My Lord, No. CLXXX. Mr Henry Fane to the Lord President. Dated the 3d Dec' 1737. I HAD the honour of your Lordps Lre, with the comfortable Scarfe for my Bro' Tho' Parson, wch I immediately forwarded to him, that his Poll may receive no damage from the cold winds. I should have answered it sooner, but I have been attending (partly out of curiosity, & partly as my duty) the Committees of Council to regulate her Mať" funeral. Their Lordps sent for the ingenious M' Anstis, who attended them 3 times; and, altho' he had as plain directions given him as possible to prepare a scheme of a funeral agreeable to Queen Anne's, in wch the Queen's Officers were to be introduced, he brot them no Scheme, but tired them with puzzling speeches; so yt to-day the Lords met themselves and settled the Ceremony, wh is to be this day fortnight. The body is to be removed to the Prince's Chamber the night before, and buried from thence in a new Vault wch is building in H. the 7th's Chappel. It is to be preceeded by the Peers & great Officers, & other inferior ones. The Princess Amelia is to be Chief Mourner; the Lord Chamberlain & Ld Steward are to support her, & two Dutchess's support her train, assisted by 14 other Dutchesses. There is no other of the Royal family to be there. Had it not been for the quarrel, the Prince & Duke would have been her supporters, & the young Princesses would have carried her Train. Six Dukes, Knights of the Garter, are to be PallBearers. The Duke of Somerset and others are angry at the Mourning, and won't put their Coaches in black; because the King having declared by an Order of Council, published in the Gazette soon after he came to the Crown, yt he should not require so close Mourning as formerly on any publick or Court Mournings, it altered the old Method of going into Mourning; so yt sev1 have not put their Coaches or Serv into Mourning for their nearest relations, and therefore think it hard to do so for the queen. My Bro' has the hardest Case. He, as Soll' to the Q., puts his Chariot in Mourning, and his place is extinct; & he can't take a Pension, as her other Officers do, because he is a Member of Parliament. The K. wanted to be put into the Coffin with her when he died; but that being impossible, her Coffin is to be put into a Marble Coffin big enough to hold two; and when the K. dies, he is to fill up the vacancy. I believe I have tired you. I shall only add, that M' Blair told me last night, that Lord Harrington is very assiduous ab' the Danish Claim; that Mr Scrope is very much yours, & will soon write to you; & that my Brother doubts not of your being his with the same sincerity that he is yours. I am, with perfect respect & regard, Yor Lordp's most obliged & obedient humble Serv', No. CLXXXI. From Ld Hardwicke to the Ld President. My Lord, Carshalton, Janus 5th 1737-8. YOUR obliging letter found me at this place, rusticating for a few days, in order to be the better fortified against a Session of Parliament. It gave me much pleasure, as it brought proofs of my not being forgotten by an old friend whom I most highly esteem; and something the more, as it flattered my vanity, in making me believe that I was not altogether mistaken in part of those considerations which you permitted me to lay before you. Your Lordship perceives from hence, that I can sometimes be on the same side with a Scottish mob, interdum populus rectum videt; and in this instance, F think them right when they found themselves on your talents and perseverance, and the probable consequences of a good beginning. Reformation is most difficult at first; but when some advances are happily made, the good effects, being felt, afford a sensible evidence, which operates more strongly than any previous speculation, and must create a shame of relapsing. I rejoice much to hear that your Lordship hath turn'd your thoughts towards the improvement of the Laws of your Country. Such hands as yours are fitted for such Undertakings; whereas others, not so well informed, or not so well intentioned, often spoil what they pretend to amend. If a scheme of this nature were sent up, you might depend on my best endeavours for your service; for, however I may of late have been thought of, I assure you, with the strictest truth, that there is not a man in the united Kingdom who considers it as one more than I do; and, upon this principle, would more zealously promote the true interest and welfare of Scotland. But, as to the Bill passing without alterations, Your Lordship, who had long experience of our Parliamentary Genius, of the disposition to amend the English Law, and of some attempts relating to your own, can judge, as well as I, of the probability of such an event. It would be impertinent to put you in mind of another matter; that, unless some of your Countrymen here are taken into the original project, many obstacles may arise. of your people from their Ferment about the Edinburgh Bill, is a good Symptom. I hope they also are, or soon will be so, from that about reading the other Act of Parliament in the Churches; for, whatever becomes of your Law, your Ecclesiastical Affairs are too sacred for me to meddle with. As to those of your Manufactures, they have my best Wishes, and shall never want any assistance in my power. I hope the becoming concern, which you say shews itself in your part of the Kingdom, on the Queen's death, may be looked on as an evidence of their affection to the King, his family, and Government. As the Blessing we enjoyed in her life was public and universal, the misfortune of her loss must be equally extensive. The