Ì«×ÓүС˵Íø > Ó¢Óïµç×ÓÊé > records of a family of engineers(Ò»¸ö¹¤³ÌʦµÄ¼ÒÍ¥) >

µÚ13½Ú

records of a family of engineers(Ò»¸ö¹¤³ÌʦµÄ¼ÒÍ¥)-µÚ13½Ú


°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




and¡¡¡¡¡¡whiteness¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡eastern¡¡¡¡¡¡shores£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wonderful¡¡¡¡¡¡manner¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡

the¡¡scanty¡¡patches¡¡of¡¡land¡¡are¡¡intersected¡¡with¡¡lakes¡¡and¡¡pools¡¡of¡¡water£»¡¡it¡¡

becomes£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡even¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡daylight£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡deception£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡often¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fatally¡¡

mistaken¡¡for¡¡an¡¡open¡¡sea¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡had¡¡even¡¡become¡¡proverbial¡¡with¡¡some¡¡of¡¡

the¡¡inhabitants¡¡to¡¡observe¡¡that¡¡¡¨if¡¡wrecks¡¡were¡¡to¡¡happen£»¡¡they¡¡might¡¡as¡¡

well¡¡be¡¡sent¡¡to¡¡the¡¡poor¡¡isle¡¡of¡¡Sanday¡¡as¡¡anywhere¡¡else¡£¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡this¡¡and¡¡

the¡¡¡¡neighbouring¡¡¡¡¡¡islands¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡inhabitants¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡certainly¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡share¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

wrecked¡¡goods£»¡¡for¡¡the¡¡eye¡¡is¡¡presented¡¡with¡¡these¡¡melancholy¡¡remains¡¡in¡¡

almost¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡¡¡¡¡form¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡example£»¡¡¡¡¡¡although¡¡¡¡¡¡quarries¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡met¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡

generally¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡islands£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡stones¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡suitable¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡building¡¡

dykes¡¡£¨ANGLICE£»¡¡walls£©£»¡¡yet¡¡instances¡¡occur¡¡of¡¡the¡¡land¡¡being¡¡enclosed£»¡¡

even¡¡to¡¡a¡¡considerable¡¡extent£»¡¡with¡¡ship¡­timbers¡£¡¡The¡¡author¡¡has¡¡actually¡¡

seen¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡park¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨ANGLICE£»¡¡¡¡¡¡meadow£©¡¡¡¡¡¡paled¡¡¡¡¡¡round¡¡¡¡¡¡chiefly¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡cedar¡­wood¡¡

and¡¡mahogany¡¡from¡¡the¡¡wreck¡¡of¡¡a¡¡Honduras¡­built¡¡ship£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡one¡¡island£»¡¡

after¡¡the¡¡wreck¡¡of¡¡a¡¡ship¡¡laden¡¡with¡¡wine£»¡¡the¡¡inhabitants¡¡have¡¡been¡¡known¡¡

to¡¡take¡¡claret¡¡to¡¡their¡¡barley¡­meal¡¡porridge¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡complaining¡¡to¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡

pilots¡¡of¡¡the¡¡badness¡¡of¡¡his¡¡boat's¡¡sails£»¡¡he¡¡replied¡¡to¡¡the¡¡author¡¡with¡¡some¡¡

degree¡¡of¡¡pleasantry£»¡¡¡¨Had¡¡it¡¡been¡¡His¡¡will¡¡that¡¡you¡¡came¡¡na'¡¡here¡¡wi'¡¡your¡¡

lights£»¡¡we¡¡might¡¡'a'¡¡had¡¡better¡¡sails¡¡to¡¡our¡¡boats£»¡¡and¡¡more¡¡o'¡¡other¡¡things¡£¡¨¡¡

It¡¡may¡¡further¡¡be¡¡mentioned¡¡that¡¡when¡¡some¡¡of¡¡Lord¡¡Dundas's¡¡farms¡¡are¡¡to¡¡

be¡¡¡¡¡¡let¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡islands¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡competition¡¡¡¡¡¡takes¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lease£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡

