Allan Ramsay. [A biography.] - National Library of Scotland

ALLAN RAMSAY 73
originality with respect to them, but admits they are
drawn in many cases from La Motte and other sources.
In his preface he says :
' If my manner of expressing a
design already invented have any particularity that is
agreeable, good judges will allow such imitations to be
originals formed upon the idea of another. Others, who
drudge at the dull verbatim, are like timorous attendants,
who dare not move one pace without their master's
leave.' Some of the Tales are obviously modelled on
those of Chaucer and Boccaccio, but in most of his, he
insinuates a political or social moral, while they narrate
the story for the story's sake. The Three Bonnets is a
satire on his countrymen for being so shortsighted, in
their own interests, as to consent to the Union, Bristle,
the eldest of the three brothers in the tale, was intended
to represent the Tories and Scots Jacobites, who were
opposed to the scheme, and he is therefore drawn as a
man of great resolution and vigour of character. Bawsy,
the youngest, or weak brother, shadowed forth the char-
acter of those who consented under the persuasion of
the nobility ; while Joukum, the second eldest of the
trio,—a vicious, dissipated roue,—stood for the portrait
of those Scots noblemen who accepted Lord Somers'
bribes, and sold their country to the EngUsh alliance.
The story ran that their father, Duniwhistle, on his
deathbed, had, to each of the brothers, presented a
bonnet with vvhich they were never to part. If they did
so, ruin would overtake them. Joukum falls in love with
Rosie, a saucy quean, who demands, as the price of her
hand, that he should beg, borrow, or steal for her the
three bonnets. Joukum proceeds to Bristle, and receives
a very angry reception ; he next repairs to lazy Baw^sy,