To keep a Friend in Suspense, is cruel.
Receive then inclosedenclosed a Copy of the Short
Account of Dr Hickess’s Life, &and likewise
a Copy of the Proof of the Validity
of K.King Charles I his Baptism. The lat-
ter of these, methinks, might appear
in a News-paper, which transmit to
me, &and I shall take Care to have it
inserted in one of our ScotsScots’ papers.
O! for a Copy of AlexrAlexander Baillie’s per-
formance, the Benedictine Monk.
But that cannot be easily had. A rare
purchase it would be if it were only
upon Account of the Orders of Mr Lindsay.

May Mrs Cotton have Comfort of
the Charge has taken in hand, to
the great Relief of poor Mrs Murray.

The Countess is in good Health.
Her Ladyship is slow in the pen–
and–Ink work. However, I have
had two Letters; but Business
prompts this.

My Fears about Macpherson are the
very same with yours, that his History
may be as you suspect.

Your Encomium upon the Song of So-
lomon paraphrased, &andc. is truly de-
lightful. I know not for certain who
is the author; only by knitting things
together, I aim at guessing, which
you may come to know someygsomething about.

You must know more of my Mind
as to Dr Bluff, from my Letter by
Mrs Falconer. He impudently as-
serts things false in Fact, and
swaggers at a mighty Rate; thothough,’
I must own, there are some most
excellent Touches in his Tour of
Notions, as he himself called it. I
have bestowed several Sheets upon
pennant, which I have carefully
interleaved in his two splendid
Quartos, wherein I have given
him a most hearty Drubbing. He
is a most violent, downright
Stewart-Hater without Rhime
or Reason.

Mr Innes is to buckle on his ar-
mour. But, how can he convince
One of an Error, when the Root of
all evil, is at the Bottom? auri sa-
cra fames, &andc.

Let the fratres fraterrimi of Bowdlers
know, that we wish well to them and
all theirs.

Not a single Word this long Time about
Cousin Peggie; about whom I &and others
would gladly hear aliquid boni.

Poor OS’’Ean, upon failing of his
usual Moiety, joined the Emigrants
in augtAugust last, to seek a Grave in a
foreign Land, where his Merit is
not known, &and would be little regarded!

All things good &and happy to you and
yours.