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London Magazine:

A JOURNAL OF ENTERTAINMENT AND INSTRUCTION
FOR GENERAL READING.

be designated the Ocean. Now the rumours of French invasion, like every other piece of news, never reached us until they were charged with all the accessories which it was possible to imagine; not only because the tidings were highly suscepti ble of the colourings which uncertainty allowed the ardent minds of a simple and intelligent peasantry to bestow on them, but because we dwelt upon a coast, and almost upon the margin of a magnificent crescent-bay, where a fleet of a thousand sail might ride at anchor, and where an immense army might be landed with all safety and expedition. A short description of our parish, and also of the precise situation of my father's house, may serve to lend effect to some of the succeeding details.

The parish of -, occupies two extensive ridges, which, in a tamer country, would obtain the name of lofty hills. These, with their intervening and adjacent valleys, on the Water of ——, form what may be termed the ground-plan of the whole. The stream may be said, indeed, to divide, by an impartial and equal process, this specified section of land. It runs from east to west; and though, at the higher boundary of the parish, it consists of a series of waterfalls, occasioned by the rugged uplands which interrupt the view of all who, from the lower district, turn their eyes towards the interior, its channel, ever after, till losing itself in the sea, maintains the moderate and measured course of descent which the character of a gentler scenery and gradual declivity allows. It also happens that the lateral ridges spread and decline as they approach the coast, till they terminate at the lower extremity in a number of lessening eminences, into which the long and majestic sweep of the hills divides at last.

santry of Scotland are allowed to be. Then, think again, what must have been their comments and conjectures, when, on an unrestricted evening, they met in little groups on the hill-sides or in the vales, and speculated, while casting their eyes westward, where, before the sun should once more rise, a mighty flotilla might be spread!

Nay, like wildfire, more than once the rumour ran at midnight, that the enemy were in the bay, and putting on shore myriads of troops, nothing short of indiscriminate massacre and insatiable rapine being the woes instantly looked for. And though, on an occasion of the sort, the only cause of alarm had been taken from a moonlight glimpse of a few straggling craft from the Islands, that had stealthily stood in for the bay to discharge a quantity of ilcitly-distilled whisky, yet nothing less than the morning sun could dissipate the illusion.

It was in 1805, I believe, that some of the most active preparations were made, or were reported to be made, by the French, for the avowed purpose of invading Great Britain. The flotilla at Boulogne was said to be vastly increased, and an army of 100,000 well-disciplined troops, put under the command of a renowned general, together with all the proper appurtenances for such an enterprise, it was added, were kept in constant readiness to be wafted, in a marvellously short space of time, to our peaceful shores. But such was the dread lest our country, which had been so long unprofaned by foreignfoes, should be thus visited, and such the patriotism and the spirit of resistance which animated the nation, that the number of volunteers trained to military service speedily amounted to 300,000. My native parish, of course, furnished its quota; nor was my father's house behind in the expression of ardour, or the extent of sacrifices.

For two centuries my predecessors had been farmers, and during the greater and latter prio of that time they had rented the same lands whe my father occupied, with credit to themselves, and benefit to the community. Indeed, the result of their continuous industry was the purchase, by my grandfather, of the farm so long held in lease by the family. This lay on the slope looking southward of one of the lateral ridges already mentioned as guarding the intersecting stream. Here my father was born, and here he died. Here it was that, out of five sons, four at one time belonged to the parish volunteers, each of them entering the service with alacrity and zeal, though the years of the youngest of the four, at the time he donned the red coat, scarcely enabled him t

