Kept accordingly, when several interesting particulars discussed, and important business done, and a Journal kept, etc.
Metadata
Titles
Table of Contents
Kept accordingly, qn several
interesting particulars discussed,
& important business done, and
a Journal kept, &c.
Forbes
Kept accordingly when several interesting particulars discussed & important business done, & a Journal kept et cetera
Paton
A Journal of a journey to Moffat
Pages
Forbes
Vol. 9, 1915—1925Paton
Vol. 3, 227Credits
Encoder
Transcriber
Proofreader
Proofreader
Encoder
Encoder
Status
Document
Metadata
Settings
| Date | 07 Aug 1769 |
| Person | Robert Forbes |
| Place |
remediation
in Forbes
Related Documents
Passive:
To Bishop Gordon (v09.1940.03): Mentioned in footnote
[W]oodsheal at Charleville introduced to
[t]wo Princesses, Sisters to Louisa 1772. (v09.1983.01): Mentioned in footnote
Transcription
A Journal, &cetc. A.Ad D.Deum O.Optimum M.Maximum P.Patrem F.Filium S.Spiritum S.Sanctum
Set out accordingly, taking Mrs Forbes a-
long with me, on a Jaunt to Moffat, Monday, AugtAugust
7. 1769. 35 min.minutes after 8 Morning. In travelling
to the South Side of the Pentland-Hills, you
come to a Peep, on the left Hand of Penny-
cuick-House, the charming Seat of SrSir James
Clerk of Pennycuick, richly beautified with
large Plantations of Wood, &and several Vis-
tas of Stone-Pillars, on the Banks of the
Water of Esk.
long with me, on a Jaunt to Moffat, Monday, AugtAugust
7. 1769. 35 min.minutes after 8 Morning. In travelling
to the South Side of the Pentland-Hills, you
come to a Peep, on the left Hand of Penny-
cuick-House, the charming Seat of SrSir James
Clerk of Pennycuick, richly beautified with
large Plantations of Wood, &and several Vis-
tas of Stone-Pillars, on the Banks of the
Water of Esk.
Soon after this, you pass by the Foot of the
Avenue
1916
(1916)
Avenue of Windlestraelee, on the Right
Hand, the Country-House of Mr William
Tytler, Clerk to the Signet of a South Ex-
posure, at the Foot of the Pentland-Hills,
&and surrounded with a Bush of Wood.
Avenue of Windlestraelee, on the Right
Hand, the Country-House of Mr William
Tytler, Clerk to the Signet of a South Ex-
posure, at the Foot of the Pentland-Hills,
&and surrounded with a Bush of Wood.
We came to Linton, 13 long Scots Miles from
Leith, 44 min.minutes after 12 o’ Clock, where we
dined on very good things at the House of
one Dalziel, Vintner.
Leith, 44 min.minutes after 12 o’ Clock, where we
dined on very good things at the House of
one Dalziel, Vintner.
We left Linton 35 min.minutes after 2 o’ Clock.
After travelling over Broughton-Muir, we
came in View of Broughton-House, once
of Murray, now of Dickson, on the Left,
&and Kilbuckie ✝ on the Right, two agreeable
Situations. Jo:John Murray purchased Brough-
ton, not many Years ago, for 6000 £sterl.sterling
&and Mr. Dickson, commonly called Havannah,
paid Murray for it 16000 £. And I am cre-
dibly informed, were he to sell it, he would
now ^have 22000 £. sterl.sterling for it. Mr Dickson has
built at Broughton-Lon, or Village, on the
Highway, some handsome Houses for Ten-
ants in so regular a Way, that One would
take them to be a Factory of one kind or oyrother.
After travelling over Broughton-Muir, we
came in View of Broughton-House, once
of Murray, now of Dickson, on the Left,
&and Kilbuckie ✝ on the Right, two agreeable
Situations. Jo:John Murray purchased Brough-
ton, not many Years ago, for 6000 £sterl.sterling
&and Mr. Dickson, commonly called Havannah,
paid Murray for it 16000 £. And I am cre-
dibly informed, were he to sell it, he would
now ^have 22000 £. sterl.sterling for it. Mr Dickson has
built at Broughton-Lon, or Village, on the
Highway, some handsome Houses for Ten-
ants in so regular a Way, that One would
take them to be a Factory of one kind or oyrother.
You then come to a single Tower, 4 Miles
from the Crook, on the right Hand, an old
Ruin, called Kittlehall; near to qchwhich, a little
farther on the Journey, &and on the same hand,
at the Foot of an Hill, is another old
Ruin, called the Wrae-Castle, once
the Property of the Name of Tweedie. There
appears to have been a good deal of Build-
ing about this Castle.
from the Crook, on the right Hand, an old
Ruin, called Kittlehall; near to qchwhich, a little
farther on the Journey, &and on the same hand,
at the Foot of an Hill, is another old
Ruin, called the Wrae-Castle, once
the Property of the Name of Tweedie. There
appears to have been a good deal of Build-
ing about this Castle.
