The Monastery

His Majesty’s —— regiment of inf

i

to be lively. I will not disguise from you, that I have yawned over the last interview of MacIvor and his sister, and fell fairly asleep while the schoolmaster was reading the humours of Dandie Dinmont. You see, sir, that I scorn to solicit your favour in a way to which you are no stranger. If the papers I enclose you are worth nothing, I will not endeavour

ers, I suppose) at the head of each division of prose, I have had the luck to light upon a stanza in the schoolmaster’s copy of Burns which describes me exactly. I love

he was a s

rather fa’

quit the sp

g-skin

he — antiqu

, they

boy in my own person, and cared not a penny to read the history of the heroes who turned the world upside down in former ages. As for courage, I had, as I have since discovered, just as much of it as serve’d my turn, and not one frain of surplus. I soon found out, indeed, that in action there was more anger in running away than in standing fast; an

ong emotions being excited on these occasions, excepting the infinite regret with which I went through the polite ceremonial of presenting my partner with an orange, thrust into my pocket by my aunt for this special purpose, but which, had I dared, I certainly would have secreted for my own personal use. As for vanity, or love of finery for itself, I was such a stranger to it, that the difficulty was

de more fuss than he needed about both. The laird had his farming and improving operations to superintend; and, besides, he had to attend trustee meetings, and lieutenancy meetings, and head-courts, and meetings of justices, and what not — was as early up, (that I detested,) and as much in the open air, wet and dry, as his own grieve. The shopkeeper (the village boasted but one of eminence) stood indeed pretty much at his ease behind his counter, for his custom was by no means overburdensome; but still he enjoyed his status, as the Bailie calls it, upon condition of tumbling all the wares in his booth over and over, when any one chose to want a yard of muslin, a mousetrap, an ounce of caraways, a paper of pins, the Sermons of Mr. Peden, or the Life of Jack the G

o’clock, if he had a mind; but the Ensign must make the rounds in his turn. What was worse, the Captain might repose under the tester of his tent-bed until noon, if he was so pleased; but the Ensign, God help him, had to appear upon parade at peep of day. As for duty, I made that as easy as I could, had the sergeant to whisper to me the words of command, and bustled through as other folks did. Of service, I saw enough for an indolent man — was buffeted up and down the world, and visited both the Eas

. I was not long, however, in making the grand discovery, that in order to enjoy leisure, it is absolutely necessary it should be preceded by occupation. For some time, it was delightful to wake at daybreak, dreaming of the reveill? — then to recollect my happy emancipation f

n I shot, the shepherds, and ploughmen, and my very dog, quizzed me every time that I missed, which was, generally speaking, every time I fired. Besides, the country gentlemen in this quarter like their game, and began to talk of prosecutions and inter

landlady’s cuckoo-clock, and in so doing, silenced that companion of the spring for ever and a day. I mounted a turning-lathe, an

suited my purpose. I always fell asleep at the fourth or fifth page of history or disquisition; and it took me a month’s hard reading to wade through a half-bound trashy novel, during which I was pestered with applications to retu

this noble structure. The old sexton aided my labours, and gave me his portion of traditional lore. Every day added something to my stock of knowledge respecting the ancient state of the building;

a fresh party of visiters arrive) has he turned over to me those to whom he had told half his story, with the flattering observation, “What needs I say ony mair about it? There’s the Captain kens mair anent it than I do, or any man in the town.” Then would I salute the strangers courteously, and expatiate to their astonished minds up

ilate and expand. I spoke with more authority at the club, and was listened to with deference, because on one subject, at least, I possessed more information than any of its members. Indeed, I found that even my stories abo

ed me to measure, to examine, and to compare the various parts of this interesting structure. I lost all sense and consciousness of certain unpleasant sensations of a nondescript nature, about my head and stomach, to which I had been in the habit of attending, more for

an honest London citizen, to whom I had explained the difference between a Gothic and a Saxon arch,) and a glass of Vanderhagen’s best ale. Thus armed at all points against my old enemy Time, I was leisurely and deliciously preparing for bed — now reading a line of old Dugdale — now sipping my ale, or munching my bread and cheese — now undoing the strings at my breeches’ knees, or a button or two of my waistcoat, until the village clock sho

o’clock is going to strike, “he’s no in his bed, but I’se warrant him no gae out at thi

mslees desired I should pursue. But I had not been knocked about the world for thirty years and odd, and lived a bluff bachelor all the while, to co

twenty pound saumon. There’s a gentleman up yonder that will not sleep sound in his

not with propriety go out to visit strangers at this time of nig

t sups on toasted cheese, and a cheerer of rum-toddy? This is a gentleman every inch of him, and a virtuoso, a clean virtuoso-a sad-coloured stand of claithes, and a wig like the curled back of a mug-ewe. The very first question he speered was

d heritor, was a qualified judge of all who frequented his house, a

I haena seen the like o’ him my very sell since I saw the great Doctor Samuel Johnson on his tower through S

tleman is a s

ered David: “he has a black coat

a cle

ter his horse’s supper before he sp

servant?”

