CHAP. IX.] GLENLAIR, 1857. 271 



of old. Not exactly. I am glad to hear of his knowing 

 some mathematical men, actuaries, etc., and corresponding 

 with them, and he is much more friendly by the post than 

 by speech and face. 



Yesterday we did our Castle -Douglas, and round by 

 Greenlaw (Gordon, Esq.) Old Greenlaw impounded us at 

 once, and embarked us in his boat down to Threave Castle, 

 where some falsified antiquity, and some apart behind thick 

 woven thorns bathed in the black water of Dee. 



Then back to dinner with another party of chance 

 visitors, songs both of the drawing-room and the quire and 

 the cotton fields, and, to conclude, the unpremeditated hop. 



The thing was not destitute of its humours. Old Green- 

 law, heir of entail, with charters in his bedroom belonging to 

 " Young Lochinvar " his forbear, and various Douglases, 

 with rights of pit and gallows, and other curious privileges, 

 sending all his people and visitors neck and heels in the very 

 best direction for themselves. Son and daughter mild, inde- 

 fatigable, generally useful, doing (at home) exactly as they are 

 bid. One gay litter(ar)y widow, charming never so wisely, 

 with her hair about her ears and her elbows on her knees, 

 on a low stool, talking Handel, or Euskin, or Macaulay, or 

 general pathos of unprotected female, passing off into 

 criticism, witticism, pleasantry, unmitigated slang, sporting, 

 and betting. 



One little Episcopal chaplain, a Celt, whom I see often, 

 but do not quite fathom that is, I don't know how far he 

 respects and how far he is amused with his most patronising 

 friends. One, mathematical teacher somewhere, friend to 

 chaplain. Voice. Mild, good fellow, like a grown up 

 chorister, quite modest about everything except his voice 

 " What will they say in England," " The Standard Bearer," 

 " Oh Susannah " (Chaplain leads chorus), " Courtin' down in 

 Tenessee " (Chaplain obligato), " Yet once more " (Handel), 

 " But who may abide " (do.), and so on. 



One good old widow lady, with manners. One son to d? , 

 sanguine temperament, open countenance, very much run 

 to nose, brain inactive, probably fertile in military virtue. 



