第 4 节
作者:阎王      更新:2022-03-20 20:46      字数:9322
  chapels served by clergymen of English or Irish ordination; and by
  tacit connivance quietly permitted in separate congregations
  supplied with ministers by the successors of the bishops who were
  deprived at the Revolution。
  We came to Aberdeen on Saturday August 21。  On Monday we were
  invited into the town…hall; where I had the freedom of the city
  given me by the Lord Provost。  The honour conferred had all the
  decorations that politeness could add; and what I am afraid I
  should not have had to say of any city south of the Tweed; I found
  no petty officer bowing for a fee。
  The parchment containing the record of admission is; with the seal
  appending; fastened to a riband and worn for one day by the new
  citizen in his hat。
  By a lady who saw us at the chapel; the Earl of Errol was informed
  of our arrival; and we had the honour of an invitation to his seat;
  called Slanes Castle; as I am told; improperly; from the castle of
  that name; which once stood at a place not far distant。
  The road beyond Aberdeen grew more stony; and continued equally
  naked of all vegetable decoration。  We travelled over a tract of
  ground near the sea; which; not long ago; suffered a very uncommon;
  and unexpected calamity。  The sand of the shore was raised by a
  tempest in such quantities; and carried to such a distance; that an
  estate was overwhelmed and lost。  Such and so hopeless was the
  barrenness superinduced; that the owner; when he was required to
  pay the usual tax; desired rather to resign the ground。
  SLANES CASTLE; THE BULLER OF BUCHAN
  We came in the afternoon to Slanes Castle; built upon the margin of
  the sea; so that the walls of one of the towers seem only a
  continuation of a perpendicular rock; the foot of which is beaten
  by the waves。  To walk round the house seemed impracticable。  From
  the windows the eye wanders over the sea that separates Scotland
  from Norway; and when the winds beat with violence must enjoy all
  the terrifick grandeur of the tempestuous ocean。  I would not for
  my amusement wish for a storm; but as storms; whether wished or
  not; will sometimes happen; I may say; without violation of
  humanity; that I should willingly look out upon them from Slanes
  Castle。
  When we were about to take our leave; our departure was prohibited
  by the countess till we should have seen two places upon the coast;
  which she rightly considered as worthy of curiosity; Dun Buy; and
  the Buller of Buchan; to which Mr。 Boyd very kindly conducted us。
  Dun Buy; which in Erse is said to signify the Yellow Rock; is a
  double protuberance of stone; open to the main sea on one side; and
  parted from the land by a very narrow channel on the other。  It has
  its name and its colour from the dung of innumerable sea…fowls;
  which in the Spring chuse this place as convenient for incubation;
  and have their eggs and their young taken in great abundance。  One
  of the birds that frequent this rock has; as we were told; its body
  not larger than a duck's; and yet lays eggs as large as those of a
  goose。  This bird is by the inhabitants named a Coot。  That which
  is called Coot in England; is here a Cooter。
  Upon these rocks there was nothing that could long detain
  attention; and we soon turned our eyes to the Buller; or Bouilloir
  of Buchan; which no man can see with indifference; who has either
  sense of danger or delight in rarity。  It is a rock perpendicularly
  tubulated; united on one side with a high shore; and on the other
  rising steep to a great height; above the main sea。  The top is
  open; from which may be seen a dark gulf of water which flows into
  the cavity; through a breach made in the lower part of the
  inclosing rock。  It has the appearance of a vast well bordered with
  a wall。  The edge of the Buller is not wide; and to those that walk
  round; appears very narrow。  He that ventures to look downward
  sees; that if his foot should slip; he must fall from his dreadful
  elevation upon stones on one side; or into water on the other。  We
  however went round; and were glad when the circuit was completed。
  When we came down to the sea; we saw some boats; and rowers; and
  resolved to explore the Buller at the bottom。  We entered the arch;
  which the water had made; and found ourselves in a place; which;
  though we could not think ourselves in danger; we could scarcely
  survey without some recoil of the mind。  The bason in which we
  floated was nearly circular; perhaps thirty yards in diameter。  We
  were inclosed by a natural wall; rising steep on every side to a
  height which produced the idea of insurmountable confinement。  The
