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Text
THE
I i A I R B OF
COOL'S
GHOST:
BEING
Several Conferences and Meetings betwixt the
Reverend Mr. O G I L V I E ,
Late Minister of the Gospel at Innerwick;
AND
THE
GHOST of Mr. MAXWELL,
L A T E L A I R D OF
COOL;
As it was found in Mr. Ogilvie's Closet aftei
his Death—Written with his own hand.
GLASGOW :
PRINTED
FOR T H E
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U PON the third day of February, 1722* at seven
•'clock in the evening, after I had parted with
Thurston, and coming up the burial road, one
came up riding after me : upon hearing the noise
of the horse's feet, I took it to be Thurston, but
looking back, and seeing the horse of a grey colour, I called, Who's there? the answer was the
Laird of Cool, be not afraid. Looking to him
with the little light the moon afforded, 1 took
him to be Collector Castlelaw, who had a mind A
to put a trick upon me, and immediately I struck
with all my force with my cane, thinking 1 should
leave a mark upon him that would make him remember his presumption; .but although sensible
I aimed as well as ever I did in my life, yet uiy
cane finding no resistance, but flying out of my
hand tg the distance of sixty fet, and observing
it by its white head, I dismounted and took it
up, but had some difficulty in mounting again,
�i
4
partly by reason of a certain sort of trembling
throughout my whole joints, something also
anger had its share in my confusion; for though
he laughed when my staff flew out of my hand, |
Y
coming up with him again, '(who" halted all the
j
time I was seeking my staff,) I asked him once
f
more who h e - w a ^ fe -answered, The Laird of
Cool. I enquired, First, if he was the Laird oi
Cool. Secondly, What brought him thither?
and, Thirdly, What was his business with m e ?
'
he answered, The reason that I want you is,
that I know you are disposed to do for me what
none of your brethren in Nithsdale will so much
.
as: attempt,'though it serve never so good a pur|
pose. I told him, I would never refuse to do
any thing to serve a good purpose, if I thought
•
vWk Obliged to do it as my duty. He answered,
Mnce I had undertaken what few in Nithsdale
Would, for he had tried several persons oil that
subject, who were more obliged to him than I
was to any person living. Upon
bridle reins, and asked in surprise, what I had
undertaken ? he answered, That on Sabbatti last,
I heard you condemned Mr. Paton, and the other
ministers of Dumfries, foi dissuading Mr. Merizies
from keeping his appointment with me ; and i f
you had been in their place, would have persuaded
the lad to do as THaired, and that yl5tt would hare
juioa bjid JuJ
tiiia^a ^nijiufoai ni vjlij'jifiil
f
�5
gone with him yourself, if he had been afraid ; and
if you had been in Mr. Paton's place, you would
have delivered my commissions yourself, as they
tended to do several persons justice. I asked
him, Pray, Cool, who informed you that I talked at that rate ? to which he answered, You must
know that we are acquainted with fmany things
that the living know nothing about; these things
you did say, and much more to that purpose, and
deliver my commissions to my loving wife. Upon
this I said, 'tis a pity Cool, that you who know
so many things should not know the difference
between an absolute and conditional promise; 1
did,, indeed, at the time you mention, blame Mr.
Patony folr I thought him justly blameablei im
hindering- the lad'to meet with you, and if I had
been in his place, I w^uld havie acted quite the
reverse ; butr>I did never .say, that if you would
come to Innerwick and employ me, that I would
g o a i the way to-Ditafrigs on such an errand, that
is what never s6 much as entered into my
thoughts.
Be answered, What were your
thoughts I don't pretend }to 1:now* but I can depend on mv information these* were your words;
but I fsee you aFe in some disorder, I will wait
upon y iu. when you have more presence of mind.
By this time we were at James JOickson's
iaclosure, below the church-yard ; ; ^ud- while
�6
was recollecting in my mind, if ever I had spoken
these words he alledged, he broke off from me
through the church-yard, with greater violence
than any man on horseback is capable of, with
such a singing and buzzing noise, as put me in
greater disorder than I was in all the time I was
with him. I came to my house, and my wife
observed more than ordinary paleness in my countenance, and alledged that something ailed me.
I called for a dram, and told her I was a little
uneasy. After I found myself a little refreshed,
I went to my closet to meditate on this most astonishing adventure.
Upon the 5th of March, 1722, being at Harehead, baptizing the shepherd's child, I came off
about sunsetting, and near Wm. White's march
the Laird of Cool came up with me as formerly,
and after his first salutation, bade me not be
afraid. I told him I was not in the least afraid,
in the name of G O D and Christ my Saviour,
that he would do me the least harm; for I knew
that he in whom I trusted, was stronger than all
they put together; and if any of them should attempt to do, even to the horse that I ride upon,
as you have done to Doctor Menzie's man, I have
free access to complain to my Lord and Master,
to the lash whose resentment you are liable as
now as before.
�Cool. YdU need not.multiply words on that
head, for you are safe with me, and safer, if safer
can be, than when I was alive.
<;
OgU. Well then, (gftgk let me ^ v e a peaceable and easy conversation with you for the time
we, ride together, and give[me some information
concerning the affairs of the other world, for no
man inclines to lose his time in conversing with
the dead, without hearing or learning something
^ S ^ i o i w l obh mso
snoTted
mnJoi fens
Cool. Well,. Sir, I will satisfy you as far r.s
1 .think proper and convenient. Let me know
what information you wantq nco I
Qgil.
?^n<>[q
uoy
May I then ask you, if you be in a,
state of happiness or not? -j ori vih lot . dAir
Cool. There are a great many things I can
answer, that the living are ignorant of; there are
a great j&any things that, notwithstanding the
additional knowledge I have acquired since my
death, I cannott answer; ai)d th^tejjwe A great
many
may
ofjwjtfch the last
is one, that I will not answer.
?0{>n oi esnifoni
Ogil. Then
how to ^anagfL o w qqiv}
versation; whatever I eftqjL&ve of you, 1 see you
c^u^^Asily ^Mft i^ia 1 ^ j thal1jmigliitt profit iiaore
by coiM^fswg
m^lt
.ahijsm hrrr> gse&sxierni
Cool. You may try.
.il^eb hi vhvh snob
Ogil. Well, then, what sort of a body is thaf
�8
you appear in ; and what sort of a horse is that
you lide upon, which appears to be so full of
metal ?