recovery After mentioning the Subject, I can add nothing more, but that I am, with perfect truth and Respect, My Lord, Your Lordship's most obed' and faithful humble Servant, I hope M' Ross remembered to return my hearty thanks and Compliments for your kind present, which did credit to your Fishery. No. CLXXXII. HARDWICKE. M' P. Murdoch to M' John Forbes, dated from London, 14th January 1737-8. My dearest F. I UNDERSTAND, by a Line from our good friend which I received since I came to England, that you and he wrote me from Colloden, which I am sorry I never received; for I have been extremely uneasy, not knowing what was become of you, nor what you were doing. My only resource was, to enquire at Mitchell, who gave me what satisfaction he could. In the mean time, my dearest J. I did not impute your tu silence silence to unkindness. As I feel no decrease of friendship on my own part, I am as little jealous of it on yours. I know you love me, and ever will; and nothing in this world can ever interest me so much as your Welfare. It is a great comfort to me, that Mitchell loves and esteems you. He is of opinion, as I always have been, that an agreable match would make you happy and independant; and since your father does not insist for money, it is very hard if you cannot find one to your mind in a Country where there are so many fine Women, and where I believe there is more virtue and good sense than in any other. As to my own affairs, I have given up with travelling for good and all. Mr. Vernon has offered me a snug little Benefice down in Suffolk, which I am to be put in possession of in a few weeks, and where I propose to pass the remainder of my days in study and retirement; for the bustle of this world is vanity and vexation of spirit, and true happiness must spring from within; that is, from a Mind not tyranized by violent and outrageous passions, and from a consciousness of doing one's duty in the station where Providence has placed him. For the rest, after the necessarys of life are ensured, it is no great matter whether the sphere one acts in is wide or narrow. You need say nothing of this to any body but to my Lord President, to whom I offer my most humble respects, and to honest George. Remember me to Mr. William & your friend Dugal. Write me immediately how you are, and what you are doing. Direct, at Commissioner Vernon's, in Grosvenor Street. Adieu, mon cher Enfant; porte-toi bien. PAT. MURDOCH. P. S. When I was at Geneva, I payed for you, to Chappreys, 3 Spanish Pistoles; & 2 Mirletons to Bonnet. I should not so much as mention this, considering how deeply I am every way indebted to your father and you; but not being in a Condition at present to make any remittance to my Sister in the Country, as I intended, if you are in hand at present, or some time hence when you are, I would beg you would give to the above value to And Martin, who will deliver it to my Sister, to be sent to the Country. I saw your friend Dupuys at Paris, who talked of no less than making you a visit; but I told him it was by no means seasonable. I am a litle disobliged at him, for recommending to me a Scoundrel who picked two Guineas from me before I left London, and not procuring me payment when I was at Paris. At the same time, whatever that Gentleman's real Character is, I reckon myself under very great obligations to him for his friendship to you. No. CLXXXIII. Mr John Drummond to the Lord President; dated London, January 31" 1737-8. Dear Sir, IT's with no small satisfaction that I hear of your health, from our friends come up to Parliament; and at the same time, from all hands & parteys, what I always expected you would prove, an honour to your Country, and an ornament to your employment; a lover of equity, and dispatch of Business in a regular way; and to convince you, Sir, that it's from all parteys, I make use of the words of my Lord Chancellor & of my Lord Carteret; and the former added, that you had only made a beginning; and that you would bring it farther still, without peevishness & insolence, too common to some of your Brethren. The Man who was to engrave the Tapicery of the House of Lords, to whome you was a subscriber, has not apeard yet this Session; but I shall enquire after him. I hear Complaints of what ought not to be known in a trading Country, that Englishmen, having stock in their own names in your New Bank, coming to die, their heirs must pay arbitrary fines or compositions to your Commissary Court, at proving of their Wills, or interest. If that be not rectified, I must have a Clause in an act of parliament; otherways no purchasers will be found here, or who will advance money on that stock; whereas in London, oftne Gentlemen pledge stock to raise money, to finish a purchase, or to marry a Daughter, till other Money come in. I have been in England almost three weeks. I left Antwerp the beginning of this Month, and must return again as soon as the house will permit. We have hitherto an easie Session; Fryday the Army will bear a strong debate. We expect no motion from the Prince's partey; if it should come, the K. is provided against it. Sir Robert looks well; and I am with much respect, Honoured Sir, Your most humble & most obedient Servant, JOHN DRUMMOND. No. CLXXXIV. M'P. Murdoch to M' John Forbes; dated from London, 24 Febry 1738. I RECEIVED yours, my dearest Forbes, and am charmed you should not be averse to the advice I gave you : 'tis what I am sure your father, & all that wish you well, will readily concur in. concur in. For speaking to him on the subject, you can find no difficulty, if once the