The Ayrshire Legatees; Or, The Pringle Family

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John Galt. The Ayrshire Legatees; Or, The Pringle Family

CHAPTER I – THE DEPARTURE

LETTER I

LETTER II

LETTER III

CHAPTER II – THE VOYAGE

LETTER IV

LETTER V

CHAPTER III – THE LEGACY

LETTER VI

LETTER VII

CHAPTER IV – THE TOWN

LETTER VIII

LETTER IX

LETTER X

LETTER XI

CHAPTER V – THE ROYAL FUNERAL

LETTER XII

LETTER XIII

LETTER XIV

LETTER XV

CHAPTER VI – PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGION

LETTER XVI

LETTER XVII

LETTER XVIII

LETTER XIX

LETTER XX

CHAPTER VII – DISCOVERIES AND REBELLIONS

LETTER XXI

LETTER XXII

LETTER XXIII

LETTER XXIV

CHAPTER VIII – THE QUEEN’S TRIAL

LETTER XXV

LETTER XXVI

LETTER XXVII

LETTER XXVIII

CHAPTER IX – THE MARRIAGE

LETTER XXIX

LETTER XXX

LETTER XXXI

LETTER XXXII

CHAPTER X – THE RETURN

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On New Year’s day Dr. Pringle received a letter from India, informing him that his cousin, Colonel Armour, had died at Hydrabad, and left him his residuary legatee. The same post brought other letters on the same subject from the agent of the deceased in London, by which it was evident to the whole family that no time should be lost in looking after their interests in the hands of such brief and abrupt correspondents. “To say the least of it,” as the Doctor himself sedately remarked, “considering the greatness of the forth-coming property, Messieurs Richard Argent and Company, of New Broad Street, might have given a notion as to the particulars of the residue.” It was therefore determined that, as soon as the requisite arrangements could be made, the Doctor and Mrs. Pringle should set out for the metropolis, to obtain a speedy settlement with the agents, and, as Rachel had now, to use an expression of her mother’s, “a prospect before her,” that she also should accompany them: Andrew, who had just been called to the Bar, and who had come to the manse to spend a few days after attaining that distinction, modestly suggested, that, considering the various professional points which might be involved in the objects of his father’s journey, and considering also the retired life which his father had led in the rural village of Garnock, it might be of importance to have the advantage of legal advice.

Mrs. Pringle interrupted this harangue, by saying, “We see what you would be at, Andrew; ye’re just wanting to come with us, and on this occasion I’m no for making step-bairns, so we’ll a’ gang thegither.”

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While they were thus reviewing, in their way, the first epistle of the Doctor, the betherel came in to say that Meg and Tam were at the door. “Oh, man,” said Mr. Daff, slyly, “ye shouldna hae left them at the door by themselves.” Mr. Craig looked at him austerely, and muttered something about the growing immorality of this backsliding age; but before the smoke of his indignation had kindled into eloquence, the delinquents were admitted. However, as we have nothing to do with the business, we shall leave them to their own deliberations.

When we had partaken of a repast, the first blessed with the blessing of an appetite, from the day of our leaving our native land, we got two vacancies in a stage-coach for my wife and daughter; but with Andrew Pringle, my son, I was obligated to mount aloft on the outside. I had some scruple of conscience about this, for I was afraid of my decorum. I met, however, with nothing but the height of discretion from the other outside passengers, although I jealoused that one of them was a light woman. Really I had no notion that the English were so civilised; they were so well bred, and the very duddiest of them spoke such a fine style of language, that when I looked around on the country, I thought myself in the land of Canaan. But it’s extraordinary what a power of drink the coachmen drink, stopping and going into every change-house, and yet behaving themselves with the greatest sobriety. And then they are all so well dressed, which is no doubt owing to the poor rates. I am thinking, however, that for all they cry against them, the poor rates are but a small evil, since they keep the poor folk in such food and raiment, and out of the temptations to thievery; indeed, such a thing as a common beggar is not to be seen in this land, excepting here and there a sorner or a ne’er-do-weel.

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