Series 1 > Journal of the Hon. John Erskine of Carnock, 1683-1687

1684]
JOHN ERSKINE OF CARNOCK
39
I was this afternoon speaking with my brother about chang¬
ing of fashions of cloaths, and afterwards, and even before we
had ended speaking, it troubled me that I had spoken so much,
especially when I had considered and read Prov. 17. ver. 27, 28,
and 21-23.
26</i.—Mr. John Law dined with my Lady and Ensign
Preston. I was at night with my brother, where William
Dunlop was.
27tfA.—I was this forenoon with Earl Callender about a busi¬
ness of my brother’s. I was afternoon with Alva, and at night
in Mr. Thomas Riggs, where was Mr. John Law and his son.
28^A.—I was with my brother all this afternoon. Sir Daniel
Carmichael was with him several hours, who seemed to be an
understanding and smart man.
2Qth.—There was frost yester night, and this morning when
I went out I found the streets covered with snow, and so was
all the fields about the town.
The city of Amsterdam had now for some months dissented
from the Prince in the levy of 16,000 men, and the difference
was daily now growing.
Upon a report that George Buchanan, once a tennant of my
brother’s, in Kippen parish, and John M‘Lean there, were
given to Col. Gage to take to Flanders for soldiers, I went to
the Cannogate Tolbooth, where they were, and found by them
that such a proposal had been made to them by a Committee
of the Council. This day I saw Mr. John Ctn. and Mr. Sqy.
(ls£ March, 1684, Saturday.)—The two men I spoke of
yesterday, were this day before a committee, and one of them
told me he heard one of the committee speak of causing
examine witnesses against them at Stirling.
I spoke with John Hutcheson of Hardlaw, who had got
his indictment to answer on Monday next; he scrupled to say
these words, * God save the King,’ before the judges, and to
acknowledge the King’s authority, positively and strictly taken
by them. I was with my brother; John Inglis was there, and
one Mr. Gordon, who had been several years in America, and
gave us a particular account of Carolina, and much commended
the country.