thing were ripe for proposing it to him. On these occasions there need no flowers or Ornaments of speech; upon Business, people ought to speak plain their meaning; and not only on this, but every other subject, you ought, without going out of the bounds of respect and duty, to talk as frankly to him as to any other Man. But it is necessary first to look out for a person suitable; and if you have made a right choice, there will be no difficulty, either in proposing it to him, or obtaining his consent and encouragement. I am, perhaps, not the fittest person to direct your choice; but the infinite concern I have for your happiness obliges me to give my Opinion upon the qualifications you ought principally to have in your Eye. 1. Every Gentleman owes to his friends and posterity not to bring into his family but one of an equal or rather superior birth. In the vicissitude of humane things, a good parente is very often all that a Man has left, and that sometimes retrieves his affaires when otherways he should be lost. 2. I should take it for a bad omen, if you were conducted in your choice by a fond and violent passion; of which there so rarely comes any good, that if one finds himself happy it is but by accident. He has run the same risque as a Man that has passed a narrow Bridge blindfold. The degree of Love one ought to have for a future Spouse is that which arises from well-founded esteem and cool reason, and which will always be rather growing than declining: whereas all your Goddess Brides are reduced to mere Mortals in the operations of one night. One thing with regard to Beauty is indispensible; a Graceful form and Stature, blooming or rather vigorous health, with a natural turn to cheerfulness and gaiety, that she may not introduce a diminutive, sickly, melancholy race. 3. The qualitys of her mind are a great deal more difficult to distinguish. Young Women are very often close hypocrites; or if they are not, they at least do not know themselves what sort of wives they are likely to make. Their situation and circumstances are so entirely altered by matrimony, that it is no great wonder if themselves are are so yet there are marks that rarely fail. We hold every thing good or bad from Nature, Education, and Example; and from these, variously combined, we can with tolerable Certainty fix any Man or Woman's character. If in a family, for Example, there have been several examples of Women that have turned out whimsical, extravagant, lewd, or ill natured, a prudent Man would be shy to have any thing to do with the Race. If, on the contrary, a Girl has been rear'd under the eye of a virtuous Mother and virtuous relations, she bids fair to follow their Example. There is a general Character attach❜t to each family, which is publickly known, and which ought not to be overlook'd in the present case. But above all, the Company one keeps, or affects to keep, is a mark without any exception. Birds of a feather fail not to flock together. A Lady's behaviour too with regard to publick Companys and Spectacles shews her disposition. If she is continually gadding about, and filling up her whole life with them, she shows herself a Votary of pleasure, and unfit for Domestic cares and tenderness. If she lives recluse altogether, her nature must be sower and unsociable; but if, without fondly running into either extream, she is equally easy and chearful at home and at the Ball, her breeding and good sense will be justly admired. For money, I say not a word about it. If it comes, of course it is not to be refus'd; but ought never, even to a much poorer Man, balance other Considerations that are essential to Domestic happiness. After all, I am not in the least doubt but that, if you set yourself seriously to work, you may find out a person that shall be the solace and comfort of your life. It is not enough to consult our honest friend G., or any other Man that should have the like tenderness for you: you must have a female confident, who loves you, knows the world, and the Characters and private history of families. Such I take the M Kennedys to be, and that you cannot have more faithful or more disinterested Counsel than in that worthy family. When, by such advice and assistance, you have fixed your choice, cultivated a little personal acquaintance, and had a tolerable prospect of success, then is it time to open the matter to your father, who cannot fail to contribute all in his power to your happiness, and will wish to see himself increase and multiply in his descendants. Think seriously, my dearest J., on this affair: you will find what an agreeable change it will make in your Circumstances, manner of living, and temper. If one is to marry at all, the putting it off serves to no good purpose. An old Batchelor grows unfit either to give or relish pleasure; and, if he marrys, dyes off without the satisfaction of seeing his Children grow up to support his old age. I give you my promise, if that can be any inducement, to come and stay a twelvemonth with you, to be a witness of your happiness; and to see it compleat will be the most sensible to me that I can have on this side the grave, if I was to double the years of Nestor. To convince you of the truth of this, I know I need not use many words: we know each other; that is enough. My Love to honest G. I will write to him and other friends when I can get franks. All your acquaintances here are well, and salute you with great affection. Thomson has writ a Tragedy *, whereof the Town is in great expectation. Yours, with unalterable truth, This was his Agamemnon. P. M. No. CLXXXV. |