John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, ClassifiedGraham, Dougal
General
John Cheap, the Chapman's Library. Vol. 1: Comic and Humorous: The Scottish Chap Literature of Last Century, Classified
Graham, Dougal
Chapbooks, Scottish; English literature -- 18th century; Graham, Dougal, 1724-1779; Popular literature -- Scotland
THE BANE AND ANTIDOTE.--The town bellman of Kirriemuir having
received a written advertisement to that effect, proclaimed in
the midst of the assembled multitude, on a fair day, in that
ancient burgh of regality or barony, as follows:--‘Notish--All
persons driving their cattle through the lands of Logie, to or
from the market, will be prosecuted with the utmost rigour of
law.’ And, immediately after, by way of sedative to the natives,
exclaimed--‘Ye needna mind a’ this, lads; it’s only a haver o’ the
grieve’s!’
A simple Highland girl, on her way home for the north, called, as
she passed by Crieff, upon an old master with whom she had formerly
served. Being kindly invited by him to share in the family dinner,
and the usual ceremony of asking a blessing having been gone
through, the poor girl, anxious to compliment, as she conceived,
her ancient host, exclaimed, ‘Ah, master, ye maun hae a grand
memory, for that’s the grace ye had when I was wi’ you seven years
ago.’
A LAST CENTURY ANECDOTE.--Mr. Ross, Pitcalnie, an ingenious
humourist, who spent his latter years chiefly in Edinburgh, was one
night (about the year 1780) reeling home in a state of intoxication
through St. Andrew-Square, when his fancy suggested to him the
following amusing hoax upon Sir Lawrence Dundas. It occurred to
his remembrance, on seeing Sir Lawrence’s fine house (now the
office of the Royal Bank of Scotland), that that gentleman was
then known to be engaged in the laudable business of prevailing
upon the members of the town council of Edinburgh to elect him
their representative in parliament, and that he had already secured
the approbation of so many of these worthy trustees of the public
interest that, but for one recusant deacon, he was certain of his
election. It was known that Sir Lawrence had tried every possible
means to bring over this dissentient voice, but hitherto without
success; and there was some reason to apprehend that, after all the
pains he had expended upon the rest, the grand object would not
eventually be accomplished. Pitcalnie bethought him to assume the
name of the deacon, to enter the house of the candidate, call for
what entertainment he pleased, and, finally, as Sir Lawrence was
confined to bed with gout, to go away without being discovered. No
sooner had he settled the plan in his own mind than he proceeded to
put it in execution. Reeling up to the door he rung the bell with
all the insolent violence which might have been expected from so
consequential a person as the individual he wished to personate,
and presently down came a half-dressed lacquey, breathing curses,
not loud but deep, against the cause of this unseasonable
annoyance. ‘Tell your master,’ said Pitcalnie, ‘that Deacon ----
(mentioning the name of the important elector) wishes to see him.’
When the man went up, and told Sir Lawrence that Deacon ---- had
come drunk to the door, wishing to see him, the heart of the
old gentleman leapt within him, and he instantly sent down his
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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