Now, the inhabitants of this picturesque parish whether they dwell in the peaceful and neat village that is chiefly pitched upon a bank of land within the embrace of a very large curvature of the stream, which, from its peculiar shape, is called the Crook, or upon the tops and sides of the lateral ridges, or in the adjacent and intervening valleys, can, with scarcely a single exception, behold the far-rolling Clyde, without stepping many yards' length from their thresholds. Imagine, then, what sort of alarms and speculations were likely to agitate the bosoms of a home-loving people, when two or three of them might meet together and comment on the fresh tidings which had, perhaps, but a few hours before, reached them from afar, from London, through some of the domestics of Captain Dthe only inhabitant of the parish who treated himself to a metropolitan newspaper! These specula-shoulder his musket. tions generally consisted of improvements upon the exaggerations just promulgated, and were most effectively transmitted from one to another of the church-goers on Sunday, during the interval between the morning and afternoon services. The knots of whispering politicians that might be seen studding the churchyard in those days, had an appearance not more perfectly rustic than eager for information, while every member of each group was sure to carry to his own fireside all that he had heard, there to be farther re-enlarged. The Sabbath, indeed, and the spot, as well as the parties that were connected or identified with rumours that were sometimes direful and sometimes the theme of triumph, tended to give emphasis and importance to the conceptions of a people so single-hearted, imaginative, and ardent as the well-educated pea

Well do I remember the day, or rather the affect ing evening hour, when, in family conclave, my eldest brother devoted himself, and was consecrated by his parents, to the office of defending his ne land. It was immediately after Government had called for a prompt enlargement of the volunteer force, and when the threatened danger was cons dered to be the most imminent. The solemnity of which I speak took place on a Sabbath eve, just after the whole family had gathered and composed themselves around the cheerful kitchen hearth, as was our wont on the sacred evenings; but never more sedately and thoughtfully than on the occa sion mentioned; for none of us had ever known or heard of a season of such unusual excitement and momentous forelooking in the aunals of our parish. Even in his afternoon discourse of that same day,

our venerable pastor had addressed himself explicitly and wholly to the signs and exigencies of the time, and, with more than his wonted fervour, pathos, and eloquence, he had striven to spirit on his flock to active and immediate measures. He spoke, at the close, to this effect:-

Waste not your hours, my dear children and brethren, in vain laments and speculation, but rather, in the scourge that menaces us, recognise the teachings of a Father, who wills that we should be tried, in order that those who are at ease, and falsely secure in Zion, may be aroused, and that the pious may be invigorated in their pilgrimage to another and a better world. This is not the period when glad tidings from earthly potentates are proclaimed. We must reverse the language of the prophet, and turn our ploughshares into swords, and our pruning-hooks into spears. The Corsican threatens: he may be within our gates ere another moon lightens our land. Were I of the young and the robust, I would respond to my beloved Sovereign's call, and buckle on the weapons of war without a day's delay. I would come, if the danger required it, to this watch-tower, for heaven's King, wearing the insignia and accoutrements for mortal conflict, believing that he well serves God, who faithfully loves and strenuously defends his neighbour and country. But, though stricken in years, I will not, if life and health be vouchsafed be a mere looker-on. Let my equals in age, the elders of the congregation, assemble with me in this sacred house to-morrow and take counsel together. It is not property, nor limb, nor name, nor nation, that are alone in jeopardy, but our religion."

to me,

In this strain did the holy and zealous man address his flock,-indignant, tender, and magnanimous by turns,-arousing all who listened to him to an unwonted pitch of patriotic enthusiasm. On the preceding day, Captain D. ——, who was the principal resident proprietor in the parish, had convoked a meeting of the able-bodied inhabitants, and appealed to them in a different though harmonious tone, as indeed became an old military officer. But the veteran's address required to be backed by our revered pastor, as was most effectually done; for, before a fortnight had elapsed, many in the parish were, not only in principle, but practice, in heart, and habit, volunteer-recruits.

But, to return to my father's fireside :"Robert," said he, to the eldest of his children, what think you of it?" alluding thus indefinitely in point of terms to that which each one present felt to be too well understood to require a fuiler

emunciation.

and resolute declaration, when he added, "I also shall be of the armed host;" for she, whom it most concerned, arose to withdraw, only able to articulate, "And I am to be a widow and childless!"

"No, Marion," my father replied, "you and our youngest will tend our flocks, and keep a home for the survivors when they return from battle."

