The Antiquary - Volume II

Chapter 15

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Crabbed age and youth

Cannot live together:--

Youth is full of pleasance,

Age is full of care;

Youth like summer morn,

Age like winter weather;

Youth like summer brave,

Age like winter bare.

Shakspeare.

In the morning of the following day, the Antiquary, who was something of

a sluggard, was summoned from his bed a full hour earlier than his custom

by Caxon. "What's the matter now?" he exclaimed, yawning and stretching

forth his hand to the huge gold repeater, which, bedded upon his India

silk handkerchief, was laid safe by his pillow--"what's the matter now,

Caxon?--it can't be eight o'clock yet."

"Na, sir,--but my lord's man sought me out, for he fancies me your

honour's valley-de-sham,--and sae I am, there's nae doubt o't, baith your

honour's and the minister's--at least ye hae nae other that I ken o'--and

I gie a help to Sir Arthur too, but that's mair in the way o' my

profession."

"Well, well--never mind that," said the Antiquary--"happy is he that is

his own valley-de-sham, as you call it--But why disturb my morning's

rest?"

"Ou, sir, the great man's been up since peep o' day, and he's steered the

town to get awa an express to fetch his carriage, and it will be here

briefly, and he wad like to see your honour afore he gaes awa."

"Gadso!" ejaculated Oldbuck, "these great men use one's house and time as

if they were their own property. Well, it's once and away. Has Jenny come

to her senses yet, Caxon?"

"Troth, sir, but just middling," replied the barber; "she's been in a

swither about the jocolate this morning, and was like to hae toomed it a'

out into the slap-bason, and drank it hersell in her ecstacies--but she's

won ower wi't, wi' the help o' Miss M'Intyre."

"Then all my womankind are on foot and scrambling, and I must enjoy my

quiet bed no longer, if I would have a well-regulated house--Lend me my

gown. And what are the news at Fairport?"

"Ou, sir, what can they be about but this grand news o' my lord,"

answered the old man, "that hasna been ower the door-stane, they threep

to me, for this twenty years--this grand news of his coming to visit your

honour?"

"Aha!" said Monkbarns; "and what do they say of that, Caxon?"

"'Deed, sir, they hae various opinions. Thae fallows, that are the

democraws, as they ca' them, that are again' the king and the law, and

hairpowder and dressing o' gentlemen's wigs--a wheen blackguards--they

say he's come doun to speak wi' your honour about bringing doun his hill

lads and Highland tenantry to break up the meetings of the Friends o' the

People;--and when I said your honour never meddled wi' the like o' sic

things where there was like to be straiks and bloodshed, they said, if ye

didna, your nevoy did, and that he was weel ken'd to be a kingsman that

wad fight knee-deep, and that ye were the head and he was the hand, and

that the Yerl was to bring out the men and the siller."

"Come," said the Antiquary, laughing--"I am glad the war is to cost me

nothing but counsel."

"Na, na," said Caxon--"naebody thinks your honour wad either fight

yoursell, or gie ony feck o' siller to ony side o' the question."

"Umph! well, that's the opinion of the democraws, as you call them--What

say the rest o' Fairport?"

"In troth," said the candid reporter, "I canna say it's muckle better.

Captain Coquet, of the volunteers--that's him that's to be the new

collector,--and some of the other gentlemen of the Blue and a' Blue Club,

are just saying it's no right to let popists, that hae sae mony French

friends as the Yerl of Glenallan, gang through the country, and--but your

honour will maybe be angry?"

"Not I, Caxon," said Oldbuck; "fire away as if you were Captain Coquet's

whole platoon--I can stand it."

"Weel then, they say, sir, that as ye didna encourage the petition about

the peace, and wadna petition in favour of the new tax, and as you were

again' bringing in the yeomanry at the meal mob, but just for settling

the folk wi' the constables--they say ye're no a gude friend to

government; and that thae sort o' meetings between sic a powerfu' man as

the Yerl, and sic a wise man as you,--Od they think they suld be lookit

after; and some say ye should baith be shankit aff till Edinburgh

Castle."

"On my word," said the Antiquary, "I am infinitely obliged to my

neighbours for their good opinion of me! And so I, that have never

interfered with their bickerings, but to recommend quiet and moderate

measures, am given up on both sides as a man very likely to commit high

treason, either against King or People?--Give me my coat, Caxon--give me

my coat;--it's lucky I live not in their report. Have you heard anything

of Taffril and his vessel?"