BONA¡¡¡¡FIDE¡¡¡¡¡¡understood¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡much¡¡¡¡¡¡higher¡¡¡¡¡¡rent¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡paid¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lands¡¡

would¡¡otherwise¡¡give¡¡were¡¡it¡¡not¡¡for¡¡the¡¡chance¡¡of¡¡making¡¡considerably¡¡by¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡agency¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡advantages¡¡¡¡¡¡attending¡¡¡¡¡¡shipwrecks¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡shores¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

respective¡¡farms¡£'¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡people¡¡of¡¡North¡¡Ronaldsay¡¡still¡¡spoke¡¡Norse£»¡¡or£»¡¡rather£»¡¡mixed¡¡it¡¡

with¡¡their¡¡English¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡walls¡¡of¡¡their¡¡huts¡¡were¡¡built¡¡to¡¡a¡¡great¡¡thickness¡¡

of¡¡rounded¡¡stones¡¡from¡¡the¡¡sea¡­beach£»¡¡the¡¡roof¡¡flagged£»¡¡loaded¡¡with¡¡earth£»¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡40¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡41¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡RECORDS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡FAMILY¡¡OF¡¡ENGINEERS¡¡



and¡¡perforated¡¡by¡¡a¡¡single¡¡hole¡¡for¡¡the¡¡escape¡¡of¡¡smoke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡grass¡¡grew¡¡

beautifully¡¡green¡¡on¡¡the¡¡flat¡¡house¡­top£»¡¡where¡¡the¡¡family¡¡would¡¡assemble¡¡

with¡¡their¡¡dogs¡¡and¡¡cats£»¡¡as¡¡on¡¡a¡¡pastoral¡¡lawn£»¡¡there¡¡were¡¡no¡¡windows£»¡¡

and¡¡in¡¡my¡¡grandfather's¡¡expression£»¡¡¡®there¡¡was¡¡really¡¡no¡¡demonstration¡¡of¡¡

a¡¡¡¡¡¡house¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡unless¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡diminutive¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡£'¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡landed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡

Ronaldsay¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡friends¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡inhabitants¡¡¡¡¡¡crowded¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡pressed¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡

much¡¡upon¡¡the¡¡strangers¡¡that¡¡the¡¡bailiff£»¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡resident¡¡factor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡island£»¡¡

blew¡¡with¡¡his¡¡ox¡­horn£»¡¡calling¡¡out¡¡to¡¡the¡¡natives¡¡to¡¡stand¡¡off¡¡and¡¡let¡¡the¡¡

gentlemen¡¡come¡¡forward¡¡to¡¡the¡¡laird£»¡¡upon¡¡which¡¡one¡¡of¡¡the¡¡islanders£»¡¡as¡¡

spokesman£»¡¡called¡¡out£»¡¡¡¨God¡¡ha'e¡¡us£»¡¡man£¡¡¡thou¡¡needsna¡¡mak'¡¡sic¡¡a¡¡noise¡£¡¡

It's¡¡no'¡¡every¡¡day¡¡we¡¡ha'e¡¡THREE¡¡HATTED¡¡MEN¡¡on¡¡our¡¡isle¡£¡¨¡¡'¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡Surveyor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡Taxes¡¡¡¡¡¡came¡¡¡¡¡¡£¨for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡¡¡¡¡time£»¡¡¡¡¡¡perhaps£©¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Sanday£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

began¡¡in¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡King's¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡complain¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡unconscionable¡¡swarms¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

dogs£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡menace¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡inhabitants¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡taxation£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡chanced¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡

grandfather¡¡and¡¡his¡¡friend£»¡¡Dr¡£¡¡Patrick¡¡Neill£»¡¡were¡¡received¡¡by¡¡an¡¡old¡¡lady¡¡

in¡¡a¡¡Ronaldsay¡¡hut¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡hut£»¡¡which¡¡was¡¡similar¡¡to¡¡the¡¡model¡¡described£»¡¡

stood¡¡on¡¡a¡¡Ness£»¡¡or¡¡point¡¡of¡¡land¡¡jutting¡¡into¡¡the¡¡sea¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡were¡¡made¡¡

welcome¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡firelit¡¡¡¡¡¡cellar£»¡¡¡¡placed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡®in¡¡¡¡¡¡CASEY¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡straw¡­worked¡¡¡¡¡¡chairs£»¡¡

after¡¡the¡¡Norwegian¡¡fashion£»¡¡with¡¡arms£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡canopy¡¡overhead£»'¡¡and¡¡given¡¡

milk¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡wooden¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dish¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡These¡¡¡¡¡¡hospitalities¡¡¡¡¡¡attended¡¡¡¡¡¡to£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡old¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡lady¡¡

turned¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡once¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡Dr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Neill£»¡¡¡¡¡¡whom¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡took¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Surveyor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Taxes¡£¡¡

¡®Sir£»'¡¡said¡¡she£»¡¡¡®gin¡¡ye'll¡¡tell¡¡the¡¡King¡¡that¡¡I¡¡canna¡¡keep¡¡the¡¡Ness¡¡free¡¡o'¡¡the¡¡

