,'' said the Antiquary.

``If it were a secret o' mine, Monkbarns,'' replied the beggar, ``ye suldna ask twice; for I hae aye said ahint

your back, that for a' the nonsense maggots that ye whiles take into your head, ye are the maist wise and

discreet o' a' our country gentles. But I'se een be openhearted wi' you, and tell you that this is a friend's

secret, and that they suld draw me wi' wild horses, or saw me asunder, as they did the children of Ammon,

sooner than I would speak a word mair about the matter, excepting this, that there was nae ill intended, but

muckle gude, and that the purpose was to serve them that are worth twenty hundred o' me. But there's nae

law, I trow, that makes it a sin to ken where ither folles siller is, if we didna pit hand til't oursell?''

Oldbuck walked once or twice up and down the room in profound thought, endeavouring to find some

plausible reason for transactions of a nature so mysteriousbut his ingenuity was totally at fault. He then

``This story of yours, friend Edie, is an absolute enigma, and would require a second OEdipus to solve

itwho OEdipus was, I will tell you some other time if you remind meHowever, whether it be owing

to the wisdom or to the maggots with which you compliment me, I am strongly disposed to believe that you

have spoken the truth, the rather that you have not made any of those obtestations of the superior powers,

which I observe you and your comrades always make use of when you mean to deceive folks.'' (Here Edie

could not suppress a smile.) ``If, therefore, you will answer me one question, I will endeavour to procure your

``If yell let me hear the question,'' said Edie, with the caution of a canny Scotchman, ``I'll tell you whether I'll

``It is simply,'' said the Antiquary, ``Did Dousterswivel know anything about the concealment of the chest of

``He, the illfa'ard loon!'' answered Edie, with much frankness of manner``there wad hae been little

speerings o't had Dustansnivel ken'd it was thereit wad hae been butter in the black dog's hause.''

``I thought as much,'' said Oldbuck. ``Well, Edie, if I procure your freedom, you must keep your day, and

appear to clear me of the bailbond, for these are not times for prudent men to incur forfeitures, unless you

``Ah!'' said the beggar, shaking his head, ``I doubt the bird's flown that laid thae golden eggsfor I winna

ca' her goose, though that's the gait it stands in the storybuickBut I'll keep my day, Monkbarns; ye'se no

loss a penny by me And troth I wad fain be out again, now the weather's fine and then I hae the best

``Well, Edie, as the bouncing and thumping beneath has somewhat ceased, I presume Bailie Littlejohn has

dismissed his military preceptor, and has retired from the labours of Mars to those of ThemisI will have

some conversation with himBut I cannot and will not believe any of those wretched news you were

``God send your honour may be right!'' said the mendicant, as Oldbuck left the room.

The Antiquary found the magistrate, exhausted with the fatigues of the drill, reposing in his gouty chair,

humming the air, ``How merrily we live that soldiers be!'' and between each bar comforting himself with a

spoonful of mockturtle soup. He ordered a similar refreshment for Oldbuck, who declined it, observing,

that, not being a military man, he did not feel inclined to break his habit of keeping regular hours for

meals ``Soldiers like you, Bailie, must snatch their food as they find means and time. But I am sorry to

``Ah, poor fellow!'' said the bailie, ``he was a credit to the townmuch distinguished on the first of June.''

``But,'' said Oldbuck, ``I am shocked to hear you talk of him in the preterite tense.''

``Troth, I fear there may be too much reason for it, Monkbarns; and yet let us hope the best. The accident

is said to have happened in the Rattray reef of rocks, about twenty miles to the northward, near Dirtenalan

BayI have sent to inquire about itand your nephew run out himself as if he had been flying to get the

Here Hector entered, exclaiming as he came in, ``I believe it's all a damned lieI can't find the least

``And pray, Mr. Hector,'' said his uncle, ``if it had been true, whose fault would it have been that Lovel was

``Not mine, I am sure,'' answered Hector; ``it would have been only my misfortune.''

``Why, sir, with all your inclination to find me in the wrong,'' replied the young soldier, ``I suppose you will

own my intention was not to blame in this case. I did my best to hit Lovel, and if I had been successful, 'tis

``And whom or what do you intend to hit now, that you are lugging with you that leathern magazine there,

``I must be prepared for Lord Glenallan's moors on the twelfth, sir,'' said M`Intyre.

``The devil take the seal, sir, or phoca, if you choose to call it so! It's rather hard one can never hear the end

``Well, well,'' said Oldbuck, ``I am glad you have the grace to be ashamed of itas I detest the whole race

of Nimrods, I wish them all as well matched. Nay, never start off at a jest, manI have done with the

phocathough, I dare say, the Bailie could tell us the value of sealskins just now.''

``They are up,'' said the magistrate, ``they are well up the fishing has been unsuccessful lately.''

``We can bear witness to that,'' said the tormenting Antiquary, who was delighted with the hank this incident

Aha, my boy! Come, never mind it; I must go to business. Bailie, a word with you: you must take

``You don't consider what you ask,'' said the Bailie; ``the offence is assault and robbery.''

``Hush! not a word about it,'' said the Antiquary. ``I gave you a hint beforeI will possess you more fully

``But, Mr. Oldbuck, if the state is concerned, I, who do the whole drudgery business here, really have a title

``Hush! hush!'' said the Antiquary, winking and putting his finger to his nose,``you shall have the full

credit, the entire management, whenever matters are ripe. But this is an obstinate old fellow, who will not

hear of two people being as yet let into his mystery, and he has not fully acquainted me with the clew to

``Say no more,'' said the magistrate; ``it shall forthwith be donehe shall be removed tanquam suspectI

``Why, public business has of late pressed upon me so much, that I have been obliged to take my foreman

into partnership. I have had two several correspondences with the Under Secretary of Stateone on the

proposed tax on Riga hempseed, and the other on putting down political societies. So you might as well

communicate to me as much as you know of this old fellow's discovery of a plot against the state.''

``I will, instantly, when I am master of it,'' replied Oldbuck ``I hate the trouble of managing such

matters myself. Remember, however, I did not say decidedly a plot against the state I only say I hope to

``If it be a plot at all, there must be treason in it, or sedition at least,'' said the Bailie``Will you bail him

``Four hundred merks for an old BlueGown! Think on the act 1701 regulating bailbonds!Strike off a

``Well, Mr. Oldbuck, everybody in Fairport is always willing to oblige youand besides, I know that you

are a prudent man, and one that would be as unwilling to lose forty, as four hundred merks. So I will accept

your bail, meo periculowhat say you to that law phrase again? I had it from a learned counsel. I will

``And I will vouch for Edie Ochiltree, meo periculo, in like manner,'' said Oldbuck. ``So let your clerk draw

When this ceremony had been performed, the Antiquary communicated to Edie the joyful tidings that he was

once more at liberty, and directed him to make the best of his way to Monkbarns House, to which he himself

``I wish to Heaven, Hector,'' said the Antiquary, next morning after breakfast, ``you would spare our nerves,

``Well, sir, I'm sure I'm sorry to disturb you,'' said his nephew, still handling his fowlingpiece;``but it's a

``A fool and his money are soon parted, nephewthere is a Joe Miller for your Joe Manton,'' answered the

``Ay, Hector,'' said the uncle, ``and if my collection were yours, you would make it fly to the gunsmith, the

horsemarket, the dogbreaker,Coemptos undique nobiles librosmutare loricis Iberis.''

``I could not use your books, my dear uncle,'' said the young soldier, ``that's true; and you will do well to

provide for their being in better hands. But don't let the faults of my head fall on my heartI would not part

with a Cordery that belonged to an old friend, to get a set of horses like Lord Glenallan's.''

``I don't think you would, ladI don't think you would,'' said his softening relative. ``I love to tease you a

little sometimes; it keeps up the spirit of discipline and habit of subordinationYou will pass your time

happily here having me to command you, instead of Captain, or Colonel, or `Knight in Arms,' as Milton has

it; and instead of the French,'' he continued, relapsing into his ironical humour, ``you have the Gens humida

Nay, if you grow angry, I have done. Besides, I see old Edie in the courtyard, with whom I have business.

Goodbye, HectorDo you remember how she splashed into the sea like her master Proteus, et se jactu

M`Intyre,waiting, however, till the door was shut,then gave way to the natural impatience of his

``My uncle is the best man in the world, and in his way the kindest; but rather than hear any more about that

cursed phoca, as he is pleased to call it, I would exchange for the West Indies, and never see his face again.''

Miss M`Intyre, gratefully attached to her uncle, and passionately fond of her brother, was, on such occasions,

the usual envoy of reconciliation. She hastened to meet her uncle on his return, before he entered the parlour.

``Well, now, Miss Womankind, what is the meaning of that imploring countenance?has Juno done any

``No, uncle; but Juno's master is in such fear of your joking him about the sealI assure you, he feels it

much more than you would wish;it's very silly of him, to be sure; but then you can turn everybody so

``Well, my dear,'' answered Oldbuck, propitiated by the compliment, ``I will rein in my satire, and, if

possible, speak no more of the phocaI will not even speak of sealing a letter, but say umph, and give a

nod to you when I want the waxlight I am not monitoribus asper, but, Heaven knows, the most mild,

quiet, and easy of human beings, whom sister, niece, and nephew, guide just as best pleases them.''

With this little panegyric on his own docility, Mr. Oldbuck entered the parlour, and proposed to his nephew a

walk to the Musselcrag. ``I have some questions to ask of a woman at Mucklebackit's cottage,'' he observed,

``and I would willingly have a sensible witness with meso, for fault of a better, Hector, I must be

``There is old Edie, sir, or Caxoncould not they do better than me?'' answered M`Intyre, feeling

``Upon my word, young man, you turn me over to pretty companions, and I am quite sensible of your

politeness,'' replied Mr. Oldbuck. ``No, sir, I intend the old BlueGown shall go with menot as a

competent witness, for he is, at present, as our friend Bailie Littlejohn says (blessings on his learning!)

``I wish I were a major, sir,'' said Hector, catching only the last, and, to a soldier's ear, the most impressive

word in the sentence,``but, without money or interest, there is little chance of getting the step.''

``Well, well, most doughty son of Priam,'' said the Antiquary, ``be ruled by your friends, and there's no

saying what may happenCome away with me, and you shall see what may be useful to you should you

``I have been on many a regimental courtmartial, sir,'' answered Captain M`Intyre. ``But here's a new cane

``I bought it from our drummajor,'' added M`Intyre, ``who came into our regiment from the Bengal army

when it came down the Red Sea. It was cut on the banks of the Indus, I assure you.''

``Upon my word, 'tis a fine ratan, and well replaces that which the phBah! what was I going to say?''

The party, consisting of the Antiquary, his nephew, and the old beggar, now took the sands towards

Musselcragthe former in the very highest mood of communicating information, and the others, under a

sense of former obligation, and some hope for future favours, decently attentive to receive it. The uncle and

nephew walked together, the mendicant about a step and a half behind, just near enough for his patron to

speak to him by a slight inclination of his neck, and without the trouble of turning round. (Petrie, in his Essay

on Goodbreeding, dedicated to the magistrates of Edinburgh, recommends, upon his own experience, as

tutor in a family of distinction, this attitude to all led captains, tutors, dependants, and bottleholders of every

description.) Thus escorted, the Antiquary moved along full of his learning, like a lordly man of war, and

every now and then yawing to starboard and larboard to discharge a broadside upon his followers.

``And so it is your opinion,'' said he to the mendicant, ``that this windfallthis arca auri, as Plautus has it,

`Unless he could find ten times as much,'' said the beggar, ``and that I am sair doubtful of;I heard Puggie

Orrock, and the tother thief of a sheriffofficer, or messenger, speaking about itand things are ill aff

when the like o' them can speak crousely about ony gentleman's affairs. I doubt Sir Arthur will be in stane

``You speak like a fool,'' said the Antiquary.``Nephew, it is a remarkable thing, that in this happy country

``Indeed, sir?'' said M`Intyre; ``I never knew that before that part of our law would suit some of our mess

``And if they arena confined for debt,'' said Ochiltree, ``what is't that tempts sae mony puir creatures to bide

in the tolbooth o' Fairport yonder?they a' say they were put there by their creditorsOd! they maun

``A very natural observation, Edie, and many of your betters would make the same; but it is founded entirely

upon ignorance of the feudal system. Hector, be so good as to attend, unless you are looking out for

anotherAhem!'' (Hector compelled himself to give attention at this hint.) ``And you, Edie, it may be

useful to you reram cognoscere causas. The nature and origin of warrant for caption is a thing haud alienum a

Scaevolae studiis. You must know then, once more, that nobody can be arrested in Scotland for debt.''

``I haena muckle concern wi' that, Monkbarns,'' said the old man, ``for naebody wad trust a bodle to a

``I pr'ythee, peace, manAs a compulsitor, therefore, of payment, that being a thing to which no

debtor is naturally inclined, as I have too much reason to warrant from the experience I have had with my

own,we had first the letters of four forms, a sort of gentle invitation, by which our sovereign lord the

king, interesting himself, as a monarch should, in the regulation of his subjects' private affairs, at first by mild

exhortation, and afterwards by letters of more strict enjoinment and more hard compulsionWhat do you

``Well, what an if it werewhat does that signify at present? But I see you're impatient; so I will waive

the letters of four forms, and come to the modern process of diligence.You suppose, now, a man's

committed to prison because he cannot pay his debt? Quite otherwise: the truth is, the king is so good as to

interfere at the request of the creditor, and to send the debtor his royal command to do him justice within a

certain time fifteen days, or six, as the case may be. Well, the man resists and disobeys: what follows?

Why, that he be lawfully and rightfully declared a rebel to our gracious sovereign, whose command he has

disobeyed, and that by three blasts of a horn at the marketplace of Edinburgh, the metropolis of Scotland.

And he is then legally imprisoned, not on account of any civil debt, but because of his ungrateful contempt of

the royal mandate. What say you to that, Hector?there's something you never knew before.''*

* The doctrine of Monkbarns on the origin of imprisonment for civil * debt in Scotland, may appear

somewhat whimsical, but was referred to, and * admitted to be correct, by the Bench of the Supreme Scottish

Court, on 5th * December 1828, in the case of Thom v. Black. In fact, the Scottish law * is in this particular

more jealous of the personal liberty of the subject than * any other code in Europe.

``No, uncle; but, I own, if I wanted money to pay my debts, I would rather thank the king to send me some,

``Your education has not led you to consider these things,'' replied his uncle; ``you are incapable of

estimating the elegance of the legal fiction, and the manner in which it reconciles that duress, which, for the

protection of commerce, it has been found necessary to extend towards refractory debtors, with the most

``I don't know, sir,'' answered the unenlightened Hector; ``but if a man must pay his debt or go to jail, it

signifies but little whether he goes as a debtor or a rebel, I should think. But you say this command of the

king's gives a license of so many days Now, egad, were I in the scrape, I would beat a march and leave

the king and the creditor to settle it among themselves before they came to extremities.''

``True,'' replied Monkbarns; ``but those whom the law suspects of being unwilling to abide her formal visit,

she proceeds with by means of a shorter and more unceremonious call, as dealing with persons on whom

``Ay,'' said Ochiltree, ``that will be what they ca' the fugiewarrants I hae some skeel in them. There's

Borderwarrants too in the south country, unco rash uncanny things;I was taen up on ane at Saint James's

Fair, and keepit in the auld kirk at Kelso the haill day and night; and a cauld goustie place it was, I'se assure

ye.But whatna wife's this, wi' her creel on her back? It's puir Maggie hersell, I'm thinking.''

