88 A Scottish Idyl. 



Alsy what shall I say we was) ; just as we used to be when 

 you was with us ; in short (juite happy — but that like all other 

 earthly pleasur's was fleetiog, and of short duration. When we 

 considered how much happier we would have been had we had your 

 company in place of your Letter (Your Letter is so full of Moral 

 reflections ray Dr. Miss Alicie that I must give you one or two in 

 my turn) I've used you very ungenerously Alcie for my first 

 letter was writ with a Spirit that surprised myself, but don't 

 Expect as nmch every letter or youU be cruelly disapointed, for 

 I find in Spite of two or three bumpers of wine more than usual 

 to-day, I'am not able to reach the same Stille — all this by way of 

 Introduction to the many Incidents that has happened since our 

 last, if I'm not mistaken Maguire * ended her letter with telling 

 you that she was just going to a ball but (shortsighted mortals 

 that we are) She did not see what that ball was to produce. I 

 must in the first place let you know how this ball came about, 

 the Baron and Capt. Makad (who as you guess are rivals) Cornet 

 Smith and several others went to Sup together the night before, 

 and Cornet Smith your friend who was mightily taken with 

 Jenny Murray, proposed to stay next day if they would make a 

 Subscription ball, and allow him to dance with her ; upon which a 

 motion was made that every man should dance with his flame ; 

 Then up spake the bold baron ; Gentlemen, I declare before all 

 this company that I am to dance with Miss Maguire tomorrow 

 so let none dare to ask her after this ; next day Maguire's friend 

 Old Makad came up after dinner and ask'd her to dance with him, 

 and pray What was to hinder him, he was not in the Company 

 and how should he know anything about it. Well we all went to 

 the ballroom, the baron Addresses himself to his flame, Madam 

 I hope you'll do me the honour to dance with me to-night. Sir I 

 am Ingaged, to Whom, to Mr Makad Sir, 'Tis Impossible, 

 I don't know indeed Sir, he must yield you up Madam, you and 

 him may speak about it Sir. Makad comes in. Sir says the 

 baron you must yield up this Lady. No indeed Sir I won't, 

 brav'ly answers Makad (Spite of his gouty toe). So Sir says 

 the baron you won't yield her up you say, by all that's g-ood your 

 brother has put you upon this, but old Makad (Least a worse 



* Miss Maguire was sister to the Countess of Glencairne. She after- 

 wards married the " bold Baron,"' alias: Lord Alva, Junior, my grand- 

 mother's brother. — C- K. S. 



