Montgomery manuscripts

378 The Montgomery Manuscripts.
First then, as to his outward parts, his stature is of a middle proportion ; His Complexion
Ruddy, and his Skin white ; His Nerves Strong and Agile (considering his Age, which is past his
Grand Climacterick. 32 He wears no wigg, his Haire is mous-colored, the intermingling white ones
not being near equall to y e Rest. His countenance is Spritely and cheerfull, yet can weare a frown
when needfull : his eyes quick gray & piercing ; his body and Limbs Shapely, and he wears his
habits neately, wh ch are not cours but plain : he is early in going to bed and up rising from it, his
hours not being so late as tenn for the one, nor after Six for the other : his temperam' is a Right
Sanguine, Seasoned with Choller, yet his body (now in its declining state) is subject to Rheumatisms
and the grievous Gout, as to his Mind (so far as an Estimate may be made thereof from his
Actions, and the tree is best known by y e fruits) it is Generous as his Circumstances will permitt,
which have not brought him into any debt. It is a lover of Gentile and civil company which it will
cherish mostly in his own house, in wh ch it delighteth to keep neat rooms & a Constant orderly
able, and well stored Sellers. So that a gentleman coming before, or after meale time, never or
Seldom, can miss of Souced or other cold meat : & for y e bread, butter, cheese, and good liquor,
they are always at hand with an hearty wellcom to Gentlemen ; and hospitality to the needy. His
mind is not a wanderer or astray, but is fixed to becoming Principles. It abhors durty or mean
things, or ways ; It cannot endure to hear of any honest civil Gentlemans being traduced, or slighted
for his Age or Poverty, for he thinks no man (tho rich in money or lands) to be a gentle without
honesty & curtesy : It stirrs up his indignation to censure (above board) any wrongs done, and
will not lett him spare to tell the faulty person thereof, when they next meet (if the matter be worth
an home reproof) but will not give it in his own house ; thus he prevents his words from being mis
reported and shows a friendship and an Ardor becoming a Gentleman. Its love, where Setled or
promised) is dureable, and shows itself in good effects, whereof his Advices given (when desired)
and sometimes (if need be) unasked, are not y e least obligeing proofs of it. It ever had a com-
passionate pitty for indigent boys, that were towardly willing to serve a gentleman honestly, espe-
cially if they were born of Gentile parents. I will name but one of many he hath preferred, by
his recommendation. Hee is John Franks, 83 whose father was Provest Martiall in Tangier, and
his Mother a Sutler there ; the boy knew not well where to gett meat, or Lodging in Dublin, but by
pence he gained in Singing ballads, or witty songs : him he got to our young Earle's Service, for a
diversion to his Lo pp * Melancholy, and he did thrive so well therein that he was rich and well
marryed to a fair gentlewoman with a fortune before he left it.
He hath trained up all his children Vertuously, continuing (as their mother did) to instruct
them in their Agenda, in which he hath not failed to infuse the dutys of the fifth command wh ch hath
the motive (St. Paul calls it promise) Annexed ; and he hath Suitable observances rendered him
gone abroad, I suspect a-wooing, and his caleche is gone 8z Grand Climacteric/;. — Seep. 74, supra.
with him." — Richardson's English Dictionary. The s 3 John Franks. — Nothing is stated farther in the
islandic word kialke, or kalke, denotes a dray or sledge, narrative to give us a knowledge of this gentleman's
And the Gaelic word Calchcn, derived from it, means a family. He is one of the witnesses to the release given by
square frame of wood with ribs across it, used by the the author to the second earl of Mount- Alexander, for the
Scotch for drying purposes. — Jamie<=on's Etymological payment of his (the author's) wife's dowry. See p. 290,
Dictionary. note 5> S1I P- a