Page:Life memoirs & pedigree of Thomas Hamilton Dickson.pdf/22

 daughters, who are still unmarried, and seem likely to continue so. They appear by their manner to be indifferent about matrimony, and seem to think they are better as they are. Not only them, but the whole neighbourhood, are remarkable for a state of single blessedness, which is, perhaps, the easiest state in an age so remarkable for self-interest, when every one cares not who lives or who dies, sobeit they are living and happy themselves.

On one occasion a circumstance happened in the family, in the following manner:-It being harvest time, and while they were busily employed reaping, they had cut their hands; and in consequence, a report had spread in the neighbourhood that such had taken place. I happened to mention it to one of these dependants who stop at nothing for their own personal aggrandisement. This individual went and told that I was the original propagator of the report, which I was not, and received some trifling recompense for his supposed service. Likely it would not be much, for the peasantry of the North can hold as well as the people of the opposite direction can pull. Even the Clergy are remarkable for receiving the filthy lucre of this world, but not for putting it out, however destitute the wretch that implores assistance or relief.

One morning, about 5 o'clock, as I was lying sleeping in one of their out-houses, connected with a cottage of which they were proprietors, and there being only a division between the stable and the premises, which communicated