The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

THE HEART OF MID-LOTHIAN. 621
movement of the mighty machine. We love not to think that we shall mix
with the ages that have gone before us, as these broad black raindrops
mingle with the waste of waters, making a trifling and momentary eddy,
and are then lost for ever."
"For ever! —we are not —we cannot be lost for ever," said Butler, looking upward; "death is to us change, not consummation; and the commencement of a new existence, corresponding -in character to the deeds
which we have done in the body."
While they agitated these grave subjects, to which the solemnity of the
approaching storm naturally led them, their voyage threatened to be more
tedious than they expected, for gusts of wind, which rose and fell with sudden impetuosity, swept the bosom of the firth, and impeded the efforts of
the rowers. They had now only to double a small headland, in order to
get to the proper landing-place in the mouth of the little river; but in the
state of the weather, and the boat being heavy, this was like to be a work
of time, and in the meanwhile they must necessarily be exposed to the
storm.
"Could we not land on this side of the headland," asked Sir George,
"and so gain sonme shelter?"
Butler knew of no landing-place, at least none affording a convenient or
even practicable passage up the rocks which surrounded the shore.
"Think again," said Sir George Staunton; "the storm will soon be
violent."
" Hout, ay," said one of the boatmen, "there's the Caird's Cove; but we
dinna tell the minister about it, and I am no sure if I can steer the boat to
it, the bay is sae fu' o' shoals and sunk rocks."
" Try," said Sir George, " and I will give you half-a-guinea."
The old fellow took the helm, and observed, "that, if they could get in,
there was a steep path up from the beach, and half-an-hour's walk from
thence to the Manse."
" Are you sure you know the way?" said Butler to the old man.
" I maybe kend it a wee better fifteen years syne, when Dandie Wilson
was in the firth wi' his clean-ganging lugger. I mind Dandie had a wild
young Englisher wi' him, that they ca'd- "
" If you chatter so much," said Sir George Staunton, "you will have the
boat on the Grindstone -bring that white rock in a line with the steeple."
" By G-," said the veteran, staring, "I think your honour kens the bay
as weel as me.-Your honour's nose has been on the Grindstone ere now,
I'm thinking."
As they spoke thus, they approached the little cove, which, concealed behind crags, and defended on every point by shallows and sunken rocks,
could scarce be discovered or approached, except by those intimate with
the navigation. An old shattered boat was already drawn up on the beach
within the cove, close beneath the trees, and with precautions for concealment.
Upon observing this vessel, Butler remarked to his companion, "It is
impossible for you to conceive, Sir George, the difficulty I have had with my
poor people, in teaching them the guilt and the danger of this contraband
trade -yet they have perpetually before their eyes all its dangerous consequences. I do not know anything that more effectually depraves and ruins
their moral and religious principles."
Sir George forced himself to say something in a low voice, about the spirit
of adventure natural to youth, and that unquestionably, many would become
wiser as they grew older.
"Too seldom, sir," replied Butler. "If they have been deeply engaged,
and especially if they have mingled in the scenes of violence and blood to
which their occupation naturally leads, I have observed, that, sooner or
later, they come to an evil end. Experience, as well as Scripture, teaches