urial, and uncertain whether to
marry or do worse.

I think I see the incurable difficulties of the landed men, fettered
under the golden chain of equivalents, their pretty daughters
petitioning for want of husbands, and their sons for want of
employment.

I think I see our mariners delivering up their ships to their Dutch
partners, and what through presses and necessity, earning their
bread as underlings in the royal English navy.

But above all, my lord, I think I see our ancient mother Caledonia,
like Caesar, sitting in the midst of our senate, ruefully looking
round about her, covering herself with her royal garment, attending
the fatal blow, and breathing out her last with an _Et_ _tu_
_quoque_, _mi_ _fili_.

Are not these, my lord, very afflicting thoughts? And yet they are
but the least part suggested to me by these dishonorable
articles. Should not the consideration of these things vivify these
dry bones of ours? Should not the memory of our noble predecessors'
valor and constancy rouse up our drooping spirits? Are our noble
predecessors' souls got so far into the English cabbage stock and
cauliflowers that we should show the least inclination that way? Are
our eyes so blinded? Are our ears so deafened? Are our hearts so
hardened? Are our tongues so faltered? Are our hands so fettered
that in this our day, I say, my lord, that in this our day, we
should not mind the things that concern the very being and
well-being of our ancient kingdom, before the day be hid from our
eyes?

No, my lord, God forbid! man's extremity is God's opportunity; he is
a present help in time of need, and a deliverer, and that right
early. Some unforeseen Providence will fall out, that may cast the
balance; some Joseph or other will say, "Why do ye strive together,
since ye are brethren?" None can destroy Scotland, save Scotland
itself; hold your hands from the pen, you are secure. Some Judah or
other will say, "Let not our hands be upon the lad, he is our
brother." There will be a Jehovah-Jireh, and some ram will he caught
in the thicket, when the bloody knife is at our mother's throat. Let
us up then, my lord, and let our noble patriots behave themselves
like men, and we know not bow soon a blessing may come.

My lord, I wish from my heart, that this my vision prove not as true
as my reasons for it are probable. I design not at this time to
enter into the merits of any one particular article; I intend this
disc