a freebooting baron or squire who lived by his lance and broadsword, is
consecrated by its appropriate legend, and the shepherd will tell you with
accuracy the names and feats of its inhabitants; - but ask a countryman
concerning these beautiful and extensive remains - these towers, these arches,
and buttresses, and shafted windows, reared at such cost, - three words fill up
his answer - they were made up by the monks lang syne.«
    The question was somewhat puzzling. Sir Arthur looked upward, as if hoping
to be inspired with an answer - Oldbuck shoved back his wig - the clergyman was
of opinion that his parishioners were too deeply impressed with the true
presbyterian doctrine to preserve any records concerning the papistical
cumberers of the land, offshoots as they were of the great overshadowing tree of
iniquity, whose roots are in the bowels of the seven hills of abomination -
Lovel thought the question was best resolved by considering what are the events
which leave the deepest impression on the minds of the common people - »These,«
he contended, »were not such as resemble the gradual progress of a fertilizing
river, but the headlong and precipitous fury of some portentous flood. The eras
by which the vulgar compute time, have always reference to some period of fear
and tribulation, and they date by a tempest, an earthquake, or burst of civil
commotion. When such are the facts most alive in the memory of the common
people, we cannot wonder,« he concluded, »that the ferocious warrior is
remembered, and the peaceful abbots are abandoned to forgetfulness and
oblivion.«
    »If you pleashe, gentlemans and ladies, and ashking pardon of Sir Arthur and
Miss Wardour, and this worthy clergymansh, and my goot friend Mr. Oldenbuck, who
is my countrymansh, and of goot young Mr. Lofel also, I think it is all owing to
de hand of glory.«
    »The hand of what?« exclaimed Oldbuck.
    »De hand of glory, my goot Master Oldenbuck, which is a vary great and
terrible secrets - which de monksh used to conceal their treasures when they
were triven from their cloisters by what you call de Reform.«
    »Ay, indeed! tell us about that,« said Oldbuck, »for these are secrets worth
knowing.«
    »Why, my goot Master Oldenbuck, you will only laugh at me - But de hand of
glory is vary well known in de countries where your worthy progenitors did live
- and it is hand cut off from a dead man, as has been hanged for murther, and
dried very nice in de shmoke of juniper wood