Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-09-27
MEG MERRILIES.

MEG MERRILIEs.
We extract the following particulars
Of Jean Gordon the Gipsie, (the Meg
Merrilies of "Guy Mannering") from
work, just published at Edinburgh,
entitled illustrations of the Wavcrly
Novels"
1t is impossible to specify the exact
date of her nativity, though probably
was about the year l67o.-She was
born at Kirk-Yetholm, in Roxburgh-
shire, the metropolis of the Scottish
gipsies, and was married to gypsy
chief, named Patrick Faa, by whom she
had ten or twelve children. In the
year l74l, one of jeans sons, named
Alexander Faa, was murdered by ano-
ther gypsy, named Robert Johnson, who
escaped the pursuit of justice for near
ly ten years, but was then taken and
indicted by his majesty's advocates for
the crime. He was sentenced to be
executed, but escaped from the prison.
1t was easier, however, to escape the
grasp of justice than to elude the wide
spread talons Of gypsy vengeance. Jean
Gordon traced the murderer like a
bloodhound, followed him to Holland,
and from thence to Ireland, where she
had him seized, and brought him back
to Jedburgh. Here she obtained the
fall reward of her trials, by having the
satisfaction of seeing him hanged on
the Gallowhill. Sometime afterwards,
Jean being at Sourhope, a sheepfarm
on Bowmont water, the good man said
TO her, 'Weel, Jean, ye hae got Rob.
Johnson hanged at last, and out O. the
way?' SAY, gudeman,' replied Jean,
lifting up her apron by the two corners,
and a that fu' o. gowd hasna done't.
Jean Gordon apron fu' O gowd' may
remind some of our readers Of Meg
Merrilies' poke of jewels: and indeed
The whole transaction iorcibiy recalls
the stern picture of that intrepid hero
inc
The circumstance in "Guy Manner
ing" of Brown being indebted to Meg
Merrilies for lodgings and protection
when he lost his way near Derncleugh,
finds a remarkably precise counterpart
in an anecdote related of Jean Gordon:
"A farmer, with whom she had for
merly been on good terms, though
their acquaintance had been interrupt
ed for several years, lost his way, and
was benighted among the mountains OF
Chevoit. A light glimmering through
the hole of desolate barn, that had
survived the farmhouse to which it
once belonged, guided him to place Of
shelter. He knocked at the door and
it was Immediately opened by Jean
Gordon. To meet with such cha
racter in so solitary place, and pro-
badly at no great distance from her
clan, was terrible surprise to the ho-
nest man, whose rent, to lose which
would have been ruin to him, was about
his person Jean set up joyful shout
of recognition, forced the farmer to
dismount. and, in the zeal of her kind
ness, hauled him into the barn. Great
preparations were making for supper
which the gudeman Of Lochside, to In
crease his anxiety, observed was calcu,
lated for at least dozen guests. Jear
soon left him no doubt upon the sub
iect, but inquired what money he hat
about him, and made earnest request te
be made his purse keeper for the night
as the burns would soon be home
The poor farmer made virtue of ne
cessity, told his story, and surrendered
his gold to Jeans custody. She made
him put few shillings in his pocket
observing, it would excite suspicion
were he found travelling altogethe
pennyless. This arrangement being
made, the farmer lay down on sort o
shake-down, upon some straw, but, "a
will easily be believed, slept not. Abou
midnight the gang returned with va
rious articles Of plumber, and talke'
over their exploits in language tina
made the farmer tremble. They wer
not long in discovering their guest, ant
demanded Of Jean whom she had there
sE'en the winsome gudeman o'Loch
side, poor body replied Jean; 'he'
been at Newcastle, seeking for siller I
pay his rent, honest man, but de'il-be
| ticket he's been able TO gather in, an
sac he's gauen cen hame wi toon
purs, and sair heart That may b
jean replied one of the bandi,i, bu
VS. maun ripe his pouches bit, an
see if it be true or no. Jean set u
her throat in exclamation against thi
breach of hospitality, but without pre-
ducing any change in their determine
ton, The farmer soon heard Their ST
fed whispers and light steps by HI