Patriot and Tory: one hundred years ago

Front matter

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Chapter I

Why the book appears. — New Interests in old times. — A bit of family history. — Old Paisley. — Family feud. — Grandfather. — Aunt Jean and Uncle John. — An old lady's vengeance. — A manuscript. — The British Museum. — A search successful. — A pair of pictures. — Grandmother's mother 19-25.

Chapter II

A Plymouth Homestead. — A Little Maid of the Puritans. — One of the old Covenanters. — Dame Mercy Warren. — Memories of the League and Covenant. — The Scotsmen of the West Country. — A Theory of Government. — Dame Warren advises journalizing. — Long and short lines. — A present. — Tea and Taxes. — Can these men be heroes. — A morning gallop. — An India Scarf. — Full dress one hundred years ago. — Gentlemen and Ladies of j'e olden time. — Keeping a one hundredth birthday. — Dinner table politics. — A Patriot and Tory. — Discussion of the causes of dissatisfaction between the Mother Country and the Colonies. — Manners of our Revolutionary Ancestors 2G-46.

Chapter III

Dame Mercy Warren and Abbey Temple. — ^That dreadful creature, a boy. — Boys and girls one hundred years ago. — Great grandfather and the lassie. — A Puritan Sermon. — An old man's blessing. — P'amily traditions. — "Christ's Crown and Covenant!" — Colonial newspapers. — Cousin Bessie. — Three R's. — Daughter's of Liberty and Hyperion. — A young lady of 1773. — A coquette one hundred years ago. — Spinning in the garret. — Novel of old time. — The Otis Family. — Gala dress of ancient days. — "The evil art of dancing." — A sudden interruption. — At Dame Warren's. — Private Theatricals in a barn. — Patriotic songs. — Bessie's flirtations. — A model j'oung man. — Training day. — Minute Men. — " Colonial

(vii)

viii CONTENTS.

Chapter IV

Bessie and her iniquities. — Occupations of a New England family. — Tea Sliips. — The Taisch. — Remedy for nervousness. — A Massachusetts Woman. — A Plymouth fireside. — Colonial agitations. — Tories for gain. — "Sons of Liberty." — "War Sermon. — Tea ships at Boston. — Letter from Mistress Abigail Adams. — The Covenanters' last days. — A battle cry and a victory. — A winter funeral. — Xews of the famous Tea Party. — Patriots last resort. — The cloud of war. — What* may be in a hundred years from 1774. — A quilting party. — A lonely heart. — People with histories. 71-95.

Chapter V

In Boston. — Boston a Century ago. — A yoimg lady's dress. — From Plymouth to Boston. — What our grandiuothers studied ; how they occupied their time. — Boston Port Bill. — Public sympathy. — Errand of Paul Revere. — Massachusetts Patriots. — A new Governor. — Gifts to Boston. — A young girl's reading a century ago. — A reproof not taken in good part. — At Plymouth. — A lock of hair. — Putnam in Boston.— National Congress in Philadelphia in 1,774.— The quiet currents of life. — Deborah Samson. — A bound girl's fortunes. — Hoeing a hard row.— A Negro's war principles.— The "Home Guard." — Hiring Indians to light. . 95-121.

Chapter VI

News from the Continental Congress.— Brig Peggy Stuart.— Patriot and Tory.- Make a compact.— A high heart.— Visit from British officers. — A snow bound liouse.— Two kinds of Tories.— Commemoration of the Boston Massacre.— War begins.— Night ride of Paul Revere.— Battle of Lexington.— The curse of civil war.— Isaiah Hooper joins the army.— Stark and Putnam go to camp.— Deborah in the field.— Giving breakfast to the recruits.— Ethan Allen, his politics, creed, and exploits.— The Colonies rising to arms.— Stores for the army.— Powder.— Washington chosen commander-in-chief.— Battle of Bunker Hill.— Death of Warren.— Spies at Plymouth.— Minute-men's revenge.— ^Ministers plea.- A Patriot martyr.— A woman's heart broken.— Grandmother's last will and Testament.— The "pewter for bullets.''- Two chests.— Christmas night.— Burial Hill at Plymouth 122-148.

