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must be seen, that the very temptation is an argument that injury will arise from yielding to it. The disquisition which is substituted for passion, and the intelligence which takes the place of power, serve in their turn still more to withdraw the mind from its natural strength. To those who in the simplicity of life possess natural

affections merely, without exercised intelligence, the acts of intellect are difficult and painful. But to those in whom intellect is cultivated, its action is so very easy and prompt, so compendious and comprehensive, that it seems to them a great gain to possess in it a substitute for the slow and labouring movements of affection and passion.

RECOLLECTIONS.

No I.-The Cameronians.

FOR the Cameronians, those reliques of the stern enthusiastic Covenanters those resolute maintainers of the unblemished purity and rights of the reformed church-those dwellers on the misty mountain tops-I entertain the greatest respect and reverence. It was my lot to pass the early part of my life in the neighbourhood of their hill of worship-often in the company of their leading men, and most admired professors-and at all times in the society of a portion of their number. Though the son of a man they abhorred as a sinful complier with establishments which they denounced as destroying the dignity of religion, they did not demand, as the price of their friendship, that I should either curse the iron hand of patronage, or bewail the sinfulness of that state into which the Scottish Kirk had fallen in those days of time-serving compliance. They had hovered for many years about the mountainous regions of the parish of Kirkmahoe in Dumfries-shire; and as they began to confide in the kindness of their less rigid brethren, they commenced descending, step by step, from a large hill to a less, till they finally swarmed on a small sterile mount, with a broomy glen at its foot, beside a little village, which one of their number named "Graceless Quarrel wood." This settlement was chosen with some skill, and, in the period of the persecution, might have done honour to the military tactics of John Balfour of Burley. Quarrelwood is a long straggling village, built in open hostility to regular lines, or the graceful curves of imaginary beauty. The cottages which compose it are scattered as if some wizard had dropt them down by random; and through the whole a streamlet winds, and a kind of road infinitely more crooked than the stream. This VOL. VI.

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lane is fringed chiefly by old plumtrees, and seeks its way to the eastern extremity of the village, with a difficulty which a stranger will soon be sensible of, should he be so hardy as endeavour to thread this Cameronian labyrinth. There is also a wide wilderness of gardens, hemmed in by strong walls of rough free-stone. is a very defensible position; and, in case of retreat, the deep channels of two scanty streams present direct openings to the upland holds; and these are covered ways-for the brooks contrive to maintain as many stately trees and flourishing bushes on their steep and impassable banks, as would do honour to mightier streams. Nor is this a fantastic view of their choice, for I have heard many of the Cameronians declare, they believed the day would come when they might have to vindicate their cause with cold steel. To this rural encampment several hundreds resorted weekly to hear their pastor's instructions; and at their great midsummer Festival of the Sacrament, several thousands usually assembled, many of them from distant parts, even from Fife and Banff. All around were objects to cherish their ancient spirit, and remind them of other days. The seat of their bitter persecutor, General Dalzell, was within two short miles-the grave of the cruel Laird of Lagg was visible from their mount; and in the church-yard of Dumfries, in the moors of Irongray, and the moorlands of Nithsdale, were buried, under broad and inscribed stones, some of the most renowned of the martyrs. With two of their preachers I had the pleasure of being acquainted; and I have also heard several of the western professors preach during the continuance of the sacramental holidays. Of their professors Y

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I shall endeavour to render some account. I still remember, with reverence, the thin long snowy hair and bald shining crown, and primitive look of the patriarchal Farely; and it is impossible I should ever forget the familiar and fervent eloquence of that delightful old pastor. Towards the close of his life, which was unusually long, he was accused of cheering his decaying spirits with other beverage than what cold brooks afforded. Of this infirmity I have heard some of the sternest of his flock speak with unlookedfor gentleness; and I believe none of his fellow preachers chose to rebuke him for this indulgence, from a just dread of his powers for keen dry sarHe was a great favourite with the Cameronian ladies, old and young, and his reputation with them was not at all diminished, by the renown he acquired by his ability in inflicting the discipline of his sect on fair trespassers. An exhibition of this kind attracted much notice-and the prudent divine had the pleasure of seeing the usual beauty of the softer part of his flock augmented by the fair adherents of a laxer kirk. I once, and but once, only saw him employed in this thankless and ungentle task; and I shall never forget it. I see yet the venerable man rise in his place, the sun beaming on his smooth bald head, and the scanty locks of white hair which I lamented to see every year made thinner, hanging loosely on his neck; even his dark-gray coat, with its huge hair buttons, must make a part of the picture. Before him stood the miserable transgressor-she was in the bloom of youth, the only daughter of a respectable farmer, and her fall had broken the heart of her mother-as she arose she trembled much, and looked immoveably on the ground. The soft voice of the pastor made her start like the hiss of a serpent; she gave one wild look upward, and lifting a large blue mantle with both hands, dropped it over her head and body like a shroud. I saw many an eye wet, and mine did not remain quite dry. An old childless man, with an aspect of cast-iron, said audibly, "tear the cloak from the harlot," and passed several rows of the hearers to remove it. The face of the preacher, which was not without moisture, lowered down at once, and a look of bitter scorn and loathing arrested the intruder, as if he

