in visiting the rustic toilets of the Highland queans, and quizzing their decorative habiliments without mercy.

On hearing this, David, first standing a second on the seat of his chair, bolted out, and, in a moment was seen in front of the "In the barn," said David to me, "we fan' window, throwing up his immortalised skullhalf a dizen great big hizzies, ilka ane wi' a case, and rending the air with shouts of rebit o' a broken looken-glass in her nieve, or a cognition and welcome. There was no cerebowlfu' o' clean water, to serve its purpose, mony, but much warmth in the reception. on her kist, greasing her hussocks o' sheeps All the three were from Glasgow. Their woo' that she ca'd hair, wi' a daud o' butter frank, but polished manners, promised an adshe had scrimpit her breakfast o', or the doup dition of enjoyment, as well as of numeral o' a candle she had coft at the clachad, for the strength to the guests of the feast, the hour eccasion. Whar the deil they got the paper for which was nigh at hand. The surroundto curl the locks they had creished, is mairing farmers and their families, now began to than I can fathom. There was mair than ae assemble in great numbers, and from very single carritch torn down for the purpose-distant points. The name of the farm in this that I'll mak aith to !-The soot o' the kitchen district becomes the cognomen of its occupier, lum, anʼan orra drap sour milk," added Tom, so there were successively ushered into the " was doain' a' for their half-tanned brogues parlour, Achray, Drumlane, Blairchulichan, that Day and Martin themselves could hae Braval, Blairvuick, and Trombouie. done; an' whan that didna polish weel aneugh, a slake o' their lang tongues or the greasying the house, was a half-blind, merry-looking calf skin, finished the business. Curches an' boddice, snoods an' girdles, were lyin' throughither wi' the granny's weel keepit lammer beads, and the only ance worn catton hose. Gude Lord! they set up sic a yellochin whan we meddle wi' them, that we were as fain to put our feet in our pouch, an walk aff, as ever a ploughman was for a haggis bag!"

Among those who were noticed in approach

fiddler, led by an old mendicant, with more of the rogue than the fool in his eye. "Bauldy M'Rosat and Will Shore, I was sure wad scent our Kirn, twenty mile awa'," said the Master of Ledard, as Tom, who was as fond of giving titles as a newly-crowned monarch, had named the oldest son of our entertainer. "But they're mair than welcome. I sent a As we adjourned to the farm parlour, on man to scour the kintra for Bauldy yesterday; being told dinner awaited us, in passing the its as weel, however, that he's come o' himstable, I caught a glimpse of about a dozen sel." Supper-time had now arrived, and it strapping fellows, who were very busy, some having been announced to Mr. and Mrs. reaping their black beards, and others adjust- M- that all was ready, they, arm in arm, ing their shoe buckles and showy hose, or dis-led the way to the vast barn, always the place playing with care, the attractions of long red where a Kirn is held, which had been neatly garters, tying up flaming sky-blue stockings. seated and fitted up for the occasion. All was hurry and preparation among the Mr. W. F placed J's arm within labourers. No ball at Almack's ever caused his own. I gave mine to K, Tom squired greater attention to the toilet, or excited|N, and we three ushered in to the exwarmer expectations, than this rural festival. pecting crowd, as beautiful partners as ever The conversation at this light repast, which, || graced a king's assembly. They were simply on an occasion like this, forms a farmer's and gracefully attired. The blue bell and family-dinner, chiefly regarded the arrange- the heather's bloom seemed fairer among their ments of the evening, till Tom and Mr. D.|| tresses, than the richest jewels would have M-looking out of the window, espied the done. As soon as the venerable heads of the approach of some individuals, whose advance || house had crossed the threshold, all within it to the house was announced by the former's stood up to receive them, while a buz-of rebawling out, "As I'm a Baillie, there's the spect and gladness ran through the apartment. Knicht o' the Plaid—aye, and Willie the Weel- 'My friens," said Ledard, "it's no ane o' faurt, and his brither John Genteel, the King's the least blessins o' Providence, that I hae to own draper!" be humble an' thankfu' for the seein' o' ye a'

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anither year around my table. My bermisons kindled the ire of his mendicant neighbour; upon ye,-ye are aye welcome!" "A guid but it subsided, as if by magic, on the appearhairst e'en to you, Laird, an' money o' them: ance of the bumpers of usquebagh, which now Hech sirs! gaberlunzie though I be, I'm circulated round, as a relish to the solidities blythe to see ye again at ye're ain Kirn!" which had preceded them. Two large boynes cried the figure that was pointed out to me were next placed in the centre of the table, as the privileged semi-ideot, called Will Shore. which, from the gradation of rank, from the -"Thank ye Will,-now sit down an' get top to the bottom, reminded me strongly of your wamefu"." "I'll get capernoitie, Ledard; || the feudal times and feasts of our Saxon foreand deevil a spring will I play the night, gin|| fathers. Those two immense dishes, Mr. ye dinna say, Hows a' wi' ye Bauldy?" said informed me, were peculiar to M'Rosat, as he felt his way forward to grasp the hand of the master of the feast.

