The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-04-03
SCOTTISH LIFE AND CHARACTER.
Interesting "reminiscences. anecdotes de-, B.,
He Oea,l ot EHnbMrn

Interesting "reminiscences, AnecdoteS de-, Gg
tie Dean ~ EanJurg.
" "reminiscences of Scottish Life and Charac.
ten, is tie ;ite of he's and Interesting book
by 4. Is. hausey, LII. D., Dean Of Ed!uburg.-
Many vi the incidents which the author relates
concern his own profession, and he never with.
holds good story because II places the joke on
as clerical brethren. Here is one which be tells
with considerable JUNCTION:
" \ igiborng minister was 10 assist Mr. AL
ardce, and arrived at the manse on Saturday,
where he to sleep, and take the duty on
sunday following. He a conceited youth
trothy. declauatory preacher-and, as stran-
ger, anxious to make great sensation in the
country. After dinner he strolled out into the
ciurchyard, and encountered John, the beade
and parish oracle, engaged in digging gave
ana much OF hCmotist III his way-moreoveF,
formidable critic ct the theological soundness
Of the neighborng ministers. Our young divine
having been very receaty Placed supposed him.
self to be personally unknown to the Forgue
iunc,ionary. Accordingly he began to pump
0eaile John as to the opinion held of the breth
rem around who had assisted at Forgue. To
query after query John gave out his Unvarving
oracu!ar response: Ma, sir, We dinna like him,
he's nae soun';' and We dinna ike him Gather,
he's nae souu' ); clinchiag every decision with
brink. 1T last the reverend pumper having ex-
hausted the circle of has brethren of the Pres.
bytery, aud secretly gratifed, 10 doubt, with this
summary and unqualified testimony against them,
anxious TO hear what was thought in the country
side about himself. where ne rather fattered
himself he creating a sensation, and trusting
To bis incOgrito (though John was perfectly
aware who his colioquist was), ventured to ask
"N I'll, now, the parish OF --- has got IA
nous preacher and Rev. Mr. -, what do
YOU think OF him is he SCUM y 'Oh, SIR re-
Piled John, with a sly twinkle, and resting for a
moment on his spade, | dnna hear him myser;
but folks that hae say he's q soun'.' John re-
commenced digging with redoubled diligence,
and exit the reverend qaerlst, feeling, we may
| fancy, rather small.
! Tie fashion of swearing prevailed to an extra
ordinary degree in all circles of society some fifty
| years ago, and even the most refined and elegant
women could not express their feelings without
| :he occasional use of al uGmstakable round
! oath \ quaint anecd0te is given in illustration
of this employment of the vernscular:
| a late Duke OF Ath0le had invited a well.
known charact-f writer OF Perth, 10 come IN
and meet hin at Duukeld for the transaction o
some business. The Duke mentioned the day
and h0gr when he should receive the man OF law,
/ who accordingly came punc;ually az the appoint
. ed time and place. Bat the Duke had forgotten
the appointment and gone 10 the hill, from which
he could not return for SOME hours. A Hichlin-
der present described the Perth writer's indi n a.
ton, and his mode of showing il by more elab
orate course OF swearing. But who did he
swear att was the inquiry made by the narrator
who replied, oh, be cidDa swear az ony thing
particular, but JUS, stude in II middle of Ia road
and swoor at large | have from friend also
an anecdoJe which shows how familiar at one
period the practice of swearing had become ever
TO female ears when mixed up with the inter
course Ot social life. A sister had been speak
ing OF her brother as much addicted TO THE hab
IL: Our Joan swears awful, and We Try TO cor
rect him; but, she added in a candid and aplo
setic toue, mae doubt il as a great set-off tC
conversation.
the older Scottish peasantry, however, never
failed 70 make bold assertion to their religion
opinions and feelings. The custom at the pres
ent dsy, has somewhat softened down, but i
still fingers among the descenderts of IN,
Cov.naniers. Some instances Of this are as fol
lows:
- friend has informed me that the late Lort
Rutherford often told with much interest of
rebuke which he received from shepherd, nea
Blnally, among the PeDtlsnds. He had entere,
inte conversation with hun, and was complsinini
, bitterly OF the weather, which prevented bin
jOylDg his visit to the country, and said hastii
ard uu-uaFdedly W hat id mist = and the
{ expressed his wonder how or for what purpos
I there should have been such a thing created a
! an east wind. The shepherd, a tall grim figure
c turned sharp around upon him: 'Wnat ais yo