Page:A Companion and Useful Guide to the Beauties of Scotland.djvu/284

266 for her daughter and grand childdren [sic], while they are, some spinning, others singing and dancing, and a group of youngsters playing on the ground with each other, and their faithful sheep dog.

When I lodged at Buttermere, in Cumberland, the good folks of the alehouse there always drew their beer by the light of dried rushes; and also used them on every other possible occasion, as the safest, as well as cheapest candles. Those large reeds grow in abundance about the lakes at Buttermere; and great quantities of them are dried by the villagers for candles.

I had observed no beggars in the Highlands, till I came upon the moor between High Bridge and Fort William; but there, at the sound of the carriage, came bounding like fauns, through the dub and the lare (mire and bog), swarms of half naked boys and girls, muttering Galic. Having no half-pence, I shook my head, and made every sign I could think of to make them understand I had nothing for them; but notwithstanding, one fly of a girl kept skimming over every thing in her way, by the side of the carriage, for at least two miles; I screaming, "to-morrow I will give you something." Whether she became weary, or conceived what I meant, I cannot say; but at