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

YOUNG JAMES'S LETTERS 219
" It is now time for me to inform you of the way I employ my time here.
I brought Haller from Edinburgh with me to endeavour to make myself master
of it before I return there, but find it not so easy a task as I imagined. I
generally read the whole morning till twelve o'clock, and after that go and talk
Latin, and read with John Irving, the blind man, whom you know to be an
excellent Latin scholar. I am acquainted with everybody in the town that I
wish to be, and am commonly out every afternoon.
" I bought the Comparative View last winter, and have read it over and
over; it is a book in every respect worthy of its author. I cannot express its
worth in stronger terms, and with all who are acquainted with Dr Gregory it
cannot bear a higher character. When you see Mrs Montagu at Hagley, I
beg you will present my best acknowledgements to her for the honour she has
done me in introducing me to that excellent man, and my duty to his Lordship,
if you think proper. I visited your friend Mr Gath J last Sunday. He is very
well. The old people here ask a great many questions about home. My love
to Neddy and all my brothers and sister."
" Annan, Oct. 11, 177 1.
" Hon. Sir,— I received yours of the 20th ult. with the agreeable news of
the birth of Lockhart on the 12th, and heartily join all friends here in wishing
that the increase of your family may prove an increase of your happiness. I
have not been able to go to Dumfries on account of the harvest till yesterday,
when I went to receive the interest at the Bank.
" I made inquiry about John's confirmation, but the office can give no
answer without searching the Register, and unless you can give the exact time
it will be attended with much expense. ... I am sorry I cannot, in spite of
repeated solicitations, send you copies of the writings, etc., you desired, but
my grandfather cannot look them out himself and will not allow me to do it.
He once said he might let me have them if Mrs Murray was away, but now
she has been at Locherwood some days he has altered his mind. Not a day
passes but my grandmother has something to say about the monument. She
is very angry at it being put off so long, and still persists that it shall be of
marble, or (says she) ' I will send a man on purpose to pull it down the moment
it is put up.'
" I read to Gallabank your letter. He says he has no money, but will try
to spare enough to supply me to Edinburgh, though I am afraid it will be little
enough as the good old man seems to have the prevailing passion of his years
growing pretty fast upon him.
"The sale of Sir John Douglas's land will be next Tuesday. Mr Dickson
will attend it on your account. He expresses great readiness to be of any
service to you in his power.
"You ask what sort of a schoolmaster we have. As a schoolmaster I know
little of him ; but he is a very sensible man, has read a good deal, and is in his
flock.
1 Minister of Graitney, an author, and noted for the strictness with which he ruled his