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it was closely bearded with impassable thickets of green juniper, a beautiful and rather uncommon native plant, and at that time, studded with its famous and fragrant berries. Through these plantations, an interrupted and broken path sought the summit of the Lagg, by many a turn and loop. As I ascended, the music now unsoftened by distance, was flung from the hilltop in harsher swells, and I could distinguish sundry words of the hymn it seemed one of fervent entreatysome immediate and visible token of divine affection was demanded. I halted to hearken and deliberate-but I thought tongues which sung so sweetly and tenderly, could never belong to the ungodly, and so I scaled the hill like a new fee'd shepherd. I reached the summit, and shrouded by a stunted hawthorn, I obtained a full view of a large congregation of nocturnal and enthusiastic worshippers. I immediately remembered that a devotional emigration from the westward had for some time been the theme of conversation. Rumour had flown be fore and prepared the way, and painted their persons and their principles in colours which brightened or darkened according to the fancy or faith of the peasants whom Rumour had made her avant couriers. 66 They are a horde of ignorant creatures," said an old man, "led by a cunning and lascivious woman, and a turncoat priestthey will lay a heavy tax on superstitious devotees, and on hen roosts.' "Malice, pure spite and malice," said a young shepherd-" they are all lovely young women, and tall handsome men genteelly clad, and their manners decorous-their chieftainess is a ripe sonsie quean, with a prophetic gift of the tongue-there'll be a gallant change in the world soon-we'll have nought to do but court and skip behind the bonny green knowes, and hearken to the sound of streams, and the lilting of the laverocks." Upon this congregation, on whom Rumour had employed her brightest and her blackest colours, I was evidently gazing.

I have seen and mingled in many devotional assemblies; I have mourned for the giddy gazings round of the youths and damsels of the kirk of Scotland; the demurer and more secret eye-conversations of the men and maidens among mine own Camero

nians; and I have lamented the unedified and motionless repose of the scanty congregations of the lady of Babylon: but no where, save on that hill-top, did I ever contemplate the intense and overflowing enthusiasm which the consciousness of immediate communication with divine powers excited. The first thing that appeared, was a hedge of green boughs encircling the summit of the hill, planted as regular as a garden fence, rising breast-high from the ground, and the leafs had not begun to wither. Lining the inside of this verdant fortification, stood three close ranks of men bareheaded, with their faces inward, and each holding a small peeled rod in his hand. Beyond these bareheaded devotionals, stood three ranks of women, mostly in the bloom of youth, all barefooted, and dressed in the simple garb of the peasant-maidens of Scotland. Over their dark petticoats, there were white jackets, or short gowns, fitted close to the bosom, reaching nigh the knees, buttoned under the chin, and terminating in a neat and narrow ruffle. They were bareheaded, and their locks permitted to grow unusually long, were restrained from falling in a fleece over back and bosom by small buckling combs. Two tresses alone were allowed to escape from this confinement, which falling over the temples, hung curling on either cheek, and their name among the young men was the "love locks." In the middle of them all, and on the very summit of the hill, stood a Lady who seemed to be the chieftainess of the tribe or congregation. She was remarkably handsome-not so slender as those who wish men to span their waists, and then spoil them; nor so plump and massy as those drop-ripe beauties who crowd the canvas of painters like hillocks of rosy flesh. When the fervour of devotion subsided, and the sparkling moisture in which her dark hazel eyes swam, emitting a kind of ethereal light, was passed and gone, she might seem a dame of some forty years. But as she appeared to me, with her locks long and unbound, profusely curling over back and shoulders, her white arms stretched out to heaven, and her large eyes beaming with divine enthusiasm amid their liquid light, she certainly seemed no older than twenty-six. In this attitude she stood, as a prophet of old, expecting to

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be caught up in a cloud-as she raised her hands, all the congregation raised their hands, and followed every motion she made with ready and attentive exactness. This, I can tell you, was a sight worth looking at by the light of the harvest-moon, on a lonely hill, and truly I thought she was even worshipping that lovely luminary. I have many a time blessed it myself, and I may just as well say it as think it, that at that time of life, among the wilful teens, I might have met with something less to my liking than a rosy lass talking to the moon on a lonely hill side. But she was no worshipper of planets-she had been interceding for some visible token of the affection of providence-asking for some sensible sign of the divinity of her calling and election-and truly, a person who mistakes matters so far as this, is easily satisfied with the signs. And even so it happened. Up rose a beautiful white cloud in the east, and the breathing of the wind being easterly, the cloud sailed slowly, enlarging and reddening as it came, till it hung like a golden canopy over the hill of Lagg, and all the people it contained. But who can describe the hails and hosannahs with which this familiar sign in the sky was welcomed -they startled the wood-pigeons for three miles at least and there was such opening of lasses arms and waving of men's hands as if the cloud would rain down love and gold. Thisjoy, though loud and rapturous, hindered not the cloud from passing away, and its parting benediction could not be mistook-if it was not rain it was something so like it-I'll not be positive, however, in asserting that it was really rain-an hundred and fifty people felt it as well as I, and believed it to be something much better. This increased the joy of the lady of Lagg hill and her congregation, and when the sign of the cloud had sunk in the west, a demand arose for a sign more important and certain-something the wicked could not misinterpret, or the unwise mistake-and to obtain this they prayed—and a prayer more figurative and presumptuous perhaps was

