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.