第 23 节
作者:阎王      更新:2022-03-20 20:46      字数:9322
  diameter; the lower is a little convex; to which the concavity of
  the upper must be fitted。  In the middle of the upper stone is a
  round hole; and on one side is a long handle。  The grinder sheds
  the corn gradually into the hole with one hand; and works the
  handle round with the other。  The corn slides down the convexity of
  the lower stone; and by the motion of the upper is ground in its
  passage。  These stones are found in Lochabar。
  The Islands afford few pleasures; except to the hardy sportsman;
  who can tread the moor and climb the mountain。  The distance of one
  family from another; in a country where travelling has so much
  difficulty; makes frequent intercourse impracticable。  Visits last
  several days; and are commonly paid by water; yet I never saw a
  boat furnished with benches; or made commodious by any addition to
  the first fabric。  Conveniences are not missed where they never
  were enjoyed。
  The solace which the bagpipe can give; they have long enjoyed; but
  among other changes; which the last Revolution introduced; the use
  of the bagpipe begins to be forgotten。  Some of the chief families
  still entertain a piper; whose office was anciently hereditary。
  Macrimmon was piper to Macleod; and Rankin to Maclean of Col。
  The tunes of the bagpipe are traditional。  There has been in Sky;
  beyond all time of memory; a college of pipers; under the direction
  of Macrimmon; which is not quite extinct。  There was another in
  Mull; superintended by Rankin; which expired about sixteen years
  ago。  To these colleges; while the pipe retained its honour; the
  students of musick repaired for education。  I have had my dinner
  exhilarated by the bagpipe; at Armidale; at Dunvegan; and in Col。
  The general conversation of the Islanders has nothing particular。
  I did not meet with the inquisitiveness of which I have read; and
  suspect the judgment to have been rashly made。  A stranger of
  curiosity comes into a place where a stranger is seldom seen:  he
  importunes the people with questions; of which they cannot guess
  the motive; and gazes with surprise on things which they; having
  had them always before their eyes; do not suspect of any thing
  wonderful。  He appears to them like some being of another world;
  and then thinks it peculiar that they take their turn to inquire
  whence he comes; and whither he is going。
  The Islands were long unfurnished with instruction for youth; and
  none but the sons of gentlemen could have any literature。  There
  are now parochial schools; to which the lord of every manor pays a
  certain stipend。  Here the children are taught to read; but by the
  rule of their institution; they teach only English; so that the
  natives read a language which they may never use or understand。  If
  a parish; which often happens; contains several Islands; the school
  being but in one; cannot assist the rest。  This is the state of
  Col; which; however; is more enlightened than some other places;
  for the deficiency is supplied by a young gentleman; who; for his
  own improvement; travels every year on foot over the Highlands to
  the session at Aberdeen; and at his return; during the vacation;
  teaches to read and write in his native Island。
  In Sky there are two grammar schools; where boarders are taken to
  be regularly educated。  The price of board is from three pounds; to
  four pounds ten shillings a year; and that of instruction is half a
  crown a quarter。  But the scholars are birds of passage; who live
  at school only in the summer; for in winter provisions cannot be
  made for any considerable number in one place。  This periodical
  dispersion impresses strongly the scarcity of these countries。
  Having heard of no boarding…school for ladies nearer than
  Inverness; I suppose their education is generally domestick。  The
  elder daughters of the higher families are sent into the world; and
  may contribute by their acquisitions to the improvement of the
  rest。
  Women must here study to be either pleasing or useful。  Their
  deficiencies are seldom supplied by very liberal fortunes。  A
  hundred pounds is a portion beyond the hope of any but the Laird's
  daughter。  They do not indeed often give money with their
  daughters; the question is; How many cows a young lady will bring
  her husband。  A rich maiden has from ten to forty; but two cows are
  a decent fortune for one who pretends to no distinction。
  The religion of the Islands is that of the Kirk of Scotland。  The
  gentlemen with whom I conversed are all inclined to the English
  liturgy; but they are obliged to maintain the established Minister;
