Some LETTERS OF PaTRICK MILLER. 129 
with colours flying and drums beating, many gentlemen, 
and a great concourse of people went out of town to meet 
him. The populace unharnessed his herses and dragged 
him in his carriage through the streets. When he got to 
the King’s Arms, I paid my respects to him.’’? 
The election took place in the spring of 1790, and all Miller’s 
friends began to rally round his son. 
‘““ You have got no more uniform steady friend than 
Mr Staig!° has been from the beginning. Col. Goldie,™ 
Sir S. Hannay,” and your old fellow traveller has started 
for the Stewartry, and mean to use their joint interest 
against Col. Stewart. Our friend seems to have known 
nothing of this business, altho’ I heard S.’s intention 3 or 4 
months ago. How it will turn out, time will show; but 
many are of opinion they cannot desert S.’’!4 
‘* Mr Johnston4* appeared for himself about 4 weeks 
ago, and had all the successes I dare say he expected for 
a man who had come a great deal too late. Old 
Terrauchtie threw all his interest into the scale, but it 
would not do. However, he has consoled himself with 
looking forward, and at his time of life I think he shows 
a good deal of courage. Sir Robert’s!® friends, however, 
thought it necessary for him to be on the spot, and accord- 
ingly he came about 8 weeks ago and dined at Dalswinton 
with a good many of his friends and ours. . . . Your 
sister and I spent 3 days last week at Drumlanrig Castle. 
They are preparing for the Duke, who is daily expected. 
He has had great success at Newmarket, and is in high 
spirits. He means to be very brilliant here, but the 
brightest star I fear will be eclipsed by that time—in short, 
Mrs M‘Murdo’s! situation obliges her to leave Drumlan- 
rig, which, I think, will be a great Icss to all.’’!8 
Hearing that Parliament was to be dissolved, Mrs Miller 
wrote to her son that the Duke desired him at Dumfries at 
once. The Tory candidate was Sir James Johnstone of 
Westerhall, who was defeated by Captain Miller, the Whig 
candidate, in a contest rendered memorable by an ‘‘ Election 
Ballad ’’ of Robert Burns. Miller, senior, of course exerted 