It was so. The poor woman's sense of her loss, if not diminished, was become at least mitigated by the

inevitable necessity of attending to the means of supporting her family; and her salutation to Oldbuck was

made in an odd mixture between the usual language of solicitation with which she plied her customers, and

``How's a' wi' ye the day, Monkbarns? I havena had the grace yet to come down to thank your honour for the

credit ye did puir Steenie, wi' laying his head in a rath grave, puir fallow.'' Here she whimpered and

wiped her eyes with the corner of her blue apron``But the fishing comes on no that ill, though the

gudeman hasna had the heart to gang to sea himsell Atweel I would fain tell him it wad do him gude to

put hand to warkbut I'm maist fear'd to speak to himand it's an unco thing to hear ane o' us speak that

gate o' a manHowever, I hae some dainty caller haddies, and they sall be but three shillings the dozen, for

I hae nae pith to drive a bargain ennow, and maun just tak what ony Christian body will gie, wi' few words

``What shall we do, Hector?'' said Oldbuck, pausing: ``I got into disgrace with my womankind for making a

bad bargain with her before. These maritime animals, Hector, are unlucky to our family.''

``Pooh, sir, what would you do?give poor Maggie what she asks, or allow me to send a dish of fish up to

And he held out the money to her; but Maggie drew back her hand. ``Na, na, Captain; ye're ower young and

ower free o' your sillerye should never tak a fishwife's first bode; and troth I think maybe a flyte wi' the

auld housekeeper at Monkbarns, or Miss Grizel, would do me some gudeAnd I want to see what that

hellicate quean Jenny Ritherout's doingfolk said she wasna weelShe'll be vexing hersell about

Steenie, the silly tawpie, as if he wad ever hae lookit ower his shouther at the like o'her!Weel,

Monkbarns, they're braw caller haddies, and they'll bid me unco little indeed at the house if ye want

And so on she paced with her burden,grief, gratitude for the sympathy of her betters, and the habitual

``And now that we are before the door of their hut,'' said Ochiltree, ``I wad fain ken, Monkbarns, what has

gar'd ye plague yoursell wi' me a' this length? I tell ye sincerely I hae nae pleasure in ganging in there. I

downa bide to think how the young hae fa'en on a' sides o' me, and left me an useless auld stump wi' hardly a

``This old woman,'' said Oldbuck, ``sent you on a message to the Earl of Glenallan, did she not?''

``Lord Glenallan told me himself,'' answered the Antiquary; ``so there is no delationno breach of trust on

your part; and as he wishes me to take her evidence down on some important family matters, I chose to bring

you with me, because in her situation, hovering between dotage and consciousness, it is possible that your

voice and appearance may awaken trains of recollection which I should otherwise have no means of exciting.

``I was only whistling for the dog, sir,'' replied the Captain ``she always roves too wideI knew I should be

``Not at all, not at all,'' said Oldbuck, resuming the subject of his disquisition``the human mind is to be

treated like a skein of ravelled silk, where you must cautiously secure one free end before you can make any

``I ken naething about that,'' said the gaberlunzie; ``but an my auld acquaintance be hersell, or anything like

hersell, she may come to wind us a pirn. It's fearsome baith to see and hear her when she wampishes about

her arms, and gets to her English, and speaks as if she were a prent book, let abe an auld fisher's wife. But,

indeed, she had a grand education, and was muckle taen out afore she married an unco bit beneath hersell.

She's aulder than me by half a score yearsbut I mind weel eneugh they made as muckle wark about her

making a halfmerk marriage wi' Simon Mucklebackit, this Saunders's father, as if she had been ane o' the

gentry. But she got into favour again, and then she lost it again, as I hae heard her son say, when he was a

muckle chield; and then they got muckle siller, and left the Countess's land, and settled here. But things never

throve wi' them. Howsomever, she's a weeleducate woman, and an she win to her English, as I hae heard her

As the Antiquary lifted the latch of the hut, he was surprised to hear the shrill tremulous voice of Elspeth

``The herring loves the merry moonlight, The mackerel loves the wind, But the oyster loves the dredging

A diligent collector of these legendary scraps of ancient poetry, his foot refused to cross the threshold when

his ear was thus arrested, and his hand instinctively took pencil and memorandumbook. From time to time

the old woman spoke as if to the children``Oh ay, hinnies, whisht! whisht! and I'll begin a bonnier ane

``Now haud your tongue, baith wife and carle, And listen, great and sma', And I will sing of Glenallan's Earl

``The cronach's cried on Bennachie, And doun the Don and a', And hieland and lawland may mournfu' be For

I dinna mind the neist verse weelmy memory's failed, and theres unco thoughts come ower meGod

``It's a historical ballad,'' said Oldbuck, eagerly, ``a genuine and undoubted fragment of minstrelsy! Percy

``Ay, but it's a sad thing,'' said Ochiltree, ``to see human nature sae far owertaen as to be skirling at auld

``Hush! hush!'' said the Antiquary``she has gotten the thread of the story again.''And as he spoke, she

``They saddled a hundred milkwhite steeds, They hae bridled a hundred black, With a chafron of steel on

``Chafron!'' exclaimed the Antiquary,``equivalent, perhaps, to cheveron;the word's worth a

``They hadna ridden a mile, a mile, A mile, but barely ten, When Donald came branking down the brae Wi'

``Their tartans they were waving wide, Their glaives were glancing clear, Their pibrochs rung frae side to

``The great Earl in his stirrups stood That Highland host to see: Now here a knight that's stout and good May

`` `What wouldst thou do, my squire so gay, That rides beside my reyne, Were ye Glenallan's Earl the day,

`` `To turn the rein were sin and shame, To fight were wondrous peril, What would ye do now, Roland

Ye maun ken, hinnies, that this Roland Cheyne, for as poor and auld as I sit in the chimneyneuk, was my

forbear, and an awfu' man he was that day in the fight, but specially after the Earl had fa'en, for he blamed

himsell for the counsel he gave, to fight before Mar came up wi' Mearns, and Aberdeen, and Angus.''

Her voice rose and became more animated as she recited the warlike counsel of her ancestor

`` `Were I Glenallan's Earl this tide, And ye were Roland Cheyne, The spur should be in my horse's side, And

`` `If they hae twenty thousand blades, And we twice ten times ten, Yet they hae but their tartan plaids, And

`` `My horse shall ride through ranks sae rude, As through the moorland fern, Then neer let the gentle

``Do you hear that, nephew?'' said Oldbuck;``you observe your Gaelic ancestors were not held in high

``I hear,'' said Hector, ``a silly old woman sing a silly old song. I am surprised, sir, that you, who will not

listen to Ossian's songs of Selma, can be pleased with such trash. I vow, I have not seen or heard a worse

halfpenny ballad; I don't believe you could match it in any pedlar's pack in the country. I should be ashamed

to think that the honour of the Highlands could be affected by such doggrel.''And, tossing up his head, he

Apparently the old woman heard the sound of their voices; for, ceasing her song, she called out, ``Come in,

They entered, and found to their surprise Elspeth alone, sitting ``ghastly on the hearth,'' like the

personification of Old Age in the Hunter's song of the Owl,* ``wrinkled, tattered, vile, dimeyed,

* See Mrs. Grant on the Highland Superstitions, vol. ii. p. 260, for this * fine translation from the Gaelic.

``They're a' out,'' she said, as they entered; ``but an ye will sit a blink, somebody will be in. If ye hae business

wi' my gudedaughter, or my son, they'll be in belyve,I never speak on business mysell. Bairns, gie them

seatsthe bairns are a' gane out, I trow,''looking around her;``I was crooning to keep them quiet a

wee while since; but they hae cruppen out some gate. Sit down, sirs, they'll be in belyve;'' and she dismissed

her spindle from her hand to twirl upon the floor, and soon seemed exclusively occupied in regulating its

motion, as unconscious of the presence of the strangers as she appeared indifferent to their rank or business

``I wish,'' said Oldbuck, ``she would resume that canticle, or legendary fragment. I always suspected there

``If your honour pleases,'' said Edie, ``had ye not better proceed to the business that brought us a' here? I'se

``I believe you are right, EdieDo manusI submit. But how shall we manage? She sits there the very

image of dotage. Speak to her, Edietry if you can make her recollect having sent you to Glenallan

Edie rose accordingly, and, crossing the floor, placed himself in the same position which he had occupied

during his former conversation with her. ``I'm fain to see ye looking sae weel, cummer; the mair, that the

``Ay,'' said Elspeth; but rather from a general idea of misfortune, than any exact recollection of what had

happened, ``there has been distress amang us of lateI wonder how younger folk bide itI bide it

ill. I canna hear the wind whistle, and the sea roar, but I think I see the coble whombled keel up, and some o'

them struggling in the waves!Eh, sirs; sic weary dreams as folk hae between sleeping and waking, before

they win to the lang sleep and the sound! I could amaist think whiles my son, or else Steenie, my oe, was

dead, and that I had seen the burial. Isna that a queer dream for a daft auld carline? What for should ony o'

``I think you'll make very little of this stupid old woman,'' said Hector,who still nourished, perhaps, some

feelings of the dislike excited by the disparaging mention of his countrymen in her lay``I think you'll

make but little of her, sir; and it's wasting our time to sit here and listen to her dotage.''

``Hector,'' said the Antiquary, indignantly, ``if you do not respect her misfortunes, respect at least her old age

and grey hairs: this is the last stage of existence, so finely treated by the Latin poet

servorum, nec vultus agnoscit amici, Cum queis preterita coenavit nocte, nec illos Quos genuit, quos ecluxit.''

``That's Latin!'' said Elspeth, rousing herself as if she attended to the lines, which the Antiquary recited with

great pomp of diction``that's Latin!'' and she cast a wild glance around her``Has there a priest fund

``You see, nephew, her comprehension is almost equal to your own of that fine passage.''

``I will have no priestnone,'' said the beldam, with impotent vehemence; ``as I have lived I will

dienone shall say that I betrayed my mistress, though it were to save my soul!''

``That bespoke a foul conscience,'' said the mendicant;``I wuss she wad mak a clean breast, an it were but

``To what Earl? I ken nae Earl;I ken'd a Countess ance I wish to Heaven I had never ken'd her! for by

that acquaintance, neighbour, their cam,''and she counted her withered fingers as she spoke ``first Pride,

then Malice, then Revenge, then False Witness; and Murder tirl'd at the doorpin, if he camna ben. And

werena thae pleasant guests, think ye, to take up their quarters in ae woman's heart? I trow there was routh o'

``But, cummer,'' continued the beggar, ``it wasna the Countess of Glenallan I meant, but her son, him that

``I mind it now,'' she said; ``I saw him no that langsyne, and we had a heavy speech thegither. Eh, sirs! the

comely young lord is turned as auld and frail as I am: it's muckle that sorrow and heartbreak, and crossing of

true love, will do wi' young blood. But suldna his mither hae lookit to that hersell?we were but to do her

bidding, ye ken. I am sure there's naebody can blame mehe wasna my son, and she was my mistress. Ye

ken how the rhyme saysI hae maist forgotten how to sing, or else the tune's left my auld head

``He turn'd him right and round again, Said, Scorn na at my mither; Light loves I may get mony a ane, But

Then he was but of the half blude, ye ken, and her's was the right Glenallan after a'. Na, na, I maun never

Then drawing her flax from the distaff, with the dogged air of one who is resolved to confess nothing, she

``I hae heard,'' said the mendicant, taking his cue from what Oldbuck had told him of the family

history``I hae heard, cummer, that some ill tongue suld hae come between the Earl, that's Lord Geraldin,

``Ill tongue?'' she said in hasty alarm; ``and what had she to fear frae an ill tongue?she was gude and fair

eneughat least a' body said sae. But had she keepit her ain tongue aff ither folk, she might hae been living

``But I hae heard say, gudewife,'' continued Ochiltree, ``there was a clatter in the country, that her husband

``Wha durst speak o' that?'' said the old woman hastily; ``wha durst say they were married?wha ken'd o'

that?Not the Countessnot I. If they wedded in secret, they were severed in secretThey drank of

``No, wretched beldam!'' exclaimed Oldbuck, who could keep silence no longer, ``they drank the poison that

``Ha, ha!'' she replied, ``I aye thought it would come to this. It's but sitting silent when they examine

methere's nae torture in our days; and if there is, let them rend me! It's ill o' the vassal's mouth that

``Speak to her, Edie,'' said the Antiquary; ``she knows your voice, and answers to it most readily.''

``We shall mak naething mair out o' her,'' said Ochiltree. ``When she has clinkit hersell down that way, and

faulded her arms, she winna speak a word, they say, for weeks thegither. And besides, to my thinking, her

face is sair changed since we cam in. However, I'se try her ance mair to satisfy your honour. So ye canna

keep in mind, cummer, that your auld mistress, the Countess Joscelin, has been removed?''

``Removed!'' she exclaimed; for that name never failed to produce its usual effect upon her; ``then we maun

a' follow a' maun ride when she is in the saddle. Tell them to let Lord Geraldin ken we're on before them.

Bring my hood and scarf ye wadna hae me gang in the carriage wi' my leddy, and my hair in this

She raised her shrivelled arms, and seemed busied like a woman who puts on her cloak to go abroad, then

dropped them slowly and stiffly; and the same idea of a journey still floating apparently through her head, she

proceeded, in a hurried and interrupted manner,``Call Miss NevilleWhat do you mean by Lady

Geraldin? I said Eveline Neville, not Lady Geraldinthere's no Lady Geraldin; tell her that, and bid her

change her wet gown, and no' look sae pale. Bairn! what should she do wi' a bairn?maidens hae nane, I

trow.Teresa Teresamy lady calls us!Bring a candle;the grand staircase is as mirk as a

Yule midnightWe are coming, my lady!''With these words she sunk back on the settle, and from

Edie ran to support her, but hardly got her in his arms, before he said, ``It's a' owershe has passed away

``Impossible,'' said Oldbuck, hastily advancing, as did his nephew. But nothing was more certain. She had

expired with the last hurried word that left her lips; and all that remained before them were the mortal relics

of the creature who had so long struggled with an internal sense of concealed guilt, joined to all the distresses

``God grant that she be gane to a better place!'' said Edie, as he looked on the lifeless body; ``but oh! there

was something lying hard and heavy at her heart. I have seen mony a ane dee, baith in the field o' battle, and a

fairstrae death at hame; but I wad rather see them a' ower again, as sic a fearfu' flitting as hers!''

``We must call in the neighbours,'' said Oldbuck, when he had somewhat recovered his horror and

astonishment, ``and give warning of this additional calamity. I wish she could have been brought to a

confession. And, though of far less consequence, I could have wished to transcribe that metrical fragment.

They left the hut accordingly, and gave the alarm in the hamlet, whose matrons instantly assembled to

compose the limbs and arrange the body of her who might be considered as the mother of their settlement.

``Your honour,'' said Alison Breck, who was next in age to the deceased, ``suld send doun something to us for

keeping up our hearts at the lykewake, for a' Saunders's gin, puir man, was drucken out at the burial o'

Steenie, and we'll no get mony to sit drylipped aside the corpse. Elspeth was unco clever in her young days,

as I can mind right weel, but there was aye a word o' her no being that chancy. Ane suldna speak ill o' the

dead mair by token, o' ane's cummer and neighbourbut there was queer things said about a leddy and

a bairn or she left the Craigburnfoot. And sae, in gude troth, it will be a puir lykewake, unless your honour

``You shall have some whisky,'' answered Oldbuck, ``the rather that you have preserved the proper word for

that ancient custom of watching the dead.You observe, Hector, this is genuine Teutonic, from the Gothic

Leichnam, a corpse. It is quite erroneously called Latewake, though Brand favours that modern corruption

``I believe,'' said Hector to himself, ``my uncle would give away Monkbarns to any one who would come to

ask it in genuine Teutonic! Not a drop of whisky would the old creatures have got, had their president asked it

While Oldbuck was giving some farther directions, and promising assistance, a servant of Sir Arthur's came

riding very hard along the sands, and stopped his horse when he saw the Antiquary. ``There had something,''

he said, ``very particular happened at the Castle''(he could not, or would not, explain what)``and Miss

Wardour had sent him off express to Monkbarns, to beg that Mr. Oldbuck would come to them without a

``I am afraid,'' said the Antiquary, ``his course also is drawing to a close. What can I do?''

