bairns on the loan, instead of their wonted play, gaed linking and
louping in the steps of Mr Macskipnish, who was, to be sure, a great
curiosity, with long spindle legs, his breast shot out like a
duck's, and his head powdered and frizzled up like a tappit-hen. He
was, indeed, the proudest peacock that could be seen, and he had a
ring on his finger, and when he came to drink his tea at the
Breadland, he brought no hat on his head, but a droll cockit thing
under his arm, which, he said, was after the manner of the courtiers
at the petty suppers of one Madam Pompadour, who was at that time
the concubine of the French king.

I do not recollect any other remarkable thing that happened in this
year. The harvest was very abundant, and the meal so cheap, that it
caused a great defect in my stipend; so that I was obligated to
postpone the purchase of a mahogany scrutoire for my study, as I had
intended. But I had not the heart to complain of this: on the
contrary, I rejoiced thereat; for what made me want my scrutoire
till another year, had carried blitheness into the hearth of the
cottar, and made the widow's heart sing with joy; and I would have
been an unnatural creature, had I not joined in the universal
gladness, because plenty did abound.



CHAPTER III YEAR 1762



The third year of my ministry was long held in remembrance for
several very memorable things. William Byres of the Loanhead had a