Caxon's countenance fell.--"Na, sir, and the winds hae been high, and

this is a fearfu' coast to cruise on in thae eastern gales,--the

headlands rin sae far out, that a veshel's embayed afore I could sharp a

razor; and then there's nae harbour or city of refuge on our coast--a'

craigs and breakers;--a veshel that rins ashore wi' us flees asunder like

the powther when I shake the pluff--and it's as ill to gather ony o't

again. I aye tell my daughter thae things when she grows wearied for a

letter frae Lieutenant Taffril--It's aye an apology for him. Ye sudna

blame him, says I, hinny, for ye little ken what may hae happened."

"Ay, ay, Caxon, thou art as good a comforter as a valet-de-chambre.--Give

me a white stock, man,--dye think I can go down with a handkerchief about

my neck when I have company?"

"Dear sir, the Captain says a three-nookit hankercher is the maist

fashionable overlay, and that stocks belang to your honour and me that

are auld warld folk. I beg pardon for mentioning us twa thegither, but it

was what he said."

"The Captain's a puppy, and you are a goose, Caxon."

"It's very like it may be sae," replied the acquiescent barber: "I am

sure your honour kens best."

Before breakfast, Lord Glenallan, who appeared in better spirits than he

had evinced in the former evening, went particularly through the various

circumstances of evidence which the exertions of Oldbuck had formerly

collected; and pointing out the means which he possessed of completing

the proof of his marriage, expressed his resolution instantly to go

through the painful task of collecting and restoring the evidence

concerning the birth of Eveline Neville, which Elspeth had stated to be

in his mother's possession.

"And yet, Mr. Oldbuck," he said, "I feel like a man who receives

important tidings ere he is yet fully awake, and doubt whether they refer

to actual life, or are not rather a continuation of his dream. This

woman--this Elspeth,--she is in the extremity of age, and approaching in

many respects to dotage. Have I not--it is a hideous question--have I not

been hasty in the admission of her present evidence, against that which

she formerly gave me to a very--very different purpose?"

Mr. Oldbuck paused a moment, and then answered with firmness--"No, my

lord; I cannot think you have any reason to suspect the truth of what she

has told you last, from no apparent impulse but the urgency of

conscience. Her confession was voluntary, disinterested, distinct,

consistent with itself, and with all the other known circumstances of the

case. I would lose no time, however, in examining and arranging the other

documents to which she has referred; and I also think her own statement

should be taken down, if possible in a formal manner. We thought of

setting about this together. But it will be a relief to your lordship,

and moreover have a more impartial appearance, were I to attempt the

investigation alone in the capacity of a magistrate. I will do this--at

least I will attempt it, so soon as I shall see her in a favourable state

of mind to undergo an examination."

Lord Glenallan wrung the Antiquary's hand in token of grateful

acquiescence. "I cannot express to you," he said, "Mr. Oldbuck, how much

your countenance and cooperation in this dark and most melancholy

business gives me relief and confidence. I cannot enough applaud myself

for yielding to the sudden impulse which impelled me, as it were, to drag

you into my confidence, and which arose from the experience I had

formerly of your firmness in discharge of your duty as a magistrate, and

as a friend to the memory of the unfortunate. Whatever the issue of these

matters may prove,--and I would fain hope there is a dawn breaking on the

fortunes of my house, though I shall not live to enjoy its light,--but

whatsoever be the issue, you have laid my family and me under the most

lasting obligation."

"My lord," answered the Antiquary, "I must necessarily have the greatest

respect for your lordship's family, which I am well aware is one of the

most ancient in Scotland, being certainly derived from Aymer de Geraldin,

who sat in parliament at Perth, in the reign of Alexander II., and who by

the less vouched, yet plausible tradition of the country, is said to have

been descended from the Marmor of Clochnaben. Yet, with all my veneration

for your ancient descent, I must acknowledge that I find myself still

more bound to give your lordship what assistance is in my limited power,

from sincere sympathy with your sorrows, and detestation at the frauds

which have so long been practised upon you.--But, my lord, the matin meal

is, I see, now prepared--Permit me to show your lordship the way through

the intricacies of my _cenobitium,_ which is rather a combination of

cells, jostled oddly together, and piled one upon the top of the other,

than a regular house. I trust you will make yourself some amends for the

spare diet of yesterday."