``Do, sir?'' exclaimed Hector, with his characteristic impatience, ``get on the horse, and turn his head

``He is quite a free goer,'' said the servant, dismounting to adjust the girths and stirrups,``he only pulls a

``I should soon be a dead weight off him, my friend,'' said the Antiquary.``What the devil, nephew, are

you weary of me? or do you suppose me weary of my life, that I should get on the back of such a Bucephalus

as that? No, no, my friend, if I am to be at Knockwinnock today, it must be by walking quietly forward on

my own feet, which I will do with as little delay as possible. Captain M`Intyre may ride that animal himself,

``I have little hope I could be of any use, uncle, but I cannot think of their distress without wishing to show

sympathy at leastso I will ride on before, and announce to them that you are coming.I'll trouble you

``You will scarce need them, sir,'' said the man, taking them off at the same time, and buckling them upon

Oldbuck stood astonished at this last act of temerity. ``are you mad, Hector?'' he cried, ``or have you

forgotten what is said by Quintus Curtius, with whom, as a soldier, you must needs be familiar,Nobilis

equus umbra quidem virgae regitur; ignavus ne calcari quidem excitari potest; which plainly shows that spurs

But Hector, who cared little for the opinion of either Quintus Curtius or of the Antiquary, upon such a topic,

With that he gave his able horse the head, And, bending forward, struck his armed heels Against the panting

sides of his poor jade, Up to the rowelhead; and starting so, He seemed in running to devour the way,

``There they go, well matched,'' said Oldbuck, looking after them as they started``a mad horse and a wild

boy, the two most unruly creatures in Christendom! and all to get half an hour sooner to a place where

nobody wants him; for I doubt Sir Arthur's griefs are beyond the cure of our light horseman. It must be the

villany of Dousterswivel, for whom Sir Arthur has done so much; for I cannot help observing, that, with

some natures, Tacitus's maxim holdeth good: Beneficia eo usque laeta sunt dum videntur exsolvi posse; ubi

multum antevenere, pro gratia odium redditur,from which a wise man might take a caution, not to oblige

any man beyond the degree in which he may expect to be requited, lest he should make his debtor a bankrupt

Murmuring to himself such scraps of cynical philosophy, our Antiquary paced the sands towards

Knockwinnock; but it is necessary we should outstrip him, for the purpose of explaining the reasons of his

From the time that Sir Arthur Wardour had become possessor of the treasure found in Misticot's grave, he

had been in a state of mind more resembling ecstasy than sober sense. Indeed, at one time his daughter had

become seriously apprehensive for his intellect; for, as he had no doubt that he had the secret of possessing

himself of wealth to an unbounded extent, his language and carriage were those of a man who had acquired

the philosopher's stone. He talked of buying contiguous estates, that would have led him from one side of the

island to the other, as if he were determined to brook no neighbour save the sea. He corresponded with an

architect of eminence, upon a plan of renovating the castle of his forefathers on a style of extended

magnificence that might have rivalled that of Windsor, and laying out the grounds on a suitable scale. Troops

of liveried menials were already, in fancy, marshalled in his halls, andfor what may not unbounded

wealth authorize its possessor to aspire to?the coronet of a marquis, perhaps of a duke, was glittering

before his imagination. His daughter to what matches might she not look forward? Even an alliance with

the bloodroyal was not beyond the sphere of his hopes. His son was already a generaland he himself

In this mood, if any one endeavoured to bring Sir Arthur down to the regions of common life, his replies were

The reader may conceive the amazement of Miss Wardour, when, instead of undergoing an investigation

concerning the addresses of Lovel, as she had expected from the long conference of her father with Mr.

Oldbuck, upon the morning of the fated day when the treasure was discovered, the conversation of Sir Arthur

announced an imagination heated with the hopes of possessing the most unbounded wealth. But she was

seriously alarmed when Dousterswivel was sent for to the Castle, and was closeted with her fatherhis

mishap condoled with his part taken, and his loss compensated. All the suspicions which she had long

entertained respecting this man became strengthened, by observing his pains to keep up the golden dreams of

her father, and to secure for himself, under various pretexts, as much as possible out of the windfall which

Other evil symptoms began to appear, following close on each other. Letters arrived every post, which Sir

Arthur, as soon as he had looked at the directions, flung into the fire without taking the trouble to open them.

Miss Wardour could not help suspecting that these epistles, the contents of which seemed to be known to her

father by a sort of intuition, came from pressing creditors. In the meanwhile, the temporary aid which he had

received from the treasure dwindled fast away. By far the greater part had been swallowed up by the

necessity of paying the bill of six hundred pounds, which had threatened Sir Arthur with instant distress. Of

the rest, some part was given to the adept, some wasted upon extravagances which seemed to the poor knight

fully authorized by his fullblown hopes,and some went to stop for a time the mouths of such claimants

as, being weary of fair promises, had become of opinion with Harpagon, that it was necessary to touch

something substantial. At length circumstances announced but too plainly, that it was all expended within

two or three days after its discovery; and there appeared no prospect of a supply. Sir Arthur, naturally

impatient, now taxed Dousterswivel anew with breach of those promises through which he had hoped to

convert all his lead into gold. But that worthy gentleman's turn was now served; and as he had grace enough

to wish to avoid witnessing the fall of the house which he had undermined, he was at the trouble of bestowing

a few learned terms of art upon Sir Arthur, that at least he might not be tormented before his time. He took

leave of him, with assurances that he would return to Knockwinnock the next morning, with such information

``For, since I have consulted in such matters, I ave never,'' said Mr. Herman Dousterswivel, ``approached so

near de arcanum, what you call de great mystery,de Panchrestade Polychresta I do know as much

of it as Pelaso de Taranta, or Basilius and either I will bring you in two and tree days de No. III. of Mr.

Mishdigoat, or you shall call me one knave myself, and never look me in de face again no more at all.''

The adept departed with this assurance, in the firm resolution of making good the latter part of the

proposition, and never again appearing before his injured patron. Sir Arthur remained in a doubtful and

anxious state of mind. The positive assurances of the philosopher, with the hard words Panchresta, Basilius,

and so forth, produced some effect on his mind. But he had been too often deluded by such jargon, to be

absolutely relieved of his doubt, and he retired for the evening into his library, in the fearful state of one who,

hanging over a precipice, and without the means of retreat, perceives the stone on which he rests gradually

The visions of hope decayed, and there increased in proportion that feverish agony of anticipation with which

a man, educated in a sense of consequence, and possessed of opulence,the supporter of an ancient name,

and the father of two promising children,foresaw the hour approaching which should deprive him of all

the splendour which time had made familiarly necessary to him, and send him forth into the world to struggle

with poverty, with rapacity, and with scorn. Under these dire forebodings, his temper, exhausted by the

sickness of delayed hope, became peevish and fretful, and his words and actions sometimes expressed a

reckless desperation, which alarmed Miss Wardour extremely. We have seen, on a former occasion, that Sir

Arthur was a man of passions lively and quick, in proportion to the weakness of his character in other

respects; he was unused to contradiction, and if he had been hitherto, in general, goodhumoured and

cheerful, it was probably because the course of his life had afforded no such frequent provocation as to render

On the third morning after Dousterswivel's departure, the servant, as usual, laid on the breakfast table the

newspaper and letters of the day. Miss Wardour took up the former to avoid the continued illhumour of her

father, who had wrought himself into a violent passion, because the toast was overbrowned.

``I perceive how it is,'' was his concluding speech on this interesting subject,``my servants, who have had

their share of my fortune, begin to think there is little to be made of me in future. But while I am the

scoundrel's master I will be so, and permit no neglectno, nor endure a hair'sbreadth diminution of the

``I am ready to leave your honour's service this instant,'' said the domestic upon whom the fault had been

Sir Arthur, as if stung by a serpent, thrust his hand into his pocket, and instantly drew out the money which it

contained, but which was short of the man's claim. ``What money have you got, Miss Wardour?'' he said, in a

Miss Wardour gave him her purse; he attempted to count the bank notes which it contained, but could not

reckon them. After twice miscounting the sum, he threw the whole to his daughter, and saying, in a stern

voice, ``Pay the rascal, and let him leave the house instantly!'' he strode out of the room.

The mistress and servant stood alike astonished at the agitation and vehemence of his manner.

``I am sure, ma'am, if I had thought I was particularly wrang, I wadna hae made ony answer when Sir Arthur

challenged me. I hae been lang in his service, and he has been a kind master, and you a kind mistress, and I

wad like ill ye should think I wad start for a hasty word. I am sure it was very wrang o' me to speak about

wages to his honour, when maybe he has something to vex him. I had nae thoughts o' leaving the family in

``Go down stair, Robert,'' said his mistress``something has happened to fret my fathergo down stairs,

When the man left the room, Sir Arthur reentered, as if he had been watching his departure. ``What's the

meaning of this?'' he said hastily, as he observed the notes lying still on the table``Is he not gone? Am I

``He is gone to give up his charge to the housekeeper, sir, I thought there was not such instant haste.''

``There is haste, Miss Wardour,'' answered her father, interrupting her;``What I do henceforth in the

He then sate down, and took up with a trembling hand the basin of tea prepared for him, protracting the

swallowing of it, as if to delay the necessity of opening the postletters which lay on the table, and which he

eyed from time to time, as if they had been a nest of adders ready to start into life and spring upon him.

``You will be happy to hear,'' said Miss Wardour, willing to withdraw her father's mind from the gloomy

reflections in which he appeared to be plunged, ``you will be happy to hear, sir, that Lieutenant Taffril's

gunbrig has got safe into Leith Roads I observe there had been apprehensions for his safetyI am

``Sir!'' said Miss Wardour in astonishment; for Sir Arthur, in his ordinary state of mind, took a fidgety sort of

``I say,'' he repeated in a higher and still more impatient key, ``what do I care who is saved or lost? It's

``I did not know you were busy, Sir Arthur; and thought, as Mr. Taffril is a brave man, and from our own

``Oh, I am happyas happy as possibleand, to make you happy too, you shall have some of my good

news in return.'' And he caught up a letter. ``It does not signify which I open firstthey are all to the same

He broke the seal hastily, ran the letter over, and then threw it to his daughter. ``AyI could not have

Miss Wardour, in silent terror, took up the letter. ``Read itread it aloud!'' said her father; ``it cannot be

read too often; it will serve to break you in for other good news of the same kind.''

``He dears me too, you see, this impudent drudge of a writer's office, who, a twelvemonth since, was not fit

company for my second tableI suppose I shall be `dear Knight' with him by and by.''

``Dear Sir,'' resumed Miss Wardour; but, interrupting herself, ``I see the contents are unpleasant, sirit will

``If you will allow me to know my own pleasure, Miss Wardour, I entreat you to go onI presume, if it

``Having been of late taken into copartnery,'' continued Miss Wardour, reading the letter, ``by Mr. Gilbert

Greenhorn, son of your late correspondent and man of business, Girnigo Greenhorn, Esq., writer to the signet,

whose business I conducted as parliamenthouse clerk for many years, which business will in future be

carried on under the firm of Greenhorn and Grinderson (which I memorandum for the sake of accuracy in

addressing your future letters), and having had of late favours of yours, directed to my aforesaid partner,

Gilbert Greenhorn, in consequence of his absence at the Lamberton races, have the honour to reply to your

``You see my friend is methodical, and commences by explaining the causes which have procured me so

And he laughed that bitter laugh which is perhaps the most fearful expression of mental misery. Trembling to

proceed, and yet afraid to disobey, Miss Wardour continued to read``I am for myself and partner, sorry

we cannot oblige you by looking out for the sums you mention, or applying for a suspension in the case of

Goldiebirds' bond, which would be more inconsistent, as we have been employed to act as the said

Goldiebirds' procurators and attorneys, in which capacity we have taken out a charge of horning against you,

as you must be aware by the schedule left by the messenger, for the sum of four thousand seven hundred and

fiftysix pounds five shillings and sixpence onefourth of a penny sterling, which, with annualrent and

expenses effeiring, we presume will be settled during the currency of the charge, to prevent further trouble.

Same time, I am under the necessity to observe our own account, amounting to seven hundred and sixtynine

pounds ten shillings and sixpence, is also due, and settlement would be agreeable; but as we hold your rights,

titledeeds, and documents in hypothec, shall have no objection to give reasonable timesay till the next

money term. I am, for myself and partner, concerned to add, that Messrs. Goldiebirds' instructions to us are to

proceed peremptorie and sine mora, of which I have the pleasure to advise you, to prevent future mistakes,

reserving to ourselves otherwise to age' as accords. I am, for self and partner, dear sir, your obliged humble

``Why, noit's in the usual rule, I suppose; the blow could not have been perfect if dealt by another

handit's all just as it should be,'' answered the poor Baronet, his affected composure sorely belied by his

quivering lip and rolling eye``But here's a postscript I did not noticecome, finish the epistle.''

``I have to add (not for self but partner) that Mr. Greenhorn will accommodate you by taking your service of

plate, or the bay horses, if sound in wind and limb, at a fair appreciation, in part payment of your accompt.''

``Gd confound him!'' said Sir Arthur, losing all command of himself at this condescending proposal: ``his

grandfather shod my father's horses, and this descendant of a scoundrelly blacksmith proposes to swindle me

And he sate down and began to write with great vehemence, then stopped and read aloud:``Mr. Gilbert

Greenhorn,in answer to two letters of a late date, I received a letter from a person calling himself

Grinderson, and designing himself as your partner. When I address any one, I do not usually expect to be

answered by deputyI think I have been useful to your father, and friendly and civil to yourself, and

therefore am now surprisedAnd yet,'' said he, stopping short, ``why should I be surprised at that or

anything else? or why should I take up my time in writing to such a scoundrel?I shan't be always kept in

prison, I suppose; and to break that puppy's bones when I get out, shall be my first employment.''

``Ay, in prison to be sure. Do you make any question about that? Why, Mr. what's his name's fine letter for

self and partner seems to be thrown away on you, or else you have got four thousand so many hundred

pounds, with the due proportion of shillings, pence, and halfpence, to pay that aforesaid demand, as he calls

``I, sir? O if I had the means!But where's my brother? why does he not come, and so long in

``Who, Reginald?I suppose he's gone with Mr. Gilbert Greenhorn, or some such respectable person, to

the Lamberton racesI have expected him this week past; but I cannot wonder that my children should

neglect me as well as every other person. But I should beg your pardon, my love, who never either neglected

And kissing her cheek as she threw her arms round his neck, he experienced that consolation which a parent

feels, even in the most distressed state, in the assurance that he possesses the affection of a child.

Miss Wardour took the advantage of this revulsion of feeling, to endeavour to soothe her father's mind to

``I had many once,'' said Sir Arthur; ``but of some I have exhausted their kindness with my frantic projects;

others are unable to assist meothers are unwilling. It is all over with me. I only hope Reginald will take

``To what purpose? He cannot lend me such a sum, and would not if he could, for he knows I am otherwise

drowned in debt; and he would only give me scraps of misanthropy and quaint ends of Latin.''