  interception of all lateral light caused a dismal gloom。  Round us
  was a perpendicular rock; above us the distant sky; and below an
  unknown profundity of water。  If I had any malice against a walking
  spirit; instead of laying him in the Red…sea; I would condemn him
  to reside in the Buller of Buchan。
  But terrour without danger is only one of the sports of fancy; a
  voluntary agitation of the mind that is permitted no longer than it
  pleases。  We were soon at leisure to examine the place with minute
  inspection; and found many cavities which; as the waterman told us;
  went backward to a depth which they had never explored。  Their
  extent we had not time to try; they are said to serve different
  purposes。  Ladies come hither sometimes in the summer with
  collations; and smugglers make them storehouses for clandestine
  merchandise。  It is hardly to be doubted but the pirates of ancient
  times often used them as magazines of arms; or repositories of
  plunder。
  To the little vessels used by the northern rovers; the Buller may
  have served as a shelter from storms; and perhaps as a retreat from
  enemies; the entrance might have been stopped; or guarded with
  little difficulty; and though the vessels that were stationed
  within would have been battered with stones showered on them from
  above; yet the crews would have lain safe in the caverns。
  Next morning we continued our journey; pleased with our reception
  at Slanes Castle; of which we had now leisure to recount the
  grandeur and the elegance; for our way afforded us few topics of
  conversation。  The ground was neither uncultivated nor unfruitful;
  but it was still all arable。  Of flocks or herds there was no
  appearance。  I had now travelled two hundred miles in Scotland; and
  seen only one tree not younger than myself。
  BAMFF
  We dined this day at the house of Mr。 Frazer of Streichton; who
  shewed us in his grounds some stones yet standing of a druidical
  circle; and what I began to think more worthy of notice; some
  forest trees of full growth。
  At night we came to Bamff; where I remember nothing that
  particularly claimed my attention。  The ancient towns of Scotland
  have generally an appearance unusual to Englishmen。  The houses;
  whether great or small; are for the most part built of stones。
  Their ends are now and then next the streets; and the entrance into
  them is very often by a flight of steps; which reaches up to the
  second story; the floor which is level with the ground being
  entered only by stairs descending within the house。
  The art of joining squares of glass with lead is little used in
  Scotland; and in some places is totally forgotten。  The frames of
  their windows are all of wood。  They are more frugal of their glass
  than the English; and will often; in houses not otherwise mean;
  compose a square of two pieces; not joining like cracked glass; but
  with one edge laid perhaps half an inch over the other。  Their
  windows do not move upon hinges; but are pushed up and drawn down
  in grooves; yet they are seldom accommodated with weights and
  pullies。  He that would have his window open must hold it with his
  hand; unless what may be sometimes found among good contrivers;
  there be a nail which he may stick into a hole; to keep it from
  falling。
  What cannot be done without some uncommon trouble or particular
  expedient; will not often be done at all。  The incommodiousness of
  the Scotch windows keeps them very closely shut。  The necessity of
  ventilating human habitations has not yet been found by our
  northern neighbours; and even in houses well built and elegantly
  furnished; a stranger may be sometimes forgiven; if he allows
  himself to wish for fresher air。
  These diminutive observations seem to take away something from the
  dignity of writing; and therefore are never communicated but with
  hesitation; and a little fear of abasement and contempt。  But it
  must be remembered; that life consists not of a series of
  illustrious actions; or elegant enjoyments; the greater part of our
  time passes in compliance with necessities; in the performance of
  daily duties; in the removal of small inconveniences; in the
  procurement of petty pleasures; and we are well or ill at ease; as
  the main stream of life glides on smoothly; or is ruffled by small
  obstacles and frequent interruption。  The true state of every
  nation is the state of common life。  The manners of a people are
  not to be found in the schools of learning; or the palaces of
  greatness; where the national character is obscured or obliterated
  by travel or instruction; by philosophy or vanity; nor is public
  happiness to be estimated by