Old family; or, The Setons of Scotland and America

ibio] TRANSLATION OF LATIN EPITAPH. 95
stripped of all his fortune, he not only sustained with fortitude, but even
despised and surmounted innumerable distresses of that kind, which bore
witness of his faithful attachment to his country, and his loyalty to its right-
ful Sovereigns. At length, upon the accession of James the Sixth, by whose
auspicious government, prudence, and counsels, Scotland was delivered from
all its tempests and distresses, and restored to its antient splendor, he too
was honourably received, and treated according to his merit, recovered his
rank and dignity of his ancestors, and was sent by the King as his chief am-
bassador to Henry the Third King of France, with the most ample powers
to confirm the alliance between them. In this high orifice, when he was per-
forming services to the satisfaction, and with the favour of both Princes, the
labours of his past life bring upon him a fatal disease. He returned to his
own country, and within a month after he went hence to a better state, on
the Sth day df January, in the year of our Lord 1585, about the 55th year
of his age.
" Dame Isabell Hamilton sprung from parents of noble birth ; her father
being Sir William Hamilton of Sanquhar, and her mother Catherine Kennedy,
daughter of the Earl of Cassils, was herself distinguished for beauty, moral
excellence, and all accomplishments both of mind and body ; standing high
in these respects among the ladies of her age. Having got this George Lord
Seton for her husband, she was his support and comfort in all his adversities,
and his ornament in prosperity.
" Surviving her dearest husband iS years, she lived in a liberal and most
affectionate manner with their common children.
" All the jointure she had received from her husband she chearfully shared
with them in common, and with her substance cherished and promoted all
their honourable endeavours and studies ; nor did she reap in her own life
time scanty fruits of this pious attention and maternal love, being herself
rendered more respectable and illustrious, by the high offices, dignities,
and honours of her children, until worn out with age, and afflicted with the
gout, and other diseases, she resigned her soul to God, on the 13th. of Nov.
1604, being about 75 years of age.
" Off these so illustrious parents this was the issue : —
" 1st, Robert Seton, their eldest son, the first Earl of Winton, honoured
with this title by James the Sixth for his own merits and those of his
ancestors.
" 2nd, Sir John, very high in favour with the same King ; made a privy
counsellor, and raised to be lord high treasurer, and other great offices.
" He was carried off in the flower of his age ; yet leaving children
behind him.
" 3d, Alexander, many years a judge of the Supreme Court, and a privy
counsellor ; then chosen president of the Court of Session, by the Court
itself, was at length made a privy counsellor of both kingdoms, by that
wise being who first connected Scotland and England by the tie of a common