``But he is shrewd and sensible, and was bred to business, and, I am sure, always loved this family.''

``Yes, I believe he did. It is a fine pass we are come to, when the affection of an Oldbuck is of consequence

to a Wardour! But when matters come to extremity, as I suppose they presently willit may be as well to

send for him. And now go take your walk, my dearmy mind is more composed than when I had this

cursed disclosure to make. You know the worst, and may daily or hourly expect it. Go take your walkI

When Miss Wardour left the apartment, her first occupation was to avail herself of the half permission

granted by her father, by despatching to Monkbarns the messenger, who, as we have already seen, met the

Little recking, and indeed scarce knowing, where she was wandering, chance directed her into the walk

beneath the Briery Bank, as it was called. A brook, which in former days had supplied the castlemoat with

water, here descended through a narrow dell, up which Miss Wardour's taste had directed a natural path,

which was rendered neat and easy of ascent, without the air of being formally made and preserved. It suited

well the character of the little glen, which was overhung with thickets and underwood, chiefly of larch and

hazel, intermixed with the usual varieties of the thorn and brier. In this walk had passed that scene of

explanation between Miss Wardour and Lovel which was overheard by old Edie Ochiltree. With a heart

softened by the distress which approached her family, Miss Wardour now recalled every word and argument

which Lovel had urged in support of his suit, and could not help confessing to herself, it was no small subject

of pride to have inspired a young man of his talents with a passion so strong and disinterested. That he should

have left the pursuit of a profession in which he was said to be rapidly rising, to bury himself in a

disagreeable place like Fairport, and brood over an unrequited passion, might be ridiculed by others as

romantic, but was naturally forgiven as an excess of affection by the person who was the object of his

attachment. Had he possessed an independence, however moderate, or ascertained a clear and undisputed

claim to the rank in society he was well qualified to adorn, she might now have had it in her power to offer

her father, during his misfortunes, an asylum in an establishment of her own. These thoughts, so favourable to

the absent lover, crowded in, one after the other, with such a minute recapitulation of his words, looks, and

actions, as plainly intimated that his former repulse had been dictated rather by duty than inclination. Isabella

was musing alternately upon this subject, and upon that of her father's misfortunes, when, as the path winded

round a little hillock covered with brushwood, the old BlueGown suddenly met her.

With an air as if he had something important and mysterious to communicate, he doffed his bonnet, and

assumed the cautious step and voice of one who would not willingly be overheard. ``I hae been wishing

muckle to meet wi' your leddyshipfor ye ken I darena come to the house for Dousterswivel.''

``I heard indeed,'' said Miss Wardour, dropping an alms into the bonnet``I heard that you had done a very

``Hout, my bonny leddyfulish? A' the world's fulesand how should auld Edie Ochiltree be aye

wise?And for the evillet them wha deal wi' Dousterswivel tell whether he gat a grain mair than his

``That may be true, Edie, and yet,'' said Miss Wardour, ``you may have been very wrong.''

``Weel, weel, we'se no dispute that e'ennowit's about yoursell I'm gaun to speak. Div ye ken what's

``Great distress, I fear, Edie,'' answered Miss Wardour; ``but I am surprised it is already so public.''

``Public!Sweepclean, the messenger, will be there the day wi' a' his tackle. I ken it frae ane o' his

concurrents, as they ca' them, that's warned to meet him; and they'll be about their wark belyve; whare they

``It's e'en as I tell you, leddy. But dinna be cast down there's a heaven ower your head here, as weel as in

that fearful night atween the Ballyburghness and the Halkethead. D'ye think He, wha rebuked the waters,

canna protect you against the wrath of men, though they be armed with human authority?''

``Ye dinna kenye dinna ken: when the night's darkest, the dawn's nearest. If I had a gude horse, or could

ride him when I had him, I reckon there wad be help yet. I trusted to hae gotten a cast wi' the Royal Charlotte,

but she's coupit yonder, it's like, at Kittlebrig. There was a young gentleman on the box, and he behuved to

drive; and Tam Sang, that suld hae mair sense, he behuved to let him, and the daft callant couldna tak the turn

at the corner o' the brig; and od! he took the curbstane, and he's whomled her as I wad whomle a toom

bickerit was a luck I hadna gotten on the tap o' her. Sae I came down atween hope and despair, to see if

``To Tannonburgh, my leddy'' (which was the first stage from Fairport, but a good deal nearer to

``There's nae buts about it, my leddy, for gang I maun,'' said the persevering BlueGown.

``But what is it that you would do at Tannonburgh?or how can your going there benefit my father's

``Indeed, my sweet leddy,'' said the gaberlunzie, ``ye maun just trust that bit secret to auld Edie's grey pow,

and ask nae questions about it. Certainly if I wad hae wared my life for you yon night, I can hae nae reason to

``Well, Edie, follow me then,'' said Miss Wardour, ``and I will try to get you sent to Tannonburgh.''

``Mak haste then, my bonny leddymak haste, for the love o' goodness!''and he continued to exhort

When Miss Wardour arrived in the court of the Castle, she was apprized by the first glance that the visit of

the officers of the law had already taken place. There was confusion, and gloom and sorrow, and curiosity

among the domestics, while the retainers of the law went from place to place, making an inventory of the

goods and chattels falling under their warrant of distress, or poinding, as it is called in the law of Scotland.

Captain M`Intyre flew to her, as, struck dumb with the melancholy conviction of her father's ruin, she paused

``Dear Miss Wardour,'' he said, ``do not make yourself uneasy; my uncle is coming immediately, and I am

``No,'' answered Edie, impatiently``could I but get to Tannonburgh. In the name of Heaven, Captain,

contrive some way to get me on, and ye'll do this poor ruined family the best day's doing that has been done

them since Redhand's daysfor as sure as e'er an auld saw came true, Knockwinnock house and land will

But Robert, the domestic with whom Sir Arthur had been so much displeased in the morning, as if he had

been watching for an opportunity to display his zeal, stepped hastily forward and said to his mistress, ``If you

please, ma'am, this auld man, Ochiltree, is very skeely and auldfarrant about mony things, as the diseases of

cows and horse, and sic like, and I am sure be disna want to be at Tannonburgh the day for naething, since he

insists on't this gate; and, if your leddyship pleases, I'll drive him there in the taxedcart in an hour's time. I

wad fain be of some useI could bite my very tongue out when I think on this morning.''

``I am obliged to you, Robert,'' said Miss Wardour; ``and if you really think it has the least chance of being

``In the name of God,'' said the old man, ``yoke the cart, Robie, and if I am no o' some use, less or mair, I'll

gie ye leave to fling me ower Kittlebrig as ye come back again. But, O man, haste ye, for time's precious this

Robert looked at his mistress as she retired into the house, and seeing he was not prohibited, flew to the

stableyard, which was adjacent to the court, in order to yoke the, carriage; for, though an old beggar was the

personage least likely to render effectual assistance in a case of pecuniary distress, yet there was among the

common people of Edie's circle, a general idea of his prudence and sagacity, which authorized Robert's

conclusion that he would not so earnestly have urged the necessity of this expedition had he not been

convinced of its utility. But so soon as the servant took hold of a horse to harness him for the taxedcart, an

officer touched him on the shoulder``My friend, you must let that beast alonehe's down in the

``What!'' said Robert, ``am I not to take my master's horse to go my young leddy's errand?''

``You must remove nothing here,'' said the man of office, ``or you will be liable for all consequences.''

``What the devil, sir,'' said Hector, who having followed to examine Ochiltree more closely on the nature of

his hopes and expectations, already began to bristle like one of the terriers of his own native mountains, and

sought but a decent pretext for venting his displeasure, ``have you the impudence to prevent the young lady's

There was something in the air and tone of the young soldier, which seemed to argue that his interference was

not likely to be confined to mere expostulation; and which, if it promised finally the advantages of a process

of battery and deforcement, would certainly commence with the unpleasant circumstances necessary for

founding such a complaint. The legal officer, confronted with him of the military, grasped with one doubtful

hand the greasy bludgeon which was to enforce his authority, and with the other produced his short official

baton, tipped with silver, and having a movable ring upon it``Captain M`Intyre,Sir, I have no quarrel

with you,but if you interrupt me in my duty, I will break the wand of peace, and declare myself

``And who the devil cares,'' said Hector, totally ignorant of the words of judicial action, ``whether you declare

yourself divorced or married? And as to breaking your wand, or breaking the peace, or whatever you call it,

all I know is, that I will break your bones if you prevent the lad from harnessing the horses to obey his

``I take all who stand here to witness,'' said the messenger, ``that I showed him my blazon, and explained my

character. He that will to Cupar maun to Cupar,''and he slid his enigmatical ring from one end of the

baton to the other, being the appropriate symbol of his having been forcibly interrupted in the discharge of his

Honest Hector, better accustomed to the artillery of the field than to that of the law, saw this mystical

ceremony with great indifference; and with like unconcern beheld the messenger sit down to write out an

execution of deforcement. But at this moment, to prevent the wellmeaning hotheaded Highlander from

running the risk of a severe penalty, the Antiquary arrived puffing and blowing, with his handkerchief

``What the deuce is the matter here?'' he exclaimed, hastily adjusting his headgear; ``I have been following

you in fear of finding your idle loggerhead knocked against one rock or other, and here I find you parted with

your Bucephalus, and quarrelling with Sweepclean. A messenger, Hector, is a worse foe than a phoca,

``Dn the phoca, sir,'' said Hector, ``whether it be the one or the otherI say dn them both

particularly! I think you would not have me stand quietly by and see a scoundrel like this, because he calls

himself a king's messenger, forsooth(I hope the king has many better for his meanest errands)insult a

``Rightly argued, Hector,'' said the Antiquary; ``but the king, like other people, has now and then shabby

errands, and, in your ear, must have shabby fellows to do them. But even supposing you unacquainted with

the statutes of William the Lion, in which capite quarto versu quinto, this crime of deforcement is termed

despectus Domini Regisa contempt, to wit, of the king himself, in whose name all legal diligence

issues, could you not have inferred, from the information I took so much pains to give you today, that

those who interrupt officers who come to execute letters of caption, are tanquam participes criminis

rebellionis? seeing that he who aids a rebel, is himself, quodammodo, an accessory to rebellionBut I'll

He then spoke to the messenger, who, upon his arrival, had laid aside all thoughts of making a good byjob

out of the deforcement, and accepted Mr. Oldbuck's assurances that the horse and taxedcart should be safely

``Very well, sir,'' said the Antiquary, ``since you are disposed to be so civil, you shall have another job in

your own best way a little cast of state politicsa crime punishable per Legem Juliam, Mr.

And after a whisper of five minutes, he gave him a slip of paper, on receiving which, the messenger mounted

his horse, and, with one of his assistants, rode away pretty sharply. The fellow who remained seemed to delay

his operations purposely, proceeded in the rest of his duty very slowly, and with the caution and precision of

In the meantime, Oldbuck, taking his nephew by the arm, led him into the house, and they were ushered into

the presence of Sir Arthur Wardour, who, in a flutter between wounded pride, agonized apprehension, and

vain attempts to disguise both under a show of indifference, exhibited a spectacle of painful interest.

``Happy to see you, Mr. Oldbuckalways happy to see my friends in fair weather or foul,'' said the poor

Baronet, struggling not for composure, but for gaietyan affectation which was strongly contrasted by the

nervous and protracted grasp of his hand, and the agitation of his whole demeanour``I am happy to see

you. You are riding, I seeI hope in this confusion your horses are taken good care ofI always like to

have my friend's horses looked afterEgad! they will have all my care now, for you see they are like to

This attempt at a jest was attended by a hysterical giggle, which poor Sir Arthur intended should sound as an

``I beg your pardon; but sure I saw your nephew arrive on horseback a short time since. We must look after

Sir Arthur was about to ring the bell, when Mr. Oldbuck said, ``My nephew came on your own grey horse,

``Mine!'' said the poor Baronet; ``mine was it? then the sun had been in my eyes. Well, I'm not worthy having

``Good Heaven!'' thought Oldbuck, ``how is this man altered from the formal stolidity of his usual

manner!he grows wanton under adversitySed pereunti mille figurae.''He then proceeded

``To be sure,'' said Sir Arthur; ``but it was so good that I should not know the horse I have ridden these five

``Sir Arthur,'' said the Antiquary, ``don't let us waste time which is precious; we shall have, I hope, many

better seasons for jestingdesipere in loco is the maxim of Horace. I more than suspect this has been

``Don't mention his name, sir!'' said Sir Arthur; and his manner entirely changed from a fluttered affectation

of gaiety to all the agitation of fury; his eyes sparkled, his mouth foamed, his hands were clenched``don't

mention his name, sir,'' he vociferated, ``unless you would see me go mad in your presence! That I should

have been such a miserable dolt such an infatuated idiotsuch a beast endowed with thrice a beast's

stupidity, to be led and driven and spurgalled by such a rascal, and under such ridiculous pretences!Mr.

``I only meant to say,'' answered the Antiquary, ``that this fellow is like to meet his reward; and I cannot but

think we shall frighten something out of him that may be of service to you. He has certainly had some

``Has he?has he?has he indeed?then dn the household goods, horses, and so forthI will

go to prison a happy man, Mr. Oldbuck. I hope in heaven there's a reasonable chance of his being hanged?''

``Why, pretty fair,'' said Oldbuck, willing to encourage this diversion, in hopes it might mitigate the feelings

which seemed like to overset the poor man's understanding; ``honester men have stretched a rope, or the law

has been sadly cheatedBut this unhappy business of yourscan nothing be done? Let me see the

He took the papers; and, as he read them, his countenance grew hopelessly dark and disconsolate. Miss

Wardour had by this time entered the apartment, and fixing her eyes on Mr. Oldbuck, as if she meant to read

her fate in his looks, easily perceived, from the change in his eye, and the dropping of his netherjaw, how

``Irremediably?I hope notbut the instant demand is very large, and others will, doubtless, pour in.''

``Ay, never doubt that, Monkbarns,'' said Sir Arthur; ``where the slaughter is, the eagles will be gathered

together. I am like a sheep which I have seen fall down a precipice, or drop down from sicknessif you

had not seen a single raven or hooded crow for a fortnight before, he will not lie on the heather ten minutes

before halfadozen will be picking out his eyes (and he drew his hand over his own), and tearing at his

heartstrings before the poor devil has time to die. But that dd longscented vulture that dogged me so

``Fast enough,'' said the Antiquary; ``the gentleman wished to take the wings of the morning, and bolt in the

what d'ye call it,the coach and four there. But he would have found twigs limed for him at Edinburgh. As

it is, he never got so far, for the coach being overturnedas how could it go safe with such a Jonah?he

has had an infernal tumble, is carried into a cottage near Kittlebrig, and to prevent all possibility of escape, I

have sent your friend Sweepclean to bring him back to Fairport in nomine regis, or to act as his sicknurse at

Kittlebrig, as is most fitting. And now, Sir Arthur, permit me to have some conversation with you on the

present unpleasant state of your affairs, that we may see what can be done for their extrication;'' and the

They had been shut up together for about two hours, when Miss Wardour interrupted them with her cloak on

as if prepared for a journey. Her countenance was very pale, yet expressive of the composure which

``NoI understand he has carried him to confinement; and now he is returned to attend my father, and says

A loud wrangling was now heard on the staircase, in which the voice of Hector predominated. ``You an

officer, sir, and these ragamuffins a party! a parcel of beggarly tailor fellows tell yourselves off by nine,

The grumbling voice of the man of law was then heard indistinctly muttering a reply, to which Hector

retorted ``Come, come, sir, this won't do;march your party, as you call them, out of this house

``The devil take Hector,'' said the Antiquary, hastening to the scene of action; ``his Highland blood is up

again, and we shall have him fighting a duel with the bailiff. Come, Mr. Sweepclean, you must give us a little

``By no means, sir,'' said the messenger, putting his hat off, which he had thrown on to testify defiance of

Captain M`Intyre's threats; ``but your nephew, sir, holds very uncivil language, and I have borne too much of

it already; and I am not justified in leaving my prisoner any longer after the instructions I received, unless I

am to get payment of the sums contained in my diligence.'' And he held out the caption, pointing with the

awful truncheon, which he held in his right hand, to the formidable line of figures jotted upon the back

Hector, on the other hand, though silent from respect to his uncle, answered this gesture by shaking his

``Foolish boy, be quiet,'' said Oldbuck, ``and come with me into the roomthe man is doing his miserable

duty, and you will only make matters worse by opposing him.I fear, Sir Arthur, you must accompany this

man to Fairport; there is no help for it in the first instanceI will accompany you, to consult what further

can be doneMy nephew will escort Miss Wardour to Monkbarns, which I hope she will make her

``I go with my father, Mr. Oldbuck,'' said Miss Wardour firmly``I have prepared his clothes and my

``Anything in reason, madam,'' said the messenger; ``I have ordered it out, and it's at the doorI will go on

the box with the coachmanI have no desire to intrudebut two of the concurrents must attend on

``I will attend too,'' said Hector, and he ran down to secure a horse for himself.

