Page:The Cottagers of Glenburnie - Hamilton (1808).djvu/268

 notice to the gazers, that the dust which was about to be consigned to worms, was of high and illustrious descent. But there neither friend nor neighbour were to be seen. There, with the exception of a few faithful servants, all the actors in the solemnity were engaged in performing a part in which they had no interest.

Here all were interested.

The hoary-headed elders, who had the place of honour next the corpse, thought, as they looked on it, on the unblemished life of him who had been so long their associate in its duties; and wept for the man in whom they hoped their children's children would have found a friend. The distant farmers, who had bought and sold with him, paid the tribute that was due to his character and integrity; while those with whom he had lived in the constant intercourse of kindness and good neighbourhood, betrayed, in their countenances, the sorrow of their hearts.

She continued to gaze after the