Transactions. 189 



by the route you direct. You ndll see that 1 have thus inti'oduced j^ou 

 to a good divine, a sound hxwyer, and thirdly, to one who has much in 

 his power in the disposal of land. My wife joins me in love to your 

 mamma and j-ourself. I wish you all success, and bid God bless you 

 and youi-s. — I remain, very sincerely, 



Allan Cunningham. 

 Miss Gordon. 



27 Belgrave Place, London, 

 16th AprU, 1835. 



My Dear Friend, — I am about to tax the kindness of your nature. 

 A young lady. Miss Gordon, my wife's dear friend and mine, goes with 

 her brother to your land of Promise, with the hope of finding a sheltered 

 nook and a comfortable home. She is amiable and highly respectable, 

 and if you will be so good as befriend her it will be her safeguard among 

 strangers, for your heart is not only warm, but the strength of the law 

 is with you. I have introduced her to Archdeacon Slrachan, and given 

 her a -note to Mr Dunlop, of the Canada Company. 



Some literarj' reputations have risen and others have remained 

 stationary since I had the pleasure of seeing you here. Of the former, 

 one is near and dear to yourself ; the fine true feeling and exquisite 

 perception of beauty in her works have made them general favourites. 

 I dare not say that I have risen, but if my books be not good they are 

 read. [Songs ?]. The Lives of the Painters and the Life and Works 

 of Burns have sold very well, though these merciless curs the critics 

 snarled a little. I am afraid they will have more cause to snarl at my 

 next work, the Lives of the British Poets. Do, my dear friend, write 

 me a word of encouragement about this undertaking. I have some mis- 

 givings. My wife unites with me in love to you. — I remain, my dear 

 friend, yours ever and ever, 



Allan Cunningham. 

 The Hon. Robt. Jamesone, 



Attorney-General, &c., &c., &c. 



An old placard iirorainently displayed (and wliich is in 

 possession of Mr M'Naught, Queen's Place) recalls the story of the 

 abortive duel and the law suit. In the placard, which is dated 1822, 

 Mr Vair, wine merchant, Leith, denounces Mr David Armstrong, 

 writer, Dumfries (afterwards Provost of the burgh), who was his 

 rival for the hand of Miss Grieve, as "a rascal, a liar, and a 

 coward." 



The portrait gallery is enriched with some early sketches by 

 Thoiburn. A picture which is attracting considerable attention 

 is a spii-ited caricature of Provost Fraser, at one time proprietor of 

 the King's Arms Hotel, Dumfries, in which the Provost is repre- 

 sented in the form of an ass carrying his own black servant. TJie 



