litudes of the waters, a witness and a been repaired ;* and it is with exultatestimony to all true Scotchmen of the tion I state, that, among the schoolintrepid virtue of their pious forefa- boys of my native town, a little subthers. scription has restored two similar mo« The tale which I intend to tell you numents, that were, till the publicarelates to the Bass Isle, towards which tion of “ The Tales of My Landlord," we are now steering; and it has been “ With nettles skirted, and with moss o'er. recalled to my remembrance by the grown.” sight of North Berwick Law, at the bottom of which, in the church-yard “ The martyr of whom I shall now of the town, is the tomb of John give you some account, was by birth Blackader, the martyr, a man whom a gentleman, even a baronet, though power could not daunt, nor suffering he never took up the title. His greatsubdue ; nor the pains and infirmities grandfather, Sir Robert Pont, by the of sickness impair the invincible firm- mother's side, was minister of St Cuthness of his holy integrity. In this bert's church, and also a Lord of Sesbacksliding age, it is a proud thing for sion. In 1595, he was Moderator of Scotlaud to have witnessed the late the General Assembly. This inheribreaking forth of the good old spirit; tance of religion and honour gave elefor when the Great UNKNOWN, as vation to the character and sentiments some call him, put out his tale of Old of young Blackader, who, in 1653, was Mortality, true Presbyterians concei- ordained to the ministry, and presentved that he had laid an irreverent hand ed to the parish of Troqueer, in Galon the ark of our great national cause, loway. Here, for nine years , he provel the Covenant ; and, animated by the himself an able and vigilant pastor, spirit of ancient zeal, immediately be- and was among the first who resisted gan to repair the tombs of the martyrs the violation of the Presbyterian worin almost every place where they had ship. Supported by other manly chamfallen into decay. Mr Blackader's has pions of the testimony,t he bravely * It is uncertain by whom the tombs of the martyrs were raised ; but it deserves to be particularly recorded, to the honour of the inhabitants of North Berwick, that Mr Blackader's was repaired and the epitaph renewed by subscription. The epitaph deserves a place in our work, not merely on account of the feeling by which it was dictated, but as a fine specimen of that grave and venerable simplicity which is one of the historical characteristics of that time. EPITAPH. Blest John, for Jesus' sake, in Patmos bound, Even so, blest Jesus, come come, Lord-Amen. + Among these were Nr Francis Irvine of Kirkmahoe, afterwards a fellow-prisoner in the Bass ; John Campbell of Torthorwald ; William Hay of Holywood ; Robert Archibald of Dunscore ; John Welch of Irongray, and Gabriel Semple of Kirkpatricka threatened, in the Synod of Dumfries, was suffered for about three years to to depose as enemies to the national remain unmolested. religion, whoever among them should “ It was a practice among the ejected dare to comply with the new ceremo- ministers to preach and baptize in the nies, or to take that oath of supremacy neighbourhood where chance had fixed which an unprincipled court was then their uncertain abode, and this was attempting to force upon the people.* * done, not in contempt of authority, For this he incurred the penalties pro- but in commiseration of the necessities claimed in the order for the persecu- of the people, who turned with avertion, issued at Glasgow in October, sion from the prelatic plague, that, 1662, and a party of the Guarıls were like the frogs of Egypt, afflicted the sent from Dumfries to seize him. He, land. Many of the intruders were however, escaped ; but his wife and no doubt weak persons, of a respectayoung children were rudely treated ble moral character, but they were hy the soldiery, and driven from the “mostly young men from the northern Manse, without knowing where to find shires, raw, and without any stock of shelter or protection, save only in the reading or gifts, who, having passed a goodness of Providence. year or two of philosophy at the Col“The conduct of the people, during lege, came southward, greedily gaping those outrages, was singularly exem- after the vacant benefíces.” Thetradesplary. They often in bands met the men assailed their logic with stubborn clergymen, whom laxer notions of arguments, while “ the laxer of the the Presbyterian forms induced to gentry” staggered their faith with accept of livings so coercively made strong drink. To serve as an excuse vacant, and implored them with tears, for not attending the dreigh work of not to profane the worship of God sic feckless tykes,” the church-bell was, by entering where they were forbid- in some places, deprived of its tongue. den guests. And when they be- Its weekly admonition was commonly held their