218 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



they snatch'd the meat off our trenchers, and 

 churm'd the stockins and apparel of the soul- 

 diers ; who projected lines to hang their clothes 

 on, upon which these vermin would dance and 

 totter, as if invited by the dull sound of a north- 

 ern-country bagpipe, their natural musick, and 

 most congruous to their kind. 



Theoph. I have been told, that these vermin 

 politicians storm the town once or twice a year, 

 to the terrifying amazement of all the inhabi- 

 tants ; and that cats durst not be seen to scout 

 abroad, lest hazarding their lives whenever they 

 encounter. 



Am. That's matter of fact ; who doubts the 

 truth on't ? 



Theoph. That should I, were I not convinc'd 

 to the contrary. But what remarkable monu- 

 ments are these like pyramids in the ambient 

 air? 



Am. I know not, except some signals of vic- 

 tory ; it may be some field has been fought here- 

 abouts : otherwise I should fancy them unintel- 

 ligible mutes, left only on purpose for strangers 

 to admire them. 



Theoph. What town call ye that, that pre- 

 sents unto us ? 



Am. The famous Elgin, situated on a level, 

 and besieged round about with flourishing corn- 