Some Distance beyond this, you come to see,
still on the Right, &and on a Rising Ground, yethe
House of Mossfennan, the Mansion of Mr
Welch, of a South Exposure, &and adorned wtwith
Wood. Near to which is a Slate &and Lime
Quarry on the Brow of a Hill, to the Right,
belonging to Polmood, though on this Side
of Mossfennan, &and very nigh to it.
still on the Right, &and on a Rising Ground, yethe
House of Mossfennan, the Mansion of Mr
Welch, of a South Exposure, &and adorned wtwith
Wood. Near to which is a Slate &and Lime
Quarry on the Brow of a Hill, to the Right,
belonging to Polmood, though on this Side
of Mossfennan, &and very nigh to it.
After this, you come in full View of Polmood,
which, tho’though on the North Side, &and at the Foot, of
an Hill,1 is a most charming little Seat, on 1917 (1917) on the Banks of, &and so near to, the Tweed, that,
in much Rain, the River flows up to the
Entry of the House; upon which, I am per-
suaded, in the shortest Days of Winter, the
Sun hardly ever shines. It is now the Pro-
perty of Mr AlexrAlexander Hunter, MerchtMerchant of
EdrEdinburgh, &and has been in yethe Name of Hunter,
as is reported, since the Days of Malcolm
Canmore, qowho flourished about 1100. William,
qowho flourished about 1170. gave a Charter
to the then Hunter in yethe following Words.
which, tho’though on the North Side, &and at the Foot, of
an Hill,1 is a most charming little Seat, on 1917 (1917) on the Banks of, &and so near to, the Tweed, that,
in much Rain, the River flows up to the
Entry of the House; upon which, I am per-
suaded, in the shortest Days of Winter, the
Sun hardly ever shines. It is now the Pro-
perty of Mr AlexrAlexander Hunter, MerchtMerchant of
EdrEdinburgh, &and has been in yethe Name of Hunter,
as is reported, since the Days of Malcolm
Canmore, qowho flourished about 1100. William,
qowho flourished about 1170. gave a Charter
to the then Hunter in yethe following Words.
“I William King the third Zeir of my
“Ring,2 gevis to thee Normand Huntere,
“to me thow are baith leif3 and dere,
“the hop and the hoptoun,4 and all the
“bounds up and down, under the erd5
“to hell, above the erd to hevyn,
“fra me and fra miyne, to thee and
“to thyne, als fre6 as the Kingrick7
“is myne, to verify that this is Suith8
“I bite the quhit Walx with my tuith,9
“before Meg, Mald, Marjory, and my
“eldest Son,10 for ane bow, and ane
“braid11 Arrow, quhen I come to hunt
“upon Zarrow.”
“Ring,2 gevis to thee Normand Huntere,
“to me thow are baith leif3 and dere,
“the hop and the hoptoun,4 and all the
“bounds up and down, under the erd5
“to hell, above the erd to hevyn,
“fra me and fra miyne, to thee and
“to thyne, als fre6 as the Kingrick7
“is myne, to verify that this is Suith8
“I bite the quhit Walx with my tuith,9
“before Meg, Mald, Marjory, and my
“eldest Son,10 for ane bow, and ane
“braid11 Arrow, quhen I come to hunt
“upon Zarrow.”
In Sight of Polmood we came to the
Crook, 25 min.minutes after 6. 12 long Miles
from Linton, Geo.George Black, Landlord; at
whom I asked, if he could give us some
Trouts for Supper. He said, he had been
just thinking to go an Angling for a little.
I told him, I would go along wtwith him, &and
share in the Sport. In a short time, he
took 7 or 8 Trouts, upon qchwhich and a
Duckling we made a very good Sup-
per, the hospitable Landlord taking a
Share with us.
Crook, 25 min.minutes after 6. 12 long Miles
from Linton, Geo.George Black, Landlord; at
whom I asked, if he could give us some
Trouts for Supper. He said, he had been
just thinking to go an Angling for a little.
I told him, I would go along wtwith him, &and
share in the Sport. In a short time, he
took 7 or 8 Trouts, upon qchwhich and a
Duckling we made a very good Sup-
per, the hospitable Landlord taking a
Share with us.
Tuesday, AugtAugust 8. set off from the Crook
5 min.minutes after 7 o’ Clock, Morning. A Mile farther 1918 (1918)
on you come to another Inn, called
the Bield; up the Hill from which, on the
Right Hand, is the House of Oliver, the
Mansion of Mr Tweedie, who is supposed
to be the Chief of the Name; the Family
of which bore a great Sway of old in ytthat
Part of the Country. Mr Tweedie is the
Proprietor of the Bield; a little beyond qchwhich
you come in View of the Kirk of Tweeds-
muir on a little green Hill down in a Val-
ley, on the left Hand, yethe Tweed gliding
by the Kirk. Here I told Mrs Forbes, ytthat
for about 9 long Miles she would not
see a Grain of Corn growing, that is,
from the Bield to the Side of Errick-
Stane-Brae towards Moffat; but we
saw Plenty of natural Hay on the
Banks of the Tweed, winding it’sits
Course between two Ridges of green
Hills, great Flocks of Sheep ranging
&and browsing upon them at Pleasure.