``To jail,'' said the Baronet, sighing involuntarily. ``And what of that?'' he resumed, in a tone affectedly

cheerful``it is only a house we can't get out of, after allSuppose a fit of the gout, and Knockwinnock

would be the sameAy, ay, Monkbarnswe'll call it a fit of the gout without the dd pain.''

But his eyes swelled with tears as he spoke, and his faltering accent marked how much this assumed gaiety

cost him. The Antiquary wrung his hand, and, like the Indian Banians, who drive the real terms of an

important bargain by signs, while they are apparently talking of indifferent matters, the hand of Sir Arthur, by

its convulsive return of the grasp, expressed his sense of gratitude to his friend, and the real state of his

internal agony.They stepped slowly down the magnificent staircase every wellknown object

seeming to the unfortunate father and daughter to assume a more prominent and distinct appearance than

At the first landingplace, Sir Arthur made an agonized pause; and as he observed the Antiquary look at him

anxiously, he said with assumed dignity``Yes, Mr. Oldbuck, the descendant of an ancient linethe

representative of Richard Redhand and Gamelyn de Guardover, may be pardoned a sigh when he leaves the

castle of his fathers thus poorly escorted. When I was sent to the Tower with my late father, in the year 1745,

it was upon a charge becoming our birthupon an accusation of high treason, Mr. Oldbuck;we were

escorted from Highgate by a troop of lifeguards, and committed upon a secretary of state's warrant; and

now, here I am, in my old age, dragged from my household by a miserable creature like that'' (pointing to the

``At least,'' said Oldbuck, ``you have now the company of a dutiful daughter, and a sincere friend, if you will

permit me to say so, and that may be some consolation, even without the certainty that there can be no

hanging, drawing, or quartering, on the present occasion. But I hear that choleric boy as loud as ever. I hope

to God he has got into no new broil!it was an accursed chance that brought him here at all.''

In fact, a sudden clamour, in which the loud voice and somewhat northern accent of Hector was again

preeminently distinguished, broke off this conversation. The cause we must refer to the next chapter.

The shout of triumph in Hector's warlike tones was not easily distinguished from that of battle. But as he

rushed up stairs with a packet in his hand, exclaiming, ``Long life to an old soldier! here comes Edie with a

whole budget of good news!'' it became obvious that his present cause of clamour was of an agreeable nature.

He delivered the letter to Oldbuck, shook Sir Arthur heartily by the hand, and wished Miss Wardour joy, with

all the frankness of Highland congratulation. The messenger, who had a kind of instinctive terror for Captain

M`Intyre, drew towards his prisoner, keeping an eye of caution on the soldier's motions.

``Don't suppose I shall trouble myself about you, you dirty fellow,'' said the soldier; ``there's a guinea for the

fright I have given you; and here comes an old fortytwo man, who is a fitter match for you than I am.''

The messenger (one of those dogs who are not too scornful to eat dirty puddings) caught in his hand the

guinea which Hector chucked at his face; and abode warily and carefully the turn which matters were now to

take. All voices meanwhile were loud in inquiries, which no one was in a hurry to answer.

``Your leddyship maun ask Monkbarns, for he has gotten the yepistolary correspondensh.''

``God save the king!'' exclaimed the Antiquary at the first glance at the contents of his packet, and, surprised

at once out of decorum, philosophy, and phlegm, he skimmed his cocked hat in the air, from which it

descended not again, being caught in its fall by a branch of the chandelier. He next, looking joyously round,

laid a grasp on his wig, which he perhaps would have sent after the beaver, had not Edie stopped his hand,

exclaiming ``Lordsake! he's gaun gyte!mind Caxon's no here to repair the damage.''

Every person now assailed the Antiquary, clamouring to know the cause of so sudden a transport, when,

somewhat ashamed of his rapture, he fairly turned tail, like a fox at the cry of a pack of hounds, and

ascending the stair by two steps at a time, gained the upper landingplace, where, turning round, he

``My good friends, favete linguisTo give you information, I must first, according to logicians, be

possessed of it myself; and, therefore, with your leaves, I will retire into the library to examine these

papersSir Arthur and Miss Wardour will have the goodness to step into the parlourMr. Sweepclean,

secede paulisper, or, in your own language, grant us a supersedere of diligence for five minutesHector,

draw off your forces, and make your beargarden flourish elsewhereand, finally, be all of good cheer till

The contents of the packet were indeed so little expected, that the Antiquary might be pardoned, first his

ecstasy, and next his desire of delaying to communicate the intelligence they conveyed, until it was arranged

Within the envelope was a letter addressed to Jonathan Oldbuck, Esq. of Monkbarns, of the following

``Dear Sir,To you, as my father's proved and valued friend, I venture to address myself, being detained

here by military duty of a very pressing nature. You must by this time be acquainted with the entangled state

of our affairs; and I know it will give you great pleasure to learn, that I am as fortunately as unexpectedly

placed in a situation to give effectual assistance for extricating them. I understand Sir Arthur is threatened

with severe measures by persons who acted formerly as his agents; and, by advice of a creditable man of

business here, I have procured the enclosed writing, which I understand will stop their proceedings until their

claim shall be legally discussed, and brought down to its proper amount. I also enclose bills to the amount of

one thousand pounds to pay any other pressing demands, and request of your friendship to apply them

according to your discretion. You will be surprised I give you this trouble, when it would seem more natural

to address my father directly in his own affairs. But I have yet had no assurance that his eyes are opened to

the character of a person against whom you have often, I know, warned him, and whose baneful influence has

been the occasion of these distresses. And as I owe the means of relieving Sir Arthur to the generosity of a

matchless friend, it is my duty to take the most certain measures for the supplies being devoted to the purpose

for which they were destined,and I know your wisdom and kindness will see that it is done. My friend, as

he claims an interest in your regard, will explain some views of his own in the enclosed letter. The state of the

postoffice at Fairport being rather notorious, I must send this letter to Tannonburgh; but the old man

Ochiltree, whom particular circumstances have recommended as trustworthy, has information when the

packet is likely to reach that place, and will take care to forward it. I expect to have soon an opportunity to

apologize in person for the trouble I now give, and have the honour to be your very faithful servant,

The Antiquary hastily broke the seal of the enclosure, the contents of which gave him equal surprise and

pleasure. When he had in some measure composed himself after such unexpected tidings, he inspected the

other papers carefully, which all related to businessput the bills into his pocketbook, and wrote a short

acknowledgment to be despatched by that day's post, for he was extremely methodical in money

mattersand lastly, fraught with all the importance of disclosure, he descended to the parlour.

``Sweepclean,'' said he, as he entered, to the officer who stood respectfully at the door, ``you must sweep

yourself clean out of Knockwinnock Castle, with all your followers, tagrag and bobtail. Seest thou this

``A sist on a bill o' suspension,'' said the messenger, with a disappointed look;``I thought it would be a

queer thing if ultimate diligence was to be done against sic a gentleman as Sir ArthurWeel, sir, I'se go my

``They who employed thee,'' replied Oldbuck, ``as thou full well dost know.But here comes another

This was Mr. Mailsetter on his mare from Fairport, with a letter for Sir Arthur, another to the messenger, both

of which, he said, he was directed to forward instantly. The messenger opened his, observing that Greenhorn

and Grinderson were good enough men for his expenses, and here was a letter from them desiring him to stop

the diligence. Accordingly, he immediately left the apartment, and staying no longer than to gather his posse

together, he did then, in the phrase of Hector, who watched his departure as a jealous mastiff eyes the retreat

Sir Arthur's letter was from Mr. Greenhorn, and a curiosity in its way. We give it, with the worthy Baronet's

``Sir[Oh! I am dear sir no longer; folks are only dear to Messrs. Greenhorn and Grinderson when they are

in adversity] Sir, I am much concerned to learn, on my return from the country, where I was called on

particular business [a bet on the sweepstakes, I suppose], that my partner had the impropriety, in my absence,

to undertake the concerns of Messrs. Goldiebirds in preference to yours, and had written to you in an

unbecoming manner. I beg to make my most humble apology, as well as Mr. Grindersons[come, I see he

can write for himself and partner too]and trust it is impossible you can think me forgetful of, or

ungrateful for, the constant patronage which my family [his family! curse him for a puppy!] have uniformly

experienced from that of Knockwinnock. I am sorry to find, from an interview I had this day with Mr.

Wardour, that he is much irritated, and, I must own, with apparent reason. But in order to remedy as much as

in me lies the mistake of which he complains [pretty mistake, indeed! to clap his patron into jail], I have sent

this express to discharge all proceedings against your person or property; and at the same time to transmit my

respectful apology. I have only to add, that Mr. Grinderson is of opinion, that if restored to your confidence,

he could point out circumstances connected with Messrs. Goldiebirds' present claim which would greatly

reduce its amount [so, so, willing to play the rogue on either side]; and that there is not the slightest hurry in

settling the balance of your accompt with us; and that I am, for Mr. G. as well as myself, Dear Sir [O ay, he

has written himself into an approach to familiarity], your much obliged and most humble servant, ``Gilbert

``Well said, Mr. Gilbert Greenhorn,'' said Monkbarns; ``I see now there is some use in having two attorneys

in one firm. Their movements resemble those of the man and woman in a Dutch babyhouse. When it is fair

weather with the client, out comes the gentleman partner to fawn like a spaniel; when it is foul, forth bolts the

operative brother to pin like a bulldog. Well, I thank God that my man of business still wears an equilateral

cocked hat, has a house in the Old Town, is as much afraid of a horse as I am myself, plays at golf of a

Saturday, goes to the kirk of a Sunday, and, in respect he has no partner, hath only his own folly to apologize

``There are some writers very honest fellows,'' said Hector; ``I should like to hear any one say that my cousin,

Donald M`Intyre, Strathtudlem's seventh son (the other six are in the army), is not as honest a fellow''

``No doubt, no doubt, Hector, all the M`Intyres are so; they have it by patent, manBut I was going to say,

that in a profession where unbounded trust is necessarily reposed, there is nothing surprising that fools should

neglect it in their idleness, and tricksters abuse it in their knavery. But it is the more to the honour of those

(and I will vouch for many) who unite integrity with skill and attention, and walk honourably upright where

there are so many pitfalls and stumblingblocks for those of a different character. To such men their fellow

citizens may safely entrust the care of protecting their patrimonial rights, and their country the more sacred

``They are best aff, however, that hae least to do with them,'' said Ochiltree, who had stretched his neck into

the parlour door; for the general confusion of the family not having yet subsided, the domestics, like waves

after the fall of a hurricane, had not yet exactly regained their due limits, but were roaming wildly through the

``Aha, old Truepenny, art thou there?'' said the Antiquary. ``Sir Arthur, let me bring in the messenger of good

luck, though he is but a lame one. You talked of the raven that scented out the slaughter from afar; but here's

a blue pigeon (somewhat of the oldest and toughest, I grant) who smelled the good news six or seven miles

``Ye owe it o' to puir Robie that drave me;puir fallow,'' said the beggar, ``he doubts he's in disgrace wi'

``In disgrace with me?'' said Sir Arthur``how so?''for the irritation into which he had worked himself

on occasion of the toast had been long forgotten. ``O, I recollectRobert, I was angry, and you were

wrong;go about your work, and never answer a master that speaks to you in a passion.''

``Nor any one else,'' said the Antiquary; ``for a soft answer turneth away wrath.''

``And tell your mother, who is so ill with the rheumatism, to come down to the housekeeper tomorrow,''

``God bless your leddyship,'' said poor Robert, ``and his honour Sir Arthur, and the young laird, and the

house of Knockwinnock in a' its branches, far and near!it's been a kind and gude house to the puir this

``There''said the Antiquary to Sir Arthur``we won't disputebut there you see the gratitude of the

poor people naturally turns to the civil virtues of your family. You don't hear them talk of Redhand, or

HellinHarness. For me, I must say, Odi accipitrem qui semper vivit in armisso let us eat and drink in

A table was quickly covered in the parlour, where the party sat joyously down to some refreshment. At the

request of Oldbuck, Edie Ochiltree was permitted to sit by the sideboard in a great leathern chair, which was

``I accede to this the more readily,'' said Sir Arthur, ``because I remember in my fathers days that chair was

occupied by Ailshie Gourlay, who, for aught I know, was the last privileged fool, or jester, maintained by any

``Aweel, Sir Arthur,'' replied the beggar, who never hesitated an instant between his friend and his jest,

``mony a wise man sits in a fule's seat, and mony a fule in a wise man's, especially in families o' distinction.''

Miss Wardour, fearing the effect of this speech (however worthy of Ailsbie Gourlay, or any other privileged

jester) upon the nerves of her father, hastened to inquire whether ale and beef should not be distributed to the

``Surely, my love,'' said her father; ``when was it ever otherwise in our families when a siege had been

``Ay, a siege laid by Saunders Sweepclean the bailiff, and raised by Edie Ochiltree the gaberlunzie, par

nobile fratrum,'' said Oldbuck, ``and well pitted against each other in respectability. But never mind, Sir

Arthurthese are such sieges and such reliefs as our time of day admits ofand our escape is not less

worth commemorating in a glass of this excellent wine Upon my credit, it is Burgundy, I think.''

``Were there anything better in the cellar,'' said Miss Wardour, ``it would be all too little to regale you after

``Say you so?'' said the Antiquary: ``why, then, a cup of thanks to you, my fair enemy, and soon may you be

besieged as ladies love best to be, and sign terms of capitulation in the chapel of Saint Winnox!''

Sir Arthur answered, ``My daughter is much obliged to you, Monkbarns; but unless you'll accept of her

yourself, I really do not know where a poor knight's daughter is to seek for an alliance in these mercenary

``Me, mean ye, Sir Arthur? No, not I! I will claim privilege of the duello, and, as being unable to encounter

my fair enemy myself, I will appear by my championBut of this matter hereafter. What do you find in the

papers there, Hector, that you hold your head down over them as if your nose were bleeding?''

``Nothing particular, sir; but only that, as my arm is now almost quite well, I think I shall relieve you of my

company in a day or two, and go to Edinburgh. I see Major Neville is arrived there. I should like to see him.''

