FAME, PAUPERISM AND WEAKNESS. 405 



felt and most powerfully sung, never was it more truly 

 tragic and magnanimous than that day by the Leochel, as 

 transacted in the inner depths of that bent little body that 

 leaned on a tottering staff, while the soul stood bravely 

 erect, silent and alone, in dread darkness. But the energy 

 of resolution prevented any return of the despairing grief 

 that had descended on him the winter before. He had 

 now steeled his heart to bear and to do and he bore and 

 acted, outwardly without emotion or seeming difficulty, 

 but inwardly with pathetic repulsion and unutterable shame. 



It is scarcely possible for any one who has not seen and 

 sympathised with the proudly sensitive and nobly honour- 

 able feelings that in Scotland make such an appeal to the 

 parish so full of horror and dismay, adequately to under- 

 stand John Duncan's feelings in this transaction. His own 

 nature revolted against such dependence, and the traditional 

 opinion and popular hatred of that condition had burnt it 

 deep into his heart as the last and lowest depth of disgrace. 

 May this feeling long, long exist in the country, a protection 

 and an impulse to higher endeavour after independence 

 amongst our poor. 



He arrived at the Poor Inspector's after midday, and 

 stated his circumstances. That officer took note of these 

 in his books, which bear that " his average earnings were 

 only about two shillings a week ; he was failing in strength, 

 and his trade was almost gone." He then received five 

 shillings, and at the first meeting of the Board, on the I7th 

 of November, 1874, he was formally admitted on the roll of 

 paupers, at an allowance of three shillings weekly ; and 

 one of the usual pauper's cards for entering the sums 

 received, inscribed with his name and number, lies before me. 