D. M

this night's feast, and were emphatically called "The Kirn."-One of them was filled with An immense table stretched down the whole curds and sour cream, the other contained length of the centre of the barn. It groaned curds also, but with a sweet cream accompabeneath the load of wholesome viands that niment. They were speedily emptied, and were placed upon it. Around its lower part," curds and butter," amalgamated in a sinat a signal from the head, the men and the gular manner, till they form a delicious jelly, maidens of the sickle, in all the blushing ho- succeded them in attracting my notice. nours of the toilet, D. and T. had described, now eagerly gathered. The family of the master, with his invited guests, sat at the top, "aboon the saut," as Bauldy said. Your devoted was happy enough to get a seat purposely provided for him, betwixt his fellow logician and his sister J—, who explained to him all the customs, and named the || dishes of the banquet. Fare, such as an Englishman is supposed to relish, was especially provided for my use-but I was now accus-gendary lore of the district. tomed to Scottish plenty, and declined the Will Shore had contrived to gain Elspeth's distinction. Grace was said in an impressive || seat, and had secured all the substantials ininanner, by Mr. M——, and in a moment, the tended for her, in addition to his own share; clatter of spoons and trenchers was deafening. but he had now to relinquish his conspicuous Fine Scotch kail was the first dish in our bill situation, and the old son kindly and carefully of fare. "Gudesafe us, Will, are ye gaun to seated the modest Elspeth Errolside in a conrive yoursel', ye camshauchel'd deevil?" cried || venient situation, where I had a full view of Bauldy M'Rosat to his neighbour. "Steek her uncommonly interesting features. your gab, an' min ye're ain pins, ye lan' loupin' thairm scraper ye!-I've room: for as muckle again yet; an' maun hae my kitefu' at a Kirn, though the Marquis himsel' were here," answered the ready, though half-witted glutton, greatly to the diversion of those around him. "How like ye hotch-potch, Maister Yorke ?" cried David over the table. "Gudefaith," answered his carrotty companion, speir that, an' him at his third ladlefu'!" You see, from this remark, that I || relished the dish as much as Dr. Johnson did. Boiled beef, with its Scottish accompaniment, oatmeal bannocks, an inch thick, came next. Another remark of the facetious M'Rosat here

"See that Elspeth Errolside's attended to, down there, will you, John ?" said Mrs. M— to her son, in a tone which fixed attention on my part. Elspeth, I found on inquiry, was a lonely and aged widow, whose husband and children, though they boasted of the blood of || chieftainship in their veins, had fallen, in the humblest rank, in their country's battles. Elspeth was said to possess intelligence above her station and was a depository for all the le

Thanks were now returned to the Giver of all Good; the table was cleared, and the jars and glasses placed

Mr. M. and his partner drank the healths of all their guests, which was answered by every one present, enthusiastically drinking to the health and happiness of the family of Ledard. Now, began the swell of heart-easing mirth, now the loud and unrestrained laugh and the ready joke, were heard in every corner, as the bumpers of warm toddy, or cold whisky, according to the fancy or constitution of the drinkers, circulated. Happiness seemed to have allowed herself, under the guidance of merriment, to pitch her tent for the night be,

The dance was again renewed with as much vigour as ever, but my English constitution could not stand the exercise longer, so I retired with Mrs. and Mr. M. Elspeth Errolside was smoking her pipe in the kitchen as we en

neath the rooftree of Ledard. My three new || Celts, releived by their own piper, and immeacquaintances rivalled my older ones, in their diately adjourned to the eating room for a refrankness and humour, and many a joke and plenish of provant. banter passed between them. Singing, at length, for a while, took place of sheer laughter, and many a sweet and touching, many a comic and outré melody, was characteristically sung. Iwas forced to try my pipe, and gave them the fine and chivalrous ballad, pub-tered. I conversed a long time with her, and lished in the Border Minstrelsy, "If doughty deeds, &c." principally because it was written by the father of one of the greatest proprietors in this neighbourhood, Mr. Grahame of Gart

more.

With many of the pieces sung, though all Scotch, I had been long familiar, as from their merit, every lover of song must be. But here I heard "Tam Glen," "My Nannie O!" "Last May a braw wooer," and " Whistle, an' I'll come to ye, my lad." given with a gusto akin to the spirit they were conceived in ; || and which can only be found around “ a farmer's ingle." Many, however, were new to me, and of some of these I was successful in procuring copies, which, as you are an almost indiscriminate admirer of Scottish Music and Song, I send for your inspection.

