Series 4 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society

LETTERS OF ANDREW FLETCHER
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I shal give you more account in my nixt. This was only that I might
let you know that I had receved your account of books. Adieu.
Andrew Fletcher to his nephew
Paris, 27 Decern. 1715
I have bin so long a writting because I expected from you a further
account of Mr Cuningam’s health; which I hope is better because you
have not writ. Tell him (if with you) that I wish the first fresh weather
he would hast over into England and do his bussines there, that he
might be here by the first of April; for the French have once more done
what is possible for their owen ruine. And then he may have books
very cheap; for 100 lib. ster. will produce abouve 1800 livers or per¬
haps as exchange falls 1900. If he can not get over till about the first of
April after he has done his bussines and got commissions in aboundane
[sic] it will be as convenient to come back to Roterdam and come with
you to Paris, for the road ’twixt Calis and Paris is very inconvenient.
You may direct your letters henceforth pour le fair remit a Mon.
Fletcher. My service to Mr Cambel, Mr Gordon and Mr Waddel.1
I got your exact account of the books bought at the auction. Adieu.
Let me know how your studys go on. Have a great care of your health.
Henry Fletcher to his brother
Saturday 21 Januar 1716
In your last you desired a description of the Highland Targe, which I
shal give you according to the best Impersonation I have yet got, but
is not perfect. The outward forme of ane Highland Targe is a convex
circle, about 2 foot diameter, but some have them oval; the innermost
part of it nixt the man’s breast is a skin with the hair upon it, which is
only a cover to a steel plate, which is not very thick, for the whole is
no great weight; on the inner side of this Steel plate the Handle is
fixed, which hath two parts, one that the left arm passes throw till near
the elbow, the other that the Hand lays hold on: without the Steel
plate there is a Cork which covers the Steel plate exactly, but betwixt
the Cork and the Steel plate there is Wooll stuffed in very hard: the
Cork is covered with plain well-wrought leather, which is nailed to
1 Probably the Joannes Campbel who matriculated at Leyden 21 November 1714
and the Georgius Waddel who matriculated 16 November 1715. There is no record
of a Mr Gordon having matriculated at that time. (Edward Peacock, ed., Index to
English Speaking Students who have graduated at Leyden University, Index Society, 1883.)