faithful pastors dragged considered as the voice of the oppresaway like felons by the blasphemous sor bragging of his power. The congangs of Claverhouse and Lauderdale, sequence of all which was, a neglect of they cheered them with blessings as holy ordinances, and a growth of irres they passed, and prayed often on their ligion, that duty and feeling alike comknees for that retribution on the Per- manded the true ministers to oppose, secutor, that has since been showered for the people prepared at all hazards down upon his line, till not one of the to attend them. Military force was, race has been spared any longer to de- in consequence, let loose, and the sinfile the face of the earth. cere worship of God was proclaimed “ After the expulsion from his pa- traitorous rebellion against the King. rish, Mr Blackader took up his abode “ At the instance of the Bishop of in Craigdarroch, where, being without Galloway, information was lodged athe bounds of his own presbytery, he gainst Mr Blackader, as a person guilty Durham, two staunch Conventiclers ; William M‘George of Carlaverock; Hugh Henderson, and George Campbell, both of Dumfries. Mr Campbell survived the Revolution, became Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh, and founder of the Theological Library. He was contemporary with Principal Gilbert Rule. An anecdote is told of the indefatigable application and intimate friendship of these two great luminaries. Their lodgings were at a little distance from each other, with windows opposite. Dr Rule used to sit late at his studies, and Professor Campbell to rise early ; so that his candle was often lighted before the Doctor's lucubrations were ended. The one went commonly by the name of the Evening Star, and the other of the Morning Star. When the news of the Principal's death was brought to Mr Campbell, he observed, with much emotion, that “ since the evening star had gone down, the morning star would soon disappear !”. * The first opposition to the settlement of Curates was at Irongray, in Dumfries Presbytery. The Curate not finding peaceable access at first, returned with an armed force. None ventured to appear openly save women, and those of the lower sort. A troop of these, headed by one Margaret Smith, opposed a party of soldiers that were guarding the Curate, and fairly beat them off with stones. Margaret was apprehended, brought to Edinburgh, and sentenced to be banished to Barbadoes. But, when before the Council, she told her tale with so much simplicity that they commuted the sentence. of“ leavening the people with disaffee- all the particulars of the sufferings of tion, and alienating the hearts of the those who have made yonder rock that lieges from his Majesty's Govern- hallowed monument of Scottish zeal ment"--and by proclamation of Coun- and piety, which it ought ever to be cil, be, with others of his late co-pres- considered. byters, was accused of unlawfully con- “Some time after the incident at the vocating the subjects in fields and pri- hill of Beath, Mr Blackader was seized vate houses every Sabbath, where they and sent a prisoner to the Bass, where were in the custom of baptizing the the hardships he suffered soon destroychildren of disloyal persons—Romance ed his health. Some minds are so conis beggared when history records the stituted and local, that the privations follies of statesmen. of confinement are scarcely felt as an “Sir James Turner, whocommanded evil; but to a man of such an animated the forces, at that time in Dumfries- temperament as this zealous martyr, shire-a ferocious drunkard, and wor- the mere imagination of being fastened thy, compeer of “the bloody Claver- to a spot, and denied the exercise of house"--on receiving information a- his faculties and communion with his gainst Blackader, sent a detachment to kind, was of itself more afflicting than arrest him ; but he had previously the damp dungeon or the loathsome departed with his wife to Edinburgh. meal, and the bitter water. It is inIn searching the house for him, the deed difficult to picture a more imsoldiers behaved with a brutality grate- pressive spectacle of solitary misery ful to the demon whom their superiors than that of a venerable old man, sitserved. They compelled one of the ting alone for hours on the bleak seachildren to hold the candle while they beat rocks, like Prometheus in his stabbed the beds in which they sup- chains, gnawed by grief for the woes posed his parents were concealed.