serving, and which would not at all agree with our ideas of decorum. Having arrived at the graveyard, they seat themselves by the side of the grave, and commence eating and drinking as at a festival; the nearest relation being always expected to give the welcome to the rest. And in the instance above named, of the father burying the daughter, I saw him anxious to omit no hospitable ceremony, while at the same time the big tears were rolling down his manly cheeks.

One word more with regard to the music of these Islanders. I believe (although, according to the common apology of egotists, it is "I who say it,") I believe, that I possessed, when young, a rather fine ear. As proof of it, I could catch, with uncommon facility, almost whatever tune I once heard, both after I came to England, and while I was upon the continent; but of the airs and tunes of these people, I came away almost as ignorant as I was when I went among them. There was really something so wild and contrary to all known principles of the tuneful art, that I could not acquire the least portion of them. Whether it requires, in order to the practice, that the vocal organs should be used to it from infancy, I cannot tell. Wild as their notes are, however, they never fail to be pleasing to the ear, and I have listened to them for hours and hours again, almost in a state of enchantment.

CHAP. XII.

EXIT from the Hebrides.-Go to Edinburgh.-Engage with Lord Selkirk.-The engagement cancelled.A messenger from Lady Maxwell.-Enter the service of the Duchess of Gordon.-Debut at Gordon Castle.-Dance before His Grace.-First interview with the Duchess.-Accompany Her Grace to Peter. head.-Making coffee.-My situation agreeable.Splendour of our London Establishment.-Visit from Prince of Wales.-Grand Entertainment -Prince of Wales' Birth day.-Myself invited.-My mode of life exceedingly agreeable.

66

I'll serve this Duke; for I can sing
And speak to him in many kinds of music

That will allow me very worth his service."

THE TWELFTH NIGHT.

MR. M'L

coming of age when I had been about eleven months on the islands, the time for which I engaged was expired, and I must either leave him or engage for another twelve months. I decided to leave him and the islands too, and to begin the world afresh in the metropolis of Scotland.

Having laid my plan, I executed it accordingly. When I arrived in Edinburgh, I resolved to be in

no hurry, but to enjoy myself, and be my own master for at least a few weeks. After a short period, I engaged with Lord Selkirk to go abroad with his son. As, however, I neither went abroad with this young nobleman, nor remained long in the family, I shall make a short account of it.

Lord Selkirk had several daughters in the house, all young girls; and as I believe I was expert in my profession of dressing hair, I attained in this line no small degree of credit with several of them. As it did not suit some of the other upper servants in the establishment to have, as they thought, a rival, they took various occasions to make my situation disagreeable. At the same time, my observations on the disposition of my future young master not being altogether satisfactory, I prevailed on Lord S. to liberate me from my engagement. His lordship did so, and behaved with great kindness, advising me, at all events, to go with his son to London, where he thought I should stand a far better chance of meeting with something to my mind than elsewhere. Before, however, I had an opportunity either to leave his lordship's service, or to go with his son to London, a circumstance occurred which prevented the necessity of my applying any where.

One afternoon, when I was preparing to dress young Lord D., I happened to hear my own name mentioned below stairs: immediately begging his lordship's pardon, I hastened down to see what was wanted. I found, to my surprise, that it was a

messenger from Lady Maxwell, who had been in search of me for three days.

The way in which this lady had heard of me, was from my having had the honour, on several occasions, while in Edinburgh, of dressing the head of her daughter, the Lady Wallace. The reason why her servant had been so long in finding me out, was, that her ladyship did not recollect my name. On being introduced to Lady Maxwell herself, which I was on the same day, she told me she had an excellent situation for me in a family, if I chose to take it. I politely thanked her ladyship, but told her in reply, that as I had qualifications for accompanying a travelling gentleman, I should prefer that course. She still persisted, telling me that the situation she offered me was no common one, being to attend on her daughter, the Duchess of Gordon. She told me, moreover, of the way in which they had become acquainted with me, and how highly her daughter Wallace spoke of my abilities. Few men, even in humble situations in life, are proof against flattery, and excellent terms being offered me, I accepted the place without more ceremony.

In about a month I set off for Gordon Castle. The very day before my arrival, the Duchess had gone from home, to remain for several weeks. Having a letter to deliver to the Duke's valet, whom I found at home, from a friend of his, and likewise shewing him one which I had from Lady Maxwell to the Duchess, I was soon installed in

the good graces of that personage. By him I was politely introduced to the butler, who presently conducted me into the cellar, giving me my choice of whatever wine I might choose to drink.

I

may here notice some reflections which I made about this time on my past conduct, and particularly on the causes of my failure in the family of Lord Selkirk. It appeared evident to myself, that I had on some occasions made myself too cheap and familiar; that on going into a new situation, and especially on my going into the family last named, I had not assumed that importance to which my experience and qualifications entitled me. And let people think what they may of those airs of dignity and authority, nothing is of more consequence in situations similar to those in which I moved. I do not mean that I regretted I had not put on supercilious airs which become no man, and for which some gentlemen's lacqueys deserve to be kicked out of all society. I mean I had failed in maintaining a true sense of the value of those qualifications which I had acquired by such experience as few had had the opportunity of attaining; and such being my views, I resolved, go where I would, to try the effect of a different line of conduct.

In true keeping, then, with the above notion, I accepted the butler's offered generosity in a bottle of champagne. At dinner, I was seated on the housekeeper's left hand, and all appeared anxious to manifest towards me every mark of attention. When the dinner was over, the females retired, and the men-servants remained drinking their wine. I