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own wish； which was doubtless the natural working of the act of grace that
had been shed upon him； but she had not the wherewithal to send him to
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the college of Glasgow； where he was desirous to study； and her just pride
would not allow her to cess his brother…in…law； the Captain Macadam；
whom； I should now mention； was raised in the end of this year； as we
read in the newspapers； to be a major。 I thought her in this somewhat
unreasonable； for she would not be persuaded to let me write to the captain；
but when I reflected on the good that Willie Malcolm might in time do as a
preacher； I said nothing more to her； but indited a letter to the Lord
Eaglesham； setting forth the lad's parts； telling who he was and all about
his mother's scruples； and； by the retour of the post from London his
lordship sent me an order on his steward； to pay me twenty pounds
towards equipping my protegee； as he called Willie； with a promise to pay
for his education； which was such a great thing for his lordship to do off…
hand on my recommendation； that it won much affection throughout the
country side； and folks began to wonder； rehearsing the great things； as
was said； that I had gotten my lord at different times； and on divers
occasions； to do； which had a vast of influence among my brethren of the
presbytery； and they grew into a state of greater cordiality with me；
looking on me as a man having authority； but I was none thereat lifted up；
for not being gifted with the power of a kirk…filling eloquence； I was but
little sought for at sacraments； and fasts； and solemn days； which was
doubtless well ordained； for I had no motive to seek fame in foreign
pulpits； but was left to walk in the paths of simplicity within my own
parish。 To eschew evil myself； and to teach others to do the same； I
thought the main duties of the pastoral office； and with a sincere heart
endeavoured what in me lay to perform them with meekness； sobriety； and
a spirit wakeful to the inroads of sin and Satan。 But oh； the sordiness of
human nature！The kindness of the Lord Eaglesham's own disposition
was ascribed to my influence； and many a dry answer I was obliged to
give to applicants that would have me trouble his lordship； as if I had a
claim upon him。 In the ensuing year； the notion of my cordiality with
him came to a great head； and brought about an event； that could not have
been forethought by me as a thing within the compass of possibility to
bring to pass。
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CHAPTER XX YEAR 1779
I was named in this year for the General Assembly； and Mrs
Balwhidder； by her continual thrift； having made our purse able to stand a
shake against the wind； we resolved to go into Edinburgh in a creditable
manner。 Accordingly； in conjunct with Mrs Dalrymple； the lady of a
major of that name； we hired the Irville chaise； and we put up in Glasgow；
at the Black Boy； where we stayed all night。 Next morning； by seven
o'clock； we got into a fly…coach for the capital of Scotland； which we
reached after a heavy journey about the same hour in the evening； and put
up at the public where it stopped till the next day； for really both me and
Mrs Balwhidder were worn out with the undertaking； and found a cup of
tea a vast refreshment。
Betimes； in the morning； having taken our breakfast； we got a caddy to
guide us and our wallise to Widow M'Vicar's； at the head of the
Covenanters' Close。 She was a relation to my first wife； Betty Lanshaw；
my own full cousin that was； and we had advised her； by course of post； of
our coming； and intendment to lodge with her as uncos and strangers。
But Mrs M'Vicar kept a cloth shop； and sold plaidings and flannels；
besides Yorkshire superfines； and was used to the sudden incoming of
strangers； especially visitants； both from the West and the North Highlands；
and was withal a gawsy furthy woman； taking great pleasure in hospitality；
and every sort of kindliness and discretion。 She would not allow of such
a thing as our being lodgers in her house； but was so cagey to see us； and
to have it in her power to be civil to a minister； as she was pleased to say；
of such repute； that nothing less would content her but that we must live
upon her； and partake of all the best that could be gotten for us within the
walls of 〃the gude town。〃
When we found ourselves so comfortable； Mrs Balwhidder and me
waited on my patron's family that was； the young ladies； and the laird；
who had been my pupil； but was now an advocate high in the law。 They
likewise were kind also。 In short； every body in Edinburgh were in a
manner wearisome kind； and we could scarcely find time to see the Castle
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and the palace of Holyrood…house； and that more sanctified place； where
the Maccabeus of the Kirk of Scotland； John Knox； was wont to live。
Upon my introduction to his grace the Commissioner； I was delighted
and surprised to find the Lord Eaglesham at the levee； and his lordship
was so glad on seeing me； that he made me more kenspeckle than I could
have wished to have been in his grace's presence； for； owing to the same； I
was required to preach before his grace； upon a jocose recommendation of
his lordship； the which gave me great concern； and daunted me so that in
the interim I was almost bereft of all peace and studious composure of
mind。 Fain would I have eschewed the honour that was thus thrust upon
me； but both my wife and Mrs M'Vicar were just lifted out of themselves
with the thought。
When the day came； I thought all things in this world were loosened
from their hold； and that the sure and steadfast earth itself was grown
coggly beneath my feet； as I mounted the pulpit。 With w