The Democratic Whig. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1842-1843, 1843-01-05
THE COVENANTER's BURIAL.
A Legend of the Scottish prosecutions.

THE COVENANTER's BURIAL.
A Legend of the Scottish prosecutions.
Ely HENRY w. HERBERT.
Deeply embosomed in the wild gor-
ges of the Pentland Hills, seven Scot
tish miles, at least, from any human
habitation, there stands a small old
moss-grown chapel, partly dilapidated,
although 1t is still in use, built in the
very earliest style Of Norman architec-
ture. 1t has no tower, nor aisles, nor
transept, and could not readily contain
a hundred worshippers, consisting.
merely Of one oblong apartment, with
a short, massive column at each angle,
whence spring the groinings grotesque-
ly carved in da.k gray fieestone, which
support the steep slated roof. 1t is
lighted by one large pointed window at
the east end, and small loop-hole,
more resembling a crenelle for arrow
shot, than an aperture designed 10 adj
nit air and light, on either side. The
entrance is by low browed arch fa-
cling the window. aud Immediately be-
meath the little open bel(ry, which is
perched like dove-cot on the point
of the gable. The whole exterior of
the chapel has, evidently, at some for
rncr day, been decorated by full many
a sculptured effigy OF virgin, saint and
angel, as may be still seen from the
empty inches wherein they stood en-
sllrincd until the rude haed &c the Pc
ritahs in the days of the Scottish refor-
NATION hurled them down, and ground,
in the wild zeal Of their new faith, the
very stones of which they scattered to
the four winds of heaven. In the in
terror, likewise, two or three vacant
inches still remained, with large fo,t
OF stone, made to hold holy water.now
consecratedto baptismal uses ; besides
this, few oaken benches of the most
rude and antique form, and a huge
reading desk ofthe same material, com
posed the furniture Of this most prlml-
tive place of worship. Around the
wall lay a small battle-ground, with
many green halfsunken head-stone
peering up from ont the rank growth
Of dark course heritage, nelIles and
thistles, and yet viler weeds. which be-
irayed, by their rank luxuriance, the
fatness of the soil, enriched from the
decay of mortal bodies. A few OF
them had been, as was still evident,the
last homes of peFsonages not void O.
dignity and rank--there was one IN
particular, vast uncouthly sculptures
block offreestone. where might be dis
ltinguished the form of q human figure,
with a small hood upon his head, a
heater-shaped shield suspended from
his neck. his folded hands restingupon
the hih of huge cross-handled sword
and his legs crossed in that peculia'
manner, which indicates that be who
sleeps beneath, was a Knight lem
Iplar. Upon the shield were some
faint relics ofsarlnoriaI bearings, but i
would now have. puzzled the keenes
antiquary that ever pored over moul-
dering ruins, 10 detect the obliteratee
lblazonry which would have told the
name OF him who slumbered there, a.
Estill- as though he never had pealee
Through his furious lips the war cry
Ha Beauseant ,or battled for the eros
Of Christ. knee deep in Paynim gore
Another heavy stone displayed the mi
ire and the pastoral crook Of som'
proud abbot, and some two or three
more of the number bore marks Q
decoration which, though now mucl
deeayed and broken, showed that toe.
| had been in old-time dedicated TO tn
/ long since forgotten memories OF ~
j pure, the beautiful, The noble or tn
i wise. The resi- were low grass-coseI
i ed mounds, without stone 70 bear u
i name. or record The destiDles q the
/ inhabitants, and she most of them !, lrot
Their sunken ridges, and bali oblitera
ted outlines, we're evidently OF no IS
cent origin. Nothing could PosslD.ll
he wilder or more gloomily roinals !,
I.ehan the spot chosen for The site o. y
place Of rural sepuiturs. i was 2 s'I'a
deen hollow, seooped, as i were' g
! of tbe bosom of the huge mocrla1
! lhilIs thas raised their bare, ropnd-ne