- and sorrows that were laying waste his Another, a mere infant, was so horror- native land, and the horror and poverty struck by their violence, that he ran that pursued his own defenceless fanaked into the darkness of the night, mily. and was found afterwards at a great “ After being detained some time on distance, in a state of distraction. the Bass, his health became so infirm, “ From this period the martyr led a that upon a representation to the conwandering and homeless life; his chil- clave of persecutors, he was allowed, dren were dispersed, and forced to im- on giving security, to be removed to plore shelter wherever charity was Haddington, where he soon escaped brave enough to hazard the penalties from all the tyranny of this worldof the act against Reset and Converse and in ascending to heaven, left the with the ejected ministers. But op- mantle of his zeal a retributive legacy pression only hardened the courageous with his family, making them instruspirit of the conscientious. Mr Black- ments to avenge the sufferings of their ader resolutely waged the holy war, country, by essentially contributing to and the hill of Beath, in the parish of the expulsion of the heartless and liDunfermline, was often his pulpit. centious Stewarts. His eldest son, Wil “Onone occasion when, together with liam, was employed as a confidential other undaunted antagonists of mis- agent by some of the deposed clergy, government, the martyr was preaching in secret embassies to their exiled brethere, a lieutenant of militia, stationed thren in Holland, who were then enin the neighbourhood, came riding to gaged in promoting the Revolution, the spot, and endeavoured with threats and on these dangerous expeditions he and furious gestures to disperse the frequently went between the two counCovenanters. It was customary for tries. In one of them he was seized the men who attended those meet- on his landing at Leith, and carried ings to come armed. One of them ha- before the Duke of York, who was ving remonstrated in vain with the then in Scotland. His sister was among officer, took his horse coolly by the the crowd who followed him to the bridle, and pulling out his pistol, told examination before his Royal Highhim if he did not desist from his tur- ness, but she was not permitted to apbulence, he would blow out his brains, proach her brother near enough to and held him in that state till the sero speak to him. She observed him, how. mon was finished. But it is not for ever, looking at her with an expressive me in this hasty sketch to enter into stedfastness, and holding up his hat as fito draw her attention particularly to timed resolution anticipated the fearful 1. Inspired with the idea that this was consequences; for a party came to the Le mysterious symbol of some impor, house an hour after to search for paint secret, she immediately quitted pers, and finding nothing suspicious, e Court and returned to Edinburgh, returned with such a favourable report here, on searching his lodgings, she to the Duke, that her brother was und a hat, with papers concealed in immediately liberated; and when the e lining, of such a nature, that had Revolution afterwards took place, he ey been discovered, they might have was appointed, chiefly on account of oved fatal evidence against himself the services he had performed in those : well as others. She instantly, there- secret missions, physician to King Wilcre, destroyed them, and by this well- liam.” Here the austere young man paused in his story, and as we were now alongside the Bass, he took off his hat with great solemnity, as is done at burials when e respected dead is laid in the grave; and we were all so affected thereat, that e did the same in like manner, and passed along in silence, nothing being ard but the sound of the paddles and the mournful cawing of the sea-birds, hich spread far and wide over the waters, like the voices of antiquity that adonish the children of remote times to reverence the memory of all departed orthies. In short, such was the effect of the Covenanter's story, and his earest way of telling it, that we were all in a solemn mood till we reached the ier of Leith ; even the gay and gallant Odontist, forgetful of all his wonted ollity, walked slowly up and down the deck, wbistling “ The Flowers of the crest,” in a most pathetic and melancholy manner. WHIGS OF THE COVENANT. TO CHRISTOPHER NORTH, ESQ. MY DEAR SIR, I inclose a letter, which came to me some time ago, addressed to Mr Black, rood's care. The merits of the composition, and the interest of the topic, enitle it to a place in your Magazine. I am not aware, at this moment, that any other writer has so distinctly escribed the politico-moral state of the Scottish people, as this “ Whig of he Covenant.” The view which he opens of the subject, deserves the serious onsideration of some of your correspondents. Nothing, indeed, can be more pposite than the Presbyterian and Political Whigs—the Whigs of the counry, and those of the town, of the Covenant, and of the Parliament House. Che former regard the state of religious sentiment, as the chief and main ob ect of their solicitude; the latter have not been uniformly distinguished for E' iny particular respect towards those hallowed prejudices and affections which nter so deeply into the genuine