``O, Mr. Oldbuck,'' said Sir Arthur, ``you must remember his name frequently in the newspapersa very

distinguished young officer indeed. But I am happy to say that Mr. M`Intyre need not leave Monkbarns to see

him, for my son writes that the Major is to come with him to Knockwinnock, and I need not say how happy I

shall be to make the young gentlemen acquainted,unless, indeed, they are known to each other already.''

``No, not personally,'' answered Hector, ``but I have had occasion to hear a good deal of him, and we have

several mutual friendsyour son being one of them. But I must go to Edinburgh; for I see my uncle is

``That you will grow tired of him?'' interrupted Oldbuck, ``I fear that's past praying for. But you have

forgotten that the ecstatic twelfth of August approaches, and that you are engaged to meet one of Lord

Glenallan's gamekeepers, God knows where, to persecute the peaceful feathered creation.''

``True, true, uncleI had forgot that,'' exclaimed the volatile Hector; ``but you said something just now that

``An it like your honours,'' said old Edie, thrusting his white bead from behind the screen, where he had been

plentifully regaling himself with ale and cold meat``an it like your honours, I can tell ye something that

will keep the Captain wi' us amaist as weel as the poutingHear ye na the French are coming?''

``I have not had time,'' said Sir Arthur Wardour, ``to look over my lieutenancy correspondence for the

weekindeed, I generally make a rule to read it only on Wednesdays, except in pressing cases,for I do

everything by method; but from the glance I took of my letters, I observed some alarm was entertained.''

``Alarm?'' said Edie, ``troth there's alarm, for the provost's gar'd the beacon light on the Halkethead be

sorted up (that suld hae been sorted half a year syne) in an unco hurry, and the council hae named nae less a

man than auld Caxon himsell to watch the light. Some say it was out o' compliment to Lieutenant

Taffril,for it's neist to certain that he'll marry Jenny Caxon,some say it's to please your honour and

Monkbarns that wear wigsand some say there's some auld story about a periwig that ane o' the bailies got

and neer paid forOnyway, there he is, sitting cockit up like a skart upon the tap o' the craig, to skirl when

``On mine honour, a pretty warder,'' said Monkbarns; ``and what's my wig to do all the while?''

``I asked Caxon that very question,'' answered Ochiltree, ``and he said he could look in ilka morning, and

gie't a touch afore he gaed to his bed, for there's another man to watch in the daytime, and Caxon says he'll

This news gave a different turn to the conversation, which ran upon national defence, and the duty of fighting

for the land we live in, until it was time to part. The Antiquary and his nephew resumed their walk

homeward, after parting from Knockwinnock with the warmest expressions of mutual regard, and an

``Hector,'' said his uncle to Captain M`Intyre, in the course of their walk homeward, ``I am sometimes

``If you only think me so in one respect, sir, I am sure you do me more grace than I expected or deserve.''

``I mean in one particular par excellence,'' answered the Antiquary. ``I have sometimes thought that you have

``Well, sir,'' echoed his uncle``Deuce take the fellow! he answers me as if it were the most reasonable

thing in the world, that he, a captain in the array, and nothing at all besides, should marry the daughter of a

``I presume to think, sir,'' said the young Highlander, ``there would be no degradation on Miss Wardour's part

``O, Heaven forbid we should come on that topic!No, no, equal bothboth on the tableland of

``And in point of fortune we are pretty even, since neither of us have got any,'' continued Hector. ``There may

``But here lies the error, then, if you call it so,'' replied his uncle: ``she won't have you, Hector.''

``It is very sure, Hector; and to make it double sure, I must inform you that she likes another man. She

misunderstood some words I once said to her, and I have since been able to guess at the interpretation she put

on them. At the time I was unable to account for her hesitation and blushing; but, my poor Hector, I now

understand them as a deathsignal to your hopes and pretensions. So I advise you to beat your retreat and

draw off your forces as well as you can, for the fort is too well garrisoned for you to storm it.''

``I have no occasion to beat any retreat, uncle,'' said Hector, holding himself very upright, and marching with

a sort of dogged and offended solemnity; ``no man needs to retreat that has never advanced. There are women

``And better taste,'' said his uncle; ``doubtless there are, Hector; and though I cannot say but that she is one of

the most accomplished as well as sensible girls I have seen, yet I doubt, much of her merit would be cast

away on you. A showy figure, now, with two cross feathers above her noddleone green, one blue; who

would wear a ridinghabit of the regimental complexion, drive a gig one day, and the next review the

regiment on the grey trotting pony which dragged that vehicle, hoc erat in votis;these are the qualities

that would subdue you, especially if she had a taste for natural history, and loved a specimen of a phoca.''

``It's a little hard, sir,'' said Hector, ``I must have that cursed seal thrown into my face on all occasionsbut

I care little about itand I shall not break my heart for Miss Wardour. She is free to choose for herself, and

``Magnanimously resolved, thou prop of Troy! Why, Hector, I was afraid of a scene. Your sister told me you

``Sir,'' answered the young man, ``you would not have me desperately in love with a woman that does not

``Well, nephew,'' said the Antiquary, more seriously, ``there is doubtless much sense in what you say; yet I

would have given a great deal, some twenty or twentyfive years since, to have been able to think as you do.''

``Not according to the old school,'' said Oldbuck; ``but, as I said before, the practice of the modern seems in

this case the most prudential, though, I think, scarcely the most interesting. But tell me your ideas now on this

Hector, swallowing his mortification, which he was peculiarly anxious to conceal from his uncle's satirical

observation, readily entered into a conversation which was to turn the Antiquary's thoughts from Miss

Wardour and the seal. When they reached Monkbarns, the communicating to the ladies the events which had

taken place at the castle, with the counterinformation of how long dinner had waited before the womankind

had ventured to eat it in the Antiquary's absence, averted these delicate topics of discussion.

The next morning the Antiquary arose early, and, as Caxon had not yet made his appearance, he began

mentally to feel the absence of the petty news and small talk of which the experuquier was a faithful

reporter, and which habit had made as necessary to the Antiquary as his occasional pinch of snuff, although

he held, or affected to hold, both to be of the same intrinsic value. The feeling of vacuity peculiar to such a

deprivation, was alleviated by the appearance of old Ochiltree, sauntering beside the clipped yew and holly

hedges, with the air of a person quite at home. Indeed, so familiar had he been of late, that even Juno did not

bark at him, but contented herself with watching him with a close and vigilant eye. Our Antiquary stepped

``They are coming now, in good earnest, Monkbarns. I just cam frae Fairport to bring ye the news, and then

I'll step away back again. The Search has just come into the bay, and they say she's been chased by a French

``What? any relation to Search, No. II.?'' said Oldbuck, catching at the light which the name of the vessel

The mendicant, like a man detected in a frolic, put his bonnet before his face, yet could not help laughing

heartily. ``The deil's in you, Monkbarns, for garring odds and evens meet. Wha thought ye wad hae laid

``I see it all,'' said Oldbuck, ``as plain as the legend on a medal of high preservationthe box in which the'

bullion was found belonged to the gunbrig, and the treasure to my phoenix?''(Edie nodded

assent),``and was buried there that Sir Arthur might receive relief in his difficulties?''

``By me,'' said Edie, ``and twa o' the brig's menbut they didna ken its contents, and thought it some bit

smuggling concern o' the Captain's. I watched day and night till I saw it in the right hand; and then, when that

German deevil was glowering at the lid o' the kist (they liked mutton weel that licked where the yowe lay), I

think some Scottish deevil put it into my head to play him yon ither cantrip. Now, ye see, if I had said mair or

less to Bailie Littlejohn, I behoved till hae come out wi' a' this story; and vexed would Mr. Lovel hae been to

have it brought to lightsae I thought I would stand to onything rather than that.''

``I must say he has chosen his confidant well,'' said Oldbuck, ``though somewhat strangely.''

``I'll say this for mysell, Monkbarns,'' answered the mendicant, ``that I am the fittest man in the haill country

to trust wi' siller, for I neither want it, nor wish for it, nor could use it if I had it. But the lad hadna muckle

choice in the matter, for he thought he was leaving the country for ever (I trust he's mistaen in that though);

and the night was set in when we learned, by a strange chance, Sir Arthur's sair distress, and Lovel was

obliged to be on board as the day dawned. But five nights afterwards the brig stood into the bay, and I met the

``This was a very romantic, foolish exploit,'' said Oldbuck: ``why not trust me, or any other friend?''

``The blood o' your sister's son,'' replied Edie, ``was on his hands, and him maybe dead outrightwhat time

``There was little fear o' his coming there without Sir Arthur: he had gotten a sair gliff the night afore, and

never intended to look near the place again, unless he had been brought there sting and ling. He ken'd weel

the first pose was o' his ain hiding, and how could he expect a second? He just havered on about it to make

``Then how,'' said Oldbuck, ``should Sir Arthur have come there unless the German had brought him?''

``Umph!'' answered Edie drily. ``I had a story about Misticot wad hae brought him forty miles, or you either.

Besides, it was to be thought he would be for visiting the place he fand the first siller inhe ken'd na the

secret o' that job. In short, the siller being in this shape, Sir Arthur in utter difficulties, and Lovel determined

he should never ken the hand that helped him, for that was what he insisted maist upon,we couldna

think o' a better way to fling the gear in his gate, though we simmered it and wintered it e'er sae lang. And if

by ony queer mischance Doustercivil had got his claws on't, I was instantly to hae informed you or the Sheriff

``Well, notwithstanding all these wise precautions, I think your contrivance succeeded better than such a

clumsy one deserved, Edie. But how the deuce came Lovel by such a mass of silver ingots?''

``That's just what I canna tell yeBut they were put on board wi' his things at Fairport, it's like, and we

stowed them into ane o' the ammunitionboxes o' the brig, baith for concealment and convenience of

``Lord!'' said Oldbuck, his recollection recurring to the earlier part of his acquaintance with Lovel; ``and this

young fellow, who was putting hundreds on so strange a hazard, I must be recommending a subscription to

him, and paying his bill at the Ferry! I never will pay any person's bill again, that's certain. And you kept

``I just gat ae bit scrape o' a pen frae him, to say there wad, as yesterday fell, be a packet at Tannonburgh, wi'

letters o' great consequence to the Knockwinnock folk; for they jaloused the opening of our letters at

FairportAnd that's a's true; I hear Mrs. Mailsetter is to lose her office for looking after other folk's

``And what do you expect now, Edie, for being the adviser, and messenger, and guard, and confidential

``Deil haet do I expectexcepting that a' the gentles will come to the gaberlunzie's burial; and maybe ye'll

carry the head yoursell, as ye did puir Steenie Mucklebackit's.What trouble was't to me? I was ganging

about at ony rateOh, but I was blythe when I got out of Prison, though; for I thought, what if that weary

letter should come when I am closed up here like an oyster, and a' should gang wrang for want o't? and whiles

I thought I maun mak a clean breast and tell you a' about it; but then I couldna weel do that without

contravening Mr. Lovel's positive orders; and I reckon he had to see somebody at Edinburgh afore he could

``Troth they say sae, sir; and there's come down strict orders for the forces and volunteers to be alert; and

there's a clever young officer to come here forthwith, to look at our means o' defenceI saw the Bailies

lass cleaning his belts and white breeksI gae her a hand, for ye maun think she wasna ower clever at it,

``Troth I kennaan they come so mony as they speak o', they'll be odds against us. But there's mony yauld

chields amang thae volunteers; and I mauna say muckle about them that's no weel and no very able, because I

``Me no muckle to fight for, sir?isna there the country to fight for, and the burnsides that I gang

daundering 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?Deil!'' he continued, grasping his pikestaff

with great emphasis, ``an I had as gude pith as I hae gudewill, and a gude cause, I should gie some o' them a

``Bravo, bravo, Edie! The country's in little ultimate danger, when the beggar's as ready to fight for his dish

Their further conversation reverted to the particulars of the night passed by the mendicant and Lovel in the

``I would have given a guinea,'' he said, ``to have seen the scoundrelly German under the agonies of those

terrors, which it is part of his own quackery to inspire into others; and trembling alternately for the fury of his

``Troth,'' said the beggar, ``there was time for him to be cowed; for ye wad hae thought the very spirit of

HellinHarness had taken possession o' the body o' Sir Arthur. But what will come o' the landlouper?''

``I have had a letter this morning, from which I understand he has acquitted you of the charge he brought

against you, and offers to make such discoveries as will render the settlement of Sir Arthur's affairs a more

easy task than we apprehendedSo writes the Sheriff; and adds, that he has given some private information

of importance to Government, in consideration of which, I understand he will be sent back to play the knave

``And a' the bonny engines, and wheels, and the coves, and sheughs, doun at Glenwithershins yonder, what's

``I hope the men, before they are dispersed, will make a bonfire of their gimcracks, as an army destroy their

artillery when forced to raise a siege. And as for the holes, Edie, I abandon them as rattraps, for the benefit

of the next wise men who may choose to drop the substance to snatch at a shadow.''

``Hech, sirs! guide us a'! to burn the engines? that's a great wasteHad ye na better try to get back part o'

your hundred pounds wi' the sale o' the materials?'' he continued, with a tone of affected condolence.

``Not a farthing,'' said the Antiquary, peevishly, taking a turn from him, and making a step or two away. Then

returning, halfsmiling at his own pettishness, he said, ``Get thee into the house, Edie, and remember my

counsel, never speak to me about a mine, nor to my nephew Hector about a phoca, that is a sealgh, as you call

``I maun be ganging my ways back to Fairport,'' said the wanderer; ``I want to see what they're saying there

about the invasion;but I'll mind what your honour says, no to speak to you about a sealgh, or to the

``Dear me!'' said Edie, with affected surprise; ``weel, I thought there was naething but what your honour

could hae studden in the way o' agreeable conversation, unless it was about the Praetorian yonder, or the

``Pshaw! pshaw!'' said the Antiquary, turning from him hastily, and retreating into the house.

The mendicant looked after him a moment, and with a chuckling laugh, such as that with which a magpie or

parrot applauds a successful exploit of mischief, he resumed once more the road to Fairport. His habits had

given him a sort of restlessness, much increased by the pleasure he took in gathering news; and in a short

time he had regained the town which he left in the morning, for no reason that he knew himself, unless just to

The watch who kept his watch on the hill, and looked towards Birnam, probably conceived himself dreaming

when he first beheld the fated grove put itself into motion for its march to Dunsinane. Even so old Caxon, as

perched in his hut, he qualified his thoughts upon the approaching marriage of his daughter, and the dignity

of being fatherinlaw to Lieutenant Taffril, with an occasional peep towards the signalpost with which his

own corresponded, was not a little surprised by observing a light in that direction. He rubbed his eyes, looked

again, adjusting his observation by a crossstaff which had been placed so as to bear upon the point. And

behold, the light increased, like a comet to the eye of the astronomer, ``with fear of change perplexing

``The Lord preserve us!'' said Caxon, ``what's to be done now? But there will be wiser heads than mine to

And he lighted the beacon accordingly, which threw up to the sky a long wavering train of light, startling the

seafowl from their nests, and reflected far beneath by the reddening billows of the sea. The brother warders

of Caxon being equally diligent, caught, and repeated his signal. The lights glanced on headlands and capes

and inland hills, and the whole district was alarmed by the signal of invasion.*

Our Antiquary, his head wrapped warm in two double nightcaps, was quietly enjoying his repose, when it

was suddenly broken by the screams of his sister, his niece, and two maidservants.

``What the devil is the matter?'' said he, starting up in his bed``womankind in my room at this hour of

``The beacon! the beacon!the French! the French! murder! murder! and waur than murder!''cried

``The French?'' said Oldbuck, starting up``get out of the room, womankind that you are, till I get my

``Whilk o' them, Monkbarns?'' cried his sister, offering a Roman falchion of brass with the one hand, and

``The langest, the langest,'' cried Jenny Rintherout, dragging in a twohanded sword of the twelfth century.

