Series 4 > Papers on Peter May, Land Surveyor, 1749-1793

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PAPERS ON PETER MAY - LAND SURVEYOR
at the same time that he expected a demand from you which would
be answered as soon as presented. Upon the receipt of your draft
from Mr Clerk I sent Sandy with it to Mr Brodie, who paid the
money very readily, and it lies here waiting an opportunity of
getting it forwarded to Mr Clerk. I hope you will lay this sum by
as a nest-egg to which you are to add something annually. It is of
consequence for everybody to manage their affairs with economy.
It is particularly so to you whose living depends entirely upon your
application to business. Remember the phrase that ‘it is good making
hay while the sun shines’. You have many opportunities in your
present situation, and therefore you ought to make the proper use
of them. I can assure you that your esteem and respect will in some
measure depend upon your circumstances. A man in poverty or
want, tho’ otherwise very deserving, does not meet with that res¬
pect which those who are opulent although their parts are not super¬
ior. One thing I would caution and that is to avoid being expensive
about trifles. Many people can gain money, but very few have the
address to make the proper use of it. By what I have said I would not
have you to apprehend that I mean to enforce your being a miser.
I only mean to recommend economy and that too in a very decent
manner, and the earlier that this is implanted it takes root the better.
I need not put you in mind of the survey and mensuration of the
estate of Cluny; you know I spoke it to be done in March or April
next at the farthest, and I must insist upon its being peremptorily
kept to. I believe no clean plan will be required which will make the
survey much the shorter. Remember me in the most affectionate
manner to my father in which Mrs May joins very cordially; assure
the venerable old man how happy we would have been to have had
him with us. I am sure it would have been much more comfortable
in this cold weather than he can be in his present situation. Tell him
I will write him in a post or two, with compliments to your mother.
Provost Thomas Stephen and others v. Provost John Duff and others,
Elgin Election, 1771. sro. CS23 6/5/15/1
[20 April 1772, Edinburgh]
Mr Peter May, factor to Lord Findlater, aged 40 years and up¬
wards, married. . . . Who being interrogated for the complainers