Cool. You may depend upon it, it is not the
same body that I was witness to your marriage
in, nor in which I died, for that is in the grave
rotting ; but it is such a body as serves me in a
moment, for I can fly as fleet with it as my soul
can do Without it; so that I can go to Dumfries,
and return again, before you can ride twice the
length of your horse, nay, if I have a mind to
go to London, or Jerusalem, or to the moon, if
you please, I can perform all these journies
equally soon, for it costs me nothing but a thought
or wish : for this body is as fleet as your thought,
for in the moment of time you can turn your
thoughts on Rome, I can go there in person : and
as for my horse, he is much like myself, for he
is Andrew Johnston, my tenant, who died fortyeight hours before me. I •^wari/ijomifio I edjiiob
Ogil. So it seems when Andrew Johnston
inclines to ride, you must serve him ik the quality
of an horse, as he does you now.
Cool. You are m i s t a k e i i . ' f w * i ^ w 5 noiffiiwr
Ogil. I thought that all distinctions between
mistresses and maids, lairds and tenants, had beet)
done away at death.
« (hod r 1o tin* u d rr (wmIi ,11s//
>
.IijO
�ft
Cool. True it is, but you do not t,ake 4p
matter*
'•
• .\t . ;
, . : how
< Ogil. This is one of the questions you wc^i'fc
odw 9moR 9*ff> 9 ^ 1 Jniiui *?odto od}
Cooll You are mistaken, for the question I
can answer, and after you may understand it.
Ogil. Well then, Cool, have you never ypx
appeared before God, nor received any sentence
from him as a Judge.
q JiH-'uur- a v^fnwn
Cool. Never yet.
Ogil. I know you was a scholar, Cool, and
'tis generally believed there is a private judgment, besides the general at the great day, the
former immediately after death.—Upon this lie
interrupted me, arguing.
Cool. No such thing, no such thing! No
trial-, no trial till the great day! The heaven
which good men enjoy after death, consists o n l y
in the serenity of their minds, and the satisfaction
of a good conscience; and the certain hopes they
uave of eternal^joy, when that day shall come.
The punishment or hell of the wicked, immediately after death, consists in the stings of an awakened conscience, and : the .terrors -of • facing: gthe
great Judge! and the sensible apprehensions of
eternal torments ensuing! And this bears still a
due proportion to the evils they did when living.
S<r indeed the state of some g ood folks differ but
�1
0
little in happiness from what they enjoyed in the
world, save only that they are free from thebody,
and the ^ins and sorrows that attended it. )On
the other hand, there are some who may be?, s$id
ratter rO > to have been good, than that theyare
i|
wicked H while livings their state is not .easily disr
'iHgittifeted from that of the former ; and under
*
hat1 class comes a great herd of souls; a vast
number of ignorant people, who have not much
minded the affairs of eternity, but/at the Same
irme have lived in -much indolence, ignorance
^MjiotBiriaqcai "i oiedt hsvsiiod ^Ilmsuo^ eh*
Ggil.
I thought that their rejecting the terms
of salvation offered, was sufficient ground for
God to punish them with eternal, displeasure;
and as4o their ignorance, thatcould neverexcuse
them, since they live in a p k c e oij the W f W ,
where the true knowledge of these things^migjit
have teen easily attained.
('' •
- U
. • • 5. Cool. They never properly rejected the terms
'
of salvation; fthey nev^r, strictly speaking, Rejected Christ; poor souls, they had as greatl a
liking both to him and heaven, as thei? gross imaginations: were capable of ^ Impartial reason
nMst make many allowances, as the stupidity of
their parents,7 want of education, distance from
people of good sense and knowledge, and the Mnintferrdpt^d applications they, were oblige4 t°
�11
give to their secular affairs for their daily bread,
the impious treachery of their pastors, who persuaded them, that if they were of such a party
all was well; and many other consideratibns
which God, who is pure and perfect reason itself,
will not overlook : these are not sp much under the
load of divine displeasure, as they are out of his
grace and favour; and you know it is one thing
to be discouraged, and quite another thing to be
persecuted with all the power and rage of an incensed earthly king. I assure you, mens* faces
are not more various and different in the world,
Hi' ' ViiLl j
than their circumstances are after death.
Ogil. I am loath to believe all that you have
said at this time. Cool, (but,I will not dispute
those matters with you) because some things you
have advanced seem to contradict the Scriptures,
which I shall always look upon as the infallible
truth of God. For I find, in the parable of Dives
and Lazarus, that the one was immediately after
death carried up by the angels into Abraham's
bosom, and the other immediately thrust down
to hell.
9IB b9iiB(pb tmtn boog 'io 8ii;iiqa
Cool. Excuse me, Sir, that does no»r contradict one word that I have said, but you seem
not to understand the parable, whose only end is
to illustrate the truth, that a man be very happy
and 'flourishing' in this world, and wretched and
�it
miserable in the next; and that a man may be
miserable in this world, and happy and glorious
W » # f 4i«bt4* io
li Jfifll
Ogil. BeitfSb, Cool, I shall yield that point
to you, and pass to another, which has afforded
me much speculation since our last encounter ;
and that is, How you came to know that I talked after the manner that I did concerning Mr.
Paton, on the first Skbbath o f February last.
Was you present with me, but invisible ? He
answered very haughtily, No, Sir, I was not present myself. I answered, I would not have you
angry, Cool, I proposed this question for my
own satisfaction, but if you don't think proper to
answer, let it pass. After he had paused, with
his eyes on the ground, for three or four minutes
of time at most, with some haste and seeming
h ">'
;.j;WW*
1
cheerfulness, says.
Cool. Well, Sir, I will satisfy you in that
point. You must know that there are sent from
heaven, angels to guard and comfort and to do
other good services to good people, and even the
spirits of good men departed are employed in
t^Mfr^MW^ob Ifidi f
<9in SMI^M .roovj
Ogil. And do you not think that every man
has a good angel ? fousq ed* bfuii^ienua o i Jon
Cool. No, but a great many particular men
have: there are but few houses of distinction
�13
especially, but what have at least one attending
them; and from what you have already heard of
spirits, it is no difficult matter to understand how
they may be serviceable to each particular member, though at different places at a great distance.
Many are the good offices which the good angels
do to them that fear God, though many times
they are not sensible of i t : and I know assuredly,
that one powerful angel, or even an active clever
soul departed, may be sufficient for some villages;
but for your great cities, such as London, Edinburgh, or the like, there is one great angel,
that has the superin tendance of the whole ; and
there are inferior angels, or souls departed, to
whose particulars care such a man, of such a particular weight or business, is committed.
Now,
Sir, the kingdom of Satan does ape the kingdom
of Christ as much in matters of politics, as can
be, well knowing that the court of wisdom is from
above ; so that from thence are sent out missionaries in the same order. But because the kingdom of Satan is much better replenished than
the other, instead of one devil, there are in many
instances two or three commissioned to attend a
particular family of influence and distinction.
