Stephenson: The Ettrick Shepherd 49 



having been so dazzled with the splendor of the last two ladies [Scott 

 and Campbell] did not deign to look on this with so much attention; 

 not one appeared to view her with contempt, but only a few took par- 

 ticular notice of her, and these few seemed highly pleased with her. At 

 her first entrance she was dressed in a mantle, somewhat resembling the 

 dress of the first lady [Scott] but, finding that it rather encumbered 

 her, she threw it off and appeared in the dress of a native shepherdess, 

 which became her a great deal better. In this garb she accompanied 

 the music with her voice, which indeed was melodious; and observing 

 that this by degrees drew the attention of the crowd, she sung a great 

 many of her native airs, which she performed with spirit and consider- 

 able facility; at one time falling into true, simple pathos, at another 

 melting into the tender love ditty, and again bursting into a merry and 

 comic strain, 



I had been listening with so much attention to this minstreless of 

 the mountain, that I had not till now observed that she was attended 

 by an old faithful colly which she seemed very anxious should be taken 

 notice of. This made her rather the more interesting: and I must say 

 of her, what cannot be said of all these ladies, that, in proportion to 

 the minuteness of our inspection, our good opinion of her increased. 

 The main body of the crowd still remained insensible to her charms, or, 

 if they really admired her, would not acknowledge it, as thinking it 

 rather below them to seem interested in a girl so low bred. 



"What a pity it is", said I, "Sir, that this girl is not more attentive 

 to her dress, which is more singular as she does not seem to want taste." 

 "A self-willed imp", said he, "who thinks more of her accomplishments 

 than any other body does; and, because her taste is natural, thinks it 

 infallible, and every person wrong who does not acquiesce in her opinion. 

 Pray make the observation to herself, and see how ill she takes it." 

 "Shepherdess", said I, "you little know what a blemish you throw" upon 

 one of the sweetest creatures in the world by that marked and affected 

 negligence of dress" (for I wished to begin softly with her). She made 

 a slight and awkward curtsey: "I think I sude ken as weel as you, or ony 

 like ye, what suits my ain form an features", said she tartly; and look- 

 ing back addressed her dog: "Come away, my poor fellow; you an' me 

 disna mak a good appearance amang a' these pridefu' fock." So say- 

 ing, she vanished in a moment. "She is hurt", said my friend, "and I 

 am glad to see it: guilt never appears so evident as by the person 

 taking it ill when charged with it; and the first and best mark of 

 reformation is conviction. I will lay any bet that this shepherdess will 

 pay more attention to the regularity and elegance of her dress in future, 

 and learn by experience that cooks must not always make dishes to 

 their own taste." 



Enough of Mr. Shuffleton. The Spy continued to appear 

 and the incessant labor of writing so many pages was just the 

 sort of practical drill the Shepherd needed. Had he not had 

 this year of experience he could never have written the novels, 

 some of which are known in certain parts of the Border almost 



4—21913 



