Old Mortality, Volume 1. by Sir Walter Scott
page 33 of 328 (10%)
page 33 of 328 (10%)
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in the civil war, in the reign of Charles Second.
"From the Caldon, the labours of Old Mortality, in the course of time, spread over nearly all the Lowlands of Scotland. There are few churchyards in Ayrshire, Galloway, or Dumfries-shire, where the work of his chisel is not yet to be seen. It is easily distinguished from the work of any other artist by the primitive rudeness of the emblems of death, and of the inscriptions which adorn the ill-formed blocks of his erection. This task of repairing and erecting gravestones, practised without fee or reward, was the only ostensible employment of this singular person for upwards of forty years. The door of every Cameronian's house was indeed open to him at all times when he chose to enter, and he was gladly received as an inmate of the family; but he did not invariably accept of these civilities, as may be seen by the following account of his frugal expenses, found, amongst other little papers, (some of which I have likewise in my possession,) in his pocket-book after his death. Gatehouse of Fleet, 4th February, 1796. ROBERT PATERBON debtor to MARGARET CHRYSTALE. To drye Lodginge for seven weeks,....... 0 4 1 To Four Auchlet of Ait Meal,............ 0 3 4 To 6 Lippies of Potatoes................ 0 1 3 To Lent Money at the time of Mr. Reid's Sacrament,......................... 0 6 0 To 3 Chappins of Yell with Sandy the Keelman,*.......................... 0 0 9 L.0 15 5 Received in part,....................... 0 10 0 |
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