im of things
unknown to ordinary men.

When property went amissing, the owner repaired to the "prophet;" when
cattle died, he named the witch who had killed them; and when any one
became sick, Adam Donald supplied a remedy either by charms or herbs.
Every Sunday, for many years, people of all classes crowded to consult
him either as a necromancer or physician. His fee seldom exceeded
sixpence for each consultation, yet he lived in comparative comfort.

When far advanced in life, miserable-looking object though the
"prophet" remained, he prevailed on one of the handsomest girls of his
neighbourhood to marry him. This matrimonial alliance helped to
strengthen the supposition that Adam possessed more than human power.

The prophet of Bethelnie, although he had offspring, went to his long
home without instructing a successor in the secret art he for many
years followed with pecuniary advantage. He saved his reputation by
preserving silence. If the following anecdote be true, there can be
little doubt that the prophet assisted to restore decaying nature by
the use of amulets or charms.

An old woman, whose eyes had become dim by reason of years, purchased
a charm from the prophet, which Adam assured her would revive her
sight to its former clearness. On the charm--hieroglyphics traced on
parchment--being suspended from the neck, it proved effectual. In a
short time the old woman could thread a small needle, and see to pick
up a pin from the floor. A female neighbour, with impaired sight,
hearing of the cure, begged the charm from the lucky owner, but she
would not part with it. All the favour the applicant could obtain was
permission to copy the hieroglyphics on paper. The copy thus obtained
and worn by the second patient brightened up her eyes also. Adam's
medicines excited love, and his charms secured affection.

Fifty or sixty years ago Kincardineshire had its wise women. At the
time referred to, a recruiting sergeant (whom we shall call Donald
Campbell), equally devoted to his sovereign and the fair sex, made a
favourable impression on the inhabitants of a small town fifteen or
twenty miles from Aberdeen. The parish minister, the parochial
teacher, and the doctor had something favourable to say of the
sergeant. Nurses and other servant-maids could see nothing but the
sergeant's red-coat; and it was whispered that even the young ladies
smiled on him. Indeed that must have been so, for we are told that
every one welc