5 min.minutes after 7 o’ Clock, Morning. A Mile farther 1918 (1918)
on you come to another Inn, called
the Bield; up the Hill from which, on the
Right Hand, is the House of Oliver, the
Mansion of Mr Tweedie, who is supposed
to be the Chief of the Name; the Family
of which bore a great Sway of old in ytthat
Part of the Country. Mr Tweedie is the
Proprietor of the Bield; a little beyond qchwhich
you come in View of the Kirk of Tweeds-
muir on a little green Hill down in a Val-
ley, on the left Hand, yethe Tweed gliding
by the Kirk. Here I told Mrs Forbes, ytthat
for about 9 long Miles she would not
see a Grain of Corn growing, that is,
from the Bield to the Side of Errick-
Stane-Brae towards Moffat; but we
saw Plenty of natural Hay on the
Banks of the Tweed, winding it’sits
Course between two Ridges of green
Hills, great Flocks of Sheep ranging
&and browsing upon them at Pleasure.
Then we came to Tweedie-Brae-Foot,
on this Side of which a little purling Stream
runs down, called the Smidhop burn, &and soon
falls into the Tweed. Here we saw Plenty
ofHay natural Hay mowing down, &and in
Ricks. After passing over the Brae[] you
come to Tweedshaw, i. e. where Tweed
first shewsshows itself. Here we spied, to my
SurprizeSurprise, a very little Park of Beer,12 not
bigger than a Kail-Yard. This prompted ^me
to halt a little, &and call for a Dram. The Land-
lord not being at home, I asked the Landlady,
if this was not the first Grain, that had ever
appeared in that Country. She answered, the
same Spot had been in Beer the last Year
for the first Time, qchwhich had Succeeded so
well, that it was in Beer this Year with
more Seed than formerly.
on this Side of which a little purling Stream
runs down, called the Smidhop burn, &and soon
falls into the Tweed. Here we saw Plenty
of
Ricks. After passing over the Brae
come to Tweedshaw, i. e. where Tweed
first shewsshows itself. Here we spied, to my
SurprizeSurprise, a very little Park of Beer,12 not
bigger than a Kail-Yard. This prompted ^me
to halt a little, &and call for a Dram. The Land-
lord not being at home, I asked the Landlady,
if this was not the first Grain, that had ever
appeared in that Country. She answered, the
same Spot had been in Beer the last Year
for the first Time, qchwhich had Succeeded so
well, that it was in Beer this Year with
more Seed than formerly.
On this Side of Tweedshaw, &and a little a-
bove it, Tweed arises from it’sits Source in
a BogueBog, or Marish. Here it is so small,
that One may walk over it without wet-
ting a Foot! This BogueBog is at the Foot of 1919 (1919) of a Hill, called Errickstane; out of qchwhich
other two Rivers take their Rise, viz,
Clyde &and Annan; &and all the three Rivers
run different Ways, Tweed shaping it’sits
Course eastward, Clyde westward, &and
Annan southward.
bove it, Tweed arises from it’sits Source in
a BogueBog, or Marish. Here it is so small,
that One may walk over it without wet-
ting a Foot! This BogueBog is at the Foot of 1919 (1919) of a Hill, called Errickstane; out of qchwhich
other two Rivers take their Rise, viz,
Clyde &and Annan; &and all the three Rivers
run different Ways, Tweed shaping it’sits
Course eastward, Clyde westward, &and
Annan southward.
In journeying over Errick-Stane-Brae,
near the Top of it, you come to a large
green ^circular Hollow, of old called The Mar-
quis of Annandale’s Beef-Stand, but
now MacLaurin’s Leap, because one Mac-
Laurin, a Drover, in 1746. made his Es-
cape, from a Party of Soldiers, taking him to
Carlisle to be tried for his Life, by rolling down
this Hollow, there happening very luckily
to be a thick Mist at yethe Time, which favour-
ed his Design greatly. None of the Souldi-
ersSoldiers durst attempt following him, so steep is
the Descent; but they ran round the Mouth
of the Hollow, discharging their Muskets
at Random. Lieutenant Howison, one of the
Officers commanding the Party, cried after
him, “By G—[od] I arrest you in the King’s Name”;
when, behold, MacLaurin could ^not stop his own
Motion, had he been ever so willing, which
is not to be supposed. He slept that night
in Geo.George Black’s House at the Crook, tho’though a
Command of Sogers happened to be there.
near the Top of it, you come to a large
green ^circular Hollow, of old called The Mar-
quis of Annandale’s Beef-Stand, but
now MacLaurin’s Leap, because one Mac-
Laurin, a Drover, in 1746. made his Es-
cape, from a Party of Soldiers, taking him to
Carlisle to be tried for his Life, by rolling down
this Hollow, there happening very luckily
to be a thick Mist at yethe Time, which favour-
ed his Design greatly. None of the Souldi-
ersSoldiers durst attempt following him, so steep is
the Descent; but they ran round the Mouth
of the Hollow, discharging their Muskets
at Random. Lieutenant Howison, one of the
Officers commanding the Party, cried after
him, “By G—[od] I arrest you in the King’s Name”;
when, behold, MacLaurin could ^not stop his own
Motion, had he been ever so willing, which
is not to be supposed. He slept that night
in Geo.George Black’s House at the Crook, tho’though a
Command of Sogers happened to be there.