had received a bullet. 66 Jenny," said he in a voice of thrilling emotion, "I acknowledge this visible token of thy shame and repentance-sin no more, and become as the righteous." The congregation interchanged gratifie looks with each other. And the oll iron faced zealot said in a bitter tone, to a groupe of neighbouring girls "Aye! aye! ye may look pleased.— Conscience! ye'll find him occasions for kindness.-Oh Sandie Peden! this is a sad sliding away." Alluding to the rebuke which that famous professor gave to the young girl in Galloway.

Of John Curtis, the regular pastor of the flock that frequented Quarrelwood, I do not remember so much as I do of Mr Farely. He was a man unaffectedly pious, rather than eloquent, and was deservedly and warmly beloved. He adorned his discourses with that melodious tone which some call the Cameronian drawl, and which the pious Cowper complained of in the Conventicles. Each sentence has a kind of starting note; and I can discover remains of this old puritanical fashion in the eloquence of Wilberforce and also Lord Milton. It would require some constraint in a pious stranger to listen, without an inward smile at least, to this continually recurring chorus. With a gifted preacher it is less ungraceful, for he contrives to make it tell in better time than an ordinary man-still it might be spared; but a very sensible divine told me, he dared as soon renounce predestination as part with the " twang;" it was as dear to his flock as the memory of Richard Cameron. John Curtis, for he abominated the prelatical designation of "Master," was not an unfrequent, or unwelcome guest at my father's house.-His coming was a visitation, for it came over our mirth as a cloud. He invariably was invited on week days; Sunday was a day that had higher duties; his coming was the signal for seven children, I was one of them, to cease their play and pranks, and mix trembling with their mirth. We became as quiet as a brood of chickens over which the hawk is hovering. Even the nuts or raisins which filled the pockets of this primitive person, and which he divided among us with many a clap on the head and benediction, failed to inspire confidence. The last time I saw him was on a

sunny knoll, at the end of his dwelling, airing one of the "Pious Remnants" flags which had been captured by General Dalzell. It had remained unheeded many years among the General's descendants; found its way, I know not how, into the hands of an innkeeper, and under this ancient and honou able banner mine host was found retailing spirits to the wondering rustics at the shooting for the Dumfries silver gun. It was instantly purchased, and deposited in the hands of the pastor, by whom it was annually submitted to an airing, and the examination of the chosen, as I have described. The preacher who succeeded John Curtis, was Mr James Thomson; he was remarkable for a rapid delivery, I cannot say of very elegant sentences-and the "tone" seemed a serious impediment in his way. I heard him preach the introductory, or, as the Cameronians more properly call it, the "Action Sermon" to a sacrament, and I endured him for four weary hours. He was singularly mysterious and controversial. He was, however, a favourite with the flock, and might have been esteemed, at his death, worthy of ranking with some of the renowned leaders of the covenant. But by deep meditation it was his destiny to discover, that Scripture warranted belief in a place of lesser punishment than hell; and though he backed it by quotations, it came on his flock with a clap and a cry which the charge of General Dalzell's dragoons would have failed to excite. They looked on it as a supplemental purgatory-or as one of the Cameronians said, "it was setting up a chamber for wantonness in the pit," or drawing," said another, stake and ryse dyke through the everlasting lake." Death stept in and arrested the preacher's discoveries, and closed the clamour of his flock.

