Year: 1861




One Of the most interesting books of the season
is the autobiography of Dr.. ALExASDER CARLYLE
1t is full of notes on history and literature and the
men who made both during most fruitful epoch.
The following illustration Of old Scottish manners
is a random page from the Doctors "reminiscences
z In the summer of 1741, remained for the most
part at home, and it was about that time that my
old schOolmaster Mr.. Keenan, having died Of fever,
and Mr.. John Halket having come in his place,
was witness to scene that made strong impress
sion upon me.


This Mr. Halket had been tutor to Lord Lovat's
eldest son. Simon, afterwards well known as Gem
Fraser. Halket had remained for two years with
Lovat, and knew all his ways Loyet
brought his son Alexander to be placed with Hal
ket, from whom, understanding that was young
scholar living in the town who might be useful to
his son. he ordered Haket to invite me TO dine with
him and his company at Lucky Vint's, a celebrated
village tavern in the west end Of the town.


His company consisted of Mr.. Erkine Of Grange,
with three or four gentlemen Of the name of Fraser
one of whom was his man of business, together
with Halket, his son Alexander, and myself The
two old gentlemen disputed for some time which of
them should say grace. At last Lovat yielded. and
gave US two or three pious sentences in French,
which Nj. Erskine and l understood, and we only
As soon as we were set Loyat asked me to send hil
a whiting from the dish Of fish that was next me.
As they were all haddocks, answered that they
were not Writings but according to the proverb, he
that got a paddock for q whiting was not Ill OF.
This saving takes its rise from the superiority Of
haddoeks to Writings in the Firth or Forth Upon
this his Lordshp stormed and svore more than fifty
dragons; he sure they must be Writings, as he
had bespoke them. Halket tipped me the wink. and


retracted, saying that had but little skill and as
his lordship had bespoke them, must certainly be
mistaken. Upon this he Gained, and Isent him one,
which he was quite pleased with swearing again
that he never could eat haddoek all his life.


The landlady told me afterwards that as he had
been very peremptory against haddocks and she
had no other she had made her cook carefully
scrape out St Peters mark on the shoulders which
she had often done before with success. We had a
very good plain dinner. As the claret was excel
lent and circulatedfast the two old gentlemen grew
very merry, and their conversation became youth
full and CAV What observed was, that Grange,
without appearing to fatter, very obseryant Of
Lovat, and did everything to please him. He had
provided George Sym, who was Lord Drummore's
piper to entertain Lovat at dinner; but though ne
was reckoned the best piper in the country, LoVat
despised him, and said he was only 1T to play reefs
TO Oranges oyster woman He grew frlsky at last,
however, and upon Kate Vint the landladys daugh-
ter coming into the room, he insisted on her stay
ing to dance with him.


She was handsome girl, with fine black eyes and
an agreeable person. and though without the ad-
vantages Of dress or manners she, by means OF her
good sense and bashful air, was very alluring
She was mistress of Lord Drummore, who lived
in the neighborhOod; and though her mother would
not part with her, as she drew much company to
the house she said TO be faithful to hlm, except
only in the case of Capt. Merry, who married her
and soon after went abroad with his regiment.


Lovat was at this time seVenty-fVe, and
Grange not much younger; yet the wine and the
Young woman embOldened them to dance reel, tlil
Kate observing Lovats legs as thick as posts, fell
laughing and ran off, She missed her second course
of kisses as was then the fashion of the country,
though she had endured the first.