The Ayrshire Legatees

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, JANET PRINGLE.

The Doctor being of opinion that, until they had something in hand from

the legacy, they should walk in the paths of moderation, it was resolved

to proceed by the coach from Irvine to Greenock, there embark in a

steam-boat for Glasgow, and, crossing the country to Edinburgh, take

their passage at Leith in one of the smacks for London. But we must let

the parties speak for themselves.

LETTER II

Miss Rachel Pringle to Miss Isabella Tod

GREENOCK.

MY DEAR ISABELLA--I know not why the dejection with which I parted from

you still hangs upon my heart, and grows heavier as I am drawn farther

and farther away. The uncertainty of the future--the dangers of the

sea--all combine to sadden my too sensitive spirit. Still, however, I

will exert myself, and try to give you some account of our momentous

journey.

The morning on which we bade farewell for a time--alas! it was to me as

if for ever, to my native shades of Garnock--the weather was cold, bleak,

and boisterous, and the waves came rolling in majestic fury towards the

shore, when we arrived at the Tontine Inn of Ardrossan. What a monument

has the late Earl of Eglinton left there of his public spirit! It should

embalm his memory in the hearts of future ages, as I doubt not but in

time Ardrossan will become a grand emporium; but the people of Saltcoats,

a sordid race, complain that it will be their ruin; and the Paisley

subscribers to his lordship's canal grow pale when they think of profit.