gowns for ordinary occasions led to the making of mournings, and the
making of mournings naturally often caused Nanny to be called in at
deaths, which, in process of time, promoted her to have the management of
burials; and in this line of business she has now a large proportion of
the genteelest in Irvine and its vicinity; and in all her various
engagements her behaviour has been as blameless and obliging as her
assiduity has been uniform; insomuch, that the numerous ladies to whom
she is known take a particular pleasure in supplying her with the newest
patterns, and earliest information, respecting the varieties and changes
of fashions; and to the influence of the same good feelings in the breast
of Mrs. Pringle, Nanny was indebted for the following letter. How far
the information which it contains may be deemed exactly suitable to the
circumstances in which Miss Nanny's lot is cast, our readers may judge
for themselves; but we are happy to state, that it has proved of no small
advantage to her: for since it has been known that she had received a
full, true, and particular account, of all manner of London fashions,
from so managing and notable a woman as the minister's wife of Garnock,
her consideration has been so augmented in the opinion of the
neighbouring gentlewomen, that she is not only consulted as to funerals,
but is often called in to assist in the decoration and arrangement of
wedding-dinners, and other occasions of sumptuous banqueting; by which
she is enabled, during the suspension of the flowering trade, to earn a
lowly but a respected livelihood.

LETTER XV

_Mrs. Pringle to Miss Nanny Eydent_, _Mantua-maker_, _Seagate Head_,
_Irvine_
LONDON.

DEAR MISS NANNY--Miss Mally Glencairn would tell you all how it happent
that I was disabled, by our misfortunes in the ship, from riting to you
konserning the London fashons as I promist; for I wantit to be
partikylor, and to say nothing but what I saw with my own eyes, that it
might be servisable to you in your bizness--so now I will begin with the
old king's burial, as you have sometimes okashon to lend a helping hand
in that way at Irvine, and nothing could be more genteeler of the kind
than a royal obsakew for a patron; but no living sole can give a distink
account of this matter, for you know the old king was the f