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The chief revolution in the affairs of the Cameronians of Dumfries-shire was affected at the death of John Curtis. They had been driven by persecution to preach on the mountains, and though persecution had ceased, on the mountains they remained. Now, it was certainly a beautiful and impressive sight to see a congregation worshipping God on a mountain side or a wild glen; to see the upright pulpitrows of bared, and white, and bald heads decently ranged around-and more extended ranks of beautiful wo

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men and active men drawn up in a regular confusion-the whole listening to the eloquence of my old friend Farely. This, with a clear day and a bright sun, must make an impression of devotion on the most obtuse intellect. But as the mason said of the wise men who sung, "Snow is beautiful in its season,' 'My certes," said he, "it was easy for him, with his lasses and his wine, to sing so, had he been a poor freestone mason, he would have sung another sang." For the weather seemed sometimes to inherit the rancour of the bloody Claverhouse, or the renowned chieftain of Lagg, to this persecuted race; and, instead of June giving one of her brightest and balmiest days for the Sacrament, I have witnessed the heavy rain come down sans intermission for four stricken hours, as if ambitious to measure its mercies by the length of the "Action Sermon." By some this circumstance was hailed as a divine acknowledgement of their presence and influence; and after some very dry weather I have heard Mr Farley turn a timely thunder shower to good account, by apostrophizing the Deity for his kindness this dry barren land." On another occasion-the morning was serene during the introductory discourse, and just as my friend Farley began to administer the sacrament, a huge black cloud sailed from the westward, and hung heavy and ominous over the congregation. Ere the ladies could raise their plaids, it descended perpendicular plump down, and the huge drops splashed off the bald crown of the preacher, in a manner that Kemble would have envied in acting King Lear. A Cameronian with an umbrella, at that time an unusual thing in the country, arose and stretched it over the Professor's head, regardless of himself. At this visible interposition between him and heaven, the preacher was wroth, and said audibly, "Take the Pope's cap off me," and his conduct was highly applauded.

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To such a congregation, after the decease of John Curtis, my friend of the umbrella made a proposition to have a chapel erected. And I question much if a proposal to go to mass would have excited a stronger commotionparticularly among those whom the measure meant to protect-the old and infirm. He of the umbrella offered

to subscribe largely himself, and promote the subscription among others, hinting that many of the members of the kirk favoured the cause, and would be glad of an opportunity to display it. The motion was well timed too, namely, at the close of one of those fourhours benedictions from a thunder cloud, which had urged its way through the broad bonnets and thick plaids of the most obstinate believers. I cannot enumerate to you all the bitter and brief exclamations of dismay and indignation which this proposal excited. The decided wrath of one old moorland dame I shall long remember, “Foul fall ye," said she, starting up and hurling her heavy clasped black print Bible at the proposer's head, foul fall ye, ye deserve to be brained with the word ye hae abused;" and had he of the umbrella not caught this religious missile, as the Curtal fryar's dogs caught the outlaw's arrows, namely, as it flew, he might have been numbered with the martyrs. "Shall we, said she, "who were hounded like deer to the mountains, there to worship God in fear of evil men, shall we, whom he marvellously protected there, doubt his providence, and descend to keep yer coupled timber-yer covered cushions and yer canopied, fringed, and painted prelatical pulpits-and yer walls of hewn stane-far frae me-fit places are they, not for the word, but for ye ken what;"-and so she sat down. The more sensible part reflecting, however, that the showers of spring were cold-that the winds of autumn were not always gentle and that winter indulged them with various and dubious blessings, under the semblance of snows and sleets, and sudden thaws, resolved, that the erection of a house of worship was a justifiable measure; and a house was accordingly built. But the eloquent dame of the moorlands introduced a salvo, by which the sacrament was directed to be administered in the open air, and so it still continues. Many of the opulent and sympathizing members of the established kirk contributed largely to the expense, after warm and ineffectual remonstrances from the aforenamed lady.

The religious festival of the sacrament is commenced after due private preparation by prayers of unwonted length, and the lonely broomy hollow where it is held exhibits on Sabbath

morn to a stranger a grand and solemn spectacle.

