按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ng to the cotton…mill； and the muslin…weavers in Cayenneville； were afflicted with the itch of jacobinism； but those of the village were stanch and true to king and country； and some of the heritors were desirous to make volunteers of the young men of them； in case of anything like the French anarchy and confusion rising on the side of the manufacturers。 I； however； set myself； at that time； against this； for I foresaw that the French business was but a fever which would soon pass off； but no man could tell the consequence of putting arms in the hands of neighbour against neighbour； though it was but in the way of policy。
But when Bonaparte gathered his host fornent the English coast； and the government at London were in terror of their lives for an invasion； all in the country saw that there was danger； and I was not backward in sounding the trumpet to battle。 For a time； however； there was a diffidence among us somewhere。 The gentry had a distrust of the manufacturers； and the farming lads were wud with impatience； that those who should be their leaders would not come forth。 I； knowing this； prepared a sermon suitable to the occasion； giving out from the pulpit myself； the Sabbath before preaching it； that it was my intent； on the next Lord's day； to deliver a religious and political exhortation on the present posture of public affairs。 This drew a vast congregation of all ranks。
I trow that the stoor had no peace in the stuffing of the pulpit in that day； and the effect was very great and speedy： for next morning the weavers and cotton…mill folk held a meeting； and they； being skilled in the ways of committees and associating together； had certain resolutions prepared； by which a select few was appointed to take an enrolment of all willing in the parish to serve as volunteers in defence of their king and country； and to concert with certain gentlemen named therein； about the formation of a corps； of which； it was an understood thing； the said gentlemen were to be the officers。 The whole of this business was managed with the height of discretion； and the weavers； and spinners； and farming lads； vied with one another who should be first on the list。 But that which the most surprised me； was the wonderful sagacity of the committee in naming the gentlemen that should be the officers。 I could not have made a better choice myself； for they were the best built； the best bred； and the best natured； in the parish。 In short； when I saw the bravery that was in my people； and the spirit of wisdom by which it was directed； I said in my heart； the Lord of Hosts is with us； and the adversary shall not prevail。
The number of valiant men which at that time placed themselves around the banners of their country was so great； that the government would not accept of all who offered； so； like as in other parishes； we were obligated to make a selection； which was likewise done in a most judicious manner； all men above a certain age being reserved for the defence of the parish； in the day when the young might be called to England to fight the enemy。
When the corps was formed； and the officers named； they made me their chaplain； and Dr。 Marigold their doctor。 He was a little man with a big belly； and was as crouse as a bantam cock； but it was not thought he could do so well in field exercises； on which account he was made the doctor； although he had no repute in that capacity in comparison with Dr。 Tanzey； who was not； however； liked； being a stiff…mannered man； with a sharp temper。
All things having come to a proper head； the young ladies of the parish resolved to present the corps with a stand of colours； which they embroidered themselves； and a day was fixed for the presentation of the same。 Never was such a day seen in Dalmailing。 The sun shone brightly on that scene of bravery and grandeur； and far and near the country folk came flocking in； and we had the regimental band of music hired from the soldiers that were in Ayr barracks。 The very first sound o't made the hair on my old grey head to prickle up； and my blood to rise and glow as if youth was coming again into my veins。
Sir Hugh Montgomerie was the commandant； and he came in all the glory of war； on his best horse； and marched at the head of the men to the green…head。 The doctor and me were the rearguard： not being able； on account of my age and his fatness； to walk so fast as the quick…step of the corps。 On the field； we took our place in front； near Sir Hugh and the ladies with the colours； and after some salutations； according to the fashion of the army； Sir Hugh made a speech to the men； and then Miss Maria Montgomerie came forward； with her sister Miss Eliza； and the other ladies； and the banners were unfurled； all glittering with gold； and the king's arms in needlework。 Miss Maria then made a speech； which she had got by heart； but she was so agitated that it was said she forgot the best part of it： however； it was very well considering。 When this was done； I then stepped forward； and laying my hat on the ground； every man and boy taking off theirs； I said a prayer； which I had conned most carefully； and which I thought the most suitable I could devise； in unison with Christian principles； which are averse to the shedding of blood； and I particularly dwelt upon some of the specialities of our situation。
When I had concluded； the volunteers gave three great shouts； and the multitude answered them to the same tune； and all the instruments of music sounded； making such a bruit as could not be surpassed for grandeura long； and very circumstantial account of all which； may be read in the newspapers of that time。
The volunteers； at the word of command； then showed us the way they were to fight with the French； in the doing of which a sad disaster happened； for when they were charging bayonets； they came towards us like a flood； and all the spectators ran； and I ran； and the doctor ran； but being laden with his belly； he could not run fast enough； so he lay down； and being just before me at the time； I tumbled over him； and such a shout of laughter shook the field as was never heard。
When the fatigues of the day were at an end； we marched to the cotton…mill； where； in one of the ware…houses； a vast table was spread； and a dinner； prepared at Mr Cayenne's own expense； sent in from the Cross…Keys； and the whole corps； with many of the gentry of the neighbourhood； dined with great jollity； the band of music playing beautiful airs all the time。 At night there was a universal dance； gentle and semple mingled together。 All which made it plain to me； that the Lord； by this unison of spirit； had decreed our national preservation； but I kept this in my own breast； lest it might have the effect to relax the vigilance of the kingdom。 And I should note that Colin Mavis； the poetical lad； of whom I have spoken in another part； made a song for this occasion that was very mightily thought of； having in it a nerve of valiant genius； that kindled the very souls of those that heard it。
CHAPTER XLV YEAR 1804
In conformity with the altered fashions of the age； in this year the session came to an understanding with me； that we should not inflict the