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never poured from hill or habitation as was poured that night to heaven. Surely, thought I, if thunder hears not this I shall drop my faith in the long mirk Monday-the day of terrible punishment. Ere the thought had passed me there appeared a rod of living fire hanging right above our heads-it gleamed so red and bright that I could count the flocks for five miles round-s -see the fish in the river

and the cushats on the tree tops. Miles Cameron, ye dare not laughan Englishman would-when I tell you that I fell on my knees and prayed fervently till the terrible fire departed-it went wavering along the sky, lessening its fearful light, and fell in Solway so ruddy that I saw the ships as far as Barnhouree bank, and all the white houses of Allonbay.The coming of this warning-brand increased their presumption and kindled up their enthusiasm. The men leaped repeatedly from the ground, crying, "Come! come!" the women leaped also and clapped their hands till, with the fury of their enthusiasm, the combs dropped from their hair, and their locks waned wild and wide over their shoulders, shrouding or showing their necks and bosoms with every motion. Amid them all the voice of their chieftainess was heard calling loud and repeatedly, "Faithful! faithful!" silence was at last obtained. "The sign (said she) of the "dropping cloud" has come, so has the token of the "burning brand"assuredly we shall have another token -a token that all may understandand that soon and suddenly. Meanwhile let us lift our voices on high, that our belief in the coming of the golden time may be manifested." So saying, she sung, accompanied by all the congregation, a kind of wild hymn of rejoicing-if I had a voice like hers I would sing it to you myself, for the words and air I shall never forgetbut to have a voice so deeply and meltingly melodious as hers, may be prayed for, but scarcely expected, so you must be even content with having said what cannot be sung.

Sing aloud ye ripe vales, all ye green hills on high Lift your voices and sing-let the fountains replyAnd thy dark groves, Dalswinton, their heads to the strain Stoop in gladness,-the axe shall ne'er smite them again.

it was closely bearded with impassable thickets of green juniper, a beautiful and rather uncommon native plant, and at that time, studded with its famous and fragrant berries. Through these plantations, an interrupted and broken path sought the summit of the Lagg, by many a turn and loop. As I ascended, the music now unsoftened by distance, was flung from the hilltop in harsher swells, and I could distinguish sundry words of the hymnit seemed one of fervent entreatysome immediate and visible token of divine affection was demanded. I halted to hearken and deliberate-but I thought tongues which sung so sweetly and tenderly, could never be long to the ungodly, and so I scaled the hill like a new fee'd shepherd. I reached the summit, and shrouded by a stunted hawthorn, I obtained a full view of a large congregation of nocturnal and enthusiastic worshippers. I immediately remembered that a devotional emigration from the westward had for some time been the theme of conversation. Rumour had flown be fore and prepared the way, and painted their persons and their principles in colours which brightened or darkened according to the fancy or faith of the peasants whom Rumour had made her avant couriers. "They are a horde of ignorant creatures," said an old man, "led by a cunning and lascivious woman, and a turncoat priestthey will lay a heavy tax on superstitious devotees, and on hen roosts." "Malice, pure spite and malice," said a young shepherd-" they are all lovely young women, and tall handsome men genteelly clad, and their manners decorous their chieftainess is a ripe sonsie quean, with a prophetic gift of the tongue there'll be a gallant change in the world soon-we'll have nought to do but court and skip behind the bonny green knowes, and hearken to the sound of streams, and the lilting of the laverocks." Upon this congregation, on whom Rumour had employed her brightest and her blackest colours, I was evidently gazing.

