annals of the parish(教区年鉴)-第32章
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known in town or country。 His wife had a terrible time o't with him； and
yet the unhappy man had a great share of common sense； and； saving the
exploits of his unmanageable temper； was an honest and creditable
gentleman。 Of his humour we soon had a sample； as I shall relate at
length all about it。
Shortly after he came to the parish； Mrs Balwhidder and me waited
upon the family to pay our respects； and Mr Cayenne； in a free and hearty
manner； insisted on us staying to dinner。 His wife； I could see； was not
satisfied with this； not being； as I discerned afterwards； prepared to give an
entertainment to strangers； however； we fell into the misfortune of staying；
and nothing could exceed the happiness of Mr Cayenne。 I thought him
one of the blithest bodies I had ever seen； and had no notion that he was
such a tap of tow as in the sequel he proved himself。
As there was something extra to prepare； the dinner was a little longer
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of being on the table than usual； at which he began to fash； and every now
and then took a turn up and down the room； with his hands behind his
back； giving a short melancholious whistle。 At length the dinner was
served； but it was more scanty than he had expected； and this upset his
good…humour altogether。 Scarcely had I asked the blessing when he
began to storm at his blackamoor servant； who was； however； used to his
way； and did his work without minding him； but by some neglect there
was no mustard down； which Mr Cayenne called for in the voice of a
tempest； and one of the servant lassies came in with the pot； trembling。 It
happened that； as it had not been used for a day or two before； the lid was
clagged； and； as it were； glued in； so that Mr Cayenne could not get it out；
which put him quite wud； and he attempted to fling it at Sambo； the black
lad's head； but it stottit against the wall； and the lid flying open； the whole
mustard flew in his own face； which made him a sight not to be spoken of。
However it calmed him； but really； as I had never seen such a man before；
I could not but consider the accident as a providential reproof； and
trembled to think what greater evil might fall out in the hands of a man so
left to himself in the intemperance of passion。
But the worst thing about Mr Cayenne was his meddling with matters
in which he had no concern； for he had a most irksome nature； and could
not be at rest； so that he was truly a thorn in our side。 Among other of his
strange doings； was the part he took in the proceedings of the session； with
which he had as little to do； in a manner； as the man in the moon； but
having no business on his hands； he attended every sederunt； and from less
to more； having no self… government； he began to give his opinion in our
deliberations； and often bred us trouble； by causing strife to arise。
It happened； as the time of the summer occasion was drawing near；
that it behoved us to make arrangements about the assistance； and upon
the suggestion of the elders； to which I paid always the greatest deference；
I invited Mr Keekie of Loupinton； who was a sound preacher； and a great
expounder of the kittle parts of the Old Testament； being a man well
versed in the Hebrew and etymologies； for which he was much reverenced
by the old people that delighted to search the Scriptures。 I had also
written to Mr Sprose of Annock； a preacher of another sort； being a
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vehement and powerful thresher of the word； making the chaff and vain
babbling of corrupt commentators to fly from his hand。 He was not；
however； so well liked； as he wanted that connect method which is needful
to the enforcing of doctrine。 But he had never been among us； and it was
thought it would be a godly treat to the parish to let the people hear him。
Besides Mr Sprose； Mr Waikle of Gowanry； a quiet hewer out of the image
of holiness in the heart； was likewise invited； all in addition to our old
stoops from the adjacent parishes。
None of these three preachers were in any estimation with Mr Cayenne；
who had only heard each of them once； and he； happening to be present in
the session…house at the time； enquired how we had settled。 I thought
this not a very orderly question； but I gave him a civil answer； saying； that；
Mr Keekie of Loupinton would preach on the morning of the fast…day； Mr
Sprose of Annock in the afternoon； and Mr Waikle of Gowanry on the
Saturday。 Never shall I or the elders； while the breath of life is in our
bodies； forget the reply。 Mr Cayenne struck the table like a clap of thunder；
and cried； 〃Mr Keekie of Loupinton； and Mr Sprose of Annock； and Mr
Waikle of Gowanry； and all suck trash； may go toand be …！〃 and out of
the house he bounced； like a hand…ball stotting on a stone。
The elders and me were confounded； and for some time we could not
speak； but looked at each other； doubtful if our ears heard aright。 At long
and length I came to myself； and； in the strength of God； took my place at
the table； and said； this was an outrageous impiety not to be borne； which
all the elders agreed to； and we thereupon came to a resolve； which I
dictated myself； wherein we debarred Mr Cayenne from ever after
entering； unless summoned； the session… house； the which resolve we
directed the session…clerk to send to him direct； and thus we vindicated the
insulted privileges of the church。
Mr Cayenne had cooled before he got home； and our paper coming to
him in his appeased blood； he immediately came to the manse； and made a
contrite apology for his hasty temper； which I reported in due time and
form； to the session； and there the matter ended。 But here was an
example plain to be seen of the truth of the old proverb； that as one door
shuts another opens； for scarcely were we in quietness by the decease of
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that old light…headed woman； the Lady Macadam； till a full equivalent for
her was given in this hot and fiery Mr Cayenne。
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CHAPTER XXVII YEAR 1786
From the day of my settlement； I had resolved； in order to win the
affections of my people； and to promote unison among the heritors； to be
of as little expense to the parish as possible； but by this time the manse
had fallen into a sore state of decaythe doors were wormed on the
hingesthe casements of the windows chattered all the winter； like the
teeth of a person perishing with cold； so that we had no comfort in the
house； by which； at the urgent instigations of Mrs Balwhidder； I was
obligated to represent our situation to the session。
