As to the Marriage; good Mrs Whytt spoke
very seriously to me about it the Morning (June
28) she went from Edina, &and asked my Opinion.
I honestly, &and plainly told her, “that, in my humble
“Opinion, it was not in the Power of Man, as Mat-
“ters were circumstanced at present, to devise
“a better or wiser Match than an English one,
“all things fairly considered, &and weighed in the
“BallanceBalance of sober Reason”. This startled her
greatly. I then added, “that, to be sure, for Sound-
“ness &and Healthiness of Constitution, &cet cetera, &cet cetera, &cet cetera. I
“would prefer a Scots Match; but then, who
“would be so mad as to entertain such a Thought,
“as such an Event would evidently make Mat-
“ters worse &and worse still?” In a Word, I reason-
ed this particular point fully, &and the good Lady
came to see the Force of my Reasonings, &and the
Seasonableness of the Plan, could it be brought
to bear. She then urged the common Objection; but
I soon discussed that Point, by showing Her, that
this was truly a vulgar Error; as it was only Matter 1886 (1886)
Matter of Precedent, &and that there was no
Law in the Case. However, I desired, that my
Suggestion upon the interesting Point might
go for Nought; but that the Opinion of good
B.Bishop Gordoun should be taken about it; &and for
that End I gave a written Memorandum, ytthat
it might not be forgot; &and you see he heartily
approves; as indeed all sincere Friends must
see the Expediency of such a Measure, if they
will impartially take a View of the Whole,
&and not confine their Views to this or the oyrother
Particular. The Conversation ended wtwith saying,
“O Madam! if this same Confabulation be-
“tween you &and me should happily end in a
“real Match, how joyous should we be?”
“Ay; that is true indeed!” said she. — God
grant Success. — See pag. 1882. 1883. hujus.