Chapter VII

Doings at Congress.— Sending supplies to camp.— Franklin comes back from England.— Petition from Congress to the King.— Virginia.— The new flag !— Bessie Warley comes to take possession.— Debtors and creditors.—

CONTENTS. ix

Bessie in a passion.— A pewter bottle. — Two strings to one's bow.— A fashionable young lady's amusements.— The new minister.— Bessie's new lover. —Richard Reid as Othello.— Seige of Boston.— Heroic self-sacritices. — Skirmishes in the Carolinas.— Deborah Samson's disguise. — Going for a soldier.— Hannah Dana goes to camp.— Such a naughty Bessie.— Love and rage.— Starting for Philadelphia.— Puritan Pilgrim's Progress.— Recognizes Robert Shirtliffe.— Tavern fare and prices, tavern drinks and topics one hundred years ago.— From Plymouth to Philadelphia on horseback.— A queer calvacade.— .July 4th, 1776.— Judith at the door.— The ring of libertvbell 149-180.

Chapter VIII

Uncle John Temple's family.— Puritan domestic life.— Pretty girls.— Philadelphia a century ago.— A Tory family.— Young loves crossed.— "Which side shall conquer, England or the Colonies.- Brothers on different sides.— Giving a son to the country.— A curious covenant.— The Theater in the attic— Uncle John's indignation.— "O, Comus, Conius!"— Private life in Pliiladelphia during the Revolution.— Sewing for the soldiers.— A ball in the attic— The head-dress on lire.— Early hours.— Masquerading as beggars. — Serious consequences. — The battle of Trenton. — "Washington crossing the Delaware.— Rahl's death.— Charles wounded.— Going to the scene of war.— A winter ride to Trenton. . . 181-209.

Chapter IX

At a Quaker's home. — Kind Mistress Stacy Potts. — Alight of "Washington. — Deborah as Robert again. — The army clad. — Camp fires along the Assanpink. — Battle of Princeton. — Death of ]\Iercer. — That coward. — Robert Morris raising funds. — Borrowing from a Quaker. — Judith's donatipn. — The American Fabhis. — Winter-quarters at Morristown. — The Howe Brothers. — Lovers in war time. — Books from England. — A lovely Tory lady. — Bessie and Mr. Bowdoin. — Exchange of Prisoners. — Isaiah Hooper, and the prison hulk "Jersey." — Nigh unto death. — A woman's ministrations. — An incorruptible Patriot. — A Uriah of '76. — Men of iron. — Putnam at Philadelphia.— Meeting with Doctor Franklin.— A man in love.— The wrong thing at the wrong time. — Toryism flourishing. — The second 4th of July. Visit from Thomas Otis. — Girls and lovers.— A wise woman's words. — Dark days and disasters. — Sullivan's defeat. — Marquis Lafayette. — Philadelphia in the hands of Cornwallis. . . 210-240.

Chapter X

Fright of the colored people. — A garrison of girls. — Summoned to surrender. — Patriot women. — Hester and the weed. — Uninvited guests. —

X CONTENTS.

A mixed dinner party. — A conquering beauty. — Sharp replies. — A Tory to the rescue. — Henrj' Seaforth and Judith. — Donop's defeat. — A Hessian prisoner. — The mercenaries. — Winter of 1777. — Burgoyne's surrender. — Yankee Doodle. — Frigates captured. — Battle of Germantown. — A British lover, — Two strings of Warley wisdom. — Bessie holds forth on the best you can do for yourself. — British occupation of Philadelphia. — Cajitain Andre. — Turncoats. — Mr. Duche. — A spy in the house. — Escaping a halter. — A girl's quick wits. — Going to the Logan home. — A subterranean passage. — Ta-ga-jute the Indian 240-277.

