The Ayrshire Legatees

As often as I could, deeming it my duty as a minister of the word and

gospel, I got into the House of Lords, and heard the trial; and I cannot

think how ever it was expected that justice could be done yonder; for

although no man could be more attentive than I was, every time I came

away I was more confounded than when I went; and when the trial was done,

it seemed to me just to be clearing up for a proper beginning--all which

is a proof that there was a foul conspiracy. Indeed, when I saw Duke

Hamilton's daughter coming out of the coach with the queen, I never could

think after, that a lady of her degree would have countenanced the queen

had the matter laid to her charge been as it was said. Not but in any

circumstance it behoved a lady of that ancient and royal blood, to be

seen beside the queen in such a great historical case as a trial.

I hope, in the part I have taken, my people will be satisfied; but

whether they are satisfied or not, my own conscience is content with me.

I was in the House of Lords when her majesty came down for the last time,

and saw her handed up the stairs by the usher of the black-rod, a little

stumpy man, wonderful particular about the rules of the House, insomuch

that he was almost angry with me for stopping at the stair-head. The

afflicted woman was then in great spirits, and I saw no symptoms of the

swelled legs that Lord Lauderdale, that jooking man, spoke about, for she

skippit up the steps like a lassie. But my heart was wae for her when

all was over, for she came out like an astonished creature, with a wild

steadfast look, and a sort of something in the face that was as if the

rational spirit had fled away; and she went down to her coach as if she

had submitted to be led to a doleful destiny. Then the shouting of the

people began, and I saw and shouted too in spite of my decorum, which I

marvel at sometimes, thinking it could be nothing less than an

involuntary testification of the spirit within me.

Anent the marriage of Rachel Pringle, it may be needful in me to state,

for the satisfaction of my people, that although by stress of law we were

obligated to conform to the practice of the Episcopalians, by taking out

a bishop's license, and going to their church, and vowing, in a pagan

fashion, before their altars, which are an abomination to the Lord; yet,

when the young folk came home, I made them stand up, and be married again

before me, according to all regular marriages in our national Church.

For this I had two reasons: first, to satisfy myself that there had been

a true and real marriage; and, secondly, to remove the doubt of the

former ceremony being sufficient; for marriage being of divine

appointment, and the English form and ritual being a thing established by

Act of Parliament, which is of human ordination, I was not sure that

marriage performed according to a human enactment could be a fulfilment

of a divine ordinance. I therefore hope that my people will approve what

I have done; and in order that there may be a sympathising with me, you

will go over to Banker M---y, and get what he will give you, as ordered

by me, and distribute it among the poorest of the parish, according to

the best of your discretion, my long absence having taken from me the

power of judgment in a matter of this sort. I wish indeed for the glad

sympathy of my people, for I think that our Saviour turning water into

wine at the wedding, was an example set that we should rejoice and be

merry at the fulfilment of one of the great obligations imposed on us as

social creatures; and I have ever regarded the unhonoured treatment of a

marriage occasion as a thing of evil bodement, betokening heavy hearts

and light purses to the lot of the bride and bridegroom. You will hear

more from me by and by; in the meantime, all I can say is, that when we

have taken our leave of the young folks, who are going to France, it is

Mrs. Pringle's intent, as well as mine, to turn our horses' heads

northward, and make our way with what speed we can, for our own quiet

home, among you. So no more at present from your friend and pastor, Z. PRINGLE.