Ogil. I read that there are ten thousand
times ten thousand of angels that wait upon God,
and sing his praise and do his will, and I cannot
�14
understand how the good angels dan be
<§ IflMiloy S&jftfae ^xriR uov iisdw moil bnfi f inadJ
Cool. Did not I say that whatever the number be, the spirits departed are employed in the
same business ; so that as to the number of original deities, whereof Satan is chief, I cannot
determine, but you need not doubt but there are
more souls departed in that place, which in a loose
sense you call helh by almost an infinity, than
what are gone to that place, which in a like sense
you call heaven, which likewise are employed in
the same purpose; and I can assure you that there
is as great n difference between angels, both good
and bad, as there is among men, with respect to
their senge, knowledge, cunning, cleverness, and
action; nay, which is more, the departed souls
on both sides, o u t d o severals, from their very
first departure, of the original angels. This
you will perhaps think a paradox, but is true.
Ogil. I do not doubt it, but what is that to
my question, about which I am solicitous ?
Cool. Take a little patience, Sir ; from what
I have said you might have understood me; if
ypu had your thoughts about you ; but I shall
explain Myself to you. Both the good and the
bad angels have stated times of rendezvous, and
the principal angels, who have the charge either
of towns, cities, or kingdoms, not to mention par-
�15
tloular. persona, villages, and Amities, and all that
is transacted in these several parts o f the eouniryiare. there-made open : and at their re-encounter on each side, every thing is told, as in you?
parish, ih milns, kilns, and smithies, with this
difference that many things false are talked at
the living re-encounters, but nothing but what
is exact truth, is said or told among the dead ;
only:I must observe to you, that, as I aim crediU
ably in formed, several of the inferior bad angels,
and souls of wicked men departed, have told
many things that they hkve done, and then When
a more intelligent spirit is selt out upon enquiry,
and the report of the former seeding doubtful,
he brings in a contrary report,' and makes it appear truth, the former fares very i l l : neveiWeless
their regard to truth iffr0t*efl'4s i t ; #F'\vhila ^thfe}
observe the truth, they do their business and
keep their station, for God
truth.
Ogil. So much truth being among the'|>t>od
angels, I,am-'apt to think that lies and falsehood
will be as much in vogue among the bad.
Cool. A gross mistake, and it is not alone* the
mistake which the living folks fall under With
respect to the other world; for tfie ^ s e ; plainly
^s this, an ill mah will not stick at a falsfeh&dd tb
p ^ » i o t e his design ; ds little will air evil ^o ul departed, stop at any thing that can makd hirtMfeJf
�46
successful; but in admitting report he must tell
the truth, or woe be to him. But besides their
monthly, quarterly* or yearly meetings, or whatever they be, departed souls acquainted, may take
a trip to see one another yearly, weekly, daily,
or oftener if they please. Thus then I answer
your question that you was so much concerned
about; for my information was from no less than
three persons, viz. Aikman, who attends Thurston's family; James Corbet, who waits upon
Mr. Paton; for at that time he was then looking after Mrs. Sarah Paton, who was at your
house; and an original emissary appointed to
I f f l & J l e r i n c f t vfo 'io Jioqoi srit biu;
At this I was much surprised, and after a little thinking, I asked him, And is there really,
Cool, an emissary from hell, in whatever sense
you take it, that attends my family ?
Cool.
You may depfend upon it.
Ogil. And what do you think is his business ?
Cool. T o divert you from your duty, and
cause you to do as many ill things as he can; for
much depends on having the minister on their
ishrui Hut ajlloi gnivil sdi Hqirfw odfitaim
Upon this I was struck with a sort of terror,
which I cannot account for. In the mean time
he said several things I did not understand. But
after coming to my former presence of mind, said.
�17
Ogil.
But, Cool, tell me in earnest, if there
be a devil that attends niy family, though invisible.
CooL Just as sure as you are breathing, but
be not so mueh dejected upon this information,
for 1 telUyou likewise, that there is a good angel
who attends you, who is stronger than the other.
Ogil.
Are you sure of that, C o o l ?
Cool.
Yes, there is one riding oh your right
hand, who might as well have been elsewhere,
for I meant you no harm.
Ogil.
And how long has he been with me ?
Cool.
Only since We passed Brand*s-lee, but
now he is gone.
Ogil.
We are just upon Elenscleugh, and )
desire to part with you, though perhaps I have
gained more by conversation than I could have
other wise done in a twelvemonth ; I choose rather to see you another time, when you're at leisure
and I wish it were at as great a distance from
fHiteft^BllWyoft^cfiJi? 11 ^ H) t
Cool.
1
*
Be it so, Sir; but I hope you will be
as obliging to me, next re-encounter, as I have
ifeen i b ybWtn& r
Ogil.
5
fi<I
<H
Vi
nK
I promise you I will, as far as is con-
sistent with my duty to my Lord and Mastei
Christ Jesus: and since you have obliged me so
much by information, J will answer all the qiites-
�fcions you propose, as far as consists witji my
Jpipwledgej but f believe you want no inforillation from me.
. Jf!t
I came not here to be instructed by
; CooJ.
you, but I want your help of another kind.
Upon the 5th of April, 1722, as I was returning from f Old Hamstocks, Cool came up with
me on horseback at the foot of the ruinous inclosure, before we came to D o d ; I told him his
last conversation had proved §o acceptable to me,
that I was well pleased to see, him agaiii; that
there was a number of things that I wanted to
inform myself further of, if he would be so good
as satisfy me.
sijo-q ei sd won
Cool. Last time we met, I refused you nothing you asked; and now I expect that you shall
refuse me nothing that I shall ask.
Ogil. Nothing, Sir, that is in my power, oy
that I can do with safety^ to my reputation and
character.
What then are your demands.
Cool. All that I desire of you is, that as you
prpmjs^c| Jfyaj^ pn ^ SaJbbath day you wosuld .go
to my wife, who now possesses all my effects,
and tell her the following particulars: and tell
h^r in my n.^me to j rectify th$$$ ^att^rs. jflfgst,
That I was owing justly to Provost Crosby, 501.
Scots, and three years interest, but on hearing
of his death, my good-brother the Laird of C — I
�w
and I forged a discharge, narrated the bond, the
sum, and other particulars, with this honourable
clause, " And at the time it had fallen by, and
could not be found. ,, With an obligation on the
Provost's part to deliver up this Bond as soon at
he could hit upon it. And this discharge was
dated three months before the Provost's death.
And when his son and successor, Andrew Crosby, wrote to me concerning this Bond, I came
to him and shewed him the forged discharge,
which silenced him; so that I got up my bond
without more ado. And when I heard of Robert
Kennedy's death, with the same help of C—1, I
got a bill upon him for 1901. of which I got full •
and complete payment, C—1 got the half. When
I was at Dumfries, the same day that Robert
©Her died, to whom I was owing an account of
361. G—1, my good-brother, was then) at London, and not being able of myself, being but a
bad writer, to make out a discharge of the account, which I; wan ted, I met accidently with
one Robert Boyd, a poor Writer lad in Dumfries .;
I took him to Mrs* Carnodk's, and gave him a»
bottle of wine, and told him I had paid 'Thomas
Grier's account but had neglected to get ;a dfecharge, and if he would help me to one* T w o £dd
reward him. He flew away from me in a great
passion, sayings he would rather he hanged * but
s
�20
if I had a mind for these things, 1 had better
wait till C—1 came home.
