178 MEMOIR OF FLEEMING JENKIN 



Rustic same course was followed : Fleeming threw him- 



manners. 



self as fully as he could into the life and occupa- 

 tions of the native people, studying everywhere 

 their dances and their language, and conforming, 

 always with pleasure, to their rustic etiquette. 

 Just as the ball at Alt Aussee was designed for 

 the taste of Joseph, the parting feast at Attadale 

 was ordered in every particular to the taste of 

 Murdoch the Keeper. Fleeming was not one 

 of the common, so-called gentlemen, who take 

 the tricks of their own coterie to be eternal prin- 

 ciples of taste. He was aware, on the other hand, 

 that rustic people dwelling in their own places, 

 follow ancient rules with fastidious precision, 

 and are easily shocked and embarrassed by what 

 (if they used the word) they would have to call 

 the vulgarity of visitors from town. And he, 

 who was so cavalier with men of his own class, 

 was sedulous to shield the more tender feelings 

 of the peasant ; he, who could be so trying in a 

 drawing-room, was even punctilious in the cottage. 

 It was in all respects a happy virtue. It renewed 

 his life, during these holidays, in all particulars. 

 It often entertained him with the discovery of 

 strange survivals ; as when, by the orders of 

 Murdoch, Mrs. Jenkin must publicly taste of 

 every dish before it was set before her guests. 

 And thus to throw himself into a fresh life and 

 a new school of manners was a grateful exercise 



