IN SIGHT OF SIX KINGDOMS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1079, 27 July 1871, Page 3

IN SIGHT OF SIX KINGDOMS.

John Mackie, M.P. for Kirkcudbrightshire, used to describe an extensive view which one of his friend's hills commanded. This he never failed to call the attention of his English visitors to when the weather was clear. Willie, the shepherd, was always the guide on such occasions, as he knew precisely the weather that would suit, Oae forenoon an English friend was placed under Willie's charge to mount the hill, in order to enjoy the glorious view, "lam told, shepherd, you are going to show me a wonderful view," " That's quite true, sir." " What shall I see ? " " Weel, you'll see a feck o' kingdoms, —the boat part o' sax, sir." " What the deuce do you mean, shepherd ? " '* Weel, sir, I mean what I say." " But tell me all about it." "I'll tell ye naething mair, sir, until we're at the tap o' the hill." The top reached. Willie found everything he C'juld desire in regard to a clear atmosphere. "Noo, sir, J hope you've got good e'en » ■" Ob, my eyes are excellent." " Then that's a' recht, sir. Noo, div ■you see yon hills awa' yonder ? " "Yes, I do." " Weel, sir, those are the hiiis o' Cumberland, and Cumberland's in the kingdom of England ; that's ae kingdom. Noo, sir, I must noo trouble you to 1 ok ower yonder. Div you see what I mean ? " "Yes, I do." " That's a' recht. That's the Isle of Man, and that was a kingdom and a sovereignty in the fa rallies of the Earls o' Derby and the Dukes o' Athol, frae the days o' King David o' Scotland, if ye ken onything o' Scottish history." " You are quite right, shepherd," " Qiiite recht, div ye say ? I woodua ha' brocht ye here if it was to be wrang, Weel, that's twa kingdoms.—Be sure, sir, to keep count. Noo, turn a wheen .about. Div ye see you land yonder ? It's a bit farder, but never mind that sae lang as ye see it." " I see it distinctly." "Weel, that's a' that I care aboot, Noo. sir, keep count, for that's Ireland, and niak's three kingdoms. There's nae trouble aboot the niest, for ye're stannin 5 on't—l mean Scotland. Weel, that raak's four kingdoms—div ye admit that, sir ?" " Yes, that makes four, and you have two more to show me." . " That's true, sir ; but don't be in sic a hurry. Weel, sir, just look up aboon your heid, and this is by far the best of a' the kingdoms—that, sir, aboon, is Uteveu. That's five, and the sixth kingdom is that doon below your feet, to which, sir, I hope ye'll never gang; but that's a point on which I canna speak with ony certainty."—" Reminiscences of Fdiy Years," by Mark Boyd.