annals of the parish(教区年鉴)-第29章
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neighbours as any thing less than a very heavy calamity； was assuredly
occasioned by faults on both sides； but it must be confessed that the gentry
did nothing to win the commonality from the errors of their way。 A little
more condescension on their part would not have made things worse； and
might have made them better； but pride interposed； and caused them to
think that any show of affability from them would be construed by the
democrats into a terror of their power； while the democrats were no less to
blame； for hearing how their compeers were thriving in France； and
demolishing every obstacle to their ascendency； they were crouse and
really insolent； evidencing none of that temperance in prosperity that
proves the possessors worthy of their good fortune。
As for me； my duty in these circumstances was plain and simple。
The Christian religion was attempted to be brought into disrepute； the
rising generation were taught to gibe at its holiest ordinances； and the kirk
was more frequented as a place to while away the time on a rainy Sunday；
than for any insight of the admonitions and revelations in the sacred book。
Knowing this； I perceived that it would be of no effect to handle much the
mysteries of the faith； but as there was at the time a bruit and a sound
about universal benevolence； philanthropy； utility； and all the other
disguises with which an infidel philosophy appropriated to itself the
charity； brotherly love； and welldoing inculcated by our holy religion； I set
myself to task upon these heads； and thought it no robbery to use a little of
the stratagem employed against Christ's kingdom； to promote the interests
thereof in the hearts and understandings of those whose ears would have
been sealed against me； had I attempted to expound higher things。
Accordingly； on one day it was my practice to show what the nature of
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Christian charity was； comparing it to the light and warmth of the sun； that
shines impartially on the just and the unjustshowing that man； without
the sense of it as a duty； was as the beasts that perish； and that every
feeling of his nature was intimately selfish； but then when actuated by this
divine impulse； he rose out of himself； and became as a god； zealous to
abate the sufferings of all things that live； and； on the next day； I
demonstrated that the new benevolence which had come so much into
vogue； was but another version of this Christian virtue。 In like manner； I
dealt with brotherly love； bringing it home to the business and bosoms of
my hearers； that the Christianity of it was neither enlarged nor bettered by
being baptized with the Greek name of philanthropy。 With welldoing；
however； I went more roundly to work； I told my people that I thought
they had more sense than to secede from Christianity to become
Utilitarians； for that it would be a confession of ignorance of the faith they
deserved； seeing that it was the main duty inculcated by our religion to do
all in morals and manners to which the newfangled doctrine of utility
pretended。
These discourses； which I continued for sometime； had no great effect
on the men； but being prepared in a familiar household manner； they took
the fancies of the young women； which was to me an assurance that the
seed I had planted would in time shoot forth； for I reasoned with myself；
that if the gudeman of the immediate generation should continue free…
thinkers； their wives will take care that those of the next shall not lack that
spunk of grace； so I was cheered under that obscurity which fell upon
Christianity at this time； with a vista beyond； in which I saw； as it were；
the children unborn； walking on the bright green； and in the unclouded
splendour of the faith。
But what with the decay of trade； and the temptation of the king's
bounty； and； over all； the witlessness that was in the spirit of man at this
time； the number that enlisted in the course for the year from the parish
was prodigious。 In one week no less than three weavers and two cotton…
spinners went over to Ayr； and took the bounty of the Royal Artillery。
But I could not help remarking to myself； that the people were grown so
used to changes and extraordinary adventures； that the single enlistment of
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Thomas Wilson； at the beginning of the American war； occasioned a far
greater grief and work among us； than all the swarms that went off week
after week in the months of November and December of this year。
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CHAPTER XXXVI YEAR 1795
The present Ann。 Dom。 was ushered in with an event that I had never
dreaded to see in my day； in our once sober and religious country parish。
The number of lads that had gone over to Ayr to be soldiers from among
the spinners and weavers of Cayenneville had been so great； that the
government got note of it； and sent a recruiting party to be quartered in the
town； for the term clachan was beginning by this time to wear out of
fashion： indeed； the place itself was outgrowing the fitness of that title。
Never shall I forget the dunt that the first tap of the drum gied to my heart；
as I was sitting on Hansel Monday by myself at the parlour fireside； Mrs
Balwhidder being throng with the lassies looking out a washing； and my
daughter at Ayr； spending a few days with her old comrades of the
boarding school。 I thought it was the enemy； and then anon the sound of
the fife came shrill to the ear； for the night was lown and peaceful。 My
wife and all the lassies came flying in upon me； crying all in the name of
heaven； what could it be？ by which I was obligated to put on my big…coat；
and； with my hat and staff； go out to enquire。 The whole town was aloof；
the aged at the doors in clusters； and the bairns following the tattoo； as it
was called； and at every doubling beat of the drum； shouting as if they had
been in the face of their foemen。
Mr Archibald Dozendale； one of my elders； was saying to several
persons around him； just as I came up； 〃Hech； sirs！ but the battle draws
near our gates；〃 upon which there was a heavy sigh from all that heard him；
and then they told me of the sergeant's business； and we had a serious
communing together anent the same。 But while we were thus standing
discoursing on the causey； Mrs Balwhidder and the servant lassies could
thole no longer； but in a troop came in quest of me； to hear what was doing。
In short； it was a night both of sorrow and anxiety。 Mr Dozendale
walked back to the manse with us； and we had a sober tumbler of toddy
together； marvelling exceedingly where these fearful portents and changes
would stop； both of us being of opinion that the end of the world was
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drawing nearer and nearer。
Whether it was； however； that the lads belonging to the place did not
like to show themselves with the enlistment cockades among their
acquaintance； or that there was any other reason； I cannot take it upon me
to say； but certain it is； the recruiting party came no speed； and； in
consequence； were removed about the end of March。
Another thing happened in this year； too remarkable for me to neglect
to put on record； as it strangely and strikingly marked the rapid revolutions
that were going on。 In the month of August at the time of the fair； a gang
of playactors came； and hired Thomas Thacklan's barn for their
enactments。 They were the first of that clanjamfrey who had ever been in
the parish； and there was a wonderful excitement caused by the rumours
concerning them。 Their first performance was DOUGLAS TRAGEDY
and the GENTLE SHEPHERD： and the general opinion was； that the lad
who played Norval in the play； and Patie in the farce； was an English lord's
son； who had run away from his parents rather than marry an old cracket
lady with a great portion。 But； whatever truth there might be in this
notion； certain it is； the whole pack was in a state of perfect beggary； and
yet； for all that； they not only in their parts； as I was told； laughed most
heartily； but made others do the same； for I was constrained to let my
daughter go to see them； with some of her acquaintance； and she gave me
such an account of what they did； that I thought I would have liked to have
gotten a keek at them myself。 At the same time； I must own this was a
sinful curiosity； and I stifled it to the best of my ability。 Among other
plays that they did； was one called MACBETH AND THE WITCHES；
which the Miss Cayennes had seen performed in London； when they were
there in the winter time with their father； for three months； seeing the
world； after coming from the boarding…school。 But it was no more like
the true play of Shakespeare the poet； according to their account； than a
duddy betheral； set up to fright the sparrows from the peas； is like a living
gentleman。 The hungry players； instead of behaving like guests at the
royal banquet； were voracious on the needful feast of bread； and the strong
ale； that served for wine in decanters。 But the greatest sport of all was
about a kail…pot； that acted the part of a caldron； and which should have
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