Page:Life memoirs & pedigree of Thomas Hamilton Dickson.pdf/16

 of inflammation in the bowels. She was a very strong, healthy, young woman; and by her death I was deprived of one of natural guardians. At this period, young as I was, I felt the loss heavily, as I could perceive that she was a very frugal and industrious woman, and was doatingly fond of me, being her only child. I likewise from my birth had the misfortune of wanting the power of the right side, which has more or less continued to the present day, and I well remember being conscious that her love for me was doubly sincere on this account. A very singular circumstance happened in relation to this defect, which is well known and spoken of in the village and neighbourhood to the present day. I happened one day, while a youth, to pass a farmer's door, whose wife was standing at the threshold. She tauntingly and unfeelingly called after me, cripple Dick," and some other opprobrious epithets. Soon after this she was brought to bed of a son, which resembled me in every particular of my defect. I have often thought that people should be extremely cautious in their observations upon the dispensations of Providence; and here was a remarkable instance of punishment for interfering with the high prerogative of Heaven.

I went to the parish school, which was situated in the village called Fluchter, being the most central hamlet in the parish, where I remained till I was about 13 years of age.

The hamlet has nothing remarkable. The school-master's residence is the only house of