Memoirs of the Maxwells of Pollok > Correspondence

1717.] FAMILY AND DOMESTIC LETTERS. 367
commune with them ; which accordingly we did. I did then complain that
they had entred into such a concert without acquainting me ; that it was dis-
respectfull to your Lordship, to whom we ow so much, and who has been so
long an honour to the society ; and therefore mov'd that they shou'd reconsider
their vote, especialy since it was not written and signed, and therefore not com-
pleated, and doe ourselves the honour to continue your Lordship Eector, who,
I had reason to beleive, had no desire to continue but out of regard to the
good of the university. But all that cou'd be said by the Dean, Professor, and
myself, did not prevail on a sett of men who, it seems, were entred into a com-
bination to affront the society ; and therefore, tho' they urged that there shou'd
be a vote to affix a program, even after seven at night, I did refuse to consti-
tute a faculty and act in it with them, and did, with the above named persons,
withdraw from them.
The persons who staid behind to prosecut their factious concert were Mr.
Forbes, Dr. Jonston, Messrs. Carmichall, Loudun, Dunlop, Eob, Simson, and
Dick, who shortly after followed us with a notar, to require me by way of in-
strument to concurr with them to affix a program ; to which I pi'esently made
ansuer that the time was elapsed. However, this day the above named per-
sons presum'd to meet without either Principal or Dean, and act as a faculty,
in order to the choosing a new Rector ; and having got together and classed
then- scholars, have chosen Mr. William Muir Rector, who, I hope, is a wiser
man than to accept of an disorderly and illegall election, which I can never
homologat.
My Lord, my heart is so full, I know not how to express myself
when I consider how ungratefully and unworthily your Lordship has been
treated by these men who, all of them, ow their places to your goodness, which
they have wretchedly abused. They have affronted the society, and made us a
reproach, and their unaccountable behaviour has given me the deepest wound
I ever got with respect to society affairs. The Duke of Montrose is by this
post acquainted, and I hope will resent this indignity. Be pleased to excuse
the lenth of this. I am, with the greatest honour,
My Lord,
Your Lordships most humble and most obbged servant,
Jo. Stirling.
C[ollege,] Glasg[ow], 1 March 1717.