The Ayrshire Legatees

The moment that the Doctor made his appearance, his greeting and

salutation was quite delightful; it was that of a father returned to his

children, and a king to his people.

Almost immediately after the Doctor, Mrs. Pringle, followed by Miss Mally

Glencairn and Miss Isabella Tod, also debouched from the gate, and the

assembled females remarked, with no less instinct, the transmutation

which she had undergone. She was dressed in a dark blue cloth pelisse,

trimmed with a dyed fur, which, as she told Miss Mally, "looked quite as

well as sable, without costing a third of the money." A most matronly

muff, that, without being of sable, was of an excellent quality,

contained her hands; and a very large Leghorn straw bonnet, decorated

richly, but far from excess, with a most substantial band and bow of a

broad crimson satin ribbon around her head.

If the Doctor was gratified to see his people so gladly thronging around

him, Mrs. Pringle had no less pleasure also in her thrice-welcome

reception. It was an understood thing, that she had been mainly

instrumental in enabling the minister to get his great Indian legacy; and

in whatever estimation she may have been previously held for her economy

and management, she was now looked up to as a personage skilled in the

law, and particularly versed in testamentary erudition. Accordingly, in

the customary testimonials of homage with which she was saluted in her

passage to the church door, there was evidently a sentiment of veneration

mingled, such as had never been evinced before, and which was neither

unobserved nor unappreciated by that acute and perspicacious lady.

The Doctor himself did not preach, but sat in the minister's pew till Mr.

Snodgrass had concluded an eloquent and truly an affecting sermon; at the

end of which, the Doctor rose and went up into the pulpit, where he

publicly returned thanks for the favours and blessings he had obtained

during his absence, and for the safety in which he had been restored,

after many dangers and tribulations, to the affections of his

parishioners.

Such were the principal circumstances that marked the return of the

family. In the course of the week after, the estate of Moneypennies

being for sale, it was bought for the Doctor as a great bargain. It was

not, however, on account of the advantageous nature of the purchase that

our friend valued this acquisition, but entirely because it was situated

in his own parish, and part of the lands marching with the Glebe.

The previous owner of Moneypennies had built an elegant house on the

estate, to which Mrs. Pringle is at present actively preparing to remove

from the manse; and it is understood, that, as Mr. Snodgrass was last

week declared helper, and successor to the Doctor, his marriage with Miss

Isabella Tod will take place with all convenient expedition. There is

also reason to believe, that, as soon as decorum will permit, any scruple

which Mrs. Glibbans had to a second marriage is now removed, and that she

will soon again grace the happy circle of wives by the name of Mrs.

Craig. Indeed, we are assured that Miss Nanny Eydent is actually at this

time employed in making up her wedding garments; for, last week, that

worthy and respectable young person was known to have visited Bailie

Delap's shop, at a very early hour in the morning, and to have priced

many things of a bridal character, besides getting swatches; after which

she was seen to go to Mrs. Glibbans's house, where she remained a very

considerable time, and to return straight therefrom to the shop, and

purchase divers of the articles which she had priced and inspected; all

of which constitute sufficient grounds for the general opinion in Irvine,

that the union of Mr. Craig with Mrs. Glibbans is a happy event drawing

near to consummation.