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

172
JOURNAL OF THE HON.
[JAN.
used to preach privately at night, having left the town the last
week. William Sythrum came here. This day I had letters
from Scotland, it being near three months since I came from
them.
28<A—I was in Mr. Robertson’s with William Sythrum, and
afternoon took a walk with him and Mr. MoncriefF.
9Qth.—I was in Mr. MoncriefFs chamber with Will. Sythrum,
and at night was seeing Mr. Steinson.
3ChA.—William Sythrum was much with me in my chamber.
I met with James Stewart, Mr. Blair, and Mr. Cleland, who
came all to the town this night.
31^#.—I went towards the scout with William Sythrum at
eight in the morning, but he missed it. Afternoon I went up
to the steeple called the Dome, which is more than 350 steps
high, there is in it 51 bells, 44 whereof are for musick ! the
greatest bell was my fathom, and about half an ell more, over
the mouth ; its weight as was told us was 18000 pounds.
(The 1.5'i! of January 1686, Friday.)—Yesterday I met with
James Wishart. This day I was a while walking with Mr.
John Sinclair, at night in Mr. Robertson’s chamber, and a
while with John Nisbet.
9d.—William Sythrum went for Rotterdam at night. I met
with Mr. Alexander Hastie, and Mr. Lithgow, who had been a
factor at London. I was with Mr. Stevenson and Mr. Stewart.
3d.—I heard Mr. Bess in the English church, where the com¬
munion was given, there being about 60 communicants. At
night I heard Mr. Blair.
4£A.—I was much with Mr. Alexander Hastie, and at night
heard him preach in Mr. McQueen’s.
5th.—Mr. Neilson was a while with me. I was at night with
Mr. Steinson and Lawson.
6th.—Mr. Lockart and Mr. Cuningham were a while with
me at night.
Ith.—After eleven I was in Mr. Cunningham’s with Mr.
Lockhart, playing at fleuretts, and then with them in Mr.
MoncriefFs; afternoon I went to walk with them, Mr. Robert¬
son, Mr. Guthrie, and James Wishart.
8th.—I was enquiring for Professor Van Moyden, but missed