Series 1 > Diary of Sir Archibald Johnston of Wariston 1632-1639

INTRODUCTION
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under his kinsman Robert (afterwards Principal) Baillie as
regent, and graduated there. The year when he went to
College is nowhere stated, but under Session 1628-9 the
College hooks note the receipt ‘ fra Archibald Johnstoun
for his buird for the space of five moneths IIP* lib ’; and on
1st Mai’ch 1630, he was matriculated as a student in one of
the higher classes. The muniments of the University contain
a list of books which ‘ Archibaldus Johnstonus laurea donandus
Accademiae Glasguensi donavit in eu^apto-rt'a? TeKfiijpiov,'1 but
the year is unfortunately not stated. He subscribed one
hundred marks to the building of the College.1 After his
graduation he went to France to continue his education
there,—mostly at Castres, where his future brother-in-law,
Robert Burnet, had for some years previously studied. Part
of the time he spent in Paris.
He attained majority in March 1632, and about that time
he began to think seriously of marriage. In the Diary he
refers mysteriously to more than one ‘ purpose1 that he had in
his mind; but ultimately, on the advice of relatives and friends,
he agreed to proposals being made on his behalf for Jean
Stewart, daughter of Mr. (afterwards Sir) Lewis Stewart, an
advocate of great eminence at the time, and one who was
held in high estimation by his fellow-citizens. It seems to
have been thought that such a match would be in every way
advantageous, not only for his advancement in the profession
of law, but also because he would thereby, in possession and
in prospect, have his ‘airmes full of the world.’2 ‘A1 hir
freinds and thy 3 freinds, yea all indifferent persons hearing of
it, thought it the fittest matche that ever was in Edimbrugh.’4
But the suggested wife was very young ‘ ane bairne ’ (not
yet fourteen years old, as described by Wariston’s aunt. Lady
Curriehill), and was said to be ‘ haistie and kankard,’ and her
1 P. 165. 2 P. 370.
3 He very often addresses his soul,—‘Mysaule, remember,’etc., hence the
use of the adjective pronoun ‘ thy.’ 4 P. 8.