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that commercial prosperity； flush as it might be； was but a perishable
commodity； and from thence； both by public discourse and private
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exhortation； I have recommended to the workmen to lay up something for
a reverse； and showed that； by doing with their bawbees and pennies what
the great do with their pounds； they might in time get a pose to help them
in the day of need。 This advice they have followed； and made up a
Savings Bank； which is a pillow of comfort to many an industrious head of
a family。
But I should not close this account of the disaster that befell Mr
Speckle； and the cotton…mill company； without relating a very melancholy
case that was the consequence。 Among the overseers there was a Mr
Dwining； an Englishman from Manchester； where he had seen better days；
having had himself there of his own property； once as large a mill；
according to report； as the Cayenneville mill。 He was certainly a man
above the common； and his wife was a lady in every point； but they held
themselves by themselves； and shunned all manner of civility； giving up
their whole attention to their two little boys； who were really like creatures
of a better race than the callans of our clachan。
On the failure of the company； Mr Dwining was observed by those
who were present to be particularly distressed： his salary being his all；
but he said little； and went thoughtfully home。 Some days after he was
seen walking by himself with a pale face； a heavy eye； and slow stepall
tokens of a sorrowful heart。 Soon after； he was missed altogether；
nobody saw him。 The door of his house was however open； and his two
pretty boys were as lively as usual； on the green before the door。 I
happened to pass when they were there； and I asked them how their father
and mother were。 They said they were still in bed； and would not waken；
and the innocent lambs took me by the hand； to make me waken their
parents。 I know not what was in it； but I trembled from head to foot； and
I was led in by the babies； as if I had not the power to resist。 Never shall
I forget what I saw in that bed。
I found a letter on the table； and I came away； locking the door behind
me； and took the lovely prattling orphans home。 I could but shake my
head and weep； as I gave them to the care of Mrs Balwhidder； and she was
terrified but said nothing。 I then read the letter。 It was to send the
bairns to a gentleman； their uncle； in London。 Oh！ it is a terrible tale； but
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the winding…sheet and the earth is over it。 I sent for two of my elders。 I
related what I had seen。 Two coffins were got； and the bodies laid in
them； and the next day； with one of the fatherless bairns in each hand； I
followed them to the grave； which was dug in that part of the kirkyard
where unchristened babies are laid。 We durst not take it upon us to do
more； but few knew the reason； and some thought it was because the
deceased were strangers； and had no regular lair。
I dressed the two bonny orphans in the best mourning at my own cost；
and kept them in the manse till we could get an answer from their uncle； to
whom I sent their father's letter。 It stung him to the quick； and he came
down all the way from London； and took the children away himself。 Oh！
he was a vexed man when the beautiful bairns； on being told he was their
uncle； ran into his arms； and complained that their papa and mamma had
slept so long； that they would never waken。
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CHAPTER L YEAR 1809
As I come towards the events of these latter days； I am surprised to
find myself not at all so distinct in my recollection of them as in those of
the first of my ministry； being apt to confound the things of one occasion
with those of another； which Mrs Balwhidder says is an admonishment to
me to leave off my writing。 But； please God； I will endeavour to fulfil
this as I have through life tried； to the best of my capacity； to do every
other duty； and； with the help of Mrs Balwhidder； who has a very clear
understanding； I think I may get through my task in a creditable manner；
which is all I aspire after； not writing for a vain world； but only to testify
to posterity anent the great changes that have happened in my day and
generationa period which all the best…informed writers say； has not had
its match in the history of the world since the beginning of time。
By the failure of the cotton…mill company； whose affairs were not
settled till the spring of this year； there was great suffering during the
winter； but my people； those that still adhered to the establishment； bore
their share of the dispensation with meekness and patience； nor was there
wanting edifying monuments of resignation even among the stravaigers。
On the day that the Canaille Meeting…house was opened； which was in
the summer； I was smitten to the heart to see the empty seats that were in
my kirk； for all the thoughtless； and some that I had a better opinion of；
went to hear the opening discourse。 Satan that day had power given to
him to buffet me as he did Job of old； and when I looked around and saw
the empty seats； my corruption rose； and I forgot myself in the
remembering prayer； for when I prayed for all denominations of Christians；
and worshippers； and infidels； I could not speak of the schismatics with
patience； but entreated the Lord to do with the hobleshow at Cayenneville；
as he saw meet in his displeasure； the which； when I came afterwards to
think upon； I grieved at with a sore contrition。
In the course of the week following； the elders； in a body； came to me
in the manse； and after much commendation of my godly ministry； they
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said； that