This gave me great
trouble, fearing- what G - J and I had done formerly was no secret.
I followed Boyd to the
street, and made an apology, saying, I was jesting, commending him for his honesty, and got
his promise never to repeat what had passed.
I
sent for my Cousin B^r-m H—rie, your goodbrother, who with no difficulty, for a guinea and
a half, undertook and performed all that I wanted ; and for a guinea more made me up a discharge
for 2001, Scots that I was owing to your fatherin-law, and his friend Mr. Muirhead, which discharge I gave to John Ewart, when he desired
the money, and he at my desire? produced it to
you, which you sustained.
A great many of the like instances were told,
of which I cannot remember the persons names
and things; but, says he, what vexes me more
than all these, is the injustice I did Homer M a x well, tenant to my Lord Nithsdale, for whom I
was factor.
I borrowed 20001. from him, 5001
of which he borrowed from another hand : I gave
him my bond, and, for reasons I contrived, I obliged him to secrecy.
H e died within the yean
and left nine children, his wife being dead before
himself.
I came to seal up his papers for my
Wd's security; his eldest daughter intreated me
�21
to look through them all, and to give her an account what was their stock, and what was their
debt. 1 very willingly undertook it, and in going through the papers, I put my own bond in
my p$cke$0, tj^s circumstances proving bad, his
nine children are now starving. These things 1
desire you to represent to my wife, and take her
brother with you, and let them be immediately
rectified, for she has a sufficient fund to do it upon ; and if it were done. 1 think I would be easy
and therefore I hope you will make no delay.
After a short pause, I answered, Tis a good
errand Cool, you are sending me to do justice to
the oppressed and injured^ but notwithstanding
I see myself come in for 2001. Scots, yet X beg
a little time to consider the matter. Ar^d since
I find you are as much master of reason now as
ever, and more than ever, I will reason upon the
matter in its general view, and then with respect
to the expediency of my being the messenger;
and jsmxI will do \yithluu / manner T J * \
Bjit this
•669niow" all »I J 7 ofAfrankness*
I\ T
T
From what you have said, I see clearly what
your present condition is, so that I need not ask
any more questions on (that head; and you need
not bid me take courage, for at this moment I
am no more afraid of you than a new born child.
Cool. Well, say on.
Ogil. Tell me then, since such is your ability
�<>o
that you can fly 9, thousand miieg in the twinkling
^f an eye, if your desire to do the oppressed jusdee, .be as great as you
what's the rfeks-
dont fly to the coffers of some rich Jew
or Banker, where are thousands df gold and silver^ invisibly left, and invisibly return it to the
coffers of the injured ? A n d since your wife has
sufficient fund, and more, why cannot you empty
her purse invisibly, to make these people amends.
Cool.
Because I cannot.
Ogil,
Y o u have satisfied me entirely upon
that head.
But pray, Cool, what is the reason
that you cannot g o to your wife yourself, and
tell her What you have a mind; I should think
this a more sure way to gain your point.
Ogil. That is not an answer to me, CooL
Mool.
That is one of the ques tions that I told
you long ago I would not answer: but if you go
as I desire, I promise to give you full satisfaction
after you have done your business. Trust me
tor once, and believe me I will not disappoint
ybtt.30it f m n I tndl o* d n o b i b n p y i i i ^ a i q W Q Y
Upon the 10th of April, 1722, coming from
Old Cambus, upon the post road, I met with
Cool on the head of the heath called the Pees.
He asked me, if I had coiisidered the matter he
had.recommemled ? I told him I had, and was in
�23
like game opinion I was in when we parted; that
I would not possibly undertake his commissions,
unless he could give me them in writing under
his hand. I told him that the list; of his grievances were so great, that I could not possibly remember them without being put in writing; and
that I wanted nothing bufcuteason to determine
toe in that, and all other affairs of m y
know, says he, this M a mere evasion>~biH teU
me if the Laird otoDhurston will do ito?^ J am- sur%
said I, he will n o t : and if he should, I would do
all that I could to hinder him;i&rul think h e k m
as little to do in these matters as.myself.
But
tell me, Cool, fa fit notas eidsyf to^write^your
ry a&tell it, or iiide o n • whathdprychcaili-hiBi
•
I have forgot your horse's name.
Cool. N o , S&,9«pis n o t ; and pei>hapa>i -raayi
convince you of the reasonableness
it after4
wwrdkumi oJ oomcM d*>inu tu ol> ^ a i tiwvi-g svud
Ogil.
I would be glad to hear a reason that
is solid, for not speaking to your wife yourself*?
but, however, any rational creature may see what
a fool I would make of myself, if I would g o to
Dumfries, and tell your wife you had appeared
to me, and told so ma^y^|orgeries and villanies
that you had commitea, and" that she behoved to
make reparation; the consequence might perhaps
Ve, that rhe would seold me ; for she would be
�24
loath to part with any money she possesses, and
therefore tell me I was mad, or possibly pursue
me for calumny; how would I vindicate myself,
how eould I prove that you-ever* spoke with me H
Mr.
Paton, and other ministers, in Dumfries
would tell me, the devil had spoken with m e ; and
why should I repeat these things for truth, which
he, that was a liar from the beginning, had told
m e ; C—-p—1 and B-—r H—-rie would be upon
me, and pursue me before the Commissary ; every
body would look upon mbim brain-sick or mad *
therefore I entreat you do not insist upon sending me so ridiculous an errand.
T h e reasonable-
ness of my demands 1 leave to your o wn consideration, as you did your former to mine.
But drop-
ping the matter till out next interview^ give md
leave to enter upon some more diverting subject:
I do not-know, Cool, but the information yow
have given, may do as much service to mankind,
as the redress of all these grievances would- ai^Mtfitrd^.dliw *wo\ ot ^ubhsscp ion to! <biioa m
Mr. Ogilvie died very soon after.
�
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Title
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Woodcut 016: Title-page illustration of the God, Mercury, wearing winged sandals and holding a caduceus .
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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The Laird of Cool's Ghost: being Several Conferences and Meeting betwixt the Reverend Mr. Ogilvie, Late Minister of the Gospel at Innerwick; and the Ghost of Mr. Maxwell, late Laird of Cool; as it was found in Mr. Ogilvie's Closet after his Death - Written with his own hand.