d face o’ his ain, that wad gar ony body b

f your chattering; you are perpetually bringing your guests on my shoulders

able word about it, be it no yoursell, except the bedral, and he is as fou as a piper by this time. So, says I, there’s Captain Clutterbuck, that’s a very civil gentleman and has little to do forby telling a’ the auld cracks about the Abbey, and dwells just hard by. Then says the gentleman to me, ‘Sir,’ says he, very civilly, ‘have the goodness to step to Captain Clutterbuck with m

virtuoso had taken a fitter hour —

a gentleman, I trow? — That’s right, Captain, button weel up, the night’s raw — but the water’s clearing for a’ that; we’ll

found myself in the parlour of the Geor

stranger’s dress at all martial. It consisted of a uniform suit of iron-gray clothes, cut in rather an old-fashioned form. His legs were defended with strong leathern gambadoes, which, according to an antiquarian contrivance, opened at the sides, and were secured by steel clasps. His countenance was worn as much by toil and sorrow

ld willingly defer the little I have to say till after su

he gentle preparation of cheese and ale which I had already laid aboard, I really believ

knew all that I could tell him, but a great deal more; and, what was still more mortifying, he was able, by reference to dates, charters, and other evidence of facts, that, as Burns says, “downa be disputed,” to correct many of the vague tales which I had adopted on loose and vulgar tradition, as well as to confute more than one of my favourite theories on the subject of the old monks and their dwellings, which I had sported freely in all the presumption of superior infor

memories a ro

ritten records

bosoms of that

new song, how many gray heads he hath addled by vain attempts to exchange their old Mumpsimus for his new Sumpsimus. But let it pass. Humana perpessi sumus — A

t place of defence, and fight my way through the adjacent country. I had recourse to my acquaintance with the families and antiquities of the neighbo

e particulars than I had the least pretension to. He could tell the very

by the hand of the executioner for march-treason. Their castles he was acquainted with from turret to foundation-stone; and as for the miscellaneous antiquities scattere

ick up as much of his conversation as I could, for the benefit of the next company. I told, indeed, Allan Ramsay’s story of the Monk and Miller

nnot be ignorant that the ludicrous incident you mentioned i

, though, in fact, I knew no more what he meant

of Berwick, although it presents a very minute and amusing picture of Scottish manners during the reign of James V.; but rather to the Italian n

ery well understanding, however, the proposi

known my situation and profession, whether you would ha

I could, that my ignorance of his condition and rank could be the only cause of my having stumbled on anything disagreeab

ken. I have been too long accustomed to more severe and cruel misconstruct

answered, “that I am speakin

ty of your own countrymen, long established in France, and scattered unhappily by the events

chman by extraction only, and never was i

uainted with its history, its traditions, and even it

d also of our religious community, employed much of his leisure in making me acquainted with these particulars; and that I myself, disgusted with what has been passing around me

at you are now returned to Scotland with a view to settle amongst your country

ttered brethren are already assembled, to pray to God for blessings on their protector, and pardon to their enemies. No one, I believe, will be able to object to us under our new establishment,

e Monastery of this village. It is said to have possessed nearly two thousand pounds in yearly money-rent, fourteen chalders and nine bolls of wheat, fifty-s

ch, though well intended by the pious donors, served only to make the est

erved, “the monks had an easy life

e gud

s when th

e brethren themselves. And yet we have seen the revenues of convents expended, not only in acts of beneficence and hospitality to individuals, but in works of general and permanent advantage to the world at large. The noble folio collection of French historians, commenced in 1737, under the ins

his noble work in the library of a distinguished family, and I must own I am ashamed to reflect, that, in so wealthy a country as ours, a similar digest of our historians shoul

your heretical prejudices are too strong to allow us p

s, in the campaign of 1793, I never lived more comfortably in my life. They were jolly fellows, the Flemish Canons, and right sorry wa

atone for my blunder. “If there was any object of his journey to this country in which I could, with propriety, assist him, I begged to offer him my best services.” I own I laid some little emphasis on the words “with propriety,” as I felt it would ill become me, a sound Protestant, and a servant of government so far as

quary, and a person of research. But I assure you it relates entirely to events and persons removed to the distance of two centuries and a half. I have experi

to assist him in anything that was not

ne, has given him the virtues necessary to his time — firmness and intrepidity — a true love of his country, and an enlightened view of the dangers by which she is surrounded. — For the religion of these realms, I am contented to hope that the great Power, whos

” said I, “with what purp

book, full, as it seemed, of memoranda; and, drawing one of the candles close to him, (for David, as a strong p

sionally glancing at it, as if to refresh his memory, “a sort of recess or chapel beneath a broken arch, and in the immediate vicinity of one of

ide wall of the chapel, or recess, which you mention, a large carved stone

hose of Glendinning, being a cross parted by a cross indented and countercharged of the same; and on the sinister three spu

e not as well acquainted as was the mason who built it. But if your information

bably when he inspected the monument it was in a more perfect state, o

es among the old people, in hopes to learn something of the armorial bearings, but I never he

mory, but which their eyes could never again behold. It is possible, in like manner, that on the Potomac or Susquehannah, you may find traditions current concerning places in England, which are utterly forgotten

