annals of the parish(教区年鉴)-第14节
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mother； like a dutiful son； as he certainly was。 It happened that he was in
the kirk in his scarlets and gold； on the same Sunday that Robert Malcolm
came home from the long voyage to Norway for deals； and I thought when
I saw the soldier and the sailor from the pulpit； that it was an omen of war；
among our harmless country folks； like swords and cannon amidst ploughs
and sickles； coming upon us； and I became laden in spirit； and had a most
weighty prayer upon the occasion； which was long after remembered；
many thinking； when the American war broke out； that I had been gifted
with a glimmering of prophecy on that day。
It was during this visit to his lady mother； that young Laird Macadam
settled the correspondence with Kate Malcolm； which； in the process of
time； caused us all so much trouble； for it was a clandestine concern： but
the time is not yet ripe for me to speak of it more at large。 I should；
however； mention； before concluding this annal； that Mrs Malcolm herself
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was this winter brought to death's door by a terrible host that came on her
in the kirk； by taking a kittling in her throat。 It was a terrification to hear
her sometimes； but she got the better of it in the spring； and was more
herself thereafter than she had been for years before； and her daughter
Effie or Euphemia； as she was called by Miss Sabrina； the schoolmistress；
was growing up to be a gleg and clever quean； she was； indeed； such a
spirit in her way； that the folks called her Spunkie； while her son William；
that was the youngest of the five； was making a wonderful proficiency
with Mr Lorimore。 He was indeed a douce； well…doing laddie； of a
composed nature； insomuch that the master said he was surely chosen for
the ministry。 In short； the more I think on what befell this family； and of
the great meekness and Christian worth of the parent； I verily believe there
never could have been in any parish such a manifestation of the truth； that
they who put their trust in the Lord； are sure of having a friend that will
never forsake them。
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CHAPTER XI YEAR 1770
This blessed Ann。 Dom。 was one of the Sabbaths of my ministry。
When I look back upon it； all is quiet and good order： the darkest cloud
of the smuggling had passed over； at least from my people； and the
rumours of rebellion in America were but like the distant sound of the bars
of Ayr。 We sat； as it were； in a lown and pleasant place； beholding our
prosperity； like the apple…tree adorned with her garlands of flourishes； in
the first fair mornings of the spring； when the birds were returning thanks
to their Maker for the coming again of the seed…time； and the busy bee
goeth forth from her cell； to gather honey from the flowers of the field；
and the broom of the hill； and the blue…bells and gowans； which Nature；
with a gracious and a gentle hand； scatters in the valley； as she walketh
forth in her beauty； to testify to the goodness of the Father of all mercies。
Both at the spring and the harvest sacraments； the weather was as that
which is in Paradise； there was a glad composure in all hearts； and the
minds of men were softened towards each other。 The number of
communicants was greater than had been known for many years； and the
tables were filled by the pious from many a neighbouring parish： those of
my hearers who had opposed my placing； declared openly； for a testimony
of satisfaction and holy thankfulness； that the tent； so surrounded as it was
on both occasions； was a sight they never had expected to see。 I was； to
be sure； assisted by some of the best divines then in the land； but I had not
been a sluggard myself in the vineyard。
Often； when I think on this year； so fruitful in pleasant intimacies； has
the thought come into my mind； that as the Lord blesses the earth from
time to time with a harvest of more than the usual increase； so； in like
manner； he is sometimes for a season pleased to pour into the breasts of
mankind a larger portion of good…will and charity； disposing them to love
one another； to be kindly to all creatures； and filled with the delight of
thankfulness to himself； which is the greatest of blessings。
It was in this year that the Earl of Eaglesham ordered the fair to be
established in the village； and it was a day of wonderful festivity to all the
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bairns； and lads and lassies； for miles round。 I think； indeed； that there has
never been such a fair as the first since； for although we have more
mountebanks and merry…andrews now； and richer cargoes of groceries and
packman's stands； yet there has been a falling off in the light…hearted
daffing； while the hobleshows in the change…houses have been awfully
augmented。 It was on this occasion that Punch's opera was first seen in
our country side； and surely never was there such a funny curiosity； for
although Mr Punch himself was but a timber idol； he was as droll as a true
living thing； and napped with his head so comical； but oh！ he was a
sorrowful contumacious captain； and it was just a sport to see how he
rampaged； and triumphed； and sang。 For months after； the laddie weans
did nothing but squeak and sing like Punch。 In short； a blithe spirit was
among us throughout this year； and the briefness of the chronicle bears
witness to the innocency of the time。
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CHAPTER XII YEAR 1771
It was in this year that my troubles with Lady Macadam's affair began。
She was a woman； as I have by hint here and there intimated； of a prelatic
disposition； seeking all things her own way； and not overly scrupulous
about the means； which I take to be the true humour of prelacy。 She was
come of a high episcopal race in the east country； where sound doctrine
had been long but little heard； and she considered the comely humility of a
presbyter as the wickedness of hypocrisy； so that； saving in the way of
neighbourly visitation； there was no sincere communion between us。
Nevertheless； with all her vagaries； she had the element of a kindly spirit；
that would sometimes kythe in actions of charity； that showed symptoms
of a true Christian grace； had it been properly cultivated； but her morals
had been greatly neglected in her youth； and she would waste her precious
time in the long winter nights； playing at the cards with her visitors； in the
which thriftless and sinful pastime； she was at great pains to instruct Kate
Malcolm； which I was grieved to understand。 What； however； I most
misliked in her ladyship； was a lightness and juvenility of behaviour
altogether unbecoming her years； for she was far past three…score； having
been long married without children。 Her son； the soldier officer； came so
late； that it was thought she would have been taken up as an evidence in
the Douglas cause。 She was； to be sure； crippled with the rheumatics；
and no doubt the time hung heavy on her hands； but the best friends of
recreation and sport must allow； that an old woman； sitting whole hours
jingling with that paralytic chattel a spinnet； was not a natural object！
What； then； could be said for her singing Italian songs； and getting all the
newest from Vauxhall in London； a boxful at a time； with new novel…
books； and trinkum…trankum flowers and feathers； and sweetmeats； sent to
her by a lady of the blood royal of Paris？ As for the music； she was at
great pains to instruct K
