History of the Johnstones, 1191-1909, with ... - Electric Scotland

GALABANK'S CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS FAMILY 195
favourite of Sir George, and a sensible, well-bred man. I told him your fatherin-law
was in the political interests of that family, as I certainly believe I have
heard. Mr Bower, I am persuaded, will do you no harm. . . . Having
been
lately employed at Mouswald on a Sacrament occasion, Mr M'Millan 1 of
Torthorwald was my colleague. His son, Surgeon M'Millan, who has attended
the Physical College at Edinburgh for two years, is now in hope of work. I
think the young gentleman pleads your acquaintance, as his father does that
of relation to you. The favour they ask is, if there be any town or village
where a young man might probably shine as a surgeon apothecary, you will
oblige them much by soon letting them know. . . . Your scheme for building
rather frightens me. You may not always wish to remain in the same place,
but if it is necessary, build," 2 etc. On May 8, 1754, Edward wrote from Edinburgh
of the death of " old Mossop," and adds: "The General Assembly now
sits. The Earl of Hopetoun, our Commissioner, makes a more splendid appearance
than all his predecessors. Each day of the Session he has been supported
by several of the nobility, and sometimes by the sixteen representative lords,
among them the Dukes of Argyle, Hamilton, Queensberry, Athole, etc. The
street between his lodging in the Bank Close and the High Church always lined
with six companies of the Castle Regiment, beside the City Guards, who, with
their standards, etc., do him honour as the representative of the Sovereign, and
the ceremonie and entertainment falls not short. We have not much business.
... I leave this place in about eight days for Moffat." He promises to send
a printed sermon he had preached before the Lord Chief Justice and Lord
Minto at the opening of the Circuit Court in Dumfries, April 12, 1754, entitled
" Truth and Justice."
"22 July 1754. I expect by the return of the post to hear that Lady
Betty Hope, eldest daughter to our Commissioner, the Earl of Hopetoun, and
grand-daughter to William, Marquess of Annandale, the toast for beauty, good
sense, and modesty of all the Caledonian fair, is married to Lord Drumlanrig,
eldest son of the Duke of Queensberry, as yesterday the proclamation of banns
would be finished. Last week I had the honour to kiss the bride's hand on
her way through Moffat, after paying a visit under her Papa and my lady's
protection to her future domains. This is truly a good marriage, and unites
in one interest a very great number of families of estate and influence." On
Aug. 13 he writes that Lord and Lady Drumlanrig were coming to Moffat on
their way to Tinwald House, the property of the Duke of Queensberry, " and
we are not without hopes of keeping them pretty much in Scotland, which is
sure to be agreeable to the Hopetoun family." The same letter alludes to
" Henry Home's (Lord Karnes) curious philosophical pamphlet," and the answer
to it by Dugald Stewart. The uncle sends his affectionate compliments to his
sister-in-law and nephew, adding " : It shall not be long before he has something
from the Land o' Cakes, but of what kind is uncertain, and it is unlucky that
1 One of this family was the original of Scott's Maxwell of Summertrees in Redgauntlet.
Scott had met him in his youth. {See Chapter V.).
2 James did build, for his own residence, a substantial house with grounds outside the
town.