Fietp MEETINGS. 227 
of “Mr Mathew Reid, who laboured in the church of Steipel- 
goordoune,’”’ an old parish now incorporated in Langholm, and 
who died seven years before the Prince of Orange came to the 
throne of these islands. A never-failing object of curiosity is the 
tribute to the perfect woman. A stone raised aloft, so that all 
may read, proclaims her virtues in these terms :— 
1779. 
This monument is erected by James Clow of Land in 
memory of Mary Hunter, his spouse. She was daughter of 
Robert Hunter, late in Middleshaw, and sister of John 
Hunter in Braehead of Hoddam. She was a virtuous wife, 
a loving mother, and one esteemed by all who knew her. 
And to be short in her praise, she was the wife that Solomon 
speaks of in the xxxi. chap. of the Book of Prov. from the 
10th verse to the end. 
Affliction sore some time she bore 
With patience, did resign 
Her life to God, that sure abode 
Where saints and angels reign. 
A satirical dominie of the parish, William Irving, who is 
credited with the authorship of that “ pungent pasquil,’’ “ Lag’s 
Elegy,’’ presented another side of the shield in the following 
thyming commentary : 
‘« She was the wife!’’ Oh Solomon, thou fool, 
To make a pattern o’ this grubbing tool; 
She clothe her house in silk and scarlet fine! 
Say rather i’ the linsey woolsey twine, 
Her husband ’mongst the elders at the gate! 
Yes—known for nothing but an empty pate, 
For guzzling down whole chappins o’ sma’ beer, 
And selling meal and maut a groat too dear. 
Such were the honest, silly ‘‘ Clows’’—say clowns, 
Which every roll of honest fame disowns, 
Who erst, like Moses, brake the ten commands, 
That is the sacred relicts of the Lands.’’ 
Driving along the beautiful tree-fringed avenue that forms the 
highway between the church and village, the party called at thz 
churchyard of the ancient parish of Ecclefechan, their chief 
object, of course, being to view the graves of Thomas Carlyle and 
his kindred. The place has a more cared-for appearance than it 
once presented, and a number of old stones, of cumbrous form 
