St. Ronan's Well Page 45
AUTHOR'S NOTES.
Note I., p. 202.
There were several instances of this dexterity, but especially thosewhich occurred in the celebrated case of Murdison and Millar, in 1773.These persons, a sheep-farmer and his shepherd, settled in the vale ofTweed, commenced and carried on for some time an extensive system ofdevastation on the flocks of their neighbours. A dog belonging to Millarwas so well trained, that he had only to show him during the day theparcel of sheep which he desired to have; and when dismissed at nightfor the purpose, Yarrow went right to the pasture where the flock hadfed, and carried off the quantity shown him. He then drove them beforehim by the most secret paths to Murdison's farm, where the dishonestmaster and servant were in readiness to receive the booty. Two thingswere remarkable. In the first place, that if the dog, when thusdishonestly employed, actually met his master, he observed great cautionin recognising him, as if he had been afraid of bringing him undersuspicion; secondly, that he showed a distinct sense that the illegaltransactions in which he was engaged were not of a nature to enduredaylight. The sheep which he was directed to drive, were often reluctantto leave their own pastures, and sometimes the intervention of rivers orother obstacles made their progress peculiarly difficult. On suchoccasions, Yarrow continued his efforts to drive his plunder forward,until the day began to dawn, a signal which, he conceived, rendered itnecessary for him to desert his spoil, and slink homeward by acircuitous road. It is generally said this accomplished dog was hangedalong with his master; but the truth is, he survived him long, in theservice of a man in Leithen, yet was said afterwards to have shownlittle of the wonderful instinct exhibited in the employment of Millar.
Another instance of similar sagacity, a friend of mine discovered in abeautiful little spaniel, which he had purchased from a dealer in thecanine race. When he entered a shop, he was not long in observing thathis little companion made it a rule to follow at some interval, and toestrange itself from his master so much as to appear totally unconnectedwith him. And when he left the shop, it was the dog's custom to remainbehind him till it could find an opportunity of seizing a pair ofgloves, or silk stockings, or some similar property, which it brought toits master. The poor fellow probably saved its life by falling into thehands of an honest man.
Note II., p. 213.
The author has made an attempt in this character to draw a picture ofwhat is too often seen, a wretched being whose heart becomes hardenedand spited at the world, in which she is doomed to experience muchmisery and little sympathy. The system of compulsory charity by poor'srates, of which the absolute necessity can hardly be questioned, hasconnected with it on both sides some of the most odious and malevolentfeelings that can agitate humanity. The quality of true charity is notstrained. Like that of mercy, of which, in a large sense, it may beaccounted a sister virtue, it blesses him that gives and him that takes.It awakens kindly feelings both in the mind of the donor and in that ofthe relieved object. The giver and receiver are recommended to eachother by mutual feelings of good-will, and the pleasurable emotionsconnected with the consciousness of a good action fix the deed inrecollection of the one, while a sense of gratitude renders it holy tothe other. In the legal and compulsory assessment for the proclaimedparish pauper, there is nothing of all this. The alms are extorted froman unwilling hand, and a heart which desires the annihilation, ratherthan the relief, of the distressed object. The object of charity,sensible of the ill-will with which the pittance is bestowed, seizes onit as his right, not as a favour. The manner of conferring it beingdirectly calculated to hurt and disgust his feelings, he revengeshimself by becoming impudent and clamorous. A more odious picture, ormore likely to deprave the feelings of those exposed to its influence,can hardly be imagined; and yet to such a point have we been brought byan artificial system of society, that we must either deny altogether theright of the poor to their just proportion of the fruits of the earth,or afford them some means of subsistence out of them by the institutionof positive law.
Note III., p. 318.
_Non omnis moriar._ Saint Ronan's, since this veracious history wasgiven to the public, has revived as a sort of _alias_, or second title,to the very pleasant village of Inverleithen upon Tweed, where there isa medicinal spring much frequented by visitors. Prizes for some of themanly and athletic sports, common in the pastoral districts around, arecompeted for under the title of the Saint Ronan's Games. Nay, Meg Dodshas produced herself of late from obscurity as authoress of a work onCookery, of which, in justice to a lady who makes so distinguished afigure as this excellent dame, we insert the title-page:
"The Cook and Housewife's Manual: A Practical System of Modern Domestic Cookery and Family Management.
--------_'Cook, see all your sawces Be sharp and poynant in the palate, that they may Commend you: look to your roast and baked meats handsomely, And what new kickshaws and delicate made things.'_
BEAUMONT AND FLETCHER.
By Mistress Margaret Dods, of the Cleikum Inn, St. Ronan's."
Though it is rather unconnected with our immediate subject, we cannothelp adding, that Mrs. Dods has preserved the recipes of certainexcellent old dishes which we would be loath should fall into oblivionin our day; and in bearing this testimony, we protest that we are no waybiassed by the receipt of two bottles of excellent sauce for cold meat,which were sent to us by the said Mrs. Dods, as a mark of her respectand regard, for which we return her our unfeigned thanks, having foundthem capital.