The other Side of Errick-Stane-Brae,
towards Moffat, was once a very steep Road;
insomuch, that Travellers walked, &and MackinesMachines13
went empty, down &and up it; but now of late
it is made such a very fine pathed Way
in the spiral Form, that Coaches &and Chaises
can move easily upon it full of Company.
towards Moffat, was once a very steep Road;
insomuch, that Travellers walked, &and MackinesMachines13
went empty, down &and up it; but now of late
it is made such a very fine pathed Way
in the spiral Form, that Coaches &and Chaises
can move easily upon it full of Company.
When on the Top of Errick-Stane-Brae,
a fine Valley of a Corn-Country towards
Moffat opens to You; which exhibits a chear-
ingcheering prospect of a beautiful Variety.
a fine Valley of a Corn-Country towards
Moffat opens to You; which exhibits a chear-
ingcheering prospect of a beautiful Variety.
We arrived at Moffat ¼ before 11 o’ Clock;
&and B.Bishop G.Gordon with Mr &and Mrs Lyon came to us about 5 1920 (1920) 5 o’ Clock, when we were beginning to Tea.
&and B.Bishop G.Gordon with Mr &and Mrs Lyon came to us about 5 1920 (1920) 5 o’ Clock, when we were beginning to Tea.
┙
Soon after Tea B.Bishop G.Gordon &and I retired to his
Bed-Chamber, solus cum solo, to talk
over some Matters; before entering upon
which, he begged leave to inform me, that
he had great Doubts of ever having received
the Benefit of Confirmation: For, though his
Mother used to say he had been confirmed,
yet, he could never recollect Hands having
been laid upon him, &and that he had received
the Sealing Benediction. He well remembredremembered,
that, when between 10 &and 11 Years of Age, he
had been in the Quire14 at Durham with a
Crowd of Boys, when Lord Crew was Bishop;
&and that he then saw several young Folks con-
firmed; but he did not remember, that he
himself had kneeled down, &and received
that Benefit. He, therefore, begged, that,
to remove all doubts &and scruples from his
Mind, I might make up this Defect, A-
greed; &and to-morrow’stomorrow’s Morning was ac-
cordingly appointed, before Breakfast, for
that Purpose, in his own Bed-Chamber,
none to be present but Mrs Forbes only.15
Bed-Chamber, solus cum solo, to talk
over some Matters; before entering upon
which, he begged leave to inform me, that
he had great Doubts of ever having received
the Benefit of Confirmation: For, though his
Mother used to say he had been confirmed,
yet, he could never recollect Hands having
been laid upon him, &and that he had received
the Sealing Benediction. He well remembredremembered,
that, when between 10 &and 11 Years of Age, he
had been in the Quire14 at Durham with a
Crowd of Boys, when Lord Crew was Bishop;
&and that he then saw several young Folks con-
firmed; but he did not remember, that he
himself had kneeled down, &and received
that Benefit. He, therefore, begged, that,
to remove all doubts &and scruples from his
Mind, I might make up this Defect, A-
greed; &and to-morrow’stomorrow’s Morning was ac-
cordingly appointed, before Breakfast, for
that Purpose, in his own Bed-Chamber,
none to be present but Mrs Forbes only.15
I then told him, that, lest I should
forget any thinganything, I had written a Memo-
randum of several Articles as to what I
had to inform him about, in such a Man-
ner &and so short, as to be understood by none
but myself: And then, pulling out my
Scribble, I went on as follows, he lis-
tening with the greatest Attention.
forget any thinganything, I had written a Memo-
randum of several Articles as to what I
had to inform him about, in such a Man-
ner &and so short, as to be understood by none
but myself: And then, pulling out my
Scribble, I went on as follows, he lis-
tening with the greatest Attention.
