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]

To Mr John Campbell Advocate
At his House in the Cowgate
Edinburgh

I received your letter my beloved moitié last night, and am sorry to think you had any uneasiness by my neglect of writing, which was quite owing to my being at Rosedoe and not reflecting that if I did not write by the Boy that went to bring the letters, the post day for answering them would be lost, however to prevent that a second time, I wrote when the fridays letters were sent, forgetting again that it would not go till Sunday when I wrote as usual, so that my Dearest you’d be surprised to receive two in one day, but the way it happened was as I tell you; as to yr Little Mirry letter my Dear Life I was vastly happy in receiving it, and thought myself fondly obliged to you for writing it, as I saw very well it had cost you some trouble, but ‘twould have been a great change indeed if a letter from you wrote in any shape had not been [?] wd come to your little wifie; as you don't mention Lady Banff I hope she is recovering well, & the young Stranger in good health, your Mother would gladly have you purchase back Miss Jennys horse from the Captain, but as she would not give above four or five pound for it, I fancy he’ll not part with it so easily; theres none now to draw the Chaise, I got one from one of the Tennants to lead us to Rosedoe that perform’d finaly; the Book you wanted the list out of, I hope I have hit upon, & shall write it here, just as ’tis set down there;
Jurisdiction Act £0.0.6
Vesting ---------- 0.0.6
Indemnity Act--- 0.0.6
Ward holding--- 0.0.3
Return of ye Rebells- 0.0.2
Highd Dress ------------- 0.0.2

The Monie I wanted I’ve got from Mr Colin, five Pounds in case of emmergencies [sic]; we live very sollitary [sic] here since the Sheriff went away, yr letter to him I shall forward next post for ’twas so late before I received it that the Inverary [sic] post was gone, I beg my dearest you’ll get a pair of scarlet leading strings from Mrs Seton, & bring out with you; I long to hear of my Brs [brother’s] arrival as I hope you wont have any thing to keep you after that [document damaged] our little folks are very well, as all the rest are, & return their compts [compliments] this is all from my most Dearest Life yours wholly GC
Levenside
July 18th

To Mr John Campbell Advocate
At his House in the Cowgate
Edinburgh

My Dearest Half, I received yours & with pleasure read the accounts of Lady Banffs happy dilivery [sic]. I wish indeed it had been a son, tho’ if it pleases God to recover her she has plenty of time I hope to make all parties pleased; for my own share I love Girls so well, that if you did not dislike them I would wish the little companion I have now to be a daughter, one enjoys their company more & they are far less exposed (through custom) to the vices of a wicked world, which hurries many a precious soul into eternal ruin: poor Doctor Elliot I regret very much (you see my Dr Jewel how much young as well as old, should be prepairing [sic] themselves for another world, for none knows how soon they may be call’d to it; and god knows ’tis not a time to prepare ones self, when attack’d by a deadly distemper) I pitty [sic] his poor wife beyond expression, such a shock I pray God I may never be doom’d to feel; we came here yesterday before Dinner and found all very well, Archie grows more fond of his cousin ev’ry day, & her Love for him is as conspicuous as ever; I never saw so much between two of their age; o’ My Dearest Life I wish you may come out of Town as you intended at first for I hate this long tiresome separation; I shall forward yr letter as desired; my kind congratulatory compts [compliments] to Ld Banff, & remember me My D- to the poor old Captain; I enclose a letter here to Lady Mary, she mentions nothing of coming, so Im afraid they don’t think of it; She makes mention of you in the kindest manner & I’m sure is most sincere, as indeed she always is; & I hope My Dearest most beloved Moitié is sensible none is more so than I am in assuring you of my being intirely [sic] and for ever yours GC.
Levenside
July 15th
Dont forget my dearest to bring out some noisy play thing to Archie, & a little Baby for Jenny, the enclosed, to Mrs Robertson be so good to send immediately; she has a gown to send me which youll order James to put up in your Clock Bag without fail.

To Mr John Campbell Advocate
To the care of Mr Menzies
of Coutteratters at Newtile [sic]
In Angus
By Perth