Alternative Title
An alternative name for the resource. The distinction between titles and alternative titles is application-specific.
Ghost of Mr. Maxwell, late Laird of Cool; as it was found in Mr. Ogilvie's Closet after his Death - Written with his own hand.
Extent
The size or duration of the resource.
24 pages
16 cm
Identifier
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<a href="https://ocul-gue.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_GUE/mrqn4e/alma9943831073505154">s0615b40</a>
Description
An account of the resource
8 printed at the foot of the title page
Contributor
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Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Rights
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In the public domain; For high quality reproductions, contact Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph. libaspc@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53413
Format
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JPEGs and PDF derived from master file, which was scanned from the original book in 24-bit color at 600 dpi in TIFF format using an Epson Expression 10000XL scanner.
Date
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1840-1850?
Publisher
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Glasgow: Printed for the Booksellers
Subject
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Chapbooks - Scotland - Glasgow
Source
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Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, Guelph, Ontario
Type
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supernatural & ghost stories
# of Woodcuts: 1
Bib Context: title-page
Chapbook Date: 1841-1850
Chapbook Genre: supernatural
Chapbook Publisher - Glasgow: Printed for the Booksellers
Fashion (Clothing): armour
Gender: man/men
Object: walking stick/ staff
Religious Figure: Mercury (Hermes)
-
https://scottishchapbooks.lib.uoguelph.ca/files/original/ee45fbaacfead75f4b81d207502b80b6.pdf
0c002c4d456d9f40f1c4c93bb839d685
PDF Text
Text
THE
GHOST
OF
MY UNCLE.
TO WHICH IS ADDED, THE
OUTWITTED TAX-GATHERER.
GLASGOW:
PRINTED FOR THE BOOKSELLERS.
25
��GHOST
OF
M Y
U N C L E .
I AROSE early in the morning, and after
taking a good breakfast, set out from home.
A quantity of rain had fallen in the night
It was, however, fair when I commenced
my expedition, and I wished it so to remain.
The morning was still and beautiful; it was
the early hour of four; I could not yet
distinguish the sun, though I was sensible
he had left his ocean bed from the beautiful
streaks of colouring in the eastern sky. To
express the softness, mildness, and calmness
of the scenery, at that hour, I cannot find
adequate words; those only can conceive it
who have witnessed the scene. I had not
proceeded more than two miles, before a few
drops alarmed me with apprehension of a
soaking shower, from a heavy black cloud
that was slowly sailing over my head, and
my fears were soon realized by a very thick
descent that followed, on which I betook
�4
myself with all speed to a thatched cottage, that
I saw at some distance, for shelter.
Many years had elapsed since I had
wandered about in this spot in careless infancy,
and the pretty secluded cot to which I was
advancing,
had once been my home. I
looked around on the hills and dales, and
could easily recognise them as my old
acquaintances. ' Ha,' said I, ' ye change not
your appearance, ye grow not old in the
course of time, the feebleness of age cometh
not upon you ;---ye still smile in the brightness
of summer, and frown in the lowering
winter.
For ages ye have reared your
towering crests and given food to the flocks
and the herds that have chequered your dark
surface; ye have given a direction to the
murmuring brook that proceeds from you,
till it seeks, far distant, the mighty ocean;
and while generation after generation hath
passed away, ye have preserved unvaried the
features ye possessed in ages gone--- Even
now, as in years past, my eyes behold the
still sunshine sleeping upon your gentle
s'oping declivities, interrupted only when
the light cloud of spring, for a moment,
casts over them its passing shadow ! My
cogitations were suddenly interrupted by the
gate at the end of the pasture, whichIopened.
In another moment I was in the porch
of the cottage; I lifted the latch, and went
�5
in. The house appeared just the same as I
had left it ten years before. The furniture
was the same, and each piece occupied the
same position. The old clock stood ticking
in the corner, as it had done for four-score
years, the oaken settle remained behind the
door, and my uncle's antique two armed
chair by the fire-side; but I saw no living
creature in the house besides the cat on the
hearthstone. I listened awhile, but could
hear nothing. At this I rather wondered,
as of yore the house was seldom, scarcely
ever, totally deserted. I then went forward
into the spence, or country parlour, where I
found several neighbour cousins, and the
servants, all standing in deep silence around
the bed of my dying uncle.
On entering, all eyes turned upon me;
I was a stranger to most of them; there
were, however, one or two who remembered
me. I advanced to the bed-side, and the
countenance of my uncle for a moment
brightened up at my approach, but soon
subsided again into a cold tranquil indifference.
It was plain that death was rapidly
approaching.
He had been speechless
several hours; consequently we could hold
no conversation. He, however, put out his
hand, which I grasped with an affection
redoubled by the prospect of soon losing him
for ever. In my younger days I had lived
�with him, and he having no children of his
own, was then remarkably fond of me;
subsequently that affection was strengthened
between us, and although circumstances had
cast my lot in another country, yet we had
kept up a friendly and affectionate
intercourse. Some time previous to his indisposition,
I had again removed to within thirty
miles of his residence, which was the place
from whence I set out on this sorrowful
visit.
My uncle was a man of sound judgment,
keen observation, and cheerful social disposition,
joined to a thorough knowledge of
mankind; he possessed a good portion of
eccentricity and humour. He loved a cheerful
glass; he was kind to his servants, and
dependants, and though rather of a frugal
and saving disposition, yet he was charitable
to his poor neighbours. In his freindships
he was rather capricious, but firm in his
attachment to the kirk and goverment of his
country. He was apt to be a little passionate
and hasty in his temper; but his resentment
was seldom of long duration. He was
well beloved by those among whom he dwelt,
and might be pronounced a good neighbour,
and an excellent subject. By a long course
of industry in his profession, he had amassed
a pretty good property, the knowledge of
which had drawn around him a host of needy
�7
relations, who besieged him with flattery and
professions, but those attentions were chiefly
drawn forth by their hopes of inheriting the
old man's property. How he had willed it
was not known. He was a man of prudence,
and seldom blabbed out his private affairs.
On my arrival, I found all the friends
about him remarkably attentive and duteous
in their behaviour, though it was evident
that a good deal of the affection was assumed.
Shortly after, he fell into a kind of a
dose, and all left the room save an attendant
or two. Peggy, the servant who had lived
With my uncle fourteen years, now insisted
on my taking some refreshment. But I
was too much agitated to feel any thing like
pleasure in my repast, and what I ate was
more to please the faithful old domestic, than
from any inclination of my own. When
my slight meal was over, I got up and went
to the window in a serious and reflecting
mood. The afternoon was far advanced,
and the scenery without was wrapped in
tranquillity. I was soon summoned from
my station to the parlour. My uncle had
somewhat revived, and his speech had returned.