The last time I was present at this meeting I was invited to breakfast at the house of a respectable and recently converted member of the "Broken Remnant," a warm-hearted weaver, a man of rare conversation-ready wit, and cutting dry sarcasm. He was also as much celebrated for his poetry as the unrivalled productions of his loom. His birds-eye, his barley-pickle, his lowland plaiden, and fine linen, were the theme of praise among the young maids in danger of being married-and to their praise I add mine. I have proved his hospitality, and proved the labours of his loom. I sat down to an ample breakfast with this Cameronian worthy-his wife lively always, and once handsome-his two sons inheriting their father's powers even to overflowing, and a solemn browed Cameronian from the borders of the moorlands. This family auxiliary undertook to pronounce a blessing on our good cheer; a serious trial of my patience and appetite. I endured his sermon for many minutes; it was in its nature controversial. He touched on the adventure at Drumclog, and addressed Providence in strong and familar terms anent the disaster at Bothwell Brig. I looked piteous but resigned, and the goodwife poured forth the tea. But then there came headings and hangings, and finings and confinings, and sad travels and sore tortures. The goodwife placed a plate of smoking and savoury cake before him, but he was not to be tempted; she threw a passing curse or two on patronage, still he was distant from our day half a century at least: I looked with an imploring eye, and my entertainer closed his, but I could see by the sarcastic curl at the corners of his mouth that he was inwardly enjoying my misery. Once I stretched my hand, for I had half a mind, like the renowned and impatient goodman of Drumbreg, on a time of similar trial, to seize my cup with a cry of " ye have done brawly man," and cut short all explanation by falling to. I endured it to an end however, and an excellent breakfast, which would have extracted praise from Sir William Curtis, the potent king of good cheer, enabled me to endure the infliction of a return thanks," eminently curious and controversial. We then sallied

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forth to the preaching-the pastor had already commenced; it might be half past nine o'clock. I was struck with the magnitude and repose of the congregation. Besides the sodded seats which held the oldest and most respectable members, the broom then, I think, in full bloom, with all its perfume about it, was bent down for many acres to form rural seats to Cameronian dames, and dames indeed of all persuasions. There were many dressed in the latest fashion; the old simple mode of dress however prevailed. Though all shewed deep symptoms of devotion, and many of awe, the young women by no means confined their eyes, and many had bright ones, to the contemplation of the preacher. This festival always attracts an immense multitude, and though the Cameronians are the only communicants, all sects and denominations of Presbyterians crowd to the place and occupy the va cant ground. I saw many of the Cameronians with whom I had a personal acquaintance, and a silent squeeze of the hand, or an acknowledgment, an austere one, of the eye was all the recognition to be obtained. The list of offences and sects excluded from communication is extensive and curious they call it "debarring"-Socinians, Arminians, Unitarians, Episcopalians, false teachers, promiscuous dancers, and playhouse frequenters. I cannot inflict the whole of this tremendous catalogue upon you. One prudent and warning exclusion I cannot omit to mention, namely, that of all wives who disobey their husbands.

In the green hedge-row lane, leading to the tent of the preacher, various stalls were established by persons who thought as godliness was great gain, great gain was godliness. Here refreshments of all kinds, particularly liquid consolation, abounded, and one tent, rivalling in dimensions the tabernacle of the preacher, looked presumptuously down from the very crest of the hill on its more devout neighbour below. Here the owner of a neighbouring public house had established himself, and into this canvass mansion in a moment of weakness I was

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take of either Ram-Jam, Mid-Row, or Pinkie, three denominations of ale, for which the landlord was become deservedly famous, and in the brewing of which, weak nerves, as well as a good head, had been doubtless consulted; and, thirdly and lastly, a dark-eyed damsel from the mountains wished for my private opinion anent the sinfulness of dancing, and to instruct me in a near road over the hills to her father's house, which stood in a remote glen on the stream of Ae. While deeply employed in taking a chart of this desart path, I could not avoid remarking with what particular gravity all were drinking, and many getting drunk. Consolation had been poured forth in no stinted tide, for a huge wall of empty vessels flanked the entrance. The proprietor of this house of call for the thirsty, was a ruddy carroty-headed rustic, who had contrived to draw down his cheeks for the occasion in a manner unusually solemn. He sat apart busied, or apparently busied, with that chief of all sage books, the Young Man's Best Companion; while his daughter, as active a girl as ever chalked a score to a thirsty man, managed the business. But his mind had wandered into a long and studious calculation of the probable profit of his fermentations, and the Book, which was only put there as a decoy to the godly, was neglected. I contrived to withdraw it unperceived from before him, and for this feat I was rewarded by a grim smile from a broad bonneted son of Cameron, and a snuff from a Tuphorn with a silver lid. On returning to the meeting, the stars were beginning to glimmer amongst the thin mist of the summer evening, and I could see groupes, already at some distance, of the spectators retiring home. differently demeaned themselves the pious remnant. They crowded round their preacher's tent after the repose of a brief intermission, and I left them enjoying a mysterious lecture on Permission, Predestination, Free Grace, The Elect, and Effectual Calling.

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I am now, and I say it with sorrow, far removed from the society of those exemplary and pious people; and I heard, I confess, with something of an old Cameronian, spirit and regret, that a proposition has been made to remove the meeting House into the

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