Page:Notes on the Anti-Corn Law Struggle.djvu/253

 eyed one of the Prussian policeman-like gamekeepers with a grim look—"Strange! that the descendants of the Scottish peasants who fought so hard and so successfully for liberty and independence at Bannockburn, should have gotten so little of what their forefathers bled for. I dislike this country, except for some of its scenery, and its pure air and clear streams. But the condition of these villagers reminds me painfully of the treatment of the people of India by their native oppressors—treatment which, as a soldier and administrator, I have always done my best to improve. What business have these descendants of cow-stealers and robbers of Church property with such enormous domains? We might say to them—'Bruce we know, and Douglas we know, but who are you? I should have taken off my hat to Bruce, because he was Bruce; and I take it off to Wellington, because he is Wellington.' But these cow-stealers and Church-robbers! Ugh!"

One day the Englishman referred to was walking along the road leading to the village, with his fishing-rod in his hand, when an open carriage overtook and passed him. Two men were seated in it, one of whom being seated with his back to the horses, the man on foot had from that circumstance a better view of his face. It was a face that