He told us death was making rapid
advances, and that we might soon expect
the moment of his dissolution. He informed
us where we should find his will, and gave us
some excellent advice on our future conduct.
�8
Some things he requested us to perform,
which I thought were a little odd. He
wished us to read his will in the room where
he was, immediately after he had expired.
He desired that he might not he laid out, as
it is commonly called, until at least twelve
hours after his departure; that his large two
armed oaken chair might be placed in all
order and solemnity at the head of the table
every meal, and that it should remain
unoccupied
till after his funeral. He also wished
to be interred in a very deep grave. All
these requests, we promised faithfully to
observe, when, after taking an affectinate
farewell of each, he quietly resigned himself
to his pillow; his breathing became more
and more faint, till at last we could perceive
it no more.
During these transactions my mind was
in a state I cannot well describe : my
thoughts were all confusion, while at the
same time I struggled to be calm and
composed. Poignant as were my feelings, I
gazed on my dying relative with a sort of
apathy and grief, and at the moment when
nature was yielding up the contest I could
not shed a tear. In a short time all quitted
the appartment, and I was left alone. The
branches of the huge elm trees, with their
thickening foliage, partially screening the
window, made it, under such circumstances,
�9
awfully gloomy and tranquil. I took several
turns about the room, and with a soft step
I approached the bed, gazed a moment,
turned away, and then going up to the
window, strove to divert my thoughts by
looking at the surrounding landscape.
Twilight
was descending, and the sober hues of
evening gradually enveloped the lofty hills.
No sound struck my ear, except the faint
and low murmers of the brook, which brawled
down the valley at the bottom of the
Flinty Knowe—the shout, softened by
distance, of the peasant committing his herds to
the pasture—and now and then the solitary
barking of a shepherd's dog among the echoing
dales, attendant on his master looking
out his charge for the night.
I had not stood at the casement many
minutes when my cousins, all talking in a
rude, noisy, and indecorous manner, came
into the room with the will, which it seems
they had departed in search of the moment
the testator had expired. I was a good deal
shocked at the frivolity they manifested,
and could not help reproving them, though
in a mild and gentle manner, for the little
respect they paid to the deceased. ' Why
ye ken,' said one, 'he tauld us to read the
will amaist as soon as he died.''Ay,'cried
another, ' and sae in conformity wi' his
command, we went straight up the stairs and
�10
rummaged o'er his auld kist, till we found
it.' ' Mind your ain concerns, gudeman,
and we'll mind ours,' rejoined a third, rather
gruffly; so that my well meant admonitions
had no better effect than to cause me to be
more disliked by the party; for I could
perceive before this that they looked on me in
the light of an unwelcome intruder.
The will was now read, to which all paid
the greatest attention. A mute anxiety and
deep interest sat on every countenance : their
aspects was, however, instantly changed into
those of intense disappointment and
vexation, on hearing that my uncle had made
a stranger, whom none of us knew, the heir
of all his property, real and personal. For
my part, this circumstance did not affect me
in the least. I had not had any expectation
of inheriting the smallest portion; therefore
could not feel disappointed. But with the
others it was different; they had clung to
him like so many leeches, or like the ivy to
the old ruin, and with about as much affection
as the two before-mentioned things have
for the objects to which they so closely
adhere. A most appalling and disgusting
scene now took place among the disappointed
legacy hunters. They abused the old
man in the most shocking terms: they taxed
him with injustice and villany, and even
proceeded to call down imprecations upon his
�11
lifeless corse. I shuddered at the conduct of
the unprincipled villains; I trembled at the
impiety of men who could, at a time the
most solemn and impressive to a human
being, act in a manner sufficient to call down
upon them immediate and divine vengeance.
I was chilled with horror. I almost expected
every moment to see the lifeless corse of
my uncle start from the bed, on which it lay,
to take vengeance on the audacious wretches.
Once, indeed, I actually thought I saw his
lips quiver with rage—his eyebrows knit
together—and all the muscles of his
countenance
contract into a dreadful frown. I
shuddered at the sight, and withdrew my
gaze.
At length they went into the kitchen, and
I was once more left, alone in the chamber of
death. I went to the bed-side, and the scene
I had just witnessed operated so forcibly tin
my feelings, that I burst into tears, and
uttered aloud my lamentations overmylifeless
relative.
When this ebullition had
somewhatsubsided,I began to reflect a little
where I was, and a sort of timidity came
creeping over me. There is an
undefinable
apprehension which we feel while we are in
company with the dead. We imagine, in
spite of the efforts of reason, that the departed
spirit is hovering near its former tenement,
It being now quite dark, and having these
�feelings in a strong degree, it is no wonder
that I rather preferred the company of the
wretches in the kitchen, than to remain long
where I was.
I accordingly proceeded thither, where I
found them all carousing round a large table,
on which were placed the fragments of the
dinner, and plenty of liquor. I reminded
them of our promise to place my uncle's old
two armed chair at the head of the table, as
he had requested, which they had neglected
to do, and which they now strenuously
opposed my doing. I was, however,
resolutely determined to have it done, and at
length succeeded. I then retired to the
fireside, where I sat, without taking any part
in the conversation, or in any thing that
passed during the whole evening. I shall
pass over the several succeeding hours, the
whole of which they sat drinking, till they
were all in a greater or less degree intoxicated,
and generally brawling, wrangling,
and swearing in a loud and boisterous
manner. The night became stormy as it
advanced. The wind arose, and at intervals
moaned, sighed, and whistled shrilly
without,
roared in the wide chimney, and as it
furiously bent the trees in which the house
was embosomed, made a sound similar to the
dashing of the waves on the shore of the
ocean. The rain fell in torrents, and the
�13
large drops pattered against the window with
a ceaseless and melancholy cadence.
It was now getting nigh the 'witching
time of night,' and I saw no signs of the
revellers quitting the table. On the
contrary, they grew more loud and boisterous.
In obedience to their imperious commands,
yet evidently with the greatest reluctance,
Peggy had kept replenishing the exhausted
vessels with more liquor, and their demands
increased in proportion to the reluctance with
which they were satisfied. At length,
however, on receiving an intimation from me
that I would interpose, she absolutely refused
to draw any more liquor for them, telling
them they had plenty, and that it was time
to retire to bed. The scene that now ensued
was such as is impossible for me to describe;
maddened and inflamed with rage at being
thus refused, the wretches began to throw
the furniture up and down the house, break
the glasses and jugs, and to abuse the
servant, from whom they attempted to wrest
the key of the cellar, yelling out at the same
time the most horrid oaths and
imprecations.
