Earls of Middleton, Lords of Clermont and of Fettercairn

yohn Middleton, First Earl of Middleton. 8 1
was not well entertained, as he is not well beloved
by most, and Glencairn expected that command.
After a few days a quarrel between them led to a
duel, in which Monro was hurt on the face and in
the hand ; the other, not at all. Middleton has a
hard task, at a great disadvantage, but has hitherto
managed it so well that there is no doubt of success.
The business, although its growth is not hasty, is in
constitution healthy and strong ; nor is its stature
so contemptible as to expose it to scorn. Glencairn
went south with a party about a month since, and
Drummond not many days after, who only by the
accidental dislodgment of a party of rebels escaped
the being surprised in a pass. This would have
been an extraordinary loss, as he is not only a good
soldier, but a sober, rational man. The nobility and
gentry who have joined are persons of very great
hopes, descended of no bastard aery, but true sons of
the eagle ; without foreign education, through the dis-
orders of the times, but saved thereby from the softness
and effeminateness in which some bury their honours.
" The ship that brings this letter was originally a
Dutch vessel captured by the rebels ; she was sur-
prised by Lord Reay's father-in-law, 1 in a port near
1 Lord Reay was twice married — first to Isabella, daughter of
George Earl of Caithness ; secondly, to Barbara, daughter of Hugh
Mackay, of Scaury. (Burke.) As" the dates of his marriages are not
given, it is difficult to say which father-in-law is meant.