I have seen and mingled in many devotional assemblies; I have mourned for the giddy gazings round of the youths and damsels of the kirk of Scotland; the demurer and more secret eye-conversations of the men and maidens among mine own Camero

nians; and I have lamented the unedified and motionless repose of the scanty congregations of the lady of Babylon: but no where, save on that hill-top, did I ever contemplate the intense and overflowing enthusiasm which the consciousness of immediate communication with divine powers excited. The first thing that appeared, was a hedge of green boughs encircling the summit of the hill, planted as regular as a garden fence, rising breast-high from the ground, and the leafs had not begun to wither. Lining the inside of this verdant fortification, stood three close ranks of men bareheaded, with their faces inward, and each holding a small peeled rod in his hand. Beyond these bareheaded devotionals, stood three ranks of women, mostly in the bloom of youth, all barefooted, and dressed in the simple garb of the peasant-maidens of Scotland. Over their dark petticoats, there were white jackets, or short gowns, fitted close to the bosom, reaching nigh the knees, buttoned under the chin, and terminating in a neat and narrow ruffle. They were bareheaded, and their locks permitted to grow unusually long, were restrained from falling in a fleece over back and bosom by small buckling combs. Two tresses alone were allowed to escape from this confinement, which falling over the temples, hung curling on either cheek, and their name among the young men was the "love locks." In the middle of them all, and on the very summit of the hill, stood a Lady who seemed to be the chieftainess of the tribe or congregation. She was remarkably handsome-not so slender as those who wish men to span their waists, and then spoil them; nor so plump and massy as those drop-ripe beauties who crowd the canvas of painters like hillocks of rosy flesh. When the fervour of devotion subsided, and the sparkling moisture in which her dark hazel eyes swam, emitting a kind of ethereal light, was passed and gone, she might seem a dame of some forty years.— But as she appeared to me, with her locks long and unbound, profusely curling over back and shoulders, her white arms stretched out to heaven, and her large eyes beaming with divine enthusiasm amid their liquid light, she certainly seemed no older than twenty-six. In this attitude she stood, as a prophet of old, expecting to

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said she, addressing her followers, "Wonders have been multiplied to night. Behold the third sign!-the third, the sure, the long looked-for sign, even a sign sensible to the touch, the golden time is at hand." All heads were again bowed to the ground. Descending from our place, we passed through the congregation, and walking down the western side of the hill, found ourselves in the midst of a rustic encampment. This was a circular village of booths or tents, fenced round with green boughs, with a marquee of considerable magnitude in the middle. Into this rural sheiling, which I soon found was neither inelegant nor incommodious, I entered with the chieftainess. No one followed. The interior was laid out in that style of simplicity which poets call patriarchal. A table of green turf neatly cut, and seated round with the same native material, occupied the middle; a part of the tent was curtained off, and through a kind of side door I observed a couch, covered with blankets which the white fleece of the Cheviots could alone rival. The rest of this devotional establishment was past all praise; for the white hands of the chieftainess produced from a large bottle called the "Comforter," and from a sack labelled "Mercy's Property," sundry infallible restoratives, after the enthusiastic and violent exercises I had lately witnessed. The said Comforter yielded pure and powerful wine, and the scrip of mercy yielded charming viands, even two fat, broiled, barn-door hens, and abundance of knuckled cakes, well browned on the embers. The chieftainess placed me on a seat, saying in an under-tone, "Youth, I have long looked for thee:-mind my words, be prudent and be wise;"-then raising her voice, she said, "Damsel come forth ;" and lo! from the curtained recess came forth a tall and lovely young

woman.

Her dress was the same as her sister-devotees; her locks, a glistering golden brown, came clustering in masses over a neck long and round,

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and glossy as polished marble, and her face had that native, and meek, and gentle composure, which men have so much admired in the lovely twin children from the chisel of immortal Chantrey, over whom so many mothers have wept. Seating herself in silence beside us, we made a rapid inroad on Mercy's Property;" and by repeated applications to the comforter,-worthy of the name, we drained it dry; for you may guess it partook not of the excellent virtue of the famous fairy cup of Auchencrieth, which was fated to be always brimful of noble wine, and which the protracted devotion of the thirstiest lips could never diminish, till that sighing saint, Sandy Dargavel, unbonneted and blessed it ere he would drink; at every word of the grace it inlaked an inch, and was as dry ever after as the fool's throat when he finished his ill-timed benediction. There is a time for all things, said a wise man; and even so say I, that never pretended to wisdom.

After this grateful refreshment, I stretched myself on the grass of the tent-floor, carefully wrapped in the large white wool mantle of the chieftainess. These mantles of undyed wool were the favourite production of the lowland loom in ancient times. For the manufacture of her pure and delicate "Whytes," Dumfries was once famous over Europe; but now she has taken to the devouring of luxuries, and left off fabricating them. Truly she can do nought but eat and drink and dance:-Goodly accomplishments!

