THE phrase of Gawn by the grip,
is applied to children beginning to walk, supported by the hand: in
its moral application, it means, not able to think or act for oneself.
Mr. Bell, author of System of Geography, was once employed
by a young clergyman as his amanuensis. "Volumes of sermons by various
authors," said Mt Bell, "were spread out before me at the table, and a
bit for extract marked here, and another bit there," his instructions
being:
"And you’ll tak’ nae mair here
from this author; but gang to such another."
"Is that," said Mr. Bell to him,
"the way you mean to mak up your discourses ?
"Surely," quoth he.
"Man," said Mr. Bell, "you’ll ye a
poor soul in a pulpit! Your brains micht ha’e been as weel in the inside
o’ a sheep’s heid! You’ll just be gawn by the grip to the end of
your days."
