Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/177

 as expressive of greater reverence, immediately stood up &#59; but she was the only one that moved: all the rest of the party keeping their seats, while the farmer, with great solemnity, pronounced a short, but emphatic prayer. This being finished, Mrs Mason was desired to help herself; and such was the impression made by the pious thankfulness, which breathed in the devotional exercise in which she had just engaged, that viands less acceptable to her palate, would at that moment have been ate with relish. The sowans were excellent&#59; the milk was sweet&#59; and the fresh-raised potatoes, bursting from the coats in which they had been boiled, might have feasted a queen. It is indeed ten thousand to one that any queen ever tasted of the first of vegetables in this its highest state of perfection. Mrs Mason was liberal of her praise&#59; and both the farmer and his wife were highly gratified by her expressions of satisfaction.

The meal concluded as it had begun,