We now heard the cheerful twang of Bauldy's fiddle, and hastened out to enjoy the merry dance, of which the Highlanders and the whole of the female part of the company were passionately fond. Your humble servant led through the first reel, to the chivalrous old jacobite melody," Kenmure's on and awa'" with Miss M-, and was joined by all his new friends. I thought old D'Egville had|| tutored me pretty well in the use of my feet, but I found strathspey dancing was a national amusement; and I was fairly eclipsed by Mr. | W. F——————, and more than one of the Highlanders at the bottom of the room. The spirit with which the Scotch reel is kept up through || its long protraction is wonderful. Life and soul seem to enter and be absorbed in it. The "thairm-scraper,” as the gaberlunzie called the fiddler, was an original, a fellow of much experience of the world, and "infinite humour," clever at a joke, and "full of wise saws and modern instances." He seemed to have every old Scotch rant and reel locked up in his fiddle which he drew forth, improving in vivacity, as the number of his "skreigh," potations, increased. He was, at the desire of the

was much interested in, and got some instruction, from this venerable relic of clanship. She still looked back with reverence to feudal times, and doated on feudal manners. Mr. Mknew how to touch the chord of her sympathy, and on being reminded of a tradition of the neighbourhood, she looked out, and seeing the, harvest moon beaming on the blue Loch, in placid beauty, exclaimed, " Bonny, but deceitfu' moon, and smooth, but deep deep water. Mony a braw and gallant ane sleep aneath your skinkling wavies. Your Water Lady is heard nae mair-but yet she'll surely come back again!—your kelpies are frightened awa-but they're no dead, for they canna die. Sir Malcom Errolside was the last, and the best, ye ever whamled in your waves!"

Here she repeated, as if totally unconscious of our presence, a rude and wild ballad, which had been made on one who once bore the name of her husband.

The dancers, though it was now daylight, continued their sport with untired vigour and undiminished spirits. I took a farewell reel, bade them a good morning, and retired.

"Ive seen waur Saxons on this side o' Craigmaddie, than that Maister Ercy Pork, or what d'ye ca' him," I heard Will Shore remark to his fidus achates, Bauldy M'Rosat, as I left the door;—and rude though the tribute was, shall I confess that I was weak enough to be pleased with it?-It seemed to me a proof that I had been as successful as I wished to be, in the difficult task of suiting my manners to those of the place I sojourned in, since even the prejudices of the gaberlunzie, against “a’ land loupin and antrin Englishers," seemed, through me to be overcome. Its a foible of mine to wish to stand well even with the most humble.

The day, as you may believe, was pretty far advanced before I left my pillow. After breakfast, I began 'to make preparations for my departure, but neither without opposition on

154

ON THE SUPERSTITIONS CONCERNING THE AGENCY GF FAIRIES.

the part of my kind friends, nor without reluctance on my own side. But my engagements in Glasgow were of an imperative nature, and I dragged myself away from my hospitable entertainers and new acquaintances, with a sensation of pain as keen, as the relish of my former pleasures.

I was not suffered to depart without many a hearty shake of the hand, and more than one bumper of the heather dew. After reiterating|| my promises to visit Ledard in winter, I bade it farewell, and Mr. D M— rode along with me over to Aberfoil, thus giving me, not only a horse to Glasgow, but a "Scotch convoy of five miles on my road. Never-never, my dear Twiss, shall I forget, or remember without delight, the days whose history I have now related to you. In the busy haunts of city life their memory will refresh me, like an

ever bubbling fountain, amid a dreary waste. In sickness and pain the recollection of these past joys will cheer and soothe me. In solitude they will be company :-in crowds-a

retreat.

Fare thee well thou lovely Loch, and you ye dwellers on its banks!-For the green fields of my own "merry England” I have a filial love. Many a nook of sequestered beauty amid them, I will revisit with heartfelt delight.-Yet even surrounded by their smiling plenty, I will not cease to remember the blue hills-the rushing burn, and the clear Loch near Ledard-No! nor its warmhearted inmates. No! my dear T-, nor in any place my friendship for you, which no chance nor change can eradicate from the bosom of your ever faithful and affectionate, PERCY YORKE.

ON THE SUPERSTITIONS CONCERNING THE AGENCY OF FAIRIES.

(Continued from page 7.)

vance this way, that I may shew you how trimly are mounted the messengers of doom, to carry excisemen, still devouring the poor on your earth." On a spacious plain was ranged a number of men on all-fours, with

""

HAVING penetrated many obscure subterranean labrynths, a slight light directed the eyes of the Drogheda adventurer to a more extended space, whence proceeded muttered execrations, accompanied by plashing, plun-carb and bridle in their mouths, and saddles ging, and angry shouts, from a multitude of on their backs: Beside each, with whip and men struggling fiercely with each other, to spur, stood a glashtii, or grey-grinning spirit emerge first from a vast bason of liquor, of evening. Mount, my gallants (said the which diffused, in reeking steam, the effluvia chieftainess) spare not whip nor spur; and of brandy, geneva, or the mountain dew of || see to it that none of you fail to bring in an alpine distilleries. The fairy chieftainess again || exciseman or informer, or their wives and made the vaults of her wide demense resound children." Every human equus, goaded by with laughter; and, after a broad stare into the lash and prong, soon cleared the plain. the troubled countenance of her companion, Their place was immediately filled by a crowd she said, "I know not whether the sad per- of boys, caparisoned in a similar manner, and plexed looks of my fine fellow, or the awk- bestrode by fays, armed with the same instruward tumblings of those rogues is most ments of torture. The chieftainess gave her diverting! See how they float like stupid logs, elves a strict command to take away all the or sink like drowned rats! On that monstrous milk from every cow, goat, sheep, or mare,* heap of distillery grains, the exciseman may pertaining to excisemen or informers; as also behold the informers they bribed, puffing and from all that supplied them with milk for wallowing in the spoils they took from secret price or favour. They were also enjoined to recesses of the crags and moors. Their crags inflict the like penalties on all who held comand moors corruptors can afford them no help, munion with those pests of society, unless the and both shall remain under penance, until shew of good neighbourhood was held out to they are wanted for training as steeds. Ad- gain opportunity for giving notices of danger

to the oppressed smugglers. We need hardly perty, were soon much poorer than before suggest to the reader some consideration of they received the legacy. The Drogheda adthis glaring instance how facts may be misre- venturer was, in the course of the following presented by sinister prejudices. The young winter, captured in a smuggling trade from ambling nags were speedily whipped forward Holland. He disclosed his name and family in different ways, and the chieftainess pointing to the commander of the revenue sloop, and after them, said, "These poneys that I have was sent to Ireland. His parents were highly given my people, were the bantlings of excise-respectable. They had in vain employed their men and informers. Observe how we employ || best endeavours to reclaim him. His father the wives of those miscreants. To every proposed to terrify him by imprisonment in woman we commit nine score of our dear the common jail, and by a mock trial, and babes to be suckle. You may suppose they execution, The forms of justice evidently have little rest; for the least plaint of our appalled him. He was sentenced to be deloved infants would be heard by us in the capitized. A week was allowed him to premost distant lands, and we would send a pare for death. A catholic priest attended troep of myrmidons in a moment to pinch the him. His father, brothers, and uncle, prenurses black and blue. In short, there can ceded by a masked executioner, entered the be no end, no remission of punishment, to any cell at the hour appointed for exacting the mortal who incurs my displeasure, or who forfeiture to the law. The unhappy youth, aggrieve my people, or my favourites of your supported by his ghostly instructor, kneeled world. Morn or even, noon-day or midnight,|| down, and laid his head on the block. The and all the intervening hours, are to them executioner, standing at his back, struck him labour and misery." The remainder of the violently on the neck with a piece of wet linen. Legend is not worth relating. We fear the He heaved one groan; and the change in his reader may think it is already more than suf- features alarmed the beholders. His father ficiently long. We shall trespass upon indul-raised him in his fond embraces. He was ingence only to mention, that the wretched stantly bled in both arms, but his spirit had woman who was bribed to co-operate with fled for ever. The grief of his family cannot the excise, came to her own country, where be depicted; yet, perhaps, his early death she lived in seeming comfort, but being seized exempted them from deeper woe. A dispowith a fever, she, and all who visited her insition so volatile, so inured to crime, allows sickness, were firmly convinced she suffered but very uncertain hopes of reformation. from fairy agency. Tradition adds, that her

near relations having succeeded to her pro

B. G.

GAELIC MANNERS.

(To the Editor of La Belle Assemblée.)

SIR.-The distinctive characteristics of the || anecdotes of the Fingalian race have appeared Gael being made known by natives of their country, have been often considered as pictures embellished con amore; but we crave leave to remind the incredulous, that, the pecularities of a people can be described with correct minuteness only by writers who from childhood upwards, have had opportunity to observe their actions. When facts of recent date correspond to the traditions respecting ancient manners, every candid mind will admit their coincident veracity; and as many

in La Belle Assemblee, we avail ourselves of the same elegant vehicle to preserve an event which called forth all the energetic kindness and generosity of a numerous population, in the several parishes of Strathspey. In the night between the 10th and 11th of January, 1822, the wife of a shoemaker, being disturb||ed by the restlessness of her infant, was alarmed by a red glare of light opposite to her window. She awoke her husband, who hastened to the house of James Shaw, Black