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.