Chapter XI

A young lady's winter in Revolutionary times.— Logan House.— A nymph of 1777. — Value of a fan. — ^listress Logan's dinner. — Logan's ghost. — A light-brained captain. — The secret key. — Sending news to "Washington. — Battle of AVhite Marsh. — News of the Patriot army. — Uncle Temple appears. — A valuable petticoat, and an unsuspected money purse. — An early start.— A neutral's troubles. — Uncle and Abbey going to camp. — The patriotic ferrj-man. — Camp at Valley Forge.— Soldier's life.— Privations of the Patriots. — Washington's head-quarters. — The nurse in camp. — The New Year's dinner party. — The friends in camp. — Sick in camp. — An Indian friend. — Washington's dinner. — Lady Washington at Valley Forge. — The General's prayer. — The pathos of Logan. — Visitors bj' a kitchen fire. — Two armies contrasted. — Bryan Fairfax. — Arrival of Baron Steuben. — The Baron's difficulties. — A drill. — Fortunes of war.— Getting home. — A long absence. . . 278-309.

Chapter XII

Dame Warren's history. — Uncle John and his daughter Susannah. — A British lover. — Liking a man better than his cause. — A Patriot maiden.— War and lovers. — General Howe to be superseded. — Philadelphia about to be evacuated. — Bessie and her principles. — A loyal soul. — Mistress Seaforth on the King's army. — A matron's advice upon love and marriage. — London and the Colonies.— Lady Washington's caution and compliment. — A chaperon secured. — Captain Banks accepted. — Officers' club house. — Captain Andre. — Doctor Franklin's house, — Hester's wit. — Gates, Greene, and Howe. — Persistent guests. — Doctor Franklin in Paris. — A treaty of alliance.— France and Spain. — A junto of Patriots. — Neutral allies. — Dinner table politics. — King of Prussia and the mercenaries. — Dangers of America. — Congress is timid. — The money. — Easy to condemn.— Sending to Nantes for goods.— Grandmother's la«e, — Mary Pemberton's coach.— A spy in the city. — The prisoners are ill. — Sent to Logan House 309-331.

CONTENTS. xi

Chapter XIII

Logan House to be burnt. — Madam Logan's presence of mind. — Clearing out a fashionable dwelling. — Captain Banks. — A reprieve. — A drunkard's follj'. — A laughable scene. — Return to the city. — Bessie determines to be foolish. — A wedding in 1776. — The wedding party. — General Howe and Judith. — Repartee. — Puritan principles. — A gay couple beginning life. — Evil omens. — Signs of the times. — Light for the patriots. — The English Commons desire peace. — The power of kings. — This waste of lives. — The stir of departure. — Mirth and War. — " Philadelphia has captured Howe; not Howe Philadelphia.'" — The Howe brothers under the displeasure of the Minister of War. — The conmiissioners from England. — Flight of Tories. — Steady fathers' views of the follies of the time. — The Mischianza. — An alarm. — Howe Brothers. — The British evacuate Philadelphia.— Tory Terror 331-353.

Chapter XIV

A girl's dream of war. — Arnold occupies Philadelphia. — The battle of Monmouth. — Lee's evil star. — Howe's retreat through the Jerseys. — Failure of the commissioners. — Reed's reply. — French fleet arrives just too late. — Massacre of Wyoming. — Woes of Wyoming. — British prognostications. — Charles at home. — A soldier's return. — A bashful maid. — Armj' in summer. — Hannah Dana's outfit. — Mr. Reid's eulogism. — Oaks and roses. — " Good-bye, Thomas." — Mr. Bowdoin's delusion. — In a garden. — Arnold in the city. — Miss Shippen. — Continental monej'. — Spain and America. — The widow Ross and her money. — Affairs at Rhode Island. — Georgia and General Lincoln. — The Jerseys. — A letter from Bessie. — Goods from Nantes. — A meeting in the street. — Robert Shirtliffe again. — Christmