annals of the parish(教区年鉴)-第16章
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of Ayr。 We sat； as it were； in a lown and pleasant place； beholding our
prosperity； like the apple…tree adorned with her garlands of flourishes； in
the first fair mornings of the spring； when the birds were returning thanks
to their Maker for the coming again of the seed…time； and the busy bee
goeth forth from her cell； to gather honey from the flowers of the field；
and the broom of the hill； and the blue…bells and gowans； which Nature；
with a gracious and a gentle hand； scatters in the valley； as she walketh
forth in her beauty； to testify to the goodness of the Father of all mercies。
Both at the spring and the harvest sacraments； the weather was as that
which is in Paradise； there was a glad composure in all hearts； and the
minds of men were softened towards each other。 The number of
communicants was greater than had been known for many years； and the
tables were filled by the pious from many a neighbouring parish： those of
my hearers who had opposed my placing； declared openly； for a testimony
of satisfaction and holy thankfulness； that the tent； so surrounded as it was
on both occasions； was a sight they never had expected to see。 I was； to
be sure； assisted by some of the best divines then in the land； but I had not
been a sluggard myself in the vineyard。
Often； when I think on this year； so fruitful in pleasant intimacies； has
the thought come into my mind； that as the Lord blesses the earth from
time to time with a harvest of more than the usual increase； so； in like
manner； he is sometimes for a season pleased to pour into the breasts of
mankind a larger portion of good…will and charity； disposing them to love
one another； to be kindly to all creatures； and filled with the delight of
thankfulness to himself； which is the greatest of blessings。
It was in this year that the Earl of Eaglesham ordered the fair to be
established in the village； and it was a day of wonderful festivity to all the
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bairns； and lads and lassies； for miles round。 I think； indeed； that there has
never been such a fair as the first since； for although we have more
mountebanks and merry…andrews now； and richer cargoes of groceries and
packman's stands； yet there has been a falling off in the light…hearted
daffing； while the hobleshows in the change…houses have been awfully
augmented。 It was on this occasion that Punch's opera was first seen in
our country side； and surely never was there such a funny curiosity； for
although Mr Punch himself was but a timber idol； he was as droll as a true
living thing； and napped with his head so comical； but oh！ he was a
sorrowful contumacious captain； and it was just a sport to see how he
rampaged； and triumphed； and sang。 For months after； the laddie weans
did nothing but squeak and sing like Punch。 In short； a blithe spirit was
among us throughout this year； and the briefness of the chronicle bears
witness to the innocency of the time。
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CHAPTER XII YEAR 1771
It was in this year that my troubles with Lady Macadam's affair began。
She was a woman； as I have by hint here and there intimated； of a prelatic
disposition； seeking all things her own way； and not overly scrupulous
about the means； which I take to be the true humour of prelacy。 She was
come of a high episcopal race in the east country； where sound doctrine
had been long but little heard； and she considered the comely humility of a
presbyter as the wickedness of hypocrisy； so that； saving in the way of
neighbourly visitation； there was no sincere communion between us。
Nevertheless； with all her vagaries； she had the element of a kindly spirit；
that would sometimes kythe in actions of charity； that showed symptoms
of a true Christian grace； had it been properly cultivated； but her morals
had been greatly neglected in her youth； and she would waste her precious
time in the long winter nights； playing at the cards with her visitors； in the
which thriftless and sinful pastime； she was at great pains to instruct Kate
Malcolm； which I was grieved to understand。 What； however； I most
misliked in her ladyship； was a lightness and juvenility of behaviour
altogether unbecoming her years； for she was far past three…score； having
been long married without children。 Her son； the soldier officer； came so
late； that it was thought she would have been taken up as an evidence in
the Douglas cause。 She was； to be sure； crippled with the rheumatics；
and no doubt the time hung heavy on her hands； but the best friends of
recreation and sport must allow； that an old woman； sitting whole hours
jingling with that paralytic chattel a spinnet； was not a natural object！
What； then； could be said for her singing Italian songs； and getting all the
newest from Vauxhall in London； a boxful at a time； with new novel…
books； and trinkum…trankum flowers and feathers； and sweetmeats； sent to
her by a lady of the blood royal of Paris？ As for the music； she was at
great pains to instruct Kate； which； with the other things she taught； were
sufficient； as my lady said herself； to qualify poor Kate for a duchess or a
governess； in either of which capacities； her ladyship assured Mrs
Malcolm； she would do honour to her instructor； meaning her own self；
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but I must come to the point anent the affair。
One evening； early in the month of January； as I was sitting by myself
in my closet studying the Scots Magazine； which I well remember the new
number had come but that very night； Mrs Balwhidder being at the time
busy with the lasses in the kitchen； and superintending； as her custom was；
for she was a clever woman； a great wool…spinning we then had； both little
wheel and meikle wheel； for stockings and blanketssitting； as I was
saying； in the study； with the fire well gathered up； for a night's reflection；
a prodigious knocking came to the door； by which the book was almost
startled out of my hand； and all the wheels in the house were silenced at
once。 This was her ladyship's flunkey； to beg me to go to her； whom he
described as in a state of desperation。 Christianity required that I should
obey the summons； so； with what haste I could； thinking that perhaps； as
she had been low…spirited for some time about the young laird's going to
the Indies； she might have got a cast of grace； and been wakened in
despair to the state of darkness in which she had so long lived； I made as
few steps of the road between the manse and her house as it was in my
ability to do。
On reaching the door； I found a great light in the housecandles
burning up stairs and down stairs； and a sough of something extraordinar
going on。 I went into the dining…room； where her ladyship was wont to
sit； but she w