Thus ended that evening's colloquy, on which the simple but overcharged hearts of a united family, who spoke under the influence of solemnized and exaggerating fancics, mingled their yearning and patriotic emotions, in a manner not more alien to their ordinary intercourse and style of speech, than illustrative of the spirit that pervaded the " period." If I remember rightly, in the self-same week that thus opened, about fifty of the likeliest men and youths of our parish enrolled themselves as volunteers. Only two of my brothers, however, at this early date, joined the corps; more matured reflection, and my mother's sway, rendering a larger sacrifice at the time unadvisable, at least as regarded the most efficient of the armed volunteer associations of that precise time; for I must not forget to do my father's courage and consistency justice, and to state that he was as good as his first declaration promised, becoming a strenuous supporter of our reverend and venerable pastor, at the Monday meeting named from the pulpit. Nor were there fewer than thirty grey-headed men in this associa tion of ancients, some of whom, though hale and vigorous, could number threescore and ten winters. This corps took to themselves the imposing title of "The Army of Reserve;" but the wags of the parish dubbed them "The Hams," in allusion to the sort of domestic onslaught, or guardianship rather, which they were the most likely to perform. Their armour consisted of spears or pikes, of formidable length. Nor did these bands exhaust the whole of our pugnacious volunteers; for a goodly number of boys, of an age like my own, incontinently took to imitating their elders in everything that their rivalship and ingenuity could reach; and, indeed, they played at soldiers with marvellous dexterity, especially in wheeling, marching, and counter-marching; their wooden muskets and tin bayonets being, as in the case of other pretenders, more formidable to the eye than effective if put to action. These were not yet all the associations which banded in my native parish at the "period."

There was, at the time I speak of the time of the intensest alarm-an association of an anomalous kind, and which might appropriately be denominated," The Army of Totals." This force consisted of old and young, grandfathers and grandchildrenembracing men, women, and children; in short, it My mother spoke first, and interposed something partook of all those who were capable of any exerlike a doubt respecting the suitableness of the dis- tion or sort of service, and who had not enrolled cussion for the Sabbath, though, perhaps, her main themselves among the fighting volunteers. This idea was, to evade its probable termination. But heterogeneous army was constituted in the followshe was instantly silenced by my father's announce-ing manner, and for the following purposes:ment, that the Sabbath would not protect us against the invasion of the usurper and infidel.

"Will you, Robert," continued he, "fight for our kindred and country, our religion and heritage?" "I shall be a volunteer," was the firm and prompt reply.

"And I,”—" and I."--" and I,” were the rapid sequences of the three immediately junior brothers, who were divided from the eldest by slight and gradual stages in the matter of years. But the strongest emotion attended our father's deliberate

As it was deemed possible that an invading army might land on the adjacent coast, the most influential men of the district went from house to house, and put it to men and women how and what they were likely or willing to act in the case of such a dire emergency. It was at the same time explained that to cut off all the means of supply which the enemy might calculate upon would become an imperative duty; and that, therefore, all the grain and provisions which could not be conveyed to the interior, would have to be destroyed by the inhabitants

and owners themselves, while the cattle and flocks would have to be driven towards the moors and other inaccessible parts of the country. "Whether will you be a burner, a pioneer, a carrier, or a driver?" were questions which were propounded to every one who was unable or unwilling to carry arms; and the answers were regularly taken down, that it might be known who and what were to be calculated upon. Was that, then, not a strange "period," when such a rural and peaceful population thus distributed and organized themselves? And may we not demand of the scoffer at our national valour, or of him who ridicules the ardour of an untrained and inexperienced peasantry, how was such a people to be vanquished and altogether crushed?

