196 Notes and Sketches. 



cases he invariably prescribed the application of cer- 

 tain simple unguents of his own manufacture to par- 

 ticular parts of the body, accompanied with particu- 

 lar ceremonies, which he described with all the minute- 

 ness he could, employing the most learned terms he 

 could pick up to denote the most common things, so 

 that, not being understood, the persons who consulted 

 him invariably concluded when the cure did not suc- 

 ceed, that they had failed in some essential particular ; 

 and when the cure was effected he obtained full credit." 

 Very evidently Adam Donald had not been lacking in 

 some of the qualities on which various others, since 

 his day, have sought to build a reputation for skill 

 and profundity ! 



From distances of ten, twenty, aye thirty miles, they 

 came to consult him, either as necromancer or phy- 

 sician. Sunday brought the greatest pressure of busi- 

 ness, and on that day duly, for many years, the pro- 

 phet's house was always crowded with visitors of various 

 sorts. His professional fees were not extravagant, 

 never exceeding sixpence where no medicines were 

 given, and a shilling was said to have been the highest 

 fee he was ever known to obtain. On this scale of 

 charges, however, he contrived to maintain himself 

 comfortably ; and on the faith of his lucrative calling, 

 when pretty far advanced in life, " he prevailed," we 

 are assured, " on one of the handsomest girls in that 

 neighbourhood to marry him." 



That the prophet of Bethelnie was a man of superior 

 talent in any way, Dr. Anderson declines to admit. 

 Despite the prudence with which he conducted his 

 operations, his mental power seemed to be below the 

 ordinary standard. True, he had the art of conceal- 

 ing his defects by never vainly attempting to display 

 his knowledge where detection seemed probable, but 

 his general reserve " seems to have proceeded from his 

 want of ideas ; and he was more indebted to his singular 

 appearance than anything else for his celebrity." While 





