(Vol. iv., p. 208.)
The story referred to by Jeremy Taylor reminds me of a somewhat similar
instance of dishonest astuteness I lately heard of in Scotland, from an
old Highlander; the which, though courtesy forbade me to dispute, I at
the time received "cum grano," and have since been unable to verify. It
was as follows:
The custodians (whether rightful or not, I know not, as no date was
assigned to the action of the narrative) of the Scottish regalia being
bound by an oath to deliver it to the Governor of Carlisle, as the
nearest representative of the English sovereign, by a certain day,
determined upon a plan for performing (!), and at the same time evading,
their promise. Having selected the most able steed in Scotland, a
suitable deputation escorted the regalia _and the horse_ to the
appointed place of tradition. The embassy carrying with them the more
valuable and portable of their treasures--the jewels, not the horse, of
which hereafter,--were duly admitted to an audience with the governor,
who received them in the presence of the principal inhabitants of
Carlisle: and having produced and surrendered the regalia (and doubtless
taken an acquittance!), surreptitiously, and with gipsey adroitness,
regained possession of it, and conveying it from the audience chamber,
immediately delivered it to an expectant messenger; who, mounted on the
before-mentioned horse, awaited its return outside the hall; and who,
_ventre à terre_, pursued his eager flight across the border, nor once
drew rein until his precious burden was again deposited in the custody
of Scottish tenure. Whether the deputation was dismissed, and escaped
before the discovery of its chicanery, or whether the conspirators
received the well-merited punishment of their audacious dissimulation,
my informant knew not. And although the story tells more in favour of
the astuteness than the honesty of his countrymen (if true), he
narrated it with considerable unction, and declared that it was
generally believed and admired in Scotland; the patriotism displayed,
the dangerous nature of the enterprise, and the success which attended
it, palliating any stigma which might attach to the want of faith,
double dealing, and casuistry which marked the transaction.
The method by which the horse's title to be considered the ablest in
Scotland was ascertained, was ingenious. The horses the most renowned
for fleetness and endurance were secretly collected, and having been
deprived of water for a considerable time, were presently, one by one,
permitted to bury their heads in the grateful bucket, and the duration
of each draught was scrupulously watched and recorded; the animal that
retained its nostrils for the longest time immersed being selected for
the honour of rescuing the royal treasure, as having given proofs of its
superior wind and bottom.
Is any credit to be attached to the story: and if historical, can any
reader inform me where it is recorded?