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Some years before； I had noted among the callans at Mr Lorimore's
school a long soople laddie； who； like all bairns that grow fast and tall； had
but little smeddum。 He could not be called a dolt； for he was observant
and thoughtful； and giving to asking sagacious questions； but there was a
sleepiness about him； especially in the kirk； and he gave； as the master
said； but little application to his lessons； so that folk thought he would turn
out a sort of gaunt…at… the…door； more mindful of meat than work。 He
was； however； a good… natured lad； and； when I was taking my solitary
walks of meditation； I sometimes fell in with him sitting alone on the brae
by the water… side； and sometimes lying on the grass； with his hands under
his head； on the sunny green knolls where Mr Cylinder； the English
engineer belonging to the cotton…work； has built the bonny house that he
calls Diryhill Cottage。 This was when Colin Mavis was a laddie at the
school； and when I spoke to him； I was surprised at the discretion of his
answers； so that gradually I began to think and say； that there was more
about Colin than the neighbours knew。 Nothing； however； for many a day；
came out to his advantage； so that his mother； who was by this time a
widow woman； did not well know what to do with him； and folk pitied her
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heavy handful of such a droud。
By…and…by； however； it happened that one of the young clerks at the
cotton…mill shattered his right…hand thumb by a gun bursting； and； being
no longer able to write； was sent into the army to be an ensign； which
caused a vacancy in the office； and； through the help of Mr Cayenne； I got
Colin Mavis into the place； where； to the surprise of everybody； he proved
a wonderful eident and active lad； and； from less to more； has come at the
head of all the clerks； and deep in the confidentials of his employers。 But
although this was a great satisfaction to me； and to the widow woman his
mother； it somehow was not so much so to the rest of the parish； who
seemed； as it were； angry that poor Colin had not proved himself such a
dolt as they had expected and foretold。
Among other ways that Colin had of spending his leisure； was that of
playing music on an instrument； in which it was said he made a wonderful
proficiency； but being long and thin； and of a delicate habit of body； he
was obligated to refrain from this recreation； so he betook himself to
books； and from reading he began to try writing； but； as this was done in a
corner； nobody jealoused what he was about； till one evening in this year
he came to the manse； and asked a word in private with me。 I thought
that perhaps he had fallen in with a lass； and was come to consult me anent
matrimony； but when we were by ourselves； in my study； he took out of
his pocket a number of the Scots Magazine； and said； 〃Sir； you have been
long pleased to notice me more than any other body； and when I got this； I
could not refrain from bringing it； to let you see't。 Ye maun ken； sir； that
I have been long in secret given to trying my hand at rhyme； and； wishing
to ascertain what others thought of my power in that way； I sent by the
post twa three verses to the Scots Magazine； and they have not only
inserted them； but placed them in the body of the book； in such a way that
I kenna what to think。〃 So I looked at the Magazine； and read his verses；
which were certainly very well…made verses for one who had no regular
education。 But I said to him； as the Greenock magistrates said to John
Wilson； the author of 〃Clyde；〃 when they stipulated with him to give up
the art； that poem…making was a profane and unprofitable trade； and he
would do well to turn his talent to something of more solidity； which he
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promised to do； but he has since put out a book； whereby he has angered
all those that had foretold he would be a do…nae…gude。 Thus has our
parish walked sidy for sidy with all the national improvements； having an
author of its own； and getting a literary character in the ancient and
famous republic of letters。
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CHAPTER XLIII YEAR 1802
〃Experience teaches fools；〃 was the first moral apothegm that I wrote
in small text； when learning to write at the school； and I have ever since
thought it was a very sensible reflection。 For assuredly； as year after year
has flown away on the swift wings of time； I have found my experience
mellowing； and my discernment improving； by which I have； in the
afternoon of life； been enabled to foresee what kings and nations would do；
by the symptoms manifested within the bounds of the society around me。
Therefore； at the beginning of the spring in this Ann。 Dom。； I had
misgivings at the heart； a fluttering in my thoughts； and altogether a
strange uneasiness as to the stability of the peace and harmony that was
supposed to be founded upon a steadfast foundation between us and the
French people。 What my fears principally took their rise from； was a sort
of compliancy； on the part of those in power and authority； to cultivate the
old relations and parts between them and the commonalty。 It did not
appear to me that this proceeded from any known or decided event； for I
read the papers at this period daily； but from some general dread and fear；
that was begotten； like a vapour out of the fermentation of all sorts of
opinions； most people of any sagacity thinking that the state of things in
France being so much of an antic； poetical； and playactor…like guise； that it
would never obtain that respect； far less that reverence from the world；
which is necessary to the maintenance of all beneficial government。 The
consequence of this was a great distrust between man and man； and an
aching restlessness among those who had their bread to bake in the world；
persons possessing the power to provide for their kindred； forcing them； as
it were； down