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

YOUNG JAMES'S LETTERS 217
never gone to taverns, oyster houses, etc., or joined in any kind of extraordinaries,
nor intend it, for I find the necessary expenses, even with the utmost
care, must be great. I have hitherto kept a regular account of all my expenses,
and shall continue to do it, and hope to keep such a one as will give you and
myself satisfaction. I am very sensible of the importance of frugality and the
justice of your observation, that great expenses are commonly closely connected
with idleness and its consequences, and I shall want no greater motive to
engage me to it than the examples of yourself and Lord Lyttelton.
"I wrote to Tate as ypu directed me, and let Gallabank know in a letter
I wrote to him since, so that when they see him they may remind him of it.
[Then follows an abstract of the lectures he had attended.]
" I have spoken both to Donaldson and Kincaid concerning your book.
They seem but indifferent about it. If you choose to put all of them in the
hands of one person let it be Donaldson. The spirit of any of them in dispos-
ing of them will depend very much on the profit you allow them."
" Hon. Sir,— I dined yesterday with Dr Henry. 1
"Edinburgh, March 12, 1771.
. . . Your
books arrived
very safe with the Success, though many goods were spoiled, owing to the ship
being leaky. I got them about a fortnight ago, gave fifty to each of the book-
sellers in Edinburgh, and have sent twenty-four to Foulis in Glasgow, with a
letter to let them know that if they could dispose of more I would supply them.
I gave one to General Lockhart, Dr Monro, Dr Rutherfurd, and Professor
Stewart. 2 ... I gave one also to Dr Black, as I have the honour to be a
little acquainted with him, the rest I have deferred till I receive Mrs Montagu's
letter to Dr Gregory, which I hope you will get soon.
" I have spoken to Mrs Murray on the business you desired me. She
desires that you will write to London yourself for my uncle's books, and seems
to be much offended at you for setting so small a value as 30s. upon them,
and says they must be worth more than that if you value them at no more than
farthings each. I say as little as possible to Mrs Lockhart on this subject, as
I know it is a disagreeable one to her as well as myself.
" Before I left Annan I desired John Irvin, if my grandfather should be
seized with any sudden or violent illness, to let me know it by a letter put with
his own hand into the Post Office of Dumfries, which he promised to do.
" My stock of money is getting very low. I have but £1, 6s. 6d. remaining,
and shall be very much obliged to you for a supply as soon as is convenient.
" This is my last frank. Be so good as to send me some other if you have
any that will serve."
Richard had left his sister his executor and residuary legatee, but the
elder James had lent him money and books, and there were bills for his rooms
in London, and for a suit of Court mourning for the mother of George III., and
1 A Scottish minister, at that time attached to St. Giles', Edinburgh, the author of a
History of Great Britain in the Reign of Henry VII. and other works (1718-90).
i His son was Dugald Stewart, Mathematical Professor (1753-1828).