Pièce 01 - Letter from Lady Grace Stewart to John Campbell, Lord Banff’s Lodgings, Mills Square Edinburgh, concerning marital arrangements and family matters.

Letter, 4 pages

To John Campbell Esq
To be left at the Right Honourable
The Lord Banff’s Lodgings
In Mills Square
Edinburgh

Sunday night
I had just now begin to let go the hopes I have flatter’d myself with both yesterday & to day of seeing you; indeed I thought them badly founded, yet what one wishes, is so agreeable to believe, that I could not help indulging a hint I had sent me last post of your being to be here in a day or two, not withstanding your letter of the same dates, was far from promising it; I really don’t know Orsames what to think of the D’s answer, but I imagine I should explain it favourably, if it was not that I always see every thing in its worst light, when you are away from me; no doubt my Brother will write soon, indeed I must say as to him, he has enter’d as minutely into this affair, as my Papa, had he been alive, could have done; but for the D, I think my self very little obliged to him, since he has never concern’d himself about it, with the view that as an only surviving Parent I think he ought to have had.
I’m afraid your Father will insist upon your going west with him, but I can’t think he will be disobliged at your declining it, so I hope you’ll get it shifted off, for indeed I shall be sadly damped if you do not; how much am I obliged to you Orsames for that entertaining motto you enclose to me, but this I can assure you, there only wants your name, where Inlea is, to make it mine; were the case otherwise, I really fancy our affair should go better on, for I have always noticed, that where parties are indifferent, or love by halves, those matches go on most swimmingly, however, these difficulties we have met with, I persuade my self will make us yet more happy hereafter – I shall long for tomorrows letters as I hope to hear what you are doing; Lord Ruthven ask’d me just now when you thought of moving this way, I wish I may be able to answer him to morrow; if Lord Banffs affair comes to an issue so soon as it seems to us here to promise, Im afraid he’ll keep you in Town; I never heard a word from Miss Campbell about her crofts, so I fancy you have grasp’d right about it; as to the House you mention I think ‘tis a pitty [sic] there are bugs in it, for I have heard say without taking down the wenscoating [sic], there is no probabillity [sic] of getting them smok’d out, but perhaps this may be a mistake, and I should be very glad it was, for I fancy the House would otherwise answer mighty well; Mc Millan wrote last post, & I shall answer it to Night; I cant think, how you could scruple medling with any thing I had concern in, because you say I did not desire it, but I know [document damaged] of it, nor did not fancy MacMillan did, he mentions I think [document damaged] if youll be so good I wish you’d take it from him, & deposite [sic] 40 of it with my friend Hugo, & I’ll write to him soon how he is to dispose of it; the rest if you please you’ll bring over with you, in Gold; if ’tis not too troublesome to carry; I think the Bread Basket the prittiest [sic] present that can be, if it was not too expensive a one, but I imagine such a thing must come high; I hope the Captain has changed his noat [sic] by the virtue of matrimony, if he does not soon, I’m afraid he’ll find but little real Happiness in it, but that I should be sorry for; I forgot to tell you I had a letter last post from Lady Kathy Wemyss when she told me L. Strichen at going north had told her the settlements were all agreed upon, & he fancy’d there was now no further stop to our affair; Good Mrs Noble writes that she has seen you & is much taken with you (& I dare say you’ll think her a sweet agreeable woman;) indeed Orsames My favourites are all so fond of you, that I don’t believe they will suffer me to keep you all to myself; I beg you’ll take care how you are mounted next time you travel for that weak animal you rode from this on, was almost as bad as too metal a one, & Ruthven & My Sister both desire to be remember’d to you & pray make my compts [compliments] to Bess & [?]; I wait impatiently to hear of a happy conclusion to Ld R-s affair; you need not doubt my thinking of you – a tous les moments de jour; but I don't know if I should fancy so of you, for yester day I playd the whole evening at whist, & tho’ all advantages was against me, I had such luck as you [document damaged]. Farewell agreeable Orsames. GS [Grace Stewart]

Minimal damage to document.

• anglais

Written by Lady Grace to John Campbell before their marriage. He is staying with his half brother, Lord Banff, in Edinburgh. The nickname ‘Orsames’ (used several times in the correspondence) is a character from the Sir John Suckling play Aglaura, first published in 1638. Orsames’ song became popular outwith the play. Lady Grace’s stepfather, Lord Strichen, seems to have been satisfied that the negotiations for her marriage to John Stonefield have been concluded, but while Lady Grace seems happy with the efforts of her brother in this matter, she is less complimentary about the input of the 3rd Duke of Argyll (her deceased mother's brother and therefore someone she hoped would negotiate on her behalf). Lady Catherine (Kathy) Gordon, Countess of Wemyss, was an exact contemporary of Lady Grace. She would have been a neighbour in Aberdeenshire, Lord Strichen's home county.