To John Campbell Esq
Sheriff of Forfar - shire
At Forfar
Free
Mr McMillan
Friday night
My Dearest & most amiable Moitié
I was so pinced in time when I wrote the two last short epistles that I have begun this one to night that I may have time to converse a little longer with you my Dearest Life, tho’ perhaps you maynt thank me for intruding so much upon yr leisure; however I must let you know my beloved moitié that I am already counting the days you have been absent & so long the time appears that I can scarce persuade my self you only left me last monday; I am vastly glad my dr Life that you got yr journey made out so easy, if you had not met so soon with the Sheriff I should have grudged very much yr leaving this so suddenly after the Session set you at Liberty to have pass’d some time with me, who I reckon have not has the least enjoyment of yr Company since we left Levenside. Miss Betty cross’d the water on wednesday & by a letter I have had from her I find Lady Dirlton is not yet arrived nor her coming very soon expected, I was very sorry to let Miss Betty go without we had been quite positive that the Chaise was waiting her at Ld [Lord] Balgrays however she was so sure about that I could not prevail on [document damaged] stay & now she is so good as to write me that she requires her [document damaged] stay as she left me alone. Betty Kintire [sic] has leave for a month [document damaged] continuing here after her Cousins leave this, which wont be till [document damaged] & Mrs Young says without her Mama had given her these orders she cant let her stir suppose they were gone, therefore Bess has to write to her Mama for a particular order to come here, before she can have [?], which will take [?] so much time that I hope my Dearest Jewel you will be returnd before all that can happen so that I have no chance of any abiding Person to keep me Company till yr Dr self arrives, and I hope my dearest you contrive it so as to make a month at this time finish all you have to do & then please god we are all well I’ll make the next northern expedition [document damaged] this way of living; we are all very well, Sandy is wean’d & doing very well hitherto; I have been but one day visiting since you left this which was to see Mrs Smollet & on missing her drank tea with Mrs Donaldson. They say here the Duchess of Gordon is surely married to the Laird of Woodney & Lord Justice Clerk to his favourite widdow [sic] but I have not faith enough for either. I leave the following paper in hopes to have a letter to answer by tomorows post but I would first enquire where Miss Mackeller is to be found – I am disappointed of the pleasure I flatterd myself with last night & besides what was in such despair about you my best loved moitié that I hardly slept a wink while in Bed. Ld & Ly Balgony are both angry at you for neither calling on them or sending in as you pass’d. Yr Sister sends you [?] thence her affectionate compts & I remain My Dearest Life yours jusqu’a La Mort. Grace Campbell
I send some franks that I may have my letters free.