nally stimulated him had subsided, acquired other adjuncts which lent zest, support, and favour to the volunteer establishment. It was indeed impossible for a number of persons, who all belonged to a limited or definite circle, and whose grade in life and habits of thinking were much akin, to associate frequently upon the same concern, without originating new ideas and sentiments, more enlarged ties, and more emulating suggestions. The very exercises necessary to be studied and oftrepeated, to go no further than the uses of a manly pastime, had their peculiar and salutary results. The gait, bearing, and manners which were hence begotten amongst a body of rustics, were indications of more extensive and permanent benefits than at first were contemplated. How often have I seen my four brothers, with some of their fellow volunteers, assemble in my father's barn, and disport, as well as improve themselves according to military rule, to the entertainment, aye, and the instruction, of the old and the young who looked on. Be assured, the practice which these homely drillings imposed upon each in his turn, merely in the matter of giving the words of command, was not fruitless of proper things. The loud laugh, the expression of approval, the lesson that was be stowed according to the accuracy and style of the parties,-say of the temporary officer,-whether it regarded the precision of his eye, the modulation of his voice, or the smart sententiousness of his words, did not go for nothing. There was, however, one special collateral benefit which attended the "Period," but which was no where developed in a more pleasing and appreciable manner than in the parish of my birth; and to this I would particularly refer.

Such were the associations that instantly started into activity in our sequestered, and once so tranquil, parish. In truth, a strange transition suddenly took place, yet one which it is impossible for a native of these kingdoms to regard with other than high emotions of gratulation and pride. How changed was the aspect which it gave, even to every-day life, compared to a period of profound repose and consciousness of security! At first, from Monday to Saturday, whatever might be the usual pursuits of the parties, or the state of the weather, there might be seen, during some portion of almost every day, squads of athletic or promising young men, parading and manoeuvring away at the command of a driller. The Army of Reserve" was for a season equally on the alert with their juniors; nor were the signs of the times less characteristically manifested by the youngsters who played the part of imitators; the various associations finding ample and well-sheltered scope for their various evolutions within the pleasure-grounds We had, in like manner with every other conof Captain D--; and while he commanded the siderable section of society, several young men of most efficient corps, and his son was at the head sprightly spirit, of ingenious talent, of eager cmuof the juveniles, the Rev. Dr. B——, with unsur-lation, who were sure to take the lead in any new passed zeal, figured as the leader of "The Hams." Rapid was the progress which all who were skilled in military affairs allowed that these different bodies made in the art of war. To be sure, the juveniles were chiefly remarkable for their buoyancy of spirit, and the longing to be men; and truly some of them, a few years later, bled in the battle-fields of foreign lands, where the great conflict was maintained. "The Army of Reserve" was, considering all circumstances, worthy of admiration; for, although the light-headed might laugh at them, there was a view in which their zeal was magnanimous and affecting. Was it not touching as well as curious to see those ancients, many of whom had never beheld a whole regiment in their lives, all at once assume a dress which bore a military sign, and submit to be paraded and exercised like ordinary recruits for the regular and standing army? although it was not very easy to set in proper array, and reduce to military uniformity, a band of men, where the stooping and the stiff-jointed had to fall in with the spindleshanked and the pot-bellied. But, to confine myself to the efficient corps that was generally understood in the district by the term "Volunteer" at the "Period.”

enterprise, where honour and improvement were to be earned. Of all the acquirements, however, of which we could boast, that in the department of vocal music was the most remarkable, as compared with the neighbouring rural districts. Towards this eminence our worthy pastor had been a great contributor, as he was not only skilled in the art, frequently solacing himself by discoursing with his violin, but had been at pains, winter after winter, to invite a teacher of some note to assist and guide all who desired to take lessons, whether in singing, or in the use of certain delightful instru ments. Indeed, the band which conducted the psalmody in our parish church, had become so excellent as to breed a sort of schism amongst us; some of the most old-fashioned and uncompromising adherents of the Covenant denouncing the innova tion as a remnant of Popery, so that they either absented themselves from the house of God altogether on this account, or kept their lips sealed during the psalm-singing,-afraid of joining in a profanation. But who could have conjectured that these prejudices were utterly to be put to flight by the spirit and incidents of the "Period?" Yet it was so, and thus it was:

No sooner was the corps of our stalwart volunteers organized, than our gifted and gallant lads bethought them of an instrumental band, for the performance of martial music and spirit-stirring marches, to grace and exalt the character of their order. And now the enlightened interpreters of