The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-11-02
Special 10 THE SUNDAY CALL.

M TRATHGLASS, Scotland,
| Sept. Is, 1S90.-It was an earnest
~ welcome that came TO me from
~ \ the indwellers at the sweet old
! lonely manse of Fasnakyle, in
L0I the heart of grand Strathglass,
among the grim peaks of Northern Scot
Iaad. Though the night was already falling
ike dark Wirg from the crag1 as we de-
seconded from the stage-coach, the situation
and surroundings of the Manse could be
vaguely oiscerned. The great strath
stretched east and west for half days
Journey in front. The river Glass, from
whence StrathglaSs derives its name, swept
by the very edge Of the cOachroad beside
US with strong, even flow, and sort OF half
ar and song over its level though rocky
bed. Behind, to the north, perhaps dozen
acres Of lanl, part OF which belonged to
the manse. was formed III a sort of horse
shOe-like pocket or dell, behind which rose
tue mountains to lofty heights, and down
whose rough old sides, through tiny burns,
came melOdiOus rllls, which here and there,
beneath the road, leaped and tumbled into
the Glass below. LarcheS grim, tall and
wrajth-like in the shadows half hid the
manse and its low stone outbuildings; and
the lights streaming through the great doors
and windows flung fantastic snadow-scenes
Of waving laIch and happy children along
the walks of gravel white as snow.
There in The great door were the house
hold members all gathered for the coming of
their head and the stranger. The guldwite
first, tlne and tall grand in the physique OF
TIL old Morse race from which she Sprang,
gave us gentle, earnest greeting. linen came
the MINI ters assistant. pure Gael, tai,
huge and angular, but with a manhood in
20 nd in hand which did
good to see and feel Then two domestlcs,
Shy, yOiceleSS Highland girls, who knew lit
tie of English, but much of everyday duty.
These and the tiaxen-haired BARNS IN every
attitude and place beamed kindness and vel
come. Soon supper is served il the roomy
diniug-Ioom off
THE GREAT HALL.
This room also answers for the two clerics'
study and library. In the few minutes In
tervening between our arrival and the meal
the five BARNS ebbulant with life and Joyous
NESS have babe the stranger goodnight, and
are hustled in slumber. The ministers as
slstant says grace with that honesty Of faith
aud feeling that thrills to ones heart as
genuine blessing. The meal, modest enough
in Itself yet delicious in its snowy scenes,
crisp bacon, fTesh-laid eggs, and honest
Highland cream and butter, is given the
sparkling zest of perfect hospitality devoid
OF offensive protestatiOn, and that sweetest
of all converse issuing from pure hearts,
healthful bodies and cultured intellects; and
Is all too short after an hours duration
Then The guidwife excuses herself for bit;
the shy Gomestics enter and remove the cloth
and belongings; and then, oh, horror TO the
super-scnstive! some good, old, honest High
lard pipes, black as the night behind the
winduw-panes, are brought: and IN the "auld
reekie" of their rings and wreaths two hours
come and go in talk and tales of the North
so swiftly that 10 o'clock has come, and the
cloth is again laid by the silent handmaids
before We are aware. Then the guild wife
returns and ''porridge," hot, steaming hot,
with pints and pints of cream, is served.
This disposed of, the shy maidens return, each
with book in her baud They seat them
selves. and | am handed a similar book. Its
tile is The Scottish PsalteT," being THE
Psalms in Meter, with the ParaphraSes, and
a Selection of the Prose Psalms" The book
is cut entirely through the contents, between
the covers, the Sofia system Of notes
being PRINTED at the top, and the para
phrases beneath. Suddenly a, to me- strange
threnody filed the room. Five treble voices
had broken forth into most impressive
chant:
Key G.