Tell Mrs. Glibbans that I have not heard of no sound preacher as yet in
London--the want of which is no doubt the great cause of the crying sins
of the place. What would she think to hear of newspapers selling by tout
of horn on the Lord's day? and on the Sabbath night, the change-houses
are more throng than on the Saturday! I am told, but as yet I cannot say
that I have seen the evil myself with my own eyes, that in the summer
time there are tea-gardens, where the tradesmen go to smoke their pipes
of tobacco, and to entertain their wives and children, which can be
nothing less than a bringing of them to an untimely end. But you will be
surprised to hear, that no such thing as whusky is to be had in the
public-houses, where they drink only a dead sort of beer; and that a
bottle of true jennyinn London porter is rarely to be seen in the whole
town--all kinds of piple getting their porter in pewter cans, and a
laddie calls for in the morning to take away what has been yoused over
night. But what I most miss is the want of creem. The milk here is just
skimm, and I doot not, likewise well watered--as for the water, a drink
of clear wholesome good water is not within the bounds of London; and
truly, now may I say, that I have learnt what the blessing of a cup of
cold water is.
Tell Miss Nanny Eydent, that the day of the burial is now settled, when
we are going to Windsor Castle to see the precesson--and that, by the end
of the wick, she may expect the fashions from me, with all the
particulars. Till then, I am, my dear Miss Mally, your friend and
well-wisher, JANET PRINGLE.
Noto Beny.--Give my kind compliments to Mrs. Glibbans, and let her
know, that I will, after Sunday, give her an account of the state of the
Gospel in London.
* * * * * Miss Mally paused when she had read the letter, and it was unanimously
agreed, that Mrs. Pringle gave a more full account of London than either
father, son, or daughter.
By this time the night was far advanced, and Mrs. Glibbans was rising to
go away, apprehensive, as she observed, that they were going to bring
"the carts" into the room. Upon Miss Mally, however, assuring her that
no such transgression was meditated, but that she intended to treat them
with a bit nice Highland mutton ham, and eggs, of her own laying, that
worthy pillar of the Relief Kirk consented to remain.