Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

1709.] FAMILY AND DOMESTIC LETTERS. 355
if you please to insist, the matter may be adjusted ; and I shall be ready to
receive your farder commands when the Earl of Glasgow returns. All of us
remember you and my sister and Mr. Maxwell with all duty and affection. I
am, my Lord, yours,
Se. J a. Steuart.
James Stuart, younger of Blackball, to Sir John Maxwell, Lord Pollock,
14th March 1709.
357. Eight honorable and my dear Lord, I knou not hou to make the just ackno-
legements I oue your Lordship for the honor you doe me by your letter of the
first current, nor what suitable returns to give to the kind concern you are
pleased to express in it for my health. You knou the wounds of ane scorpion
are cured by its oyle ; so I trust in God's goodness. The rod of his affliction
is much sueetned to me by the heartie resignatione he hes taught me to all his
dispensations, whether prosperous or adverse ; and he that reproveth God, let
him answer for it, as in Job.
My Lord, it may appear arrogance in me to offer my thoughts upon what
you are pleased to write me of the articles of marriage concerted betuixt your
cusing and the Earl of Hynfoord's daughter ; yet since you have taken the
trouble to transmitt ' them to me as to your friend, I shall give your Lordship
my opinion with my wonted freedom. And first, my Lord, I think you have
chosen a good f ami lie, ane that is honorable as well as orthodox, and I nothing
doubt the ladie is such also. Nixt, I think her tocher, and the provision you
make for their entertainment and her joynture, all suitable, and such as you
can easilie spare, and the pouer reserved to your lordship to burden the estate
with a considerable sume is necessar to strengthen the tyes of honor, duetie,
and affection, which is the tribute they ought ever thankfullie to pay to your
lordship ; and no doubt care is taken that this reservation does no wayes clash
with that other clause whereby you are tyed up from doing any gratuitous deed
in prejudice of the provisions made in favors of the heirs of the marriage. And
thus, my lord, I have, under correction, adventured to give you my sentiments
on't. It remains onlie that I wish a happie conclusion to the whole ; to the