Scottish character ; on the contrary, their ta ; ents and speculations have been, in a great measure, entirely devoted to secuar interests. But it is less with respect to the difference between them, than with regard to the important fact that the Scottish people, in general, are not it this time politicians, that I would solicit your attention. Because the infernce must necessarily be, if the fact be as it is stated, and I do believe it is, that the Political Whigs form a very small body indeed in Scotland, and they, perhaps, derive no inconsiderable portion of their public consequence from identifying themselves with that great and grave portion of the nation, whose opinions, from the period of the Revolution, have ever been treated with attention and respect by the government and the legislature ; which opinions are in no es sential principle in unison with those of the Whigs of the New School. That there are Presbyterian Whigs who are also Political Whigs, cannot be questioned. But such characters are only to be found in the towns, and in public stations or eminent professions. I do not, however, mean to contend, because I am no politician, that there is any inconsistency in the bifold unior in the same bosom of principles which have no common affinity, such as those da which have for their object the conservation of sacred institutions as they exist, and those which involve the necessity of change ; for I conceive the difference between the principles of the Presbyterian and Political Whigs, may be so de. scribed. The people of Scotland, as far as the national institutions are consiste cerned, take little interest in public affairs. A few political fanatics and theorists in the manufacturing distriets, may, now and then, avail themselves of those occasional periods of distress and privation to which the manufacturers , from the fluctuating nature of trade, are liable, to excite symptoms of commotion and alarm ; but it is of great importance to know, that the nation, in genes neral, is still sound and true; that with the frame of their church and state the people are contented, and that their only complaint, where complaint exists, is with respect to the conduct of individuals conspicuous either in the district or in the kingdom. This fact, and every man free from the political typhus of the towns, may easily ascertain its truth and extent-is the more curious le and impressive, as shewing the depths and strength of the national feelings ; for the social improvements of Scotland, during the last hundred years, have been more striking than those of any other kingdom in Europe; and yet, although it is in some sort the nature of social improvements to engender a contempt for old usages and institutions, the people of Scotland hold theirs in greater veneration than perhaps any other people, and there exists at the present moment, not only a general taste for the preservation of the national custoins and antiquities, but even a growing fashion to revive many peculiarities that hadł either been proscribed or become obsolete. But I am forgetting myself, and the object of addressing you, which was simply to recommend to your notics the inclosed letter. Yours, &c. AUTHOR OF “ ANNALS OF THE Parisu." TO THE AUTHOR OF C6 ANNALS OF THE PARISH OF DALMAILING," &c. ers and retainers of opposing parties 0 I HAVE been an elder of the Establish- pretend to be guided. In the present ed Church for nearly thirty years; day, you have two grand divisions of 2 and, with abundant opportunities of parties, who thrust theinselves forobservation and leisure, I have often ward to public view, and call uped employed my fancy in delineations of pa- the people to follow them implicitly , rish histories, in the way you have done; as leaders, whose perfectibility, they but indolence, and the want of confi- say, may be wholly trusted, and who dence in myself, kept the pen motion- represent their opponents as stupid , less, and the paper in its primitive or base, or wicked. One of these whiteness and purity. You have put parties put on the grave and solenn an end, I fear, to all my nascent pro- aspect, or the sheep's clothing of Christjects in this way, but excited my wish ian piety, and you might fear that to furnish you with such hints as, per- their ribs would all be fractured by adventure, may give you some aid in the inward swellings of their hely your parochial visitations. It is of zeal. Another party exhibit themgreat importance-indeed it is indis- selves in all the golden and drapensible, to know the secret and pre- pery of honour, purified to as great vailing principles that move the great fineness as the sharpest instruments de body of a nation or a parish, and to from the cutler's shop, for dividing distinguish them from the professed the flesh of diseased or wounded or avowed motives by which the lead- limbs. But there is a third party, gay |
