Chapter

FOR THE INSTRUCTION AND AMUSEMENT OF YOUNG PERSONS

BY MRS. BLACKFORD

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAP. I.

Description of Eskdale.—His tory of Marion Scott and John Telfer.—He loses his Parents.—Mr. Martin, the Pastor, befriends him.—John engaged by Mr. Laurie as his herd-boy.—Helen Martin's first attempt at horsemanship.—Her mother points out the advantages of perseverance and self-command.

CHAP. II.

Excursion towards the Glen.—Beautiful scenery.—Account of the

Borderers.—The Minister visits David Little's cottage—Rustic manners.—Canine sagacity.—The visitors take their departure.

CHAP. III.

John gains the approbation of the Pastor.—Visit to Mr. Elliott.—His cottage delightfully situated.—Helen cautioned by her father against affectation.—Arrival at Minkirk.—Visit at Craigie Hall.—Mrs. Scott's hospitality.—John dispatched on an errand.—His unlucky disaster.—The party returns by moonlight.—The ir arrival at the Manse relieves Mrs. Martin's anxiety.

CHAP. IV.

John's reflexions on entering service.—Receives advice from the Minister for his future conduct.—John's good intentions the cause of great anxiety.

CHAP. V.

Sunday morning.—The family assembled for morning prayer.—Interesting description of the villagers'manners on the Sabbath.—Serious illnesses.—John in an Awkward dilemma.—Hateful effects of intoxication.—Miss Helen taken seriously ill.—A curtain lecture.

CHAP. VI.

Uncertainty of human events.—News of Captain Elliott.—an Agreeable present.—John gains the approbation of the Minister for his activity.

CHAP. VII.

John enters Mr. Laurie's service.—New companions.—He receives instruction in his new employ.—Surprising sagacity of the shepherds'dogs.—Marion recovered.

CHAP. VIII.

Arrival of Capt. Elliott.—Unfavourable character of William Martin.—His hasty temper the cause of uneasiness to his parents.—He is placed under the care of Mr. Lamont.—Helen's amiability.—The party take their departure for Kelso.

CHAP. IX.

Hospitable reception at Kelso.—Interview between Capt. Elliott and his nephew William.—The party return to the Manse.—Helen's attachment to home.—Capt. Elliott joins his vessel.—Alarm of the family at the sudden disappearance of William Martin.

CHAP. X.

Mrs. Martin greatly distressed by William's thoughtless and undutiful conduct.—Helen shrewdly guesses her brother's plans.—Information received from Capt. Elliott that William has joined him.—William solicits permission to accompany his uncle to sea.—His parents reluctantly consent.—Mrs. Martin's death ensues.

CHAP. XI.

Helen's grandmother takes charge of the household.—Marion Scott resides with Helen at the Manse.—John Telfer gradually improves himself.—Capt. Elliott and his nephew arrive in England.—The ir anxiety to visit Eskdale again.—Mrs. Elliott's repugnance at seeing her undutiful grandson causes her departure to Mr. Armstrong's.

CHAP. XII.

William's arrival, and interview with his sister.—Affectionately received by his father.—Marion narrowly escapes perishing in a snow storm.—Intrepidity of William and John.—The departure of Capt. Elliott and William the cause of distress and fearful forebodings.—John accompanies them.

CHAP XIII.

The ir arrival in the metropolis.—And voyage to the Mediterranean.—Sudden disappearance of William and the boat's crew at sea.—A sea fight.—Capt. Elliott killed, the vessel taken by the enemy, and the crew made prisoners.—The news of these disasters cause the death of Mr. Martin.

CHAP XIV.

Helen vacates the parsonage, and joins Miss Maxwell's millinery establishment.—They become greatly attached.—John Telfer, after several years'captivity, makes his escape.

CHAP XV.

John's unexpected interview with Marion.—They are married, and settle in

Eskdale.—His interview with Helen.—She is induced to accompany him to

Eskdale; and is finally married to Mr. Johnstone, the Minister of Eskdale.

INTRODUCTION

The Author of this little Work, many years ago, spent a few weeks in Eskdale, the scene where she has placed the principal events of her tale. The beauty of the country made a deep impression on her mind, at the time; perhaps the more so, from its being the farthest excursion to the southward, that she had then made from her native home. She, however, by no means pretends to pourtray the scenery in the course of her narrative, with minute accuracy. Too long a period has since elapsed, and she has seen in the interval too great a variety of places, to retain an exact recollection of every spot in this delightful dale; but its general features remain strongly fixed in her memory; and she hopes that her young readers will not find her tale less interesting from any slight inaccuracy which they may discover in the local description.

The general character and manners of the inhabitants are, she believes, more correctly represented; for there is scarcely an incident, exemplifying these in the following pages, of which she has not known a counterpart in real life. The respect universally paid by the parishioners to their clergyman, and the familiar intercourse and great influence which the latter possesses, in forming their minds and morals, are circumstances which have fallen under her own observation, not only in Eskdale, but in various other parts of Scotland; and she has felt a peculiar satisfaction in describing the simple and useful life of MR. and MRS. MARTIN, from the remembrance of many worthy couples in similar situations, who might have sat for the resemblance. She has endeavoured, in relating the adventures of JOHN TELFER, the Eskdale Herd-boy, to impress on the minds of her young readers, the permanent advantages of early integrity and gratitude. In the short and unfortunate life of WILLIAM MARTIN, she has attempted to show the duty that is incumbent on all young people, to subdue that disobedient and self-willed temper, which may otherwise undermine, not only their own comfort and happiness, but those of their parents and friends, of all whom they love, and of all to whom they are dear. The character of HELEN is meant, on the contrary, to illustrate the inestimable value that a dutiful daughter may be of, both to father and mother; the prudence, the steadiness, and even the energy which Helen displays, on some trying occasions, will not, it is hoped, appear to be overstrained, when her conduct is considered as the result of an education conducted on these steady principles, which insure the love and obedience of the child, by inspiring a firm reliance on the justice and affection of the parent.