LETTERS FROM MR. COKBURNE OF 

 ORMISTOUN TO HIS GARDINER, 

 CHARLES be; 



1727 TO 1743 



[Note. — The letters folio w, as far as possible, the^o^terrjf^ting. As 

 Old Style still prevailed, it was usual to double date an event falling 

 within the first three months of the year, as 173| for 1734. The manu- 

 script has been scrupulously followed even to the extent of retaining a 

 few repeats of single words. Notice has been taken in the footnotes of 

 obvious slips or omissions, but these are singularly few. The letters 

 have been numbered for reference.] 



Charles, — It is some time since I heard from you. We 4 Dec. 1727. 

 have had a very drie season. This last fortnight we have had 

 it soft and foggy without ane air of wind or once seeing the 

 sun, but since yesterday morning we have a great deal of rain 

 from the N. East wch is the first rain they have had here since 

 you went away, which went into the Ground S inches. I wrote 

 to my Bror telling him that Will^" the Gardener was gone 

 from hence before I received your Letter desiring the Seeds he 

 was to get from Mr. Colebrook^s Gardener, and the best way I 

 can think of for your getting of them was by writing to your 

 Cousin John who is still in this neighbourhood, and you know 

 he is acquainted with the people, at Mr. Colebrooks. A Cook 

 Maid who is going by Sea to my Brother goes from hence in 

 some days, and I shall send by her a little of some seeds I have 

 got since you went away. I believe you carried with you some 

 of each kind I had before. As for a Carrot hough ^ — Sure you 

 can direct the making of one, it being only a very small one 

 the shape of a common paring hough with a handle in pro- 



^ This archaic form of ' hoe ' shows its connection with hack and Sc. howk, 

 to dig. 



