Gents Mag 1800 p.22
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Gentleman's Magazine 1800 p.22
I was unremembered among my friends. This Mary is the young person described five years and a half ago; under the character of "SALLY OF BUTTERMERE."My dinner, being cold corned surloin of most marbled beef, was soon ready, and fire in a small room prepared for me. I was waited upon by Mary, and contrived to joke away famously, and the dirtiness of the walls, gave me a fine opportunity; for I observed writing in Greek, in Latin, in French, and English, upon them; all about her, and which I gave her to understand were the probable reasons of the walls not having lately been white-washed. Her denial too much crimsoned her face, for me to believe her; and the next morning I saw the compliments in English were rubbed out. Here is a noble field of thought! which, if the reader understandeth, will rejoice him - and if he does not - it matters not. Mary's hair, so ornamental when we before saw her was folded under her cap; she went out to prepare for the dance; on my calling suddenly, she instantly came in; her hair was down her back rather darker coloured, remarkable thick, and near a yard long: and I regretted it was going to be concealed under a cap. The blind man had expressed himself so well, I wished to hear more, and ordered a pipe to my first seat in the chimney-corner; not doubting but I should pass very well, both by my dress and talk, for a farmer. About 7 o'clock, a well-dressed young man, full 6 feet high, rosy as the morning, with fine black eyes and hair, of a sweet countenance, was the first person that came in; and I drew him into conversation. From this youth's early arrival, and from the modesty of his speech, I could not help wishing, and even thinking, that he was Mary's favourite; and I determined to observe accordingly. At eight, I heard a distant burst of laughs, and, guessing the casue, ordered Askew to play, as quick as possible, "Come haste to this wedding;" and a rare parcel of lads and lasses rushed in. I guessed this music would hinder them from immediately eyeing the stranger; for I knew every body in these sequestered valleys are the most inquisitive and observing in the world; besides, I half buried myself in a cloud of smoke. Some of them stopped to tap Askew on the back; some shook the old woman of the house by the hand, and some peer'd through the cloudy atmosphere at my phiz. - All this was done in a minute, when up stairs they clattered, and a reel commenced. There was not one of them but curiosity soon brought down to have a peep at me; and I had, I was pleased to see, a few courteous looks from some pretty girls. I had smoked the little all of tobacco in the house, and now felt myself sufficiently acquainted to go amongst them. - They were the very rosiest-cheeked mortals I ever saw; - the men kept excellent time, and rattled on the floor with a variety of stops (sic); the women danced as easily as the men determinedly. The dance was never long, and the moment the fidler ceased another set that were ready called a fresh tune, and began. I was glad to notice the black-eyed youth hand out Mary and another young girl, and call for a reel; and, I honestly say, I never saw more graceful dancing, or a woman of finer figure to set it off, than in Mary of Buttermere. I was delighted that this exhibition lasted three times longer than any former one. The fidler knew how well she danced; indeed he had told me, and said, "she shall set herself off before you." At the conclusion, the youth turned round to Mary, and most respectfully bent one knee, then led her, I thought, not unwillingly to her seat. Here was a field for a rural observer. I now went down stairs, and had the pleasure to hear my health drunk. Some of them, understand- |
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