Article 1. That John Hay, Andrew Lumis-
den &and CapnCaptain Urquhart had been dismistdismissed for
a real Act of Disobedience. It was true in-
deed, that the K[ing] had been in Use, for some
Time past, to call frequently for t’otheranother Glass
of Wine at Dinner &and Supper, not from any
liking to Liquor, but like one absent in Mind,
when he met with things that vex’dvexed him, as too
often was the Case. That one Day at Dinner
he had done so, till he was somewhat intoxicat-
ed, &and in that Condition proposed going to an Ora-
torio in the Afternoon, but they absolutely refused
to 1921 (1921) to attend him. Yea, he went into his Coach, &and
they would by no means go into it; upon qchwhich
he returned to his AppartmentsApartments, &and dismistdismissed
them. In a Day or two he sent for them to return
to their Duty; but, they happening to consult with
the Cardinal York, he advised them absolutely not
to return; which Counsel they followed, &and He
took Care to have four Italians put into their
Places, as Persons more fit for his Purposes &and
Designs; the Principal One of whom,[] ^^our Com-
mon Friend declared, was very fit to be about
a great Personage, having been bred up at yethe
Court of Modena. The Cardinal would have
been well enough pleased, had John Stew-
art, a constant &and faithful Attendant, been like-
wise dismistdismissed; but that could not take place,
as both Master &and Servant, an Athol-Man,
were not willing to part. Therefore, there
are still two Britons with Him, Mr Wag-
staffe an Englishman, &and John Stewart a
Scotsman. Here B.Bishop G.Gordon asked, if ever He
conversed with Mr Wagstaffe; to which I
could make no Answer, as this Particular
had not been mentioned; but I promised
to enquire. — That He now enjoys more
Ease &and Quiet than formerly; &and has never
been seen concerned in the least with Liquor
since that Event, which had been happily
attended with one good Effect, to make
Him think very seriously upon what had
happened; &and that no Man could be of
a more firm &and determined Resolution, when
once formed, than he was known to be. Too
great Freedoms had been used, which were
not easily to be put up with. Such were con-
descended upon, even when He was in Scot-
land. — Not a Blot, nor so much as a
pimple, was in his Face, though malici-
ously given out by some, as if it were all
over blotted; but he is jolly &and plump, tho’though
not to Excess, being still agile, &and fit for un-
dergoing Toil. — B.Bishop G.Gordon regretted the Dis-
mission of Andrew Lumisden, as being a
Man 1922 (1922) Man of Parts, in which I heartily join’djoined him.
den &and CapnCaptain Urquhart had been dismistdismissed for
a real Act of Disobedience. It was true in-
deed, that the K[ing] had been in Use, for some
Time past, to call frequently for t’otheranother Glass
of Wine at Dinner &and Supper, not from any
liking to Liquor, but like one absent in Mind,
when he met with things that vex’dvexed him, as too
often was the Case. That one Day at Dinner
he had done so, till he was somewhat intoxicat-
ed, &and in that Condition proposed going to an Ora-
torio in the Afternoon, but they absolutely refused
to 1921 (1921) to attend him. Yea, he went into his Coach, &and
they would by no means go into it; upon qchwhich
he returned to his AppartmentsApartments, &and dismistdismissed
them. In a Day or two he sent for them to return
to their Duty; but, they happening to consult with
the Cardinal York, he advised them absolutely not
to return; which Counsel they followed, &and He
took Care to have four Italians put into their
Places, as Persons more fit for his Purposes &and
Designs; the Principal One of whom,
mon Friend declared, was very fit to be about
a great Personage, having been bred up at yethe
Court of Modena. The Cardinal would have
been well enough pleased, had John Stew-
art, a constant &and faithful Attendant, been like-
wise dismistdismissed; but that could not take place,
as both Master &and Servant, an Athol-Man,
were not willing to part. Therefore, there
are still two Britons with Him, Mr Wag-
staffe an Englishman, &and John Stewart a
Scotsman. Here B.Bishop G.Gordon asked, if ever He
conversed with Mr Wagstaffe; to which I
could make no Answer, as this Particular
had not been mentioned; but I promised
to enquire. — That He now enjoys more
Ease &and Quiet than formerly; &and has never
been seen concerned in the least with Liquor
since that Event, which had been happily
attended with one good Effect, to make
Him think very seriously upon what had
happened; &and that no Man could be of
a more firm &and determined Resolution, when
once formed, than he was known to be. Too
great Freedoms had been used, which were
not easily to be put up with. Such were con-
descended upon, even when He was in Scot-
land. — Not a Blot, nor so much as a
pimple, was in his Face, though malici-
ously given out by some, as if it were all
over blotted; but he is jolly &and plump, tho’though
not to Excess, being still agile, &and fit for un-
dergoing Toil. — B.Bishop G.Gordon regretted the Dis-
mission of Andrew Lumisden, as being a
Man 1922 (1922) Man of Parts, in which I heartily join’djoined him.
Article 2. It having been asked by our com-oncommon
Friend what he should say to Friends as to
particular Ways of thinking in religious Mat-
ters; it was answered, that He left that to his
own Discretion, as he knew well his Resoluti-
ons in that Shape. Mean timeMeantime, He could not fail
observing, that he was in a most miserable Si-
tuation in this Respect, “Being looked upon where
“I am, said he, to be a firm Protestant, &and at home
“in Britain to be a rank Papist; &and that his Change
“of Opinions was not of a late Date. Having been
“deem’ddeemed a sprightly, quick young Fellow, when be-
“tween 11 &and 12 Years of Age, I was now &and then put-
“ting Questions to my PœdagoguePedagogue upon religious
“Subjects, whose Answers not being satisfactory, he
“put Treatises of ContraversyControversy into my Hands, in
“which the Arguments &and the Answers to Objecti-
“ons appeared to me so weak &and trifling, that, in
“place of persuading, they rivettedriveted me in my
“Resolution of a Change.”