My Dearest Moitié when I wrote you last I was in such a hurry I scarce knew what I said besides the disappointment of finding you gone further off, when I was looking out ev’ry moment for you coming, disconcerted me so much that my spirits quite forsook me, and all last night I could not get a wink of sleep for the Dismal apprehensions that I should be brought to Bed before you got back to me; tis true indeed, I am some weeks yet from my reckoning, but as I’m now got into the ninth month, so very little thing (the very fear of it) may bring the Child now into the World that I’m quite miserable My Dearest Jewel at the thoughts of you being away, & especially at such a Distance from me: so that I hope my Dear Life you will not regulate your motions by my Brothers; Lord Rosse had a letter last post from London, & the Duke does not leave that place till some time this week, a Gentleman who comes along with him told his correspondent so, therefore I fancy my Br will be in no hurry to leave Perthshire, I must beg however my Dr when you come that you’ll make easy journeys, for hard ridding [sic] is a most likely thing to occasion a fever, & more so at present, as they were never known to be more frequent, so I beg my dearest you will for my sake take that precaution in your travelling; Fineston of the three Houses, I should rather chuse; Dalkieth [sic] is much too Near that little Town; & Caroline Park too far from a market; but upon the whole, I should chuse a worse house independent of any Body; three hundred a year may always keep us out of any friends reverence, many a good family has no more for themselves or their Children after them, that live very easy & comfortably upon it; & provided we regulate our expences [sic] accordingly, so may we; Lord Rosse’s House at Melvill [sic] we may have from year to year; as to the rent & conditions we shall talk over at meeting, & you’ll then judge of it; I wish it was possible for one in your way of business to do as Lord Rosse did, in regard of his; for he went every day to Town for seven years & return’d again to dinner to Melvill so that my Lady had so much of his company as if he had been staying close at Home, but this Im afraid would answer one in yr way, which Im sadly vex’d at, for I must own My Dearest Life yr absence from me robs me of the principal happiness I am able to enjoy in this Life; this may seem romantick to one that does not know what tis to be divided from another self, but to none else, I’m sure, otherwise their sensations are different from mine; the Horses come for us tomorrow, so that we shall be at Home by Dinner; Mrs Campbells arm I hear is better, & the Children very well; Miss Semple stays behind; Lord & Lady Napier are here just now; all this good Family regrets yr not coming & join in kindly remembring [sic] you; do my Dearest [document damaged] my affectionate Service to my Br, who I hope I [document damaged] see before he leaves this country; I even am [document damaged] most beloved Moitié intirely [sic] & forever yours GC
Halkhead
Aug: 1st 1751

To Mr Campbell

I received yours My Dearest by this days post, & am sorry to find you think of [?] the Lords to Perth for I thought you was not obliged to wait on them out of yr own Jurisdiction, & people of the Law have told me even that was optional; I cant but think my dearest [?] peoples who press yr going to Inverary [sic] must either be very thoughtless or very selfish to ask you at a time when you have been so long from Home, the folks here abouts on the contrary wonder that you stay so long away (as tis not look’d upon at all as necessary) when I am living without a Soul to speak to except Infants & Servants, those who are used to this way of Life may think it comfortable, but to me who have always livd in a large Family tis really something new; not but there was generally some body coming when the weather is fair, but the long nights curtail the length of their stay greatly; Miss Peggie Campbell was here some nights with me, & I was in hopes she’d have come again, but I believe She that is used to so good a society at Home did not admire living here so I have not seen her since; Mrs Campbell was in great concern tother day when I was at Bruce Hill because Mr Campbell talkd of going to the west for a fortnight; so you see whether I have reason to tire; I saw Mr Johnstone a day or two ago he drank tea with me, & talkd of writing to you by that nights post; he seems heartily tired of the Town for want of some acquaintance for he says he has not scarce any Body to speak to, so notwithstanding his turn to Study he’d soon tire without a companion; you’ll see by the mondays papers that the poor [?] Lyon has paid his debt to Nature, a pluratick fever has carried him out of this evil world, poor soul if he was rightly prepared for a better I’m sure he has made a most desirable change; he complain’d a good while of a pain in his side without fearing the consequences of it, I fancy He has been taken off very suddenly; I see My Dr by yr way of writing that you intend going to Inverary [sic], in which case I think youd better go from Perth as you first proposed for ’twould save you a great deal of needless travelling: Archie I think has been better since Sunday; the cure you recommend I saw d: Austin give [document damaged] to Mrs Campbell [?] son without the [document damaged] success, archies illness is in his Stomach which makes a vomit & Rhubarb the best thing he can get, he is taking Rhubarb every third day just now which I think is the thing agrees best of any with him, his food is all solids, but till these few days he eat nothing, & had very bad digestion; but both I hope are mending fast. The rest are very well. I conclude My Dearest Life Yours GC
Oct: 2d

