MOUNTAIN SHEER 139 



and fro. Thus the spinning and winding filled 

 up the interludes of his evening labour. The 

 elder of his children assisted in teasing and 

 spinning the wool, and at the whole trade it 

 was well known that both he and his family 

 were proficients. When the various processes 

 were completed, and the whole ready for sale, 

 the good man would lay it on his back, by 

 sixteen pounds or thirty-two pounds weight, 

 and carry it on foot to market seven or eight 

 miles, even in the depth of winter. 



And yet this primitive Parson was a pro- 

 nounced type of his contemporaries. In his 

 life he held three " livings," occupying the last 

 sixty-six years. He died aged ninety-three. 



During the time he was busily employed 

 he never once neglected his more important 

 spiritual duties. These he discharged zealously 

 and faithfully ; brought up, educated, and 

 established in life a large family, and died 

 "universally lamented." His fortune at his 

 death, amassed by great industry, amounted to 

 £2000, besides a large quantity of linen and 

 woollen cloth spun by himself, chiefly within 

 those communion rails of which we have spoken. 

 The following extract is from a letter describing 