``Womankind,'' said Oldbuck in great agitation, ``be composed, and do not give way to vain terrorAre

``Sure, sure!'' exclaimed Jenny``ower sure!a' the sea fencibles, and the land fencibles, and the

volunteers and yeomanry, are on fit, and driving to Fairport as hard as horse and man can gangand auld

Mucklebackit's gane wi' the lave muckle gude he'll do!Hech, sirs!he'll be missed the morn wha

``Give me,'' said Oldbuck, ``the sword which my father wore in the year fortyfiveit hath no belt or

So saying he thrust the weapon through the cover of his breeches pocket. At this moment Hector entered,

who had been to a neighbouring height to ascertain whether the alarm was actual.

``Where are your arms, nephew?'' exclaimed Oldbuck ``where is your doublebarrelled gun, that was

``Pooh! pooh! sir,'' said Hector, ``who ever took a fowlingpiece on action? I have got my uniform on, you

seeI hope I shall be of more use if they will give me a command than I could be with ten doublebarrels.

And you, sir, must get to Fairport, to give directions for quartering and maintaining the men and horses, and

``You are right, Hector,l believe I shall do as much with my head as my hand too. But here comes Sir

Arthur Wardour, who, between ourselves, is not fit to accomplish much either one way or the other.''

Sir Arthur was probably of a different opinion; for, dressed in his lieutenancy uniform, he was also on the

road to Fairport, and called in his way to take Mr. Oldbuck with him, having had his original opinion of his

sagacity much confirmed by late events. And in spite of all the entreaties of the womankind that the

Antiquary would stay to garrison Monkbarns, Mr. Oldbuck, with his nephew, instantly accepted Sir Arthur's

Those who have witnessed such a scene can alone conceive the state of bustle in Fairport. The windows were

glancing with a hundred lights, which, appearing and disappearing rapidly, indicated the confusion within

doors. The women of lower rank assembled and clamoured in the marketplace. The yeomanry, pouring from

their different glens, galloped through the streets, some individually, some in parties of five or six, as they

had met on the road. The drums and fifes of the volunteers beating to arms, were blended with the voice of

the officers, the sound of the bugles, and the tolling of the bells from the steeple. The ships in the harbour

were lit up, and boats from the armed vessels added to the bustle, by landing men and guns destined to assist

in the defence of the place. This part of the preparations was superintended by Taffril with much activity.

Two or three light vessels had already slipped their cables and stood out to sea, in order to discover the

Such was the scene of general confusion, when Sir Arthur Wardour, Oldbuck, and Hector, made their way

with difficulty into the principal square, where the townhouse is situated. It was lighted up, and the

magistracy, with many of the neighbouring gentlemen, were assembled. And here, as upon other occasions of

the like kind in Scotland, it was remarkable how the good sense and firmness of the people supplied almost

The magistrates were beset by the quartermasters of the different corps for billets for men and horses. ``Let

us,'' said Bailie Littlejohn, ``take the horses into our warehouses, and the men into our parloursshare our

supper with the one, and our forage with the other. We have made ourselves wealthy under a free and

A loud and cheerful acquiescence was given by all present, and the substance of the wealthy, with the persons

Captain M`Intyre acted on this occasion as military adviser and aidedecamp to the principal magistrate,

and displayed a degree of presence of mind, and knowledge of his profession, totally unexpected by his

uncle, who, recollecting his usual insouciance and impetuosity, gazed at him with astonishment from time to

time, as he remarked the calm and steady manner in which he explained the various measures of precaution

that his experience suggested, and gave directions for executing them. He found the different corps in good

order, considering the irregular materials of which they were composed, in great force of numbers and high

confidence and spirits. And so much did military experience at that moment overbalance all other claims to

consequence, that even old Edie, instead of being left, like Diogenes at Sinope, to roll his tub when all around

were preparing for defence, had the duty assigned him of superintending the serving out of the ammunition,

Two things were still anxiously expectedthe presence of the Glenallan volunteers, who, in consideration

of the importance of that family, had been formed into a separate corps, and the arrival of the officer before

announced, to whom the measures of defence on that coast had been committed by the commanderinchief,

and whose commission would entitle him to take upon himself the full disposal of the military force.

At length the bugles of the Glenallan yeomanry were heard, and the Earl himself, to the surprise of all who

knew his habits and state of health, appeared at their head in uniform. They formed a very handsome and

wellmounted squadron, formed entirely out of the Earl's Lowland tenants, and were followed by a regiment

of five hundred men, completely equipped in the Highland dress, whom he had brought down from the

upland glens, with their pipes playing in the van. The clean and serviceable appearance of this band of feudal

dependants called forth the admiration of Captain M`Intyre; but his uncle was still more struck by the manner

in which, upon this crisis, the ancient military spirit of his house seemed to animate and invigorate the

decayed frame of the Earl, their leader. He claimed, and obtained for himself and his followers, the post most

likely to be that of danger, displayed great alacrity in making the necessary dispositions, and showed equal

acuteness in discussing their propriety. Morning broke in upon the military councils of Fairport, while all

At length a cry among the people announced, ``There's the brave Major Neville come at last, with another

officer;'' and their postchaise and four drove into the square, amidst the huzzas of the volunteers and

inhabitants. The magistrates, with their assessors of the lieutenancy, hastened to the door of their townhouse

to receive him; but what was the surprise of all present, but most especially that of the Antiquary, when they

became aware, that the handsome uniform and military cap disclosed the person and features of the pacific

Lovel! A warm embrace, and a hearty shake of the hand, were necessary to assure him that his eyes were

doing him justice. Sir Arthur was no less surprised to recognise his son, Captain Wardour, in Lovel's, or

rather Major Neville's company. The first words of the young officers were a positive assurance to all

present, that the courage and zeal which they had displayed were entirely thrown away, unless in so far as

``The watchman at Halkethead,'' said Major Neville, ``as we discovered by an investigation which we made

in our route hither, was most naturally misled by a bonfire which some idle people had made on the hill

above Glenwithershins, just in the line of the beacon with which his corresponded.''

Oldbuck gave a conscious look to Sir Arthur, who returned it with one equally sheepish, and a shrug of the

``It must have been the machinery which we condemned to the flames in our wrath,'' said the Antiquary,

plucking up heart, though not a little ashamed of having been the cause of so much disturbance``The

devil take Dousterswivel with all my heart! I think he has bequeathed us a legacy of blunders and

mischief, as if he had lighted some train of fireworks at his departure. I wonder what cracker will go off next

among our shins. But yonder comes the prudent Caxon.Hold up your head, you assyour betters must

bear the blame for youAnd here, take this whatd'yecall it''(giving him his sword)``I wonder

what I would have said yesterday to any man that would have told me I was to stick such an appendage to my

Here he found his arm gently pressed by Lord Glenallan, who dragged him into a separate apartment. ``For

``Like the unfortunate Eveline,'' interrupted Oldbuck. ``I felt my heart warm to him from the first, and your

``But whowho is he?'' continued Lord Glenallan, holding the Antiquary with a convulsive grasp.

``Formerly I would have called him Lovel, but now he turns out to be Major Neville.''

``Whom my brother brought up as his natural sonwhom he made his heirGracious Heaven! the child

``Hold, my lordhold!'' said Oldbuck, ``do not give too hasty way to such a presumption;what

``Probability? none! There is certainty! absolute certainty! The agent I mentioned to you wrote me the whole

storyI received it yesterday, not sooner. Bring him, for God's sake, that a father's eyes may bless him

``I will; but for your own sake and his, give him a few moments for preparation.''

And, determined to make still farther investigation before yielding his entire conviction to so strange a tale,

he sought out Major Neville, and found him expediting the necessary measures for dispersing the force which

``Pray, Major Neville, leave this business for a moment to Captain Wardour and to Hector, with whom, I

hope, you are thoroughly reconciled'' (Neville laughed, and shook hands with Hector across the table), ``and

``You have a claim on me, Mr. Oldbuck, were my business more urgent,'' said Neville, ``for having passed

myself upon you under a false name, and rewarding your hospitality by injuring your nephew.''

``You served him as he deserved,'' said Oldbuck``though, by the way, he showed as much good sense as

spirit today Egad! if he would rub up his learning, and read Caesar and Polybus, and the Stratagemata

Polyaeni, I think he would rise in the armyand I will certainly lend him a lift.''

``He is heartily deserving of it,'' said Neville; ``and I am glad you excuse me, which you may do the more

frankly, when you know that I am so unfortunate as to have no better right to the name of Neville, by which I

have been generally distinguished, than to that of Lovel, under which you knew me.''

``Indeed! then, I trust, we shall find out one for you to which you shall have a firm and legal title.''

``By no means, young man,'' answered the Antiquary, interrupting him;``I believe I know more of your

birth than you do yourselfand, to convince you of it, you were educated and known as a natural son of

Geraldin Neville of Neville'sBurgh, in Yorkshire, and I presume, as his destined heir?''

``Pardon meno such views were held out to me. I was liberally educated, and pushed forward in the army

by money and interest; but I believe my supposed father long entertained some ideas of marriage, though he

``You say your supposed father?What leads you to suppose Mr. Geraldin Neville was not your real

``I know, Mr. Oldbuck, that you would not ask these questions on a point of such delicacy for the

gratification of idle curiosity. I will therefore tell you candidly, that last year, while we occupied a small town

in French Flanders, I found in a convent, near which I was quartered, a woman who spoke remarkably good

EnglishShe was a Spaniardher name Teresa D'Acunha. In the process of our acquaintance, she

discovered who I was, and made herself known to me as the person who had charge of my infancy. She

dropped more than one hint of rank to which I was entitled, and of injustice done to me, promising a more

full disclosure in case of the death of a lady in Scotland, during whose lifetime she was determined to keep

the secret. She also intimated that Mr. Geraldin Neville was not my father. We were attacked by the enemy,

and driven from the town, which was pillaged with savage ferocity by the republicans. The religious orders

were the particular objects of their hate and cruelty. The convent was burned, and several nuns perished

among others Teresa; and with her all chance of knowing the story of my birth: tragic by all accounts it

``Raro antecedentem scelestum, or, as I may here say, scelestam,'' said Oldbuck, ``deseruit poenaeven

``I remonstrated with Mr. Neville by letter, and to no purpose. I then obtained leave of absence, and threw

myself at his feet, conjuring him to complete the disclosure which Teresa had begun. He refused, and, on my

importunity, indignantly upbraided me with the favours he had already conferred. I thought he abused the

power of a benefactor, as he was compelled to admit he had no title to that of a father, and we parted in

mutual displeasure. I renounced the name of Neville, and assumed that under which you knew me. It was at

this time, when residing with a friend in the north of England who favoured my disguise, that I became

acquainted with Miss Wardour, and was romantic enough to follow her to Scotland. My mind wavered on

various plans of life, when I resolved to apply once more to Mr. Neville for an explanation of the mystery of

my birth. It was long ere I received an answer; you were present when it was put into my hands. He informed

me of his bad state of health, and conjured me, for my own sake, to inquire no farther into the nature of his

connection with me, but to rest satisfied with his declaring it to be such and so intimate, that he designed to

constitute me his heir. When I was preparing to leave Fairport to join him, a second express brought me word

that he was no more. The possession of great wealth was unable to suppress the remorseful feelings with

which I now regarded my conduct to my benefactor, and some hints in his letter appearing to intimate there

was on my birth a deeper stain than that of ordinary illegitimacy, I remembered certain prejudices of Sir

``And you brooded over these melancholy ideas until you were ill, instead of coming to me for advice, and

``Exactly; then came my quarrel with Captain M`Intyre, and my compelled departure from Fairport and its

``And since that time you have been occupied, I suppose, with plans for Sir Arthur's relief?''

``And Edie Ochiltree hereyou see I know the whole story. But how came you by the treasure?''

``It was a quantity of plate which had belonged to my uncle, and was left in the custody of a person at

Fairport. Some time before his death he had sent orders that it should be melted down. He perhaps did not

``Well, Major Nevilleor let me say, Lovel, being the name in which I rather delightyou must, I

believe, exchange both of your alias's for the style and title of the Honourable William Geraldin, commonly

The Antiquary then went through the strange and melancholy circumstances concerning his mother's death.

``I have no doubt,'' he said, ``that your uncle wished the report to be believed, that the child of this unhappy

marriage was no moreperhaps he might himself have an eye to the inheritance of his brotherhe was

then a gay wild young manBut of all intentions against your person, however much the evil conscience of

Elspeth might lead her to inspect him from the agitation in which he appeared, Teresa's story and your own

fully acquit him. And now, my dear sir, let me have the pleasure of introducing a son to a father.''

We will not attempt to describe such a meeting. The proofs on all sides were found to be complete, for Mr.

Neville had left a distinct account of the whole transaction with his confidential steward in a sealed packet,

which was not to be opened until the death of the old Countess; his motive for preserving secrecy so long

appearing to have been an apprehension of the effect which the discovery, fraught with so much disgrace,

In the evening of that day, the yeomanry and volunteers of Glenallan drank prosperity to their young master.

In a month afterwards Lord Geraldin was married to Miss Wardour, the Antiquary making the lady a present

of the wedding ringa massy circle of antique chasing, bearing the motto of Aldobrand Oldenbuck, Kunst

Old Edie, the most important man that ever wore a blue gown, bowls away easily from one friend's house to

another, and boasts that he never travels unless on a sunny day. Latterly, indeed, he has given some

symptoms of becoming stationary, being frequently found in the corner of a snug cottage between Monkbarns

and Knockwinnock, to which Caxon retreated upon his daughter's marriage, in order to be in the

neighbourhood of the three parochial wigs, which he continues to keep in repair, though only for amusement.

Edie has been heard to say, ``This is a gey bein place, and it's a comfort to hae sic a corner to sit in in a bad

day.'' It is thought, as he grows stiffer in the joints, he will finally settle there.

The bounty of such wealthy patrons as Lord and Lady Geraldin flowed copiously upon Mrs. Hadoway and

upon the Mucklebackits. By the former it was well employed, by the latter wasted. They continue, however,

to receive it, but under the administration of Edie Ochiltree; and they do not accept it without grumbling at

Hector is rising rapidly in the army, and has been more than once mentioned in the Gazette, and rises

proportionally high in his uncle's favour; and what scarcely pleases the young soldier less, he has also shot

two seals, and thus put an end to the Antiquary's perpetual harping upon the story of the phoca. People talk of

a marriage between Miss M`Intyre and Captain Wardour; but this wants confirmation.

The Antiquary is a frequent visitor at Knockwinnock and Glenallan House, ostensibly for the sake of

completing two essays, one on the mailshirt of the Great Earl, and the other on the lefthand gauntlet of

HellinHarness. He regularly inquires whether Lord Geraldin has commenced the Caledoniad, and shakes

his head at the answers he receives. En attendant, however, he has completed his notes, which, we believe,

will be at the service of any one who chooses to make them public without risk or expense to THE

[``It was in correcting the proofsheets of this novel that Scott first took to equipping his chapters with

mottoes of his own fabrication. On one occasion he happened to ask John Ballantyne, who was sitting by

him, to hunt for a particular passage in Beaumont and Fletcher. John did as he was bid, but did not succeed in

discovering the lines. ``Hang it, Johnnie,'' cried Scott, ``I believe I can make a motto sooner than you will

find one.'' He did so accordingly; and from that hour, whenever memory failed to suggest an appropriate

epigraph, he had recourse to the inexhaustible mines of ``old play'' or ``old ballad,'' to which we owe some of

[This wellknown work, the ``Itinerarium Septentrionale, or a Journey thro' most of the Counties of Scotland,

and those in the North of England,'' was published at London in 1727, folio. The author states, that in

prosecuting his work he ``made a pretty laborious progress through almost every part of Scotland for three

years successively.'' Gordon was a native of Aberdeenshire, and had previously spent some years in travelling

abroad, probably as a tutor. He became Secretary to the London Society of Antiquaries in 1736. This office

be resigned in 1741, and soon after went out to South Carolina with Governor Glen, where he obtained a

considerable grant of land. On his death, about the year 1753, he is said to have left ``a handsome estate to his

family.''See Literary Anecdotes of Bowyer, by John Nichols, vol. v., p. 329, etc.]