Early in the morning I was awoke by the whispering of some one near me. I lay quiet, and I immediately distinguished the voice of the elder lady of Lagg. She was addressing her younger companion. " I tell thee this sleeping youth is the latest token before the coming of the happy time. But beware damsel, even by thy baptismal name I warn thee to beware-beware Jenny Jimpansma, thy dominion is not one of loving

"In Niddisdail is the Toun of Dunfries, quhair mony small and delegat Quhytes ar DESCR. ALBION, c. 5. made, halden in gret daynte to Marchandis of vncouth realms." "In ea oppidum est Dumfries, insigne laneis pannis candidissimis subtilissimoque contextis filo, Anglis, Gallis, Flandris, Germanisque, ad quos ferunt in deliciis."

BOETHIUS.

We quote these two unquestionable authorities to support and illustrate the traditional testimony of Mark Macrabin.

looks, and the worship of young men's eyes. When I am translated, and that time is nigh,-thou shalt have my mantle and my rule; but if thou mixest worldly rule with thy dominion, thy power shall fade as fast as these boughs have withered, and they were plucked green yesternight." So saying they departed, and I walked forth into the beaming of the new-risen sun, and the fragrance of the mountain air. The wild enthusiasts of last night existed only in my remembrance, for assuredly the altered scene which I now witnessed might have gone far to persuade me, that the unbridled devotion I beheld at midnight was the visioned pageant of some disturbed dream. Nature and all her works wore the sober and sedate livery of simple rusticity and labour. On a swelling knoll at the sunny side of the hill, I found the women all orderly and silently ranged, and seated on the grass. They were busy with roke and with wheel, manufacturing flaxen thread. Others were summing the amount of their companions' labours on the check reel, at that time not a very old invention, but a very excellent one, and which superseded the ancient mode of numbering the threads audibly as the reel turned round. It's worth hearing how it was invented.-Honest Johnie Tamson of Tupthairm, whose boast it was that he could make a wheel and spin on't—and make a fiddle and play on't, happened once to return home from a market-day carousal rather late, and found his wife numbering her threads in the primitive manner. The thrifty dame, unwilling to stay her labour even for the pleasant pastime of scolding, mingled her admonition and her numbers together, "Where have ye been a' day?-seven-and-twenty-synding yere hawse wi' my thrift-aught-and-twenty-if ye get a sark o' this-nine-and-twenty -may the deel rive't off yere backand that makes thirty." And so he invented the check reel, and ever after obtained his matrimonial admonishments pure and unmixed. To talk of a check reel is no great digression in a tale about thread; so, as I was saying, these maidens were busy making thread, and thread more evenly, firm, and fine, never came cross the haddles. All the male devotees had departed, and on looking down the hill I observed them marching off in groupes in

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various directions, with their sickles in their hands, to the neighbouring corn-fields, for harvest was generally begun; and these men, many in the morn, and all in the vigour of life, were willing and excellent labourers. Nor have I heard, that the expected coming of the golden times on earth ever relaxed their exertions-so necessary is labour for man, and so conducive to happiness is the possession of some useful or visible employment. The earnings of the congregation were deposited in the tent of our Lady," so they invariably styled their conductress; and as their wants were few their money increased. The capacious Sack of Mercy, and the Gardduvin, called the Comforter, were often replenished by the open hospitality of neighbouring lairds, who came to examine our lady's rural encampment, and oftener by the private donations of opulent dames, who held a half, or kind of twilight belief, in the stability of the prophecies so plentifully scattered over the country from the Hill of Lagg. On another part of the hill, two brothers, as it happened by birth as well as belief, were employed in manufacturing spinning wheels-the larger as well as the less, and likewise reels and rokes. This latter imple ment no longer graces the bosoms of the young maids; and it is rare to meet with one unless in the hand of some very old person, who wishes to be singular, or has an ancient affection for this portable, ladylike, but dilatory instrument. Such at that time were the staple commodities of the district. The ingenuity and beauty of the works of the two brothers, together with the fame of this singular and harmless people, brought many purchasers, and the wealth of the congregation began to grow proverbial.

As the golden time was reckoned nigh-when care and sorrow would cease on earth-when heaven would extend its limits, and mortals would become immortal, marriage was reckoned an idle and a barren ceremony. Children were works of supererogation; or as one of the female disciples said, as she gazed down the vale of Nith, and saw the whole fragrant vista, as far as Dumfries, moving with children playing in the sun as thick as that luminary 66 motts," "The Pot of Nith," said she, "shall soon cease to swarm with these dancing deevils." But though

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