rned that it behoved
me to act with circumspection, in order to gain a discreet dominion over
the same, and to rule without being felt, which is the great mystery of
policy. With this intent, I, for some time, took no active part in the
deliberations, but listened, with the doors of my understanding set wide
to the wall, and the windows of my foresight all open; so that, in
process of time, I became acquainted with the inner man of the
counsellors, and could make a guess, no far short of the probability, as
to what they would be at, when they were jooking and wising in a round-
about manner to accomplish their own several wills and purposes. I soon
thereby discovered, that although it was the custom to deduce reasons
from out the interests of the community, for the divers means and
measures that they wanted to bring to a bearing for their own particular
behoof, yet this was not often very cleverly done, and the cloven foot of
self-interest was now and then to be seen aneath the robe of public
principle. I had, therefore, but a straightforward course to pursue, in
order to overcome all their wiles and devices, the which was to make the
interests of the community, in truth and sincerity, the end and object of
my study, and never to step aside from it for any immediate speciality of
profit to myself. Upon this, I have endeavoured to walk with a constancy
of sobriety; and although I have, to a certainty, reaped advantage both
in my own person and that of my family, no man living can accuse me of
having bent any single thing pertaining to the town and public, from the
natural uprightness of its integrity, in order to serve my own private
ends.

It was, however, sometime before an occasion came to pass, wherein I
could bring my knowledge and observations to operate in any effectual
manner towards a reformation in the management of the burgh; indeed, I
saw that no good could be done until I had subdued the two great
factions, into which it may be said the council was then divided; the one
party being strong for those of the king's government of ministers, and
the other no less vehement on the side of their adversaries. I,
therefore, without saying a syllable to any body anent the same, girded
myself for the undertaking, and with an earnest spirit put my shoulder to
the wheel, and never desisted in my endeavours, till I had got the cart
up the brae, and the whole council reduced into a proper state of
subjection to the wil