It may be worth while to mention that the incident of the supposed Praetorium actually happened to an

antiquary of great learning and acuteness, Sir John Clerk of Penicuik, one of the Barons of the Scottish Court

of Exchequer, and a parliamentary commissioner for arrangement of the Union between England and

Scotland. As many of his writings show, Sir John was much attached to the study of Scottish antiquities. He

had a small property in Dumfriesshire, near the Roman station on the hill called Burrenswark. Here he

received the distinguished English antiquarian Roger Gale, and of course conducted him to see this

remarkable spot, where the lords of the world have left such decisive marks of their martial labours.

An aged shepherd whom they had used as a guide, or who had approached them from curiosity, listened with

mouth agape to the dissertations on foss and vellum, ports dextra, sinistra, and decumana, which Sir John

Clerk delivered ex cathedra, and his learned visitor listened with the deference to the dignity of a connoisseur

on his own ground. But when the cicerone proceeded to point out a small hillock near the centre of the

enclosure as the Praetorium, Corydon's patience could hold no longer, and, like Edie Ochiltree, he forgot all

reverence, and broke in with nearly the same words``Praetorium here, Praetorium there, I made the

bourock mysell with a flaughterspade.'' The effect of this undeniable evidence on the two lettered sages may

The late excellent and venerable John Clerk of Eldin, the celebrated author of Naval Tactics, used to tell this

story with glee, and being a younger son of Sir John's was perhaps present on the occasion.

The legend of Mrs. Grizel Oldbuck was partly taken from an extraordinary story which happened about

seventy years since, in the South of Scotland, so peculiar in its circumstances that it merits being mentioned

in this place. Mr. Rutherfurd of Bowland, a gentleman of landed property in the vale of Gala, was prosecuted

for a very considerable sum, the accumulated arrears of teind (or tithe) for which he was said to be indebted

to a noble family, the titulars (lay impropriators of the tithes). Mr. Rutherfurd was strongly impressed with

the belief that his father had, by a form of process peculiar to the law of Scotland, purchased these lands from

the titular, and therefore that the present prosecution was groundless. But, after an industrious search among

his father's papers, an investigation of the public records, and a careful inquiry among all persons who had

transacted law business for his father, no evidence could be recovered to support his defence. The period was

now near at hand when he conceived the loss of his lawsuit to be inevitable, and he had formed his

determination to ride to Edinburgh next day, and make the best bargain he could in the way of compromise.

He went to bed with this resolution and, with all the circumstances of the case floating upon his mind, had a

dream to the following purpose:His father, who had been many years dead, appeared to him, he thought,

and asked him why he was disturbed in his mind. In dreams men are not surprised at such apparitions. Mr.

Rutherfurd thought that he informed his father of the cause of his distress, adding that the payment of a

considerable sum of money was the more unpleasant to him, because he had a strong consciousness that it

was not due, though he was unable to recover any evidence in support of his belief, ``You are right, my son,''

replied the paternal shade; ``I did acquire right to these teinds, for payment of which you are now prosecuted.

The papers relating to the transaction are in the hands of Mr. , a writer (or attorney), who is now

retired from professional business, and resides at Inveresk, near Edinburgh. He was a person whom I

employed on that occasion for a particular reason, but who never on any other occasion transacted business

on my account. It is very possible,'' pursued the vision, ``that Mr. may have forgotten a matter which

is now of a very old date; but you may call it to his recollection by this token, that when I came to pay his

account, there was difficulty in getting change for a Portugal piece of gold, and that we were forced to drink

Mr. Rutherfurd awakened in the morning with all the words of the vision imprinted on his mind, and thought

it worth while to ride across the country to Inveresk, instead of going straight to Edinburgh. When he came

there he waited on the gentleman mentioned in the dream, a very old man; without saying anything of the

vision, he inquired whether he remembered having conducted such a matter for his deceased father. The old

gentleman could not at first bring the circumstance to his recollection, but on mention of the Portugal piece of

gold, the whole returned upon his memory; he made an immediate search for the papers, and recovered

them,so that Mr. Rutherfurd carried to Edinburgh the documents necessary to gain the cause which he

The author has often heard this story told by persons who had the best access to know the facts, who were not

likely themselves to be deceived, and were certainly incapable of deception. He cannot therefore refuse to

give it credit, however extraordinary the circumstances may appear. The circumstantial character of the

information given in the dream, takes it out of the general class of impressions of the kind which are

occasioned by the fortuitous coincidence of actual events with our sleeping thoughts. On the other hand, few

will suppose that the laws of nature were suspended, and a special communication from the dead to the living

permitted, for the purpose of saving Mr. Rutherfurd a certain number of hundred pounds. The author's theory

is, that the dream was only the recapitulation of information which Mr. Rutherfurd had really received from

his father while in life, but which at first he merely recalled as a general impression that the claim was settled.

It is not uncommon for persons to recover, during sleep, the thread of ideas which they have lost during their

It may be added, that this remarkable circumstance was attended with bad consequences to Mr. Rutherfurd ;

whose health and spirits were afterwards impaired by the attention which he thought himself obliged to pay to

A sort of tally generally used by bakers of the olden time in settling with their customers. Each family had its

own nickstick, and for each loaf as delivered a notch was made on the stick. Accounts in Exchequer, kept by

the same kind of check, may have occasioned the Antiquary's partiality. In Prior's time the English bakers had

Have you not seen a baker's maid, Between two equal panniers sway'd? Her tallies useless lie and idle, If

A great deal of stuff to the same purpose with that placed in the mouth of the German adept, may be found in

Reginald Scott's Discovery of Witchcraft, Third Edition, folio, London, 1665. The Appendix is entitled, ``An

Excellent Discourse of the Nature and Substances of Devils and Spirits, in two Books ; the first by the

aforesaid author (Reginald Scott), the Second now added in this Third Edition as succedaneous to the former,

and conducing to the completing of the whole work.'' This Second Book, though stated as succedaneous to

the first, is, in fact, entirely at variance with it; for the work of Reginald Scott is a compilation of the absurd

and superstitious ideas concerning witches so generally entertained at the time, and the pretended conclusion

[Scott's Discovery of Witchcraft was first published in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, London, 1584.]

In the fishing villages on the Firths of Forth and Tay, as well as elsewhere in Scotland, the government is

gyneocracy, as described in the text. In the course of the late war, and during the alarm of invasion, a fleet of

transports entered the Firth of Forth under the convoy of some ships of war, which would reply to no signals.

A general alarm was excited, in consequence of which, all the fishers, who were enrolled as seafencibles,

got on board the gunboats which they were to man as occasion should require, and sailed to oppose the

supposed enemy. The foreigners proved to be Russians, with whom we were then at peace. The county

gentlemen of MidLothian, pleased with the zeal displayed by the seafencibles at a critical moment, passed

a vote for presenting the community of fishers with a silver punchbowl, to be used on occasions of festivity.

But the fisherwomen, on hearing what was intended, put in their claim to have some separate share in the

intended honorary reward. The men, they said, were their husbands; it was they who would have been

sufferers if their husbands had been killed, and it was by their permission and injunctions that they embarked

on board the gunboats for the public service. They therefore claimed to share the reward in some manner

which should distinguish the female patriotism which they had shown on the occasion. The gentlemen of the

county willingly admitted the claim; and without diminishing the value of their compliment to the men, they

made the females a present of a valuable broach, to fasten the plaid of the queen of the fisherwomen for the

It may be further remarked, that these Nereids are punctilious among themselves, and observe different ranks

according to the commodities they deal in. One experienced dame was heard to characterise a younger

damsel as ``a puir silly thing, who had no ambition, and would never,'' she prophesied, ``rise above the

The great battle of Harlaw, here and formerly referred to, might be said to determine whether the Gaelic or

the Saxon race should be predominant in Scotland. Donald, Lord of the Isles, who had at that period the

power of an independent sovereign, laid claim to the Earldom of Ross during the Regency of Robert, Duke of

Albany. To enforce his supposed right, he ravaged the north with a large army of Highlanders and Islesmen.

He was encountered at Harlaw, in the Garioch, by Alexander, Earl of Mar, at the head of the northern nobility

and gentry of Saxon and Norman descent. The battle was bloody and indecisive; but the invader was obliged

to retire in consequence of the loss he sustained, and afterwards was compelled to make submission to the

Regent, and renounce his pretensions to Ross; so that all the advantages of the field were gained by the

The concluding circumstance of Elspeth's death is taken from an incident said to have happened at the funeral

of John, Duke of Roxburghe. All who were acquainted with that accomplished nobleman must remember that

he was not more remarkable for creating and possessing a most curious and splendid library, than for his

acquaintance with the literary treasures it contained. In arranging his books, fetching and replacing the

volumes which he wanted, and carrying on all the necessary intercourse which a man of letters holds with his

library, it was the Duke's custom to employ, not a secretary or librarian, but a livery servant, called Archie,

whom habit had made so perfectly acquainted with the library, that he knew every book, as a shepherd does

the individuals of his flock, by what is called headmark, and could bring his master whatever volume he

wanted, and afford all the mechanical aid the Duke required in his literary researches. To secure the

attendance of Archie, there was a bell hung in his room, which was used on no occasion except to call him

His Grace died in Saint James's Square, London, in the year 1804; the body was to be conveyed to Scotland,

to lie in state at his mansion of Fleurs, and to be removed from thence to the family burialplace at Bowden.

At this time, Archie, who had been long attacked by a livercomplaint, was in the very last stage of that

disease. Yet he prepared himself to accompany the body of the master whom he had so long and so faithfully

waited upon. The medical persons assured him he could not survive the journey. It signified nothing, he said,

whether he died in England or Scotland; he was resolved to assist in rendering the last honours to the kind

master from whom he had been inseparable for so many years, even if he should expire in the attempt. The

poor invalid was permitted to attend the Duke's body to Scotland; but when they reached Fleurs he was

totally exhausted, and obliged to keep his bed, in a sort of stupor which announced speedy dissolution. On the

morning of the day fixed for removing the dead body of the Duke to the place of burial, the private bell by

which he was wont to summon his attendant to his study was rung violently. This might easily happen in the

confusion of such a scene, although the people of the neighbourhood prefer believing that the bell sounded of

its own accord. Ring, however, it did ; and Archie, roused by the wellknown summons, rose up in his bed,

and faltered, in broken accents, ``Yes, my Lord DukeyesI will wait on your Grace instantly;'' and

The story of the false alarm at Fairport, and the consequences, are taken from a real incident. Those who

witnessed the state of Britain, and of Scotland in particular, from the period that succeeded the war which

commenced in 1803 to the battle of Trafalgar, must recollect those times with feelings which we can hardly

hope to make the rising generation comprehend. Almost every individual was enrolled either in a military or

civil capacity, for the purpose of contributing to resist the longsuspended threats of invasion, which were

echoed from every quarter. Beacons were erected along the coast, and all through the country, to give the

signal for every one to repair to the post where his peculiar duty called him, and men of every description fit

to serve held themselves in readiness on the shortest summons. During this agitating period, and on the

evening of the 2d February 1804, the person who kept watch on the commanding station of Home Castle,

being deceived by some accidental fire in the county of Northumberland, which he took for the corresponding

signallight in that county with which his orders were to communicate, lighted up his own beacon. The signal

was immediately repeated through all the valleys on the English Border. If the beacon at Saint Abb's Head

had been fired, the alarm would have run northward, and roused all Scotland. But the watch at this important

point judiciously considered, that if there had been an actual or threatened descent on our eastern seacoast,

the alarm would have come along the coast and not from the interior of the country.

Through the Border counties the alarm spread with rapidity, and on no occasion when that country was the

scene of perpetual and unceasing war, was the summons to arms more readily obeyed. In Berwickshire,

Roxburghshire, and Selkirkshire, the volunteers and militia got under arms with a degree of rapidity and

alacrity which, considering the distance individuals lived from each other, had something in it very

surprisingthey poured to the alarmposts on the seacoast in a state so well armed and so completely

appointed, with baggage, provisions, etc., as was accounted by the best military judges to render them fit for

There were some particulars in the general alarm which are curious and interesting. The men of Liddesdale,

the most remote point to the westward which the alarm reached, were so much afraid of being late in the

field, that they put in requisition all the horses they could find, and when they had thus made a forced march

out of their own country, they turned their borrowed steeds loose to find their way back through the hills, and

they all got back safe to their own stables. Another remarkable circumstance was, the general cry of the

inhabitants of the smaller towns for arms, that they might go along with their companions. The Selkirkshire

Yeomanry made a remarkable march, for although some of the individuals lived at twenty and thirty miles'

distance from the place where they mustered, they were nevertheless embodied and in order in so short a

period, that they were at Dalkeith, which was their alarmpost, about one o'clock on the day succeeding the

first signal, with men and horses in good order, though the roads were in a bad state, and many of the troopers

must have ridden forty or fifty miles without drawing bridle. Two members of the corps chanced to be absent

from their homes, and in Edinburgh on private business. The lately married wife of one of these gentlemen,

and the widowed mother of the other, sent the arms, uniforms, and chargers of the two troopers, that they

might join their companions at Dalkeith. The author was very much struck by the answer made to him by the

lastmentioned lady, when he paid her some compliment on the readiness which she showed in equipping her

son with the means of meeting danger, when she might have left him a fair excuse for remaining absent.

``Sir,'' she replied, with the spirit of a Roman matron, ``none can know better than you that my son is the only

prop by which, since his father's death, our family is supported. But I would rather see him dead on that

hearth, than hear that he had been a horse's length behind his companions in the defence of his king and

country.'' The author mentions what was immediately under his own eye, and within his own knowledge; but

the spirit was universal, wherever the alarm reached, both in Scotland and England.

The account of the ready patriotism displayed by the country on this occasion, warmed the hearts of

Scottishmen in every corner of the world. It reached the ears of the wellknown Dr. Leyden, whose

enthusiastic love of Scotland, and of his own district of Teviotdale, formed a distinguished part of his

character. The account which was read to him when on a sickbed, stated (very truly) that the different corps,

on arriving at their alarmposts, announced themselves by their music playing the tunes peculiar to their own

districts, many of which have been gatheringsignals for centuries. It was particularly remembered, that the

O wha dare meddle wi' me, And wha dare meddle wi' me! My name it is little Jock Elliot, And wha dare

The patient was so delighted with this display of ancient Border spirit, that he sprung up in his bed, and began

to sing the old song with such vehemence of action and voice, that his attendants, ignorant of the cause of

excitation, concluded that the fever had taken possession of his brain; and it was only the entry of another

Borderer, Sir John Malcolm, and the explanation which he was well qualified to give, that prevented them

The circumstances of this false alarm and its consequences may be now held of too little importance even for

a note upon a work of fiction; but, at the period when it happened, it was hailed by the country as a propitious

omen, that the national force, to which much must naturally have been trusted, had the spirit to look in the

face the danger which they had taken arms to repel; and every one was convinced, that on whichever side

God might bestow the victory, the invaders would meet with the most determined opposition from the