Friend what he should say to Friends as to
particular Ways of thinking in religious Mat-
ters; it was answered, that He left that to his
own Discretion, as he knew well his Resoluti-
ons in that Shape. Mean timeMeantime, He could not fail
observing, that he was in a most miserable Si-
tuation in this Respect, “Being looked upon where
“I am, said he, to be a firm Protestant, &and at home
“in Britain to be a rank Papist; &and that his Change
“of Opinions was not of a late Date. Having been
“deem’ddeemed a sprightly, quick young Fellow, when be-
“tween 11 &and 12 Years of Age, I was now &and then put-
“ting Questions to my PœdagoguePedagogue upon religious
“Subjects, whose Answers not being satisfactory, he
“put Treatises of ContraversyControversy into my Hands, in
“which the Arguments &and the Answers to Objecti-
“ons appeared to me so weak &and trifling, that, in
“place of persuading, they rivettedriveted me in my
“Resolution of a Change.”
Article 3. There were two grand Points He al-
ways had in View, his R[eligi]on &and an earnest
Desire to be married. As to the First, He was
ever attentive to any Circumstance, that might
be conducive to that good End. As to the se-
cond, He hoped to have that soon accomplish-
ed. Our Common Friend, having been indulged
the Honour of speaking freely what he might
think best for promoting the Interest of all
concerned, could not help suggesting, that his
M[ajesty] in his present Circumstances, could
have none but a popish Princess, which might
prove an Injury, rather than an Advantage,
in the Eyes of Friends. To this it was answered,
“You know, Sir, that I made my Addresses to a
“protestant Princess, &and that this Negotiation, when
“upon the Point of being concluded, was frustrat-
“ed by the Misconduct of those who had the Ma-
“nagement of it. But, if I should match with a
“popish Princess, &and be so happy as to have Chil-
“dren, She should have nothing to do with their
“Education. I would positively take that upon
“myself, &and have them educated in my own Prin-
“ciples.” —Here B.Bishop G.Gordon observed, that, he be-
lieved, Harry Goring had the Management of the
foresaid Negotiation; &and that the Princess was a German 1923 (1923) German One, &and a very pretty Person.
ways had in View, his R[eligi]on &and an earnest
Desire to be married. As to the First, He was
ever attentive to any Circumstance, that might
be conducive to that good End. As to the se-
cond, He hoped to have that soon accomplish-
ed. Our Common Friend, having been indulged
the Honour of speaking freely what he might
think best for promoting the Interest of all
concerned, could not help suggesting, that his
M[ajesty] in his present Circumstances, could
have none but a popish Princess, which might
prove an Injury, rather than an Advantage,
in the Eyes of Friends. To this it was answered,
“You know, Sir, that I made my Addresses to a
“protestant Princess, &and that this Negotiation, when
“upon the Point of being concluded, was frustrat-
“ed by the Misconduct of those who had the Ma-
“nagement of it. But, if I should match with a
“popish Princess, &and be so happy as to have Chil-
“dren, She should have nothing to do with their
“Education. I would positively take that upon
“myself, &and have them educated in my own Prin-
“ciples.” —Here B.Bishop G.Gordon observed, that, he be-
lieved, Harry Goring had the Management of the
foresaid Negotiation; &and that the Princess was a German 1923 (1923) German One, &and a very pretty Person.
Article 4. It having been suggested, that his
Residence at Rome was far from being fit or
convenient, upon several Accounts; He said, He
resolved to stay there, till he should be intro-
duced to the then to be elected Pope with
particular Views. Upon this it was remarked,
that such an Introduction might prove preju-
dicial to his Interest amongst Friends, and, there-
fore, perhaps, better to be let alone. To this
He answered, that, if the Pope should acknow-
ledge him in his proper Rights &and Titles, he
would not only have a Pension from him; but
likewise this would afford him a proper Foun-
dation in applying for Pensions from Spain,
&and other foreign Courts; &and thereby he would
be put on a respectable Footing for entering
into the conjugal State. But at any Rate
He was resolved to leave ^Rome after settling Busi-
ness. — B.Bishop G.Gordon could not help remarking here,
‘twas pity He had ever gone to Rome; that
had he gone to Switzerland, that Canton hav-
ing agreed to receive him, the French Court
were to have given Him Carte Blanche, and
Friends in E[ngland] would have given him liberally;
&and not only so, but He himself had as much in
the Chambers of Paris as would support ^him, tho’though
not like a Prince, yet like a Gentleman.
