34 ORMISTOUN'S LETTERS 



or what else of the like nature you think I may incline to be 

 informed of. Does Brodie get any business out of the Town 

 and does he seem to give satisfaction in his Work to such as 

 employ him. Inform me freely of such things that I may 

 guess at what is doing, how things go on, and how people 

 seem to aim at thriving, that I may know how to carry things 

 on by the success in what is done and doing. Without full 

 information there is no laying down further measures right; 

 So don^t conceal good or bad from me. Has Mr. Hepburn ^ 

 sold all the Wood he proposed to cut this year or how much 

 do you hear has he remaining uncut. Do you hear if his Bark 

 went well off. Do you know if M'"® Cokburn has made any use 

 of a plank of Wood I sent her with G. Ramsay, and whom she 

 employed in working it, and whether it is said to be well made 

 or not. Pray is there any use made and what, of the Stable 

 and Barn by Alex*" Cokfs house ? In what condition are they .? 

 You may go that way and look upon them under some pretence 

 and let me know. 



^ Do the plants thrive under Alex'" Cokbfs which were planted 

 last year. What kinds do you think any supply of will there 

 be wanted. Do you look and see what number and kinds of 

 trees stand in the way of carrying two Rows of Beeches all the 

 way west from the line of the South Garden Wall and the Row 

 of Beeches South of it, which was planted last year, all the way 

 west to the road above Runshy hall. I mean that stand in the 

 lines or within them so as to hinder the view ^ from east to west 

 or disturb the rows to be carried on all the way West. Get 



1 James Hepburn, younger of Humbie, was an original member of the 

 Ormistoun Society. Humbie is higher up the Tyne valley. Lady Humbie, a 

 daughter of Johnstone of Warriston, is often referred to in Andrew Hay's 

 Diary, 1659-60 (Scottish History Society). During her early widowhood Hay 

 was her good friend. Her husband was Thomas, son and heir of Sir Adam 

 Hepburn of Humbie, a Senator of the College of Justice, while Janet, a daughter 

 of Sir Adam, was John Cockburn's grandmother. His grand-parents were 

 married in 1648. *Sir John Inglis and John Hepburn of Humbie were the 

 subscribing witnesses to the new lease of Murrays (Muirhouse) farm, granted 

 (1718) to Robert Wight ' (father of Alexander of the Letters). ' They were invited 

 on this occasion by Cockburn that they might, as landlords, be animated by 

 his example.' — Farmer's Magazine^ v. 133. 



- The two rows of beeches were to form an avenue, or rather a vista, a great 

 feature of the early planting days. It is referred to again as * the long Walk ' 

 (p. S3), and still stands. See also No. XHL 



