tie of my poor sister, in respect the
Queen's blessed Majesty, for whom we are ever bound to pray,
hath redeemed her soul from the slayer, granting the ransom
of her, whilk is ane pardon or reprieve. And I spoke with
the Queen face to face, and yet live; for she is not muckle
differing from other grand leddies, saving that she has a
stately presence, and een like a blue huntin' hawk's, whilk
gaed throu' and throu' me like a Highland durk--And all this
good was, alway under the Great Giver, to whom all are but
instruments, wrought for us by the Duk of Argile, wha is ane
native true-hearted Scotsman, and not pridefu', like other
folk we ken of--and likewise skeely enow in bestial, whereof
he has promised to gie me twa Devonshire kye, of which he is
enamoured, although I do still haud by the real hawkit
Airshire breed--and I have promised him a cheese; and I wad
wuss ye, if Gowans, the brockit cow, has a quey, that she
suld suck her fill of milk, as I am given to understand he
has none of that breed, and is not scornfu' but will take a
thing frae a puir body, that it may lighten their heart of
the loading of debt that they awe him. Also his honour the
Duke will accept ane of our Dunlop cheeses, and it sall be
my faut if a better was ever yearned in Lowden."--[Here
follow some observations respecting the breed of cattle, and
the produce of the dairy, which it is our intention to
forward to the Board of Agriculture.]--"Nevertheless, these
are but matters of the after-harvest, in respect of the
great good which Providence hath gifted us with--and, in
especial, poor Effie's life. And oh, my dear father, since
it hath pleased God to be merciful to her, let her not want
your free pardon, whilk will make her meet to be ane vessel
of grace, and also a comfort to your ain graie hairs. Dear
Father, will ye let the Laird ken that we have had friends
strangely raised up to us, and that the talent whilk he lent
me will be thankfully repaid. I hae some of it to the fore;
and the rest of it is not knotted up in ane purse or napkin,
but in ane wee bit paper, as is the fashion heir, whilk I am
assured is gude for the siller. And, dear father, through
Mr. Butler's means I hae gude friendship with the Duke, for
there had been kindness between their forbe