Residence at Rome was far from being fit or
convenient, upon several Accounts; He said, He
resolved to stay there, till he should be intro-
duced to the then to be elected Pope with
particular Views. Upon this it was remarked,
that such an Introduction might prove preju-
dicial to his Interest amongst Friends, and, there-
fore, perhaps, better to be let alone. To this
He answered, that, if the Pope should acknow-
ledge him in his proper Rights &and Titles, he
would not only have a Pension from him; but
likewise this would afford him a proper Foun-
dation in applying for Pensions from Spain,
&and other foreign Courts; &and thereby he would
be put on a respectable Footing for entering
into the conjugal State. But at any Rate
He was resolved to leave ^Rome after settling Busi-
ness. — B.Bishop G.Gordon could not help remarking here,
‘twas pity He had ever gone to Rome; that
had he gone to Switzerland, that Canton hav-
ing agreed to receive him, the French Court
were to have given Him Carte Blanche, and
Friends in E[ngland] would have given him liberally;
&and not only so, but He himself had as much in
the Chambers of Paris as would support ^him, tho’though
not like a Prince, yet like a Gentleman.
Article 5. Our Common Friend, desirous to
bring Him upon the Dismission of the Three
Gentlemen,16 tried one Piece of Address, which
was, that, if any Persons were coming to Rome,
who had a Mind to see Him, he begged leave
to know, how or by whom they might be intro-
duced. To which it was answered, that, as
his Hours of Retirement, &and of his being to be
seen, were well known, there was no Diffi-
culty of Access to Him; &and that He kept no
Secretary, but dispatched all his Business,
&and wrote all his Letters, with his own
Hand. In a Word, it was not in our Friend’s
Power to have the remotest Hint upon the
Dismission of the three Gentlemen.
bring Him upon the Dismission of the Three
Gentlemen,16 tried one Piece of Address, which
was, that, if any Persons were coming to Rome,
who had a Mind to see Him, he begged leave
to know, how or by whom they might be intro-
duced. To which it was answered, that, as
his Hours of Retirement, &and of his being to be
seen, were well known, there was no Diffi-
culty of Access to Him; &and that He kept no
Secretary, but dispatched all his Business,
&and wrote all his Letters, with his own
Hand. In a Word, it was not in our Friend’s
Power to have the remotest Hint upon the
Dismission of the three Gentlemen.
Article 6. That the Cardinal York was extremely
polite, frank &and free, more like a Companion than a SuperiourSuperior 1924 (1924) SuperiourSuperior; insomuch, that one would have
taken Him to have been Brother to either
of the two Fellow-Travellers;17 who had vi-
sited, &and dined frequently with the K[ing]. B.Bishop G.Gordon
asked, How often? This I could not answer;
but promised to be informed, &and to let him know.
He was likewise very desirous to know, if our
Common Friend had visited Alexander Murray
in London, as he had left ^it in Charge wtwith James
George, that this should by all means be par-
ticularly attended to, seeing B.Bishop G.Gordon looked upon
Alexander Murray as a firm &and staunch Friend, much
to be noticed &and regarded, worthy of the highest
Trust, &cetc. I knew nothing at all about this, but
promised to make Inquiry, &and to report.
polite, frank &and free, more like a Companion than a SuperiourSuperior 1924 (1924) SuperiourSuperior; insomuch, that one would have
taken Him to have been Brother to either
of the two Fellow-Travellers;17 who had vi-
sited, &and dined frequently with the K[ing]. B.Bishop G.Gordon
asked, How often? This I could not answer;
but promised to be informed, &and to let him know.
He was likewise very desirous to know, if our
Common Friend had visited Alexander Murray
in London, as he had left ^it in Charge wtwith James
George, that this should by all means be par-
ticularly attended to, seeing B.Bishop G.Gordon looked upon
Alexander Murray as a firm &and staunch Friend, much
to be noticed &and regarded, worthy of the highest
Trust, &cetc. I knew nothing at all about this, but
promised to make Inquiry, &and to report.
Article 7. That Mrs Forbes had given the two
Fellow-Travellers a Piece of Seed-Cake,
which they took entire to the K[ing], making a
Present of it to Him, &and withal telling Him
from whom they had it. “Ay, said he, a Piece
“of Cake from Scotland, &and from EdrEdinburgh too!” Then
rising from his Seat, &and opening a Drawer,
“Here, said He, you see me depositedeposit it, &and
“no Tooth shall go upon it but my own.”
Fellow-Travellers a Piece of Seed-Cake,
which they took entire to the K[ing], making a
Present of it to Him, &and withal telling Him
from whom they had it. “Ay, said he, a Piece
“of Cake from Scotland, &and from EdrEdinburgh too!” Then
rising from his Seat, &and opening a Drawer,
“Here, said He, you see me depositedeposit it, &and
“no Tooth shall go upon it but my own.”
Article 8. The Common Friend had the Ho-
nour to take Leave of the Cardinal York, tho’though
cadgedcaged up like a Bird in the Conclave; which
was extremely well taken, the Cardinal de-
claring, He would have been sorry, if this
had not been done.
nour to take Leave of the Cardinal York, tho’though
cadgedcaged up like a Bird in the Conclave; which
was extremely well taken, the Cardinal de-
claring, He would have been sorry, if this
had not been done.
