TRANSACTIONS. 189 
by the route you direct. You will see that I have thus introduced you 
to a good divine, a sound lawyer, 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 yourself. I wish you all success, and bid God bless you 
and yours.—I remain, very sincerely, 
Miss Gordon. 
ALLAN CUNNINGHAM. 
27 Belgrave Place, London, 
16th April, 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 Strachan, and given 
her a note to Mr Dunlop, of the Canada Company. 
Some literary 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 he 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. Iam 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, &e., &c., &e. 
An old placard prominently displayed (and which 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 
Thorburn. A picture which is attracting considerable attention 
is a spirited caricature of Provost F raser, 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. The 
