Scotland/Scots > Reminiscences of a Highland parish

192
A HIGHLAND PARISH.
wethers, had all to be passed under careful review.
Then followed discussions about distinguished
“beasts,” which had “fetched high prices;” their
horns, their hair, their houghs, and general
“ fashion,” with their parentage. It did not suffice
to tell that this or that great purchaser from the
south had given so much for this or that “ lot,” but
his first offer, his remarks, his doubts, his advance
of price, with the sparring between him and the
Highland dealer, must all be particularly recorded,
until the final shaking of hands closed the bargain.
And after all was gone over, it was a pleasure to
begin the same tune again with variations. But who
that has ever heard an after-dinner talk in England
about a good day’s hunting, or a good race, will be
surprised at this endless talk about a market ?
I will close this chapter with a story told of a
great sheep-farmer (not one of the old “gentleman
tenants ” verily !) who, though he could hardly read
or write, had nevertheless made a large fortune
by sheep-farming, and was open to any degree of
flattery as to his abilities in this department of
labour. A buyer, knowing his weakness, and
anxious to ingratiate himself ^to his good graces.