To John Campbell Esq
Sheriff Depute of Forfarshire
at Forfar

free M: McMillan

Sept 18th
My Dearest Moitié by Sandy’s [?] I got no letters from you till this Day when I received the two last at one time; I wish my Dr you maynt be gone north before I get your commission sent, but this day or tomorrow the Carriers I believe go for Dundee, & I shall send the pockets along with them, together with a hoop a pr of Shoes & Clogs for Miss Betty which I beg my dr may be put carefully up in your clock bag; yr Dreams of Sandy has not been altogether without reason for he has been in vast pain getting out an under tooth next the two first that came out; he has thank God been free of a looseness or vomiting, but I never saw a Child in greater pain, he has been several nights without shuting [sic] his eyes, or doing any thing but screaming out like one in the greatest anguish, but he is now easier, tho’ very fretful still however he has recoverd his looks which were much alter’d; Archie’s looseness has been at a greater height these two or three days than ever it was, I was afraid as it had lingerd so long for the consequences of it & sent to let the Doctor know how he was, who came yesterday and saw him, he has orderd him chalk and water to drink, & evry morning a tea spoonful of Rhubarb & if he is no better tomorrow he thinks a vomit will be necessary, he is still very hearty but his stomach is not very good, and he has a great thirst; I got the Buck promised me last week and distributed it as follows, a hind quarter to Lady Levingstone, a hind quarter to Mrs Campbell Brucehill & a fore quarter to Mrs Campbell [?] as being newly married: the other which was the only one the shot had touchd I kept to my self. I askd all the Miss Campbells Glen [?] and their Br to dine here which the three girls [document damage] was to leave town to day. I wish you My Dearest a safe journey north, & remember me in the kindest manner to all at Forglen; I enclose a letter that came here from yr sister, the black wax occasiond my opening it, Mr Stewart informs me the carriers don’t go till the end of the week so I’m afraid they’ll miss you; O! My Dr tis an age yet before you’ll be here for I hear youll be at Perth with the Lords in which case twill be the middle of next month before youll be at Liberty; Archie is by me who has so many demands every minute I dont know a word I am writing so My Dearest Life adieu GC
I shall hope to hear from you when you get to Forglen.

Written to Forfar, document damaged

This is wrote in such a hurry I have only time My Dearest to tell you we are all well, there is no news in town that I hear, I long vastly to know from you if you have fix’d any time yet for leaving your present abode, Lord Strichen gave me bad encouragement for he told me he thought the Lords on the Northern Circuit & you would meet at Perth, which would not be till October, however I don’t wish you to come till you can stay for all together for that would be creating fresh uneasiness; I am Mon tres chere moitié toute a vous.
Grace Campbell
September 4th
You never say if you receive my letters
Sandy has cut a tooth since he was weaned.
[Document damaged] now getting another but with great ease to him.

To John Campbell Esq
Advocate at
Levenside
Dumbartonshire [sic]

My Dearest Moitié
I received yrs Dated from Stirling this Morning and hope by this time you are got safe to Levenside where you’ll have got I suppose My last Epistle; I was all last night perplex’d dreaming of your ridding [sic] the Nasty Horse that gives me so much uneasiness; the dreams I had lately of fire I think is in some degree explained by poor Miss Crawfords sudden Death, which happen’d this day at two in the morning; last night at Seven she had nothing but her usual complaints in her Stomach, but that long uneasiness she had there burn’d in the end to a mortification, & appear’d outwardly upon her Legs a few hours before her Death, She died quite sensible but without pain or any sort of emotion. I was at her House this morning & saw her stretch’d a coarpse [sic] who yesterday at the same time of day was sitting by her fire side,
God prepare us all for so suddain [sic] a fall, not indeed that hers was suddain [sic] for she has long felt much pain & sickness tho’ few believed it, but may we who are in health and Strength now remember that as sure as she is now Dead so sure shall we sooner or later be in the Self same condition. I long sadly my dr for those nasty circuits being over, but that they wont be this age, however it gives me pleasure in the meen [sic] time to think that you are where your Company is so well bestow’d, and where there is so much to amuse you, which I cant say is the case here for the Races being over there is neither business nor Diversion going on; I was to have dined today at Bruce Hill had not poor Miss Crawfords unlook’d for Death prevented me; if you think it safe, I wish My Dearest you enclose a twenty Shillings note in yr next for I have used & paid away all to a few Shillings that you gave me. I hope James is not to leave us but if he is Miss Crawfords servant is a sober faithful Creature, & if we are to lose the other, I dont know of any that would be so easy in the House; he has been with her these three year; but I think whoever you get, you’ll change for the worse; we had a perfect hurricane here all yesterday the bed Rock’d all night like a cradle; Remember me properly to all with you I had Miss Jennys letter to day she was so good to let me know the reason of yr not writting [sic] from Levenside, poor dr little Archie she tells me is getting more teeth, let me know my dearest if he is better, & how my sweet little laughing Jack does; tell Miss Jenny I am pleased to [Document damaged] he is her little favourite, for Archie I know [Document damaged] has interest enough with his Grand Papa & [Document damaged] to secure him very good friends. Jenny grows more diverting evr’y day, as if she wanted to make me some amends in her dr papas absence who She says is away to see his two Babas. I conclude My Dearest best loved Half yours
for ever
Grace Campbell.
Aug: Saturday 22d.

