按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
folk belonging to the cotton…mill； and the muslin…weavers in Cayenneville；
were afflicted with the itch of jacobinism； but those of the village were
stanch and true to king and country； and some of the heritors were
desirous to make volunteers of the young men of them； in case of anything
like the French anarchy and confusion rising on the side of the
manufacturers。 I； however； set myself； at that time； against this； for I
foresaw that the French business was but a fever which would soon pass
off； but no man could tell the consequence of putting arms in the hands of
neighbour against neighbour； though it was but in the way of policy。
But when Bonaparte gathered his host fornent the English coast； and
the government at London were in terror of their lives for an invasion； all
in the country saw that there was danger； and I was not backward in
sounding the trumpet to battle。 For a time； however； there was a
diffidence among us somewhere。 The gentry had a distrust of the
manufacturers； and the farming lads were wud with impatience； that those
who should be their leaders would not come forth。 I； knowing this；
prepared a sermon suitable to the occasion； giving out from the pulpit
myself； the Sabbath before preaching it； that it was my intent； on the next
Lord's day； to deliver a religious and political exhortation on the present
posture of public affairs。 This drew a vast congregation of all ranks。
I trow that the stoor had no peace in the stuffing of the pulpit in that
day； and the effect was very great and speedy： for next morning the
weavers and cotton…mill folk held a meeting； and they； being skilled in the
ways of committees and associating together； had certain resolutions
prepared； by which a select few was appointed to take an enrolment of all
willing in the parish to serve as volunteers in defence of their king and
country； and to concert with certain gentlemen named therein； about the
156
… Page 157…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
formation of a corps； of which； it was an understood thing； the said
gentlemen were to be the officers。 The whole of this business was
managed with the height of discretion； and the weavers； and spinners； and
farming lads； vied with one another who should be first on the list。 But
that which the most surprised me； was the wonderful sagacity of the
committee in naming the gentlemen that should be the officers。 I could
not have made a better choice myself； for they were the best built； the best
bred； and the best natured； in the parish。 In short； when I saw the bravery
that was in my people； and the spirit of wisdom by which it was directed； I
said in my heart； the Lord of Hosts is with us； and the adversary shall not
prevail。
The number of valiant men which at that time placed themselves
around the banners of their country was so great； that the government
would not accept of all who offered； so； like as in other parishes； we were
obligated to make a selection； which was likewise done in a most
judicious manner； all men above a certain age being reserved for the
defence of the parish； in the day when the young might be called to
England to fight the enemy。
When the corps was formed； and the officers named； they made me
their chaplain； and Dr。 Marigold their doctor。 He was a little man with a
big belly； and was as crouse as a bantam cock； but it was not thought he
could do so well in field exercises； on which account he was made the
doctor； although he had no repute in that capacity in comparison with Dr。
Tanzey； who was not； however； liked； being a stiff…mannered man； with a
sharp temper。
All things having come to a proper head； the young ladies of the parish
resolved to present the corps with a stand of colours； which they
embroidered themselves； and a day was fixed for the presentation of the
same。 Never was such a day seen in Dalmailing。 The sun shone brightly
on that scene of bravery and grandeur； and far and near the country folk
came flocking in； and we had the regimental band of music hired from the
soldiers that were in Ayr barracks。 The very first sound o't made the hair
on my old grey head to prickle up； and my blood to rise and glow as if
youth was coming again into my veins。
157
… Page 158…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
Sir Hugh Montgomerie was the commandant； and he came in all the
glory of war； on his best horse； and marched at the head of the men to the
green…head。 The doctor and me were the rearguard： not being able； on
account of my age and his fatness； to walk so fast as the quick…step of the
corps。 On the field； we took our place in front； near Sir Hugh and the
ladies with the colours； and after some salutations； according to the
fashion of the army； Sir Hugh made a speech to the men； and then Miss
Maria Montgomerie came forward； with her sister Miss Eliza； and the
other ladies； and the banners were unfurled； all glittering with gold； and
the king's arms in needlework。 Miss Maria then made a speech； which
she had got by heart； but she was so agitated that it was said she forgot the
best part of it： however； it was very well considering。 When this was
done； I then stepped forward； and laying my hat on the ground； every man
and boy taking off theirs； I said a prayer； which I had conned most
carefully； and which I thought the most suitable I could devise； in unison
with Christian principles； which are averse to the shedding of blood； and I
particularly dwelt upon some of the specialities of our situation。
When I had concluded； the volunteers gave three great shouts； and the
multitude answered them to the same tune； and all the instruments of
music sounded； making such a bruit as could not be surpassed for
grandeura long； and very circumstantial account of all which； may be
read in the newspapers of that time。
The volunteers； at the word of command； then showed us the way they
were to fight with the French； in the doing of which a sad disaster
happened； for when they were charging bayonets； they came towards us
like a flood； and all the spectators ran； and I ran； and the doctor ran； but
being laden with his belly； he could not run fast enough； so he lay down；
and being just before me at the time； I tumbled over him； and such a shout
of laughter shook the field as was never heard。
When the fatigues of the day were at an end； we marched to the
cotton…mill； where； in one of the ware…houses； a vast table was spread； and
a dinner； prepared at Mr Cayenne's own expense； sent in from the Cross…
Keys； and the whole corps； with many of the gentry of the neighbourhood；
dined with great jollity； the band of music playing beautiful airs all the
158
… Page 159…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
time。 At night there was a universal dance； gentle and semple mingled
together。 All which made it plain to me； that the Lord； by this unison of
spirit； had decreed our national preservation； but I kept this in my own
breast； lest it might have the effect to relax the vigilance of the kingdom。
And I should note that Colin Mavis； the poetical lad； of whom I have
spoken in another part； made a song for this occasion that was very
mightily thought of； having in it a nerve of valiant genius； that kindled the
very
159
… Page 160…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
souls of those that heard it。
CHAPTER XLV YEAR 1804
In conformity with the altered fashions of the age； in this yea