230 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
referring to the Bible as his authority, he always did so with the utmost reverence
and respect.
Had Andrew been dictator, the fashions and customs of society would have
been pristine indeed. He abominated superfluity; apd no one partial to a
fine house and gaudy attire could in his opinion have any pret,ensions to religion.
A gentleman with whom he was intimate, happening to be at Glasgow, embraced
the opportunity of calling on the Baptist preacher, Mr. Robed Moncreiff, brother
of the late Rev. Sir Henry MoncreX Wellwood, Bart. On his return from the
west he was closely questioned by Andrew as to what sort of a man Ro6el.t
MoncreifT was (for he never addressed any one by a higher appellation than his
Christian name)-had he a fine house-and did he dress richly0 On being
answered that in these particulars Mr. Moncreif was pretty much in the style
of other respectable people--“ 0, then,” said Andrew sorrowfully, “ he cannot
be sincere. The rich man was ‘clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared
sumptuously every day.’ ”
‘‘ Call no man master ” was a portion of Scripture upon which he acted in
the strictest sense. He never applied the terms Master or Mistress to anyone,
always using the proper name if he knew it. In cases where he did not, he
got over the difficulty in the following manner :-Two ladies, who stood in the
relation to each other of mother and daughter-in-law, by their uniform kindness
had secured his respect and gratitude. The elder being a widow, he spoke of
her without hesitation as Widow -. The younger, whose first name he
did not know, asked him how he distinguished her in conversation from her
mother-in-law. “0,” said he, “you read in the Scriptures of the wife of
Cleophas : I call you the wife of -.” If told anything detrimental to the
reputation, or tending to lower his good opinion of any one, he would sny-
“ I did not hear it before-I am sorry to hear it ;” and anything of this kind
he was never known to repeat to another.
Apparently well aware of the position in which he was placed by his singular
opinions and habits, he seemed anxious on all occasions to justify his principles.
Visiting at the house of an acquaintance one day, he asked permission to take
the infant daughter of his friend in his arms. Although somewhat surprised at
the request, it was nevertheless readily granted, He pressed the little one to
his breast-then holding her out-“ Now,” he exclaimed with triumph, “ dose
thou not see a convincing proof? If the beard of man was not according to
nature, that child would have cried at my appearance.” The same experiment
he frequently repeated by inviting children of a more advanced age to read
their lessons to him. His familiarity and ready approval generally gave them
confidence ; and he was much pleased if they did not seem afraid of him.
Andrew’s ideas as to cleanliness were as singular as his other notions, and
did not well agree with the practice of those amongst whom he sojourned. He
t8hought people gave themselves a great deal of unnecessary trouble. When
sweeping a room, he would say to the servant, “ Cannot you let the dust lie
quietly. You stir it up only to get better mouthfuls of it.” And when wash
EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 231
ing a floor, he would exclaim-‘‘ Dear sirs, she’ll wear all the boards rubbing
them so.” There was one friend on whom he called, sufficiently particular in
matters of this kind, who insisted that he must wipe his feet well before he
came in. “You remind me,” said Andrew, “of my nephew’s servant-maid
who would not allow me to enter the house until I had put off my shoes. Indeed
I used to tell her she was abominably cleanly.”
Many still living must
remember having heard of a Mr. Low in Dunfermline, much famed for his
success in setting broken bones, and adjusting dislocations. His cures were
performed gratis ; and his aid was only to be obtained through the mediation
of a friend, or for mercy’s sake. A gentleman in the medical profession, hearing
Andrew speak in approbation of some of Mr, Low’s cases, expressed his distrust
in such a practitioner, since he had not studied anatomy. “Ay, that’s true,”
replied Andrew, “ but Low acquired his anatomy at the grave’s m.outh “-referring
to his inspection of the bones as cast up by the grave-digger.
Of the simplicity and anchorite-like demeanour of Andrew Donaldson, there
are several curious reminiscences. The late Dr. Charles Stuart-father of James
Stuart, Esq., of Dunearn-had for some time meditated withdrawing from the
Established Church before he actually did so. Hearing of his intention, although
entirely unacquainted with him, Andrew resolved on paying a visit to the manse
of Cramond, of which parish the Doctor was then minister. Taking his long
staff in his hand, and “ girding up his loins,” as he would himself have expressed
it, he set out on his journey early one forenoon. When near to Cramond, and
not exactly certain whereabout the manse stood, he observed two well-dressed
men walking in a field near to where he supposed it should be. Towards them
he bent his course ; and, as he approached with his bald head, flowing beard,
and pilgrim’s staff, the gentlemen were at first so struck with his singular
appearance, that they were irresolute whether to retreat or await his advance.
On nearing them, he inquired if they could inform him where Charles Stuart,
minister of Cramond, lived 1 To this one of the party replied, “ I an1 C’harles
Stuart, the person you refer to.” “Then,” said Andrew, extending his arm to
grasp the hand of the Doctor, “ I have heard that thou dost intend separating
thyself from the Church, and hast set thy face heavenward-I wish thee God
speed ! ” So saying, he wheeled about and proceeded on his return to Edinburgh,
leaving the worthy Doctor and his friend not less astonished at the nature
of the brief interview, than curious as to the character of their visitor. The
result of the Doctor’s inquiry as to this singular enthusiast having been favourable,
he became ever after his steady and warm friend.
Andrew remained all his days a bachelor; but that he was not altogether a
misogamist, is testified by the fact, that he at one time entertained the idea of
venturing upon the cares of wedlock. In the habit .of visiting at the house of
Bailie Horn, in Dunfermline, he had observed and been pleased with the
deportment of the servant-maid, with whom he occasionally entered into
conversation. At length he addressed her in his usual laconic style, stating his
Andrew could occasionally say a good thing.
,
