d Kilwinning, and, on account of the
benevolence of his disposition, was much beloved by his parishioners.
Some of the pawkie among them used indeed to say, in answer to the godly
of Kilmarnock, and other admirers of the late great John Russel, of that
formerly orthodox town, by whom Dr. Pringle's powers as a preacher were
held in no particular estimation,--"He kens our pu'pit's frail, and
spar'st to save outlay to the heritors." As for Mrs. Pringle, there is
not such another minister's wife, both for economy and management, within
the jurisdiction of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and to this fact the
following letter to Miss Mally Glencairn, a maiden lady residing in the
Kirkgate of Irvine, a street that has been likened unto the Kingdom of
Heaven, where there is neither marriage nor giving in marriage, will
abundantly testify.

LETTER I

_Mrs. Pringle to Miss Mally Glencairn_
GARNOCK MANSE.

DEAR MISS MALLY--The Doctor has had extraordinar news from India and
London, where we are all going, as soon as me and Rachel can get
ourselves in order, so I beg you will go to Bailie Delap's shop, and get
swatches of his best black bombaseen, and crape, and muslin, and bring
them over to the manse the morn's morning. If you cannot come yourself,
and the day should be wat, send Nanny Eydent, the mantua-maker, with
them; you'll be sure to send Nanny, onyhow, and I requeesht that, on this
okasion, ye'll get the very best the Bailie has, and I'll tell you all
about it when you come. You will get, likewise, swatches of mourning
print, with the lowest prices. I'll no be so particular about them, as
they are for the servan lasses, and there's no need, for all the
greatness of God's gifts, that we should be wasterful. Let Mrs. Glibbans
know, that the Doctor's second cousin, the colonel, that was in the East
Indies, is no more;--I am sure she will sympatheese with our loss on this
melancholy okasion. Tell her, as I'll no be out till our mournings are
made, I would take it kind if she would come over and eate a bit of
dinner on Sunday. The Doctor will no preach himself, but there's to be
an excellent young man, an acquaintance of Andrew's, that has the repute
of being both sound and hellaquaint. But no more at present, and looking
for you and Nanny Eydent, with the swatches,--I am, dear Miss Mally, your
sinsare friend,