The table was shortly overset, and the
lights put out in the scuffle, and in a few
moments we should, in all probability, have
had blood shed, as I felt myself roused to a
pitch of fury, and was advancing with the
�14
large heavy headed fire-poker to the assistance
of the servant, who was loudly shrieking
for help: just then the old clock struck
twelve rapid strokes, and the bell had not
ceased to vibrate, when we heard three heavy
knocks, as if given by a mallet upon the
wall, which seperated the kitchen from the
parlour where my uncle lay. There appeared
to be something supernatural in this.
The whole house seemed to shake to its very
foundation. A deep silence ensued. I stood
still. The wretches instantly became sober.
We all gazed earnestly and wildly at the place
from whence the noise proceeded. Scarce
had we recovered from the shock, when we
were again thunderstruck with a noise in the
parlour; it was unlike any sound that I had
ever heard before. It seemed as if all the
furniture in the room was violently crashed
together, mingled with the noise of fire-arms.
Shrieks and exclamations burst from all.
The windows shook and every door of the
habitation gave a momentary jar. I trembled
with awe. I felt every hair of my head
bristling upwards—my knees smote against
each other—a deathly paleness sat on every
countenance, and all eyes were fixed in an
intense gaze on the door, at the upper part
of the kitchen, which led to the staircase,
buttery, and parlour. When, to complete
the horror of the scene, the door burst wide
�15
open—dashed against the wall, and in, gliding
at a slow pace, came a dreadful apparition.
Its countenance was that of death.
It seemed to have been long the inhabitant
of that dark and narrow house— the grave;
the worms had revelled upon its eyes, and
left nothing but the orbless sockets. The
rest of the skeleton was enveloped in a long
and white sheet. The horrid spectre
advanced into the middle of the room. I
involuntarily shrunk back—the heavy weapon
dropped from my hand and rang loudly on
the stone floor; overcome with terror, I sank
into a chair. A cold sweat broke from my
forehead, and I had well nigh fainted on its
first appearance; the others had tumbled one
over the other, in the greatest horror and
confusion, and now lay as if dead in all
directions.
The spectre gazed wildly round for a
moment—at the clock—at the fire—and
then turned its eyeless sockets upon each
individual, motioning at the same time with
its long arm, and pointing to the outer door,
seemingly directing to an outlet for an
escape, and wishing for their exit. They
were not long in obeying this intimation,
out severally crawled away on their hands
and knees, with all the speed they could
possibly make; none of them daring to stand
upright.
The spectre all the while was
�16
standing in the middle of the floor, eyeing,
or rather appearing to eye them, through
the void sockets, where eyes had once
glistened, as they retreated one by one in the
greatest fear and trepidation. When Peggy
and I offered to decamp along with the rest,
the spectre motioned us to remain where we
were, and we durst not for our lives disobey.
When the last of the crew was making his
exit, and had crawled nearly to the door, the
spectre, which had hitherto stood motionless,
except waving its arm and slowly turning
its eyeless countenance on the wretches as
they crept successively out of the door,
bounded with the rapidity of lightning after
the terrified wretch. But swift as the flight
of spirits are, in this case that of the mortal
was swifter : the fellow gave a thrilling
scream—made a convulsive spring—his
heels struck violently against the lintel of the
door in his course, and he vanished from my
sight and the spectre after him. ' Gude
defend us,' said Peggy. For my part, ill
as I was frightened, I could scarce forbear
laughing outright at the last incident so
comic and farcical.
Half a minute had not elapsed, when I
heard a step, and in another instant (I still
kept my eyes on the door) in came the very
form of my uncle, muttering, ' Villains!
Rascals! Hypocrites !' He fastened the door
�17
after him, shut out his nephews and the
spectre, and then came towards the fire. A t
this I was more amazed than ever. He,
however, gave me to understand that he was
alive and well, and that all I had seen
transacted
in the afternoon and evening, was
nothing but a stratagem he had made use of
to try the sincerity of his relations, and if he
found them, as he conjectured, false in their
professions, to get rid of them. The scheme
answered nobly, and, it must be confessed,
the stratagem was well planned and exceedingly
well executed.
My uncle concluded his relation with
assuring me, that, excepting a good legacy
for his faithful servant Peggy, I should
inherit all that he possessed, as some little
acknowledgement for the fright he had
caused me; and as for the wretches he had
expelled from his house, in so singular a
manner, they should never more cross the
threshold of his door. W e all three now
sat down to a little supper, of which my
uncle stood in great need, and after taking
a cheerful glass retired to bed.
Notwithstanding the fatigue of my journey,
and sitting up so late, my sleep was
far from being sound and refreshing. I
was disturbed with fearful dreams the whole
night. At length the cocks began to crow
—the clouds of the eastern sky to break
�18
assunder, and the morning to dawn.
When
it was tolerably light I started up, resolved
on a stroll over the meadows. Before going
out, however, I went into the parlour, where
I found every thing in the utmost confusion.
Chairs, tables, walking-sticks, and logs of
wood, lay all over the floor, and every thing
upset or in a wrong position. I then
proceeded to the outer door, which I opened,
but started back in horror, on perceiving a
human skull lying on a sheet at my right
hand, just without the door. Recovering
from my fright, I gathered it up, and could
not restrain my laughter, when I discovered
it to be nothing more than a mask,
representing
a death's head. It seems while we
were all wrangling the night before, my
uncle had stepped out of bed—dressed
himself
—piled all the furniture, logs of wood
and timber, he could in the apartment, in a
heap, crowning the pyramid with a dozen or
more walking-sticks, which had lain time
out of mind on the top of an old cupboard
—then gone up stairs and put on the horrid
mask—brought down a pistol, and enveloped
himself from his feet to his chin, in a clean
white sheet; after alarming us, just as the
clock struck the awful hour of twelve, by
striking three heavy blows against the
wall with a huge log of wood, he contrived
to tumble down the whole mass of furniture
�19
at once—fired his pistol at the same moment,
and then burst in upon us in the manner
described.
I now went out. As I was crossing the
yard, I discovered several drops of blood on
a stone, which I could no way account for,
but by supposing some of my good cousins
had received, in their retreat, a fall; and, a
little further, I discovered a pair of shoes.
A receptacle for the filth of the byre, in
another part of the yard, bore evident marks
of some one having had therein a severe
struggle.
Indeed the adventures of the flying heroes
had been various and woful; one of them,
he at whom the spectre had made such a
sudden bound, as I afterwards ascertained,
actually ran seven miles without stopping,
and with his shrieks, supposing the grim
monster close at his heels, almost raised the
whole country. I now proceeded onwards
over the fields, listening to the warbling
lark ' springing blithely up to greet the
purpling east.' The air was fresh and
pure, and, in the beauties of nature, I
awhile forgot the events of the preceding
evening. With hasty steps I roved over
the faintly recollected scenes, where I had
in childhood spent some of my happiest
hours, until weary with my rambles I
returned to breakfast.
�20
OUTWITTING A TAX-GATHERER.