To John Campbell Esq
Advocate at Levenside
Dumbartonshire [sic]

My Dearest Moitié as this is the twentieth of the month, I hd some distant hopes (as you said you’d be back by this time) to see you to day or Tomorrow, however the arrival of yrs My Dearest by this days post has disappointed me greatly, for I see by it you are only about leaving Inverary [sic] now: I think indeed My Dear since that is the case ‘tis better for you to stay at Levenside till the Circuits come on, as you r to attend them, than to make this journey; ’twill be a great deal more agreeable to yourself being there, and give pleasure to your Papa and Mama who has scarce seen you yet, as for me I thank God I am in grate [sic] good health & only omitted writting [sic] by the post you mention upon account of Company coming at the time I had allotted for doing it, but if youll remember my dearest I was far from insisting with you to write evry post, or oftener than you incline it, for I should be sorry if to gratify me you were to put yourself under any sort of restraint, & when I omit a post I always think it does not signify, because I know that so much fondness as makes one uneasy at a neglect of that sort, you would look upon as romantick, & therefore I take it for granted dont run any risk of that kind, which makes [sealing wax damage to document] more remiss than I should be otherwise, but far from [document damage] mindful of you My Beloved Orsames than during the period that you said days seem’d months to you while we were divided, I enclose two letters ie one from Ld Banff came to day, & as I thought it contained the news of Lady Banffs delivery I opend it. the other has been here some posts but because I thought you might see the Author of it at Inverary [sic] I quite neglected to enclose it all this time. remember me my dearest so ceptably to all at Levenside, & let me hear particularly about my poor little Folks. Jackie I have a notion is not so thriving as his Br so write honestly if tis so & believe Me My Dearest yours for ever Grace Campbell
Thursday 20th

To Mr John Campbell Advocate
at his House in the Cowgate
Edin[burgh].

July 23d

I received yours my dearest last night and with infinite pleasure read your order for the Horses, which I have been long wishing for with impatience; My expedition to the Halkhead Ive so often talk’d of & Miss Semple has delay’d her going there so long on that accounting that I cant now my Dearest easily put it off, But all the care imaginable shall be taken to prevent the least accident; Finlay drives very well and I shant forget yr caution as to not fording the water; I am only sorry my Dear Jewel to think you are under any apprehensions about my moving, & if I had been free of this appointment with Miss Semple I should not have gone, not withstanding I promise my self a great deal of pleasure in the jaunt , & don’t know when I shall have another opportunity to be at Halkhead; I think my dear the best way for us is to leave this so soon as to be there by Dinner time, Miss Jenny goes along, and we shall take your Horse too, so that Finlay may go strait from Halkhead to Edin[burgh], & the other horses Matthew will carry back to Levenside, he is grown of late a traveling Governor, having made an expedition to Tay mouth with Miss Betty, & since then has been jaunting about with Miss Semple this week past, so when he has conducted us to Halkhead he’ll have made the round of the Family; Miss Jenny Carrick if she can procure a Horse goes with us; I did not tell yr Mother what you said about training Miss Jenny’s Horse for the Chaise, because yr Sister would not like to have it put to that use, & values the exchange she has made with the Captain particularly as she thinks will secure it to her self, its not being proper for any other business. I hope my Dear Life you have remembered to fill the cellar with coals; if there be a cat in Lady Charles’s I wish she would allow it to hunt in our House, for we shall be quite overrun with Mice especially in the Pantry, which is a vast inconvenience; I’m extremely glad to hear Lady Banf [sic] recovers so well, and hope they propose being here this autumn; My best compts [compliments] to her, and all Lady Dirltons Family. Pray my dr [dear] is Mrs John Carmick in the way of being a mother or not, for they say here she is; the little folks are both very well, Dr [dear] little Archie has not been bath’d yet, but the tub Doctor Gordon bespoke for that use is arrived & so soon [document damaged] you come he shall be put into it, for as [document damaged] you before My Dearest I had not courage in your absence to [?] it; he is certainly as understanding a little fellow as ever was of his age, & really a Child to a wish: the leaders are not for him, but Jenny, who you cant offend more than to take her by her leading strings, but in the fields , theres a necessity for it, for when she trips, to catch [?] hold of her arm would be apt to pull it out of joint, the Captains Horse is apt to scar [sic] going first, so I beg my Dearest youll take care of him; may God send us a happy meeting, which is all from my most amiable moitié yours for ever
GC
[Postscript] I stay here tomorrow in hopes of another letter; I cant think how mine does not reach you regularly for they are always in the post office long before the post gets met.