The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-09-12
Mlistell
Tho Country Parson.

Rev. Gilbert Haven, Methodist clergy.
man now travelling in Scotland thus dos
cribes "The Country Parson," in letter to
the Independent.
"a third Edinburg celebrity is tho Coun-
try Parson. His recreations have refreshed,
II they have not rccreated many souls. He
may not like pen.and.ink sketch Of him
self; but as no has allowed his face to appear
at tho front OF his last volume, and as he
also has to submit to the exposure and even
sale of it in his own parish, by his own ad-
miring auditory, he cannot complain Of this
attempt to body him forth to his distant but
not Indifferent friends. Ipromise that the
picture shall bc truer to nature, and yet bet
ter looking, than those previously published.
They both do him injustice. The ono sold
in his parish puts him in robes and surplice,
with an unnatural air Of solemnity and
cheerlespcss totally unlike both himself and
writings. The ono in "Lei,urc Hours and
Town is not so expressive and lively as It
ought to be. Perhaps my attempts will be
like or worse failure. Nevertheless, let us
try.
"Being lion.hunting. like the Nimrods in
Africa, 90 to their hunting grounds Armed
only with card and little Yankee brass, |
presented myself at his door. He lives in a
quiet and delightful part Of the generally
most delightful city Of Edinburs-a comfort
able, spacious, stone city house is his home.
1t was long the residence of Professor Ay-
toun, the present editor Of Blackwood, and
well.known author Of spirited ballads. I
sent in my card with U. S. A., upon it. and
am Immediately ushered into his presence
lie very cordially welcomes me, and wo for
get IN five minutes that We were ever stran.
gers-at least did. He was carefully and ele-
gantly, yet not clerically dressed. Hespeaks
moro rapidly than is usual in this country,
as though he had caught the spirit Of the
Americans with their approval. His face
lights up with smiles, and his lips run over
with humor. Many odd reflections on men
and things, uttered in dry manner, as il
half unconscious Of them while thoroughly
conscious, give that quaintness and yigor to
his speech that exist in his writings. 1t
would be transgressing the bounds Of pro-
priety to report private and familiar talk,
but the style conformcd perfectly to the style
that ho voluntarily sets before the public
lie is of medium height and size, in the
neighborhood Of forty-looking under that
ago. His country parsonage was near Dunn
fries, the region where Burns spent his last
years and wrote many Of his finest pieces
II was the neighborhood, too, Of the famous
Jeane and Ellie Deans of the Heart Of Mid
Lothian. learned that said Ellie did not
turn out as we'll Us Sir Walter imagines.-
Her last appearance was as driver Of q
water cart in Dumfries-a most profane old
woman. The people Of that region never
approved her acquittal, and her final charac-
ter seemed to sustain their decision. Very
beautiful are the hills and wales OF that 70.
gion-sweet, quiet, pastoral, with forests
enough to break up the otherwise too high
finish Of culture. II Is tho very spot for
sauntering musings, such as characterize his
pen. No city study can compare with it,
And II ho maintains the gcniality, freshness
and piquancy OF his mansc in his present
home, II will show that tho roots there plant.
ed have struck deep, and that as fno trees
can grow in city park as in a country
forest.
"Iiis church Is very crowded. and no is
probably the most popular Of the younger
preachers Of the city, and moro than any
other except DR.. Guthrie. Il is q neat
though unpretenting affair. like most OF the
Scotch churches, and holds about twelve
hundred persons"