Article 9. As our Common Friend had told
me, that John Hay had suggested to him, that
he imagined Mr Wagstaffe to be a Bishop,
I asked, if it was so or not. To which B.Bishop G.Gordon
answered, that Mr Wagstaffe was not a BpBishop.
me, that John Hay had suggested to him, that
he imagined Mr Wagstaffe to be a Bishop,
I asked, if it was so or not. To which B.Bishop G.Gordon
answered, that Mr Wagstaffe was not a BpBishop.
Article 10. I shewedshowed B.Bishop G.Gordon a Memorandum,
written by Common Friend in Presence of the
K[ing] containing these Words only, Travels
in the Highlands, CookryCookery Book of English
PaistryPastry puddings, &c.etc. and told him, that I
had brought along with me four Copies of
The Narrative of the Escape, &c.etc. which was
what is meant by Travels in the Highlands,
viz, One for the K[ing] the second for Mr Wag-
staffe, the Third for Mrs Smith of Burn-Hall, &and
the Fourth for Mrs Gordoun, all handsomely
gilded; but that for Cookery, it behoved
Mrs Gordoun to make Choice of the best Au-
thor1925(1925)thor upon that in London; qchwhich was agreed to.
written by Common Friend in Presence of the
K[ing] containing these Words only, Travels
in the Highlands, CookryCookery Book of English
PaistryPastry puddings, &c.etc. and told him, that I
had brought along with me four Copies of
The Narrative of the Escape, &c.etc. which was
what is meant by Travels in the Highlands,
viz, One for the K[ing] the second for Mr Wag-
staffe, the Third for Mrs Smith of Burn-Hall, &and
the Fourth for Mrs Gordoun, all handsomely
gilded; but that for Cookery, it behoved
Mrs Gordoun to make Choice of the best Au-
thor1925(1925)thor upon that in London; qchwhich was agreed to.
Article 11. I told B.Bishop G.Gordon I had brought along
with me some principal Papers, 8 in Number,
&and marked in order as they should be read,
relative to the late Election of a BpBishop for
AbdAberdeen, all which He &and Mr David Lyon per-
used with Attention; &and both of them concur-
red in heartily disapproving of what had been
done in that Affair. B.Bishop G.Gordon would repeatedly
say, “The Conduct of your Brethren, Mr F.Forbes is
“shameful indeed! very shameful truly! If an
“Election is allowed, why then let it go on easily
“&and freely, &and don’t make a Fool of it in any
“Shape whatsoever.”— I told them, I had
resolved to take up with Retirement; which,
they frankly owned, they could not disapprove of.
with me some principal Papers, 8 in Number,
&and marked in order as they should be read,
relative to the late Election of a BpBishop for
AbdAberdeen, all which He &and Mr David Lyon per-
used with Attention; &and both of them concur-
red in heartily disapproving of what had been
done in that Affair. B.Bishop G.Gordon would repeatedly
say, “The Conduct of your Brethren, Mr F.Forbes is
“shameful indeed! very shameful truly! If an
“Election is allowed, why then let it go on easily
“&and freely, &and don’t make a Fool of it in any
“Shape whatsoever.”— I told them, I had
resolved to take up with Retirement; which,
they frankly owned, they could not disapprove of.
Article 12. I asked B.Bishop G.Gordon if present Jar-
rings &and Confusions, &andc. could not be improved
to the Advantage &and Interest of Cousin? Yes,
they might. That he himself had fallen
upon Ways &and Means to have Something
put into the Hands of a certain Person, wtwith-
outwithout the same Person’s knowing from whence;
&and that, he thought, he could see from ytthat
Person’s Ways of acting, he was pointing
to the Interest of Cousin.
rings &and Confusions, &andc. could not be improved
to the Advantage &and Interest of Cousin? Yes,
they might. That he himself had fallen
upon Ways &and Means to have Something
put into the Hands of a certain Person, wtwith-
outwithout the same Person’s knowing from whence;
&and that, he thought, he could see from ytthat
Person’s Ways of acting, he was pointing
to the Interest of Cousin.
Citation
Forbes, Robert. “Kept accordingly when several interesting particulars discussed & important business done, & a Journal kept et cetera.” The Lyon in Mourning,
vol. 9,
Adv.MS.32.6.24, fol. 40r–45r. The Lyon in Mourning Project,
edited by Leith Davis, https://lyoninmourning.dhil.lib.sfu.ca/
Appendix
Meaning either Polmood Hill to the northeast or Great Hill to the southeast.
I.e., third year of my reign.
I.e, beloved.
Perhaps in the sense of: enclosed land.
I.e., earth.
I.e, Kingdom.
I.e, true.
I.e., bite the white wax with my tooth. Knox states that this originated with Malcolm III, and speculates that it was because he was illiterate (Topography of the Basin of the Tay, p. 153). Toothmarks have also been found in wax seals on charters at Durham Cathedral.
Alexander II of Scotland.
I.e, broad.
I.e., a hardy variety of barley.
This event is recorded in Forbes's confirmation register for August 9, 1769 (Registers of the Episcopal Congregation in Leith, p. 56).