annals of the parish(教区年鉴)-第40章
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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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sunk with thunder and lightning into the earth； however； it did quite as
well； for it made its exit； as Miss Virginia said； by walking quietly off；
being pulled by a string fastened to one of its feet。 No scene of the play
was so much applauded as this one； and the actor who did the part of King
Macbeth made a most polite bow of thankfulness to the audience； for the
approbation with which they had received the performance of the pot。
We had likewise； shortly after the 〃Omnes exeunt〃 of the players； an
exhibition of a different sort in the same barn。 This was by two English
quakers； and a quaker lady； tanners of Kendal； who had been at Ayr on
some leather business； where they preached； but made no proselytes。
The traveller
