Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

32
THE ATTEMPT
a wooing in that smoke-dried habitation. It was the same story with all; “Home,
be it never so homely,” was all they wanted, and the model cottages were at a
discount. The Highlanders are a people of strong attachments, both to place and
kindred, and do not easily take to new scenes and new faces. They seldom care to
leave their native glens, and often are heard to glory in the fact that they were never
twenty miles from home in their lives. Be it remembered that I am speaking of the
very poor. Let us he lenient in our judgment of the landlords, and not blame them
for what is probably self-imposed misery.
On leaving the cottages, we found that our duty would not he completed till we
had visited the farmers, and accepted their hospitality. There is a time-honoured
custom prevalent among them, of drinking healths in their native dew, and any
one declining this would incur their displeasure and contempt. Woe he to him or
her, for sex makes no difference, whose head is very easily affected; they had better
give up all thoughts of seeing life in the farm-houses of the Highlands. Be it one
or dozen you have to visit, you must taste at each, any plea of previous health¬
drinking being an affront to the house you are in. Sometimes an excuse of being very
fond of milk will procure you the exchange, but they are rather suspicious even of
that. They think much of a visit from the Laird and his Leddy; whilst the little gifts
of dresses, &c., to the gudewives are highly prized. A few kind words of interest find
an echo in their hearts, and sweeten their life of labour. The “ Landlord at Home”
is the secret of success. If he is seen going about amongst his people, encouraging,
advising, directing them, they are pretty sure to respond with willing hearts and
willing hands, and so master and man working together, their existence is a nobler
poem than ever was written—man fulfilling his work in the station God has appointed
him.
Incha.
Sfnthrtos.
When the red firelight glows,
In kindly radiance through the twilight gloom,
And on the threshold of the quiet room,
Fantastic shadows throws: