MANSE OF FYVIE 



them in country homes throughout most of the 

 months, or that they have any such apprehension of 

 censure as induced good Dr. Nathaniel Paterson 

 seventy years ago to withhold his name from the 

 title-page of the first edition of his delightful Manse 

 Garden. 



"The following work," lie explained in the introduction, 

 " though nowise contrary to clerical duty, is nevertheless not 

 strictly clerical ; and as nothing can equal the obligation of the 

 Christian ministry, or the awe of its responsibility, or its 

 importance to man, the writer trembles at the thought of 

 lessening, by any means or in any degree, either the dignity 

 or the sacredness of his calling ; and as the following pages 

 might more properly have been written by one bred to the 

 science of which they treat, or by some leisurely owner of a 

 retired villa, an inference, not the best matured, may be 

 drawn to the effect that surely the Author can be no faithful 

 labourer in the Lord's Vineyard, seeing he must possess 

 such a leaning to his own. He therefore expects, by hiding 

 for a little, to give the arrow less nerve, because the bow- 

 man can only shoot into the air, not knowing whither to 

 direct his aim." 



It may be deemed presumptuous for a layman to 

 criticise the recreations of his spiritual masters. 

 Assuredly I do so in no carping spirit, but out of 

 sheer concern for the neglect of so harmless and 

 convenient a hobby. For is not every man happier 

 with a hobby ? And in riding this particular hobby 

 gently, a country clergyman may lead the way for 

 his parishioners to do the like. Hear what comfort- 



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