But this was no part of Lord Glenallan's system. Having saluted the

company with the grave and melancholy politeness which distinguished his

manners, his servant placed before him a slice of toasted bread, with a

glass of fair water, being the fare on which he usually broke his fast.

While the morning's meal of the young soldier and the old Antiquary was

despatched in much more substantial manner, the noise of wheels was

heard.

"Your lordship's carriage, I believe," said Oldbuck, stepping to the

window. "On my word, a handsome _quadriga,_--for such, according to the

best _scholium,_ was the _vox signata_ of the Romans for a chariot which,

like that of your lordship, was drawn by four horses."

"And I will venture to say," cried Hector, eagerly gazing from the

window, "that four handsomer or better-matched bays never were put in

harness--What fine forehands!--what capital chargers they would make!--

Might I ask if they are of your lordship's own breeding?"

"I--I--rather believe so," said Lord Glenallan; "but I have been so

negligent of my domestic matters, that I am ashamed to say I must apply

to Calvert" (looking at the domestic).

"They are of your lordship's own breeding," said Calvert, "got by Mad Tom

out of Jemina and Yarico, your lordship's brood mares."

"Are there more of the set?" said Lord Glenallan.

"Two, my lord,--one rising four, the other five off this grass, both very

handsome."

"Then let Dawkins bring them down to Monkbarns to-morrow," said the Earl

--"I hope Captain M'Intyre will accept them, if they are at all fit for

service."

Captain M'Intyre's eyes sparkled, and he was profuse in grateful

acknowledgments; while Oldbuck, on the other hand, seizing the Earl's

sleeve, endeavoured to intercept a present which boded no good to his

corn-chest and hay-loft.

"My lord--my lord--much obliged--much obliged--But Hector is a

pedestrian, and never mounts on horseback in battle--he is a Highland

soldier, moreover, and his dress ill adapted for cavalry service. Even

Macpherson never mounted his ancestors on horseback, though he has the

impudence to talk of their being car-borne--and that, my lord, is what is

running in Hector's head--it is the vehicular, not the equestrian

exercise, which he envies--

Sunt quos curriculo pulverem Olympicum

Collegisse juvat.

His noddle is running on a curricle, which he has neither money to buy,

nor skill to drive if he had it; and I assure your lordship, that the

possession of two such quadrupeds would prove a greater scrape than any

of his duels, whether with human foe or with my friend the _phoca._"

"You must command us all at present, Mr. Oldbuck," said the Earl

politely; "but I trust you will not ultimately prevent my gratifying my

young friend in some way that may afford him pleasure."

"Anything useful, my lord," said Oldbuck, "but no _curriculum_--I protest

he might as rationally propose to keep a _quadriga_ at once--And now I

think of it, what is that old post-chaise from Fairport come jingling

here for?--I did not send for it."

"_I_ did, sir," said Hector, rather sulkily, for he was not much

gratified by his uncle's interference to prevent the Earl's intended

generosity, nor particularly inclined to relish either the disparagement

which he cast upon his skill as a charioteer, or the mortifying allusion

to his bad success in the adventures of the duel and the seal.

"You did, sir?" echoed the Antiquary, in answer to his concise

information. "And pray, what may be your business with a post-chaise? Is

this splendid equipage--this _biga,_ as I may call it--to serve for an

introduction to a _quadriga_ or a _curriculum_?"

"Really, sir," replied the young soldier, "if it be necessary to give you

such a specific explanation, I am going to Fairport on a little

business."

"Will you permit me to inquire into the nature of that business, Hector?"

answered his uncle, who loved the exercise of a little brief authority

over his relative. "I should suppose any regimental affairs might be

transacted by your worthy deputy the sergeant--an honest gentleman, who

is so good as to make Monkbarns his home since his arrival among us--I

should, I say, suppose that he may transact any business of yours,

without your spending a day's pay on two dog-horses, and such a

combination of rotten wood, cracked glass, and leather--such a skeleton

of a post-chaise, as that before the door."

"It is not regimental business, sir, that calls me; and, since you insist

upon knowing, I must inform you Caxon has brought word this morning that

old Ochiltree, the beggar, is to be brought up for examination to-day,

previous to his being committed for trial; and I'm going to see that the

poor old fellow gets fair play--that's all."

"Ay?--I heard something of this, but could not think it serious. And

pray, Captain Hector, who are so ready to be every man's second on all

occasions of strife, civil or military, by land, by water, or on the

sea-beach, what is your especial concern with old Edie Ochiltree?"