echoed I, in

estimable treasure, for those w

ivery, having a smart cockade on his glazed hat, seemed as it were to glide across the room before gay eyes, while a voice,

the lord of the soil; and as I have served his majesty, I cannot concern

ling, “will not be envied by princes or noble

n of the Reformation. I know the value which men of your persuasion put up

ndividual, the hero of his tale, should rest no longer in a land of heresy, now deserted by all his kindred. As he knew where it was deposited, he formed the resolution to visit his native country for the purpose of recovering this valued relic. But age, and at length disease, interfered with his resolution, and it was on his deathbed that he charged me to undertake the task in his stead. The various important events which have crowded upon each othe

replied I, “whose memory, at so distant a per

ship. But you shall read his history. I shall be happy at once to gratify your curiosity, and to show my sense of your kindness, if you will have the goodness to procure me the means of accomplishing my object.” I replied to the Benedict

the sexton, who, for a small gratuity, readily granted permission of search, on condition, howeve

astery, “there’s plenty a’ about, an he’s curious of them; but if there be ony picts” (meaning perhaps pyx) “or c

agnificent ruins again and again during the forenoon; and, having made a comfortable dinner at David’s, we walked in the afternoon to such places in the neighbourhood as ancient tradition or modern conjecture had rendered mark worthy. Night found us

ger from his energetic desire to execute the purpose for which he came — and the sexton from habitual indifference. We soon stood in the aisle, which, by the account of the Benedictine, contained the bones of the family of Glendinning, and were busily employed in removing the rubbish from a corner which the stranger

ong at work, they came to some hewn stones, which seemed to have

y friend,” said the stranger, “lest

cked free every ane of them — warse than the

laimed, “I hae fund something now that stands again

tooped eagerly

; “nae halves or quarters;"— and he lifted

ne, “if you expect any thing there but the mouldering dus

perty of the finder. I then proposed, that as the place was too dark to examine the contents of the leaden casket, we should adjourn to David’s, where we might h

t the tombs, for he glided back through a side-aisle to watch the Benedictine’s motions, but presently returned

ed away through the ruined aisles, I could not help reflecting how long it was since they had heard the forms of that religion, for the exercise of which they had

his saul, was a horse-couper, and used to say he never was cheated in a naig in his life, saving by a west-countr

y right in that,

y kend him, but ane — mair by token, he was the only ane in the town to ken — and that was auld Jock of the Pend. It wad hae been lang ere ye fand Jock praying in the Abbey in a thick night, wi’ his knees on a cauld stane. Jock likit a kirk wi’ a chimley in’t. Mony a merry ploy I hae had wi’ him down at the inn yonder; and when he died, decently I wa

him, Mattocks,” said I. —“

; “I may say with a poet, who

sed if he were, th

anger c

be my speed!

feet stumble

but a short walk to David’s, where I hope we shall fin

ning his curiosity, that would not let gentlemen be private in their own inn. Apparently mine host considered his own presence as no intrusion, for he crowded up to the table on which I had laid down the l

ld say that your suspicions will not be removed — unless I undo this casket; yet it o

notwithstanding, that it was, what the stranger asserted, the remains of a human heart; and David readily promised his influence in the village, which was almost co-ordinate with that of the bailie himself, to silence all idle rumours. He was, moreover, pleased to favour us with his company to supper;

e had finished our morning’s meal, the priest took me apart, and pulling from his pocket a large bundle of papers, he put them into my hands. “These,” said he, “Captain Clutterbuck, are genuine Memoirs of the sixteenth century, and exhibit in a singular, and,

observed, that the hand seemed too modern

the taste and language of the present day. My uncle commenced this book; and I, partly to improve my habit of English composition, partly to divert melancholy thoughts, amused my leisure hours with continuing a

doubts, whether, as a good Protestant, I could undertake or su

y. But if, upon collating my narrative with the proofs to which I refer you — for you will find copies of many of the original papers in that parcel — you are of opinion that I have been partial to my own faith, I freely give you leave to correct my errors in that respect. I own, however, I am not conscious of this defect, and have rather to fear that the Catholi

is knowledge of me fully warranted — more, at any rate, than my modesty will permit me to record. At length he ended, with advising me, if I continued to feel the diffidence which I state

our village club, from whom they found a more favourable reception than the unlucky conformation of my nerves had been able to afford them. They unanimously pronounced the work to be exceedingly good, and assu

t is the difference betwixt reading a thing one’s self, making toilsome way through all the difficulties of manuscript, and, as the man says in the play, “having the same read to you;"— it is positively like being wafted over a creek in a boat, or wading throug

asons against going to Edinburgh to make arrangements for printing the Benedictine’s manuscript. The schoolmaster alone seemed of malleable stuff; and, desirous perhaps of emulating the fame of Jedediah Cleishbotham, evinced a wish to undertake this mome

such alterations, additions, and curtailments, as you think necessary. Forgive my hinting to you, that the deepest well may be exhausted — the best corps of grenadiers, as our old general of brigade expressed himself, may be used up. A few hints can do you no harm; and, for the prize-money, let the battle be first won, and it shall be parted at the drum-head.

are of Mr. John Ballantyne, Hanover