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

GOVERNOR JOHNSTONE'S ILLNESS 241
enclose a strange letter I received to-day with my answer, which I must
trouble you to read and send. I beg my compliments to Mrs and Miss John-
stone and the young gentlemen. I heard from Laura yesterday. She is well
at Sudbro'."
They came to Malvern again the following August, and when the Governor
wished Johnstone good-bye he said, " I do not mean to compliment your heart,
but I am sure that if it had been in the power of medicine to cure me it would
have been done by your skill." They adjourned to Clifton, where the lady
wrote on Feb. 1 :
" I have the pleasure to acquaint you that the Governor goes on pretty
well. He has had the honour of receiving a letter from you which he means to
answer very soon ; at this moment he is a little hurried, as his cause comes on
to-morrow before the Lords Mansfield and Loughborough— I mean the Sutton
prosecution. May I trouble you, Sir, to put a direction upon this note, and
have it delivered at the China shop that Miss Johnstone was at with me in
Worcester, and this other note at the Glove Manufactory opposite the Hop
Pole. I beg you will remember me with kindness to Mrs, Miss Johnstone, and
the rest of your good family, and begging forgiveness for the liberty I have
taken, hope you will believe me to be your most humble servant.
" C. Johnstone."
A letter from Miss Pulteney, written a few days later, thanks Johnstone
for sending "a piece of news which gave us so much pleasure. I can say little
about my uncle, who now talks of going abroad. He is at present at Taplow,
twenty-five miles from town. Papa joins me in best compliments to all your
family. I hope Miss Johnstone has danced a great deal this winter."
Miss Dee wrote on April 4 to thank Johnstone for settling Mr Wheeley's
wine bill, and would send the money by the first person going to Worcester.
" I am sorry I did not know that the 14th was your birthday, as we might
have met half way and celebrated it together, as it happens to be mine too.
Is it true that Lady Huntingdon x is to go to Vienna ? Surely her zeal is great,
and if we do not all go to Heaven it is not her fault. I am sorry I cannot give
you a good account of the Governor. He grows weaker and weaker. My
sister is well. So is Jock, and all join in kind compliments to you and
yours."
The last letter that "the Governor" wrote to Johnstone was to enclose
one from his brother-in-law, Lord Kinnaird, "granting the request I made to
him at your desire in favour of Dr Beattie, to whom I beg my compliments.
All of the family desire their compliments to you and yours. I am sorry I
cannot add any favourable account of my own health ; upon the whole it
seems resolved I should wait the issue at this place, where the air has certainly
agreed with me better than any I have yet tried, and as to Jock and my sister
Nellie, it has quite restored them. Your little book, Ikon Basilicon, I receive
1 Johnstone was not disposed to laugh at Lady Huntingdon. She wrote to him to obtain
religious privileges for the prisoners in Worcester Jail, and he cordially agreed with her.
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