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

2o8 GALABANK'S FAMILY
him ? They were hoping to see James at Annan, and that he would bring his
son. This was little Edward. His grandparents particularly wished to see him
on account of his name, recalling not only his late uncle but Galabank's father,
who was still regarded with filial reverence. " I am sure Neddie must be
a pretty boy," wrote poor Agnes not long before her death, " we all want to see
him." Mrs Murray wished to effect a temporary exchange, and to take entire
charge of Edward if one of her daughters might go to England and be under
the care of her uncle and aunt. So Edward was taken to Scotland by his
father, and remained there four years, when he was brought home lest he should
pick up the accent, which was fatal to a career in England. Thomas wanted to
join his brother, and wrote to his grandmother to show how well he could
write ; but he was viewed with less favour, having a Crane name, though
he went to Scotland a few years later, and his amusing flow of conversation was
appreciated by his relatives.
On Sept. 2, 1766, Galabank wrote to his son: "The man has come for Neddy
in great haste to go with him in a post chaise. He is a very pleasant boy. I
gave him 10/- to buy playthings. May the Lord bless you and your wife and
all your children, and may He prosper you in your business." Besides Neddy,
Henry, John, and Anna were added to the family. Richard wrote to his brother
that their parents were particularly pleased at the two last, like Neddy, having
been given old family names. Galabank adds in a postscript that there is
a dearth of coffee in the county, as it can neither be bought in Annan or
elsewhere.
James was over-anxious, his Scottish relatives thought, about the family
estate, and in Oct. 1758 his eldest brother, in answer to two letters, waived the
matter aside, saying he had not assurance enough to advise their father any
further, as it was not in human nature to care to be hurried in these matters,
and he went on to talk of Richard's future. He was having him educated in
Scottish law, but as there was no opening for practice at home would his brother
advise in the matter. James replied : Their father ought to set his house in
order and do justice to his children for his own. honour and the peace of the
family. That if his elder was afraid of speaking in a matter of right and justice
he hoped he would not fail to tell their father, as a message from himself, what
he— James—thought about it. No one could be so blind as to think it unreasonable
or unnecessary. This brought a severe letter from his mother, as if he had
been ten years old. She said he distressed his father, who always meant to do
him justice, and was uncivil to his brother Edward. There the matter rested
till after Edward's death, when the invalid, whom Edward had observed " must
be supported as a burden Providence has laid on the family," suddenly
recovered, and was able to sign a resignation of his rights, as the eldest living
son, arid to come home.
It is evident by some of the letters in 1761-62-63-64 that things were not at
first settled quite in accordance with James's wishes. But in 1762 he was
impressed with his father's " great cleverness in the knowledge of business, and
great steadiness in the disposition of it." He knew the old man had signed