SOME writers have stated the number of
islands in Strangford Lough to be upwards
of two hundred, but it has been ascertained
that there are not more than fifty-four. Some
are inhabited ; on others cattle of various
kinds are kept by the proprietors of the
grounds on the opposite shore. Upon one
of them there is a very extensive rabbitwarren. The individual who resides on this
island had for many years derived a very
considerable income from the sale of the
rabbit skins, and although he had erected a
very good house, he never once dreamed of
paying any thing in the shape of excise or
taxes. At length, however, a tax-gatherer,
who had paid a visit to the houses on the
neighbouring shore, beheld with anxious
gaze the goodly edifice which presented
itself upon the island, and determined upon
visiting it in the name of his Majesty. The
proprietor of the place, having been in the
habit of receiving visits from persons who
came to purchase his skins, and supposing
the taxman to be one of them, sent off a boat
to fetch him to the island. On reaching the
place, the man of taxes began to make
various enquires as to the time the house had
�21
been erected, the number of windows,
hearths, &c., it contained: and, having
gained the desired information, he immediately
demanded, on behalf of his Majesty,
a considerable sum, as the amount of taxes
and arrears due upon the place. In vain
the poor man protested against the proceeding,
as an imposition, in vain he contended,
that the demand, never having been made
before, he had no right to pay it then. The
stranger was inexorable, and nothing would
satisfy him but the payment of the money
down, or, in default thereof, he threatened
to return direct, with a party of the army,
and lead, drive, and carry away all that he
couldfinduponthe island. Atlength,fearing
such a catastrophe, and finding every
effort to soften the hard heart of the exciseman
completely fruitless, the poor man paid
down the amount demanded, and got a
regular acknowledgement for the same; and
the officer, having put the money in his
pocket, haughtily desired that he might be
put ashore. ' No, no,' said the old man ;
'althoughhis Majesty may compel me to
pay taxes, he cannot compel me to keep a
boat to row you, and the likes ofyou,back
and forward.' After many threats and
entreaties, the, islanderatlastconsented,as
he had brought his visitorover,togivehim
' a bit of arow'backagain;andboth
�getting into the boat, along with a young lad,
son to the proprietor, they pulled for some
time in the direction of shore. When about
midway, however, the islander, quietly laying
down his oar, informed the officer, that
although he had promised to give him ' a
bit of a row,'he had never any intention of
taking him the entire way, and that he must
now do the best he could, as he was himself
obliged to return to the island, or that they
would land him on Phaddy Lhug, (a large
rock, which was visible at low water, but
was many feet beneath the surface at full
tide,) from which, if he shouted loud enough,
perhaps some of his friends on the shore
might hear him, and send a boat to convey
him the remainder of the distance. On the
other protesting against such conduct, and
insisting that they should continue their
labour, and take him ashore—the old man,
pulling his oar into the boat, and desiring
his son to do the same, very drily observed,
that if the gentleman did not wish to quit
the boat, they would not insist upon his doing
so, as they ' could swim like two water dogs,
and thus easily regain the island; but that
if he chose to pay him for it, he would
willingly land him at any place he wished.
Finding himself outwitted by the islanders,
the officer deemed it the more advisable way
to accede to the terms proposed—when, to his
�23
astonishment, he found that the demand was
nothing less than the entire amount he had
received for the taxes, together with a receipt
for those of the following year, and a special
engagement, that he would never again
return to that island to demand taxes on excise.
Hard as the terms were, he was at length
compelled to accede to them, rather than
take on a tide which, at the time, was
running at the rate of nine mites an hour, the
alternative of being left to drift out to sea in
an open boat, with scarcely a hope of relief
from any quarter. It is scarcely necessary
to observe, that having paid back the money,
and giving the required receipt, the
crestfallentaxmanwas put safely ashore, and
never again visited the island, or trusted
himself in company with so tricky a customer
as the old dealer in rabbit skins.
SCARLET
DISCOVERED.
A Highlander entered a haberdasher's shop
in Perth, and asked for a piece of scarlet
cloth to make him a waistcoat. The rustic
manner of the Gael set some young women
who were at the counter a-giggling; and
the shopman, willing to afford them sport,
began to play off his small wit upon the
�24
stranger. " So, goodman, ye want a piece
of scarlet ? Would you know scarlet if you
saw it?" " I tink I would," replied the
mountaineer. The shopman threw down a
piece of blue cloth: " Is that scarlet ?"
" Hout no, no! that no be it." A piece of
green cloth was produced; the same question
was repeated, and received a similar answer
to the great amusement of the querist and
his female friends, who were at no pains to
conceal their mirth. The Highlander took
revenge in his own way ; He put his nose
to the cloth, and affected to judge of the
colour by the smell. The shopman, at
request, did the same; but the instant he
bent his nose towards the counter, the
Highlander seized him by the ears, and
made his nasal protuberance come, in such
violent contact with the boards, that the blood
sprung from it " Tat," said the
Highlander,
" i s ta colour o', scarlet tae ye noo,
lad;" and he walked away.
�
https://scottishchapbooks.lib.uoguelph.ca/files/original/5f93b7a2701fc16b147fb28c25a60766.jpg
16b01e124a931a6ad032976f2674b360
Dublin Core
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Title
A name given to the resource
Woodcut portraying outdoor scene with man in boat in foreground and village in background; a basket and anchor on path leading to village
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
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Woodcut 027: Title-page illustration of a man in a small boat. A village can be seen in the background.
Dublin Core
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Title
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The Ghost of My Uncle. To which is added, the Outwitted Tax-Gatherer.
Alternative Title
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The Outwitted Tax-Gatherer
Extent
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24 pages
15 cm
Identifier
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<a href="https://ocul-gue.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01OCUL_GUE/mrqn4e/alma9934228043505154">s0585b34</a>
Description
An account of the resource
25 printed at the foot of the title page
Contributor
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Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Rights
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In the public domain; For high quality reproductions, contact Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph. libaspc@uoguelph.ca, 519-824-4120, Ext. 53413
Format
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JPEGs and PDF derived from master file, which was scanned from the original book in 24-bit color at 600 dpi in TIFF format using an Epson Expression 10000XL scanner.
Publisher
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Glasgow: Printed for the Booksellers
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
ca.1840-1850?
Source
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Archival & Special Collections, University of Guelph Library, Guelph, Ontario
Subject
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Chapbooks - Scotland - Glasgow
Type
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supernatural & ghost stories
Architecture: city view
Bib Context: title-page
Chapbook Date: 1841-1850
Chapbook Genre: supernatural
Chapbook Publisher - Glasgow: Printed for the Booksellers
Gender: man/men
Object: anchor(s)
Object: basket(s)
Outdoor Scene
Transportation: ship/boat(s)