History of the Fife Pitcairns

CANON PITCAIRN'S LIFE AT ECCLES. 309
From The Duchess of Roxburghe to The Rev. James Pelham
Pitcairn, Eccles Vicarage, Manchester.
Floors, May 22nd, 1879.
My dearest James, — I am utterly crushed and miserable, the
light of my life and of my heart gone — and though I did not think
anything could add to my grief, my dearest Bowmont (since the
day after his precious Father's funeral, lying ill of typhoid fever).
It overwhelms me, and I am naturally knocked up in body. I
cannot bear not to tell you myself, however, how touched I have
been by the respect you paid to him, who was unequalled. How
I thank you all for your affection — your dear Edith for her kind
lines, and you for your prayers for me. It would be kind if you
would thank your dear sister Eliza for a touching note. Indeed I
cannot write. She and you will understand. Bowie is doing well,
we are apprised. God bless you ! — I am, Your most affectionate
and broken-hearted Cousin, S. Roxburghe.
F.S. — Forty-two years of perfect happiness I thank God for.
From The Dowager-Duchess of Roxburghe to The Rev. Canon
Pitcairn, Eccles Vicarage, Manchester.
Broxmouth, October 2nd, 1879.
If you have read the absurd paragraph about Boivmont (Bow-
mont to us all for ever), my dearest James, you will like to hear
that though thrown roughly out of his dogcart on Kelso stones,
he is not " seriously injured," though stiff and bruised, and his
hand cut. Thank God, it is no worse. Then, my dear kind
cousin, you are right ; I slept better and felt better in health from
the great effort I made to see poor dear Ishee. 1 She is a pattern
of patience and cheerfulness, but a cripple, has not been out for a
year, and once in bed cannot turn, suffering great pain constantly.
She took a little house opposite for the four days I was there, so
Charlotte, George, and I were quite quiet. I also spent three hours
with dear Louisa, who spoke most warmly of you, and I slept
coming home at my mother's very old cousin's, Miss Dalton, like
Louisa, 81^. It was a hard week. But I have since Tuesday
Charlotte and her little girl here. George follows. Her best love.
She says, " We never forget him " ! I told you, I think, that both
my boys are at school ? So I am doubly glad of my Charlotte.
I like to think you pray for me ! Dearest James, much love to
you all. — Yours most affectionately, S. R.
1 Miss Okell, a cousin of the late Duke's.