  and the country is too poor to afford payment to another; who must
  live wholly on the contribution of his audience。
  They therefore all attend the worship of the Kirk; as often as a
  visit from their Minister; or the practicability of travelling
  gives them opportunity; nor have they any reason to complain of
  insufficient pastors; for I saw not one in the Islands; whom I had
  reason to think either deficient in learning; or irregular in life:
  but found several with whom I could not converse without wishing;
  as my respect increased; that they had not been Presbyterians。
  The ancient rigour of puritanism is now very much relaxed; though
  all are not yet equally enlightened。  I sometimes met with
  prejudices sufficiently malignant; but they were prejudices of
  ignorance。  The Ministers in the Islands had attained such
  knowledge as may justly be admired in men; who have no motive to
  study; but generous curiosity; or; what is still better; desire of
  usefulness; with such politeness as so narrow a circle of converse
  could not have supplied; but to minds naturally disposed to
  elegance。
  Reason and truth will prevail at last。  The most learned of the
  Scottish Doctors would now gladly admit a form of prayer; if the
  people would endure it。  The zeal or rage of congregations has its
  different degrees。  In some parishes the Lord's Prayer is suffered:
  in others it is still rejected as a form; and he that should make
  it part of his supplication would be suspected of heretical
  pravity。
  The principle upon which extemporary prayer was originally
  introduced; is no longer admitted。  The Minister formerly; in the
  effusion of his prayer; expected immediate; and perhaps perceptible
  inspiration; and therefore thought it his duty not to think before
  what he should say。  It is now universally confessed; that men pray
  as they speak on other occasions; according to the general measure
  of their abilities and attainments。  Whatever each may think of a
  form prescribed by another; he cannot but believe that he can
  himself compose by study and meditation a better prayer than will
  rise in his mind at a sudden call; and if he has any hope of
  supernatural help; why may he not as well receive it when he writes
  as when he speaks?
  In the variety of mental powers; some must perform extemporary
  prayer with much imperfection; and in the eagerness and rashness of
  contradictory opinions; if publick liturgy be left to the private
  judgment of every Minister; the congregation may often be offended
  or misled。
  There is in Scotland; as among ourselves; a restless suspicion of
  popish machinations; and a clamour of numerous converts to the
  Romish religion。  The report is; I believe; in both parts of the
  Island equally false。  The Romish religion is professed only in Egg
  and Canna; two small islands; into which the Reformation never made
  its way。  If any missionaries are busy in the Highlands; their zeal
  entitles them to respect; even from those who cannot think
  favourably of their doctrine。
  The political tenets of the Islanders I was not curious to
  investigate; and they were not eager to obtrude。  Their
  conversation is decent and inoffensive。  They disdain to drink for
  their principles; and there is no disaffection at their tables。  I
  never heard a health offered by a Highlander that might not have
  circulated with propriety within the precincts of the King's
  palace。
  Legal government has yet something of novelty to which they cannot
  perfectly conform。  The ancient spirit; that appealed only to the
  sword; is yet among them。  The tenant of Scalpa; an island
  belonging to Macdonald; took no care to bring his rent; when the
  landlord talked of exacting payment; he declared his resolution to
  keep his ground; and drive all intruders from the Island; and
  continued to feed his cattle as on his own land; till it became
  necessary for the Sheriff to dislodge him by violence。
  The various kinds of superstition which prevailed here; as in all
  other regions of ignorance; are by the diligence of the Ministers
  almost extirpated。
  Of Browny; mentioned by Martin; nothing has been heard for many
  years。  Browny was a sturdy Fairy; who; if he was fed; and kindly
  treated; would; as they said; do a great deal of work。  They now
  pay him no wages; and are content to labour for themselves。
  In Troda; within these three…and…thirty years; milk was put every
  Saturday for Greogach; or 'the Old Man with the Long Beard。'
  Whether Greogach was courted as kind; or dreaded as terrible;
  whether they meant; by giving him the milk; to obtain good; or
  avert evil; I was not informed。  The Minister is now living by whom
  the pract