IN SIGHT OF SIX KINGDOMS.
John Mackie. M.P. for Kirkcudbrightshire, used to describe an extensive vieiv wbieh one of a fn'pnd's hills commanded. Ibis he never failed to call the attention. o( bis English visitors to when the weather was clear. Willie, tbe shepherd, was always the guide on such occasions, as he kmw precisely the weather that would suit. One forenoon au English friend was placed under Willie's churo-e to mount the hill, in order to enjoy the glorious view. 1 I nm told, shepherd, you are going to show me a wonderful view.' - That's quite true ir .' * What shall Isre?' 'Weel, you'll s: j e a feck (many) o' kingdoms, the best part o' sax, sir.' ' Whar me deuce do you mean, shepherd ? ' - Weel, sir-, I mean what I say.' ' But fell me all about it.' * I'll tell ye naething mair, sir, un'll we're at the tap o' the hill.' The top of the hill reached, Willie found everything he could desire in regard to a clear at* mosphere. ' Noo, sir, hope you've, got e'en.' * Ob, my eyes are excellent.' * Then that's a' richt (right) sir. Noo, div you see yon bills awa yonder 1 ' ' Yes, I do.' ' Weel, sir, those are the hills o' Cumberland, and Cumberland's in the kingdom of England ; thai*s ae kingdoms. Nooj sir, please keep count. Then, sir, I must noo trouble you to look ower (over) yonder. Div \ou see what I mean ? ' - Yes, I do.' 'T'bt'sa richt. That's the Isle of Man, and that was a kingdom and a sovereignty in the families ot the Earls' of Derby and the Dukes o' Atbol, frae the days o' King David o' Scotland, if ye ken on \ thing o' Scotch history.'- "'You are quite right 'shepherd.'' Quite richt, div ye say - I wouldna hadjroch't ye-'here, sir, if'l was to b a . wrang. Weel,. that's two kingdoms. Be sure, sir, to keep cojint. Noo, turn a ween.; abonf»^-I)iy.ye 5 see yon. land yonder ? I,t's. : a .bity.farder, ; but never mind tbat, sae lang as" ye see itV * I see it distinctly.* that t care a' out. Noo, sir, keep count, tor that's Irelarfd, and 'makes- three-' 'kingdoms } there's nae trouble a boot tbe niest (next), for ye're statinin' dn^ — I mean Scotland. Weel, that makes four kingdom?,} div ye admit that, sir.' ' Yes, that makes four, and you have twqemore to show me.' * That*s true sir, I lit don't be in sic (such) a hurry. Weel, sir; just look up aboon (abt Ye) your heed, and this is by far the best ot a' the kingdoms | that, sir aboon is Heeveo. Thar's five; and the sixth kingdom is that doon below yer 'e-r, to which, sir, I hope you'll . never gang ; but that's a point on which I canna speak with pny certainty.'— i * Reminiscenceß of Fifty Years.'
IN SIGHT OF SIX KINGDOMS.
Bruce Herald, Volume VI, Issue 380, 16 August 1871, Page 3
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