THOMAS A' THING 



AMONG the Scottish peasantry, one very often meets with 

 what is called " a character." Traits of individuality, 

 whether personal or national, are more apt to be rubbed 

 off among the trading ranks, their outward deportment 

 and speech being so much borrowed from each other. 



The Scotch peasant, feeling himself perfectly inde- 

 pendent of every one, except his laird, is not very lavish 

 of his courtesy towards strangers. Indeed, his manner 

 is often far more surly than he intends ; but whatever 

 civility he does yield is pretty sure to come from the 

 heart. Any one accustomed to speak much with these 

 people must be very unlucky if he does not often meet 

 with something original ; and the following is barely an 

 average specimen of what may be expected. 



Thomas a' Thing (all things) was a native of Perth- 

 shire, and when very young came to settle upon my 

 father's estate. He had a code of honesty which, I have 

 heard it pretty broadly asserted, was a convenient one 

 for himself, as he allowed no law or licence except to 