"He was a soldier in my father's company, sir," replied Hector; "and

besides, when I was about to do a very foolish thing one day, he

interfered to prevent me, and gave me almost as much good advice, sir, as

you could have done yourself."

"And with the same good effect, I dare be sworn for it--eh, Hector?--

Come, confess it was thrown away."

"Indeed it was, sir; but I see no reason that my folly should make me

less grateful for his intended kindness."

"Bravo, Hector! that's the most sensible thing I ever heard you say. But

always tell me your plans without reserve,--why, I will go with you

myself, man. I am sure the old fellow is not guilty, and I will assist

him in such a scrape much more effectually than you can do. Besides, it

will save thee half-a-guinea, my lad--a consideration which I heartily

pray you to have more frequently before your eyes."

Lord Glenallan's politeness had induced him to turn away and talk with

the ladies, when the dispute between the uncle and nephew appeared to

grow rather too animated to be fit for the ear of a stranger, but the

Earl mingled again in the conversation when the placable tone of the

Antiquary expressed amity. Having received a brief account of the

mendicant, and of the accusation brought against him, which Oldbuck did

not hesitate to ascribe to the malice of Dousterswivel, Lord Glenallan

asked, whether the individual in question had not been a soldier

formerly?--He was answered in the affirmative.

"Had he not," continued his Lordship, "a coarse blue coat, or gown, with

a badge?--was he not a tall, striking-looking old man, with grey beard

and hair, who kept his body remarkably erect, and talked with an air of

ease and independence, which formed a strong contrast to his profession?"

"All this is an exact picture of the man," refumed Oldbuck.

"Why, then," continued Lord Glenallan, "although I fear I can be of no

use to him in his present condition, yet I owe him a debt of gratitude

for being the first person who brought me some tidings of the utmost

importance. I would willingly offer him a place of comfortable

retirement, when he is extricated from his present situation."

"I fear, my lord," said Oldbuck, "he would have difficulty in reconciling

his vagrant habits to the acceptance of your bounty, at least I know the

experiment has been tried without effect. To beg from the public at large

he considers as independence, in comparison to drawing his whole support

from the bounty of an individual. He is so far a true philosopher, as to

be a contemner of all ordinary rules of hours and times. When he is

hungry he eats; when thirsty he drinks; when weary he sleeps; and with

such indifference with respect to the means and appliances about which we

make a fuss, that I suppose he was never ill dined or ill lodged in his

life. Then he is, to a certain extent, the oracle of the district through

which he travels--their genealogist, their newsman, their master of the

revels, their doctor at a pinch, or their divine;--I promise you he has

too many duties, and is too zealous in performing them, to be easily

bribed to abandon his calling. But I should be truly sorry if they sent

the poor light-hearted old man to lie for weeks in a jail. I am convinced

the confinement would break his heart."

Thus finished the conference. Lord Glenallan, having taken leave of the

ladies, renewed his offer to Captain M'Intyre of the freedom of his

manors for sporting, which was joyously accepted,

"I can only add," he said, "that if your spirits are not liable to be

damped by dull company, Glenallan House is at all times open to you. On

two days of the week, Friday and Saturday, I keep my apartment, which

will be rather a relief to you, as you will be left to enjoy the society

of my almoner, Mr. Gladsmoor, who is a scholar and a man of the world."

Hector, his heart exulting at the thoughts of ranging through the

preserves of Glenallan House, and over the well-protected moors of

Clochnaben--nay, joy of joys! the deer-forest of Strath-Bonnel--made many

acknowledgements of the honour and gratitude he felt. Mr. Oldbuck was

sensible of the Earl's attention to his nephew; Miss M'Intyre was pleased

because her brother was gratified; and Miss Griselda Oldbuck looked

forward with glee to the potting of whole bags of moorfowl and

black-game, of which Mr. Blattergowl was a professed admirer. Thus,--

which is always the case when a man of rank leaves a private family where

he has studied to appear obliging,--all were ready to open in praise of

the Earl as soon as he had taken his leave, and was wheeled off in his

chariot by the four admired bays. But the panegyric was cut short, for

Oldbuck and his nephew deposited themselves in the Fairport hack, which,

with one horse trotting, and the other urged to a canter, creaked,

jingled, and hobbled towards that celebrated seaport, in a manner that

formed a strong contrast to the rapidity and smoothness with which Lord

Glenallan's equipage had seemed to vanish from their eyes.

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