Bangers¡¡£¨sheep£©¡¡without¡¡twa¡¡hun's£»¡¡and¡¡twa¡¡guid¡¡hun's¡¡too£»¡¡he'll¡¡pass¡¡me¡¡

threa¡¡the¡¡tax¡¡on¡¡dugs¡£'¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡familiar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡confidence£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡traits¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡engaging¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡simplicity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡

characters¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡secluded¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Mankind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡­¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡above¡¡¡¡¡¡all£»¡¡¡¡¡¡islanders¡¡¡¡¡¡¡­¡¡

come¡¡very¡¡swiftly¡¡to¡¡a¡¡bearing£»¡¡and¡¡find¡¡very¡¡readily£»¡¡upon¡¡one¡¡convention¡¡

or¡¡another£»¡¡a¡¡tolerable¡¡corporate¡¡life¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡danger¡¡is¡¡to¡¡those¡¡from¡¡without£»¡¡

who¡¡have¡¡not¡¡grown¡¡up¡¡from¡¡childhood¡¡in¡¡the¡¡islands£»¡¡but¡¡appear¡¡suddenly¡¡

in¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡narrow¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡horizon£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡­sized¡¡¡¡¡¡apparitions¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡these¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡bond¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

humanity¡¡exists£»¡¡no¡¡feeling¡¡of¡¡kinship¡¡is¡¡awakened¡¡by¡¡their¡¡peril£»¡¡they¡¡will¡¡

assist¡¡at¡¡a¡¡shipwreck£»¡¡like¡¡the¡¡fisher¡­folk¡¡of¡¡Lunga£»¡¡as¡¡spectators£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡

the¡¡fatal¡¡scene¡¡is¡¡over£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡beach¡¡strewn¡¡with¡¡dead¡¡bodies£»¡¡they¡¡will¡¡

fence¡¡their¡¡fields¡¡with¡¡mahogany£»¡¡and£»¡¡after¡¡a¡¡decent¡¡grace£»¡¡sup¡¡claret¡¡to¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡41¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡42¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡RECORDS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡FAMILY¡¡OF¡¡ENGINEERS¡¡



their¡¡¡¡¡¡porridge¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡wickedness£º¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡scarce¡¡¡¡¡¡evil£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡only£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡

highest¡¡¡¡¡¡power£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡sense¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡isolation¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡wise¡¡¡¡¡¡disinterestedness¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

feeble¡¡and¡¡poor¡¡races¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Think¡¡how¡¡many¡¡viking¡¡ships¡¡had¡¡sailed¡¡by¡¡these¡¡

islands¡¡in¡¡the¡¡past£»¡¡how¡¡many¡¡vikings¡¡had¡¡landed£»¡¡and¡¡raised¡¡turmoil£»¡¡and¡¡

broken¡¡up¡¡the¡¡barrows¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dead£»¡¡and¡¡carried¡¡off¡¡the¡¡wines¡¡of¡¡the¡¡living£»¡¡

and¡¡blame¡¡them£»¡¡if¡¡you¡¡are¡¡able£»¡¡for¡¡that¡¡belief¡¡£¨which¡¡may¡¡be¡¡called¡¡one¡¡

of¡¡the¡¡parables¡¡of¡¡the¡¡devil's¡¡gospel£©¡¡that¡¡a¡¡man¡¡rescued¡¡from¡¡the¡¡sea¡¡will¡¡

prove¡¡the¡¡bane¡¡of¡¡his¡¡deliverer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡might¡¡be¡¡thought¡¡that¡¡my¡¡grandfather£»¡¡

coming¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡unknown£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡employment¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡hateful¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡

inhabitants£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡run¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡hazard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡£¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

misunderstand¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡came¡¡franked¡¡by¡¡the¡¡laird¡¡and¡¡the¡¡clergyman£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡

the¡¡King's¡¡officer£»¡¡the¡¡work¡¡was¡¡¡®opened¡¡with¡¡prayer¡¡by¡¡the¡¡Rev¡£¡¡Walter¡¡

Trail£»¡¡¡¡¡¡minister¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡parish'£»¡¡¡¡¡¡God¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡King¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡decided¡¡¡¡¡¡it£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

people¡¡of¡¡these¡¡pious¡¡islands¡¡bowed¡¡their¡¡heads¡£¡¡There¡¡landed£»¡¡indeed£»¡¡in¡¡

North¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ronaldsay£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡during¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡decade¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡eighteenth¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡century£»¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

traveller¡¡¡¡¡¡whose¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡¡seems¡¡¡¡¡¡really¡¡¡¡to¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡imperilled¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡very¡¡¡¡little¡¡

man¡¡of¡¡a¡¡swarthy¡¡complexion£»¡¡he¡¡came¡¡ashore£»¡¡exhausted¡¡and¡¡unshaved£»¡¡

from¡¡a¡¡long¡¡boat¡¡passage£»¡¡and¡¡lay¡¡down¡¡to¡¡sleep¡¡in¡¡the¡¡home¡¡of¡¡the¡¡parish¡¡

schoolmaster¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡landing¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡inhabitants¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

identified¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡Pict£»¡¡¡¡¡¡as£»¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡singular¡¡¡¡¡¡confusion¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡name£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡

called¡¡the¡¡dark¡¡and¡¡dwarfish¡¡aboriginal¡¡people¡¡of¡¡the¡¡land¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Immediately¡¡

the¡¡obscure¡¡ferment¡¡of¡¡a¡¡race¡­hatred£»¡¡grown¡¡into¡¡a¡¡superstition£»¡¡began¡¡to¡¡

work¡¡in¡¡their¡¡bosoms£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡crowded¡¡¡¡¡¡about¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡house¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡­¡¡

door¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fearful¡¡¡¡¡¡whisperings¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡For¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡schoolmaster¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡held¡¡

them¡¡at¡¡bay£»¡¡and¡¡at¡¡last¡¡despatched¡¡a¡¡messenger¡¡to¡¡call¡¡my¡¡grand¡­father¡£¡¡

He¡¡¡¡¡¡came£º¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡found¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡islanders¡¡¡¡¡¡beside¡¡¡¡¡¡themselves¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡unwelcome¡¡

resurrection¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dead¡¡and¡¡the¡¡detested£»¡¡he¡¡was¡¡shown£»¡¡as¡¡adminicular¡¡of¡¡

testimony£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡traveller's¡¡¡¡¡¡uncouth¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡thick¡­soled¡¡¡¡¡¡boots£»¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡argued£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

finding¡¡¡¡¡¡argument¡¡¡¡¡¡unavailing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡consented¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡enter¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡room¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡examine¡¡

with¡¡his¡¡own¡¡eyes¡¡the¡¡sleeping¡¡Pict¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡glance¡¡was¡¡sufficient£º¡¡the¡¡man¡¡

was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡now¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡missionary£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡before¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡Edinburgh¡¡

shopkeeper¡¡with¡¡whom¡¡my¡¡grandfather¡¡had¡¡dealt¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡came¡¡forth¡¡again¡¡

with¡¡this¡¡report£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡folk¡¡of¡¡the¡¡island£»¡¡wholly¡¡relieved£»¡¡dispersed¡¡to¡¡

their¡¡own¡¡houses¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡were¡¡timid¡¡as¡¡sheep¡¡and¡¡ignorant¡¡as¡¡limpets£»¡¡that¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡42¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡43¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡RECORDS¡¡OF¡¡A¡¡FAMILY¡¡OF¡¡ENGINEERS¡¡



was¡¡all¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡the¡¡Lord¡¡deliver¡¡us¡¡from¡¡the¡¡tender¡¡mercies¡¡of¡¡a¡¡frightened¡¡

flock£¡¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡will¡¡give¡¡two¡¡more¡¡instances¡¡of¡¡their¡¡superstition¡£¡¡When¡¡Sir¡¡Walter¡¡

Scott¡¡¡¡¡¡visited¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Stones¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Stennis£»¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡grandfather¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡pocket¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

hundred¡­foot¡¡line£»¡¡which¡¡he¡¡unfortunately¡¡lost¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡®Some¡¡years¡¡afterwards£»'¡¡he¡¡writes£»¡¡¡®one¡¡of¡¡my¡¡assistants¡¡on¡¡a¡¡visit¡¡to¡¡

the¡¡Stones¡¡of¡¡Stennis¡¡took¡¡shelter¡¡from¡¡a¡¡storm¡¡in¡¡a¡¡cottage¡¡close¡¡by¡¡the¡¡

lake£»¡¡and¡¡seeing¡¡a¡¡box¡­measuring¡­¡¡line¡¡in¡¡the¡¡bole¡¡or¡¡sole¡¡of¡¡the¡¡cottage¡¡

window£»¡¡he¡¡asked¡¡the¡¡woman¡¡where¡¡she¡¡got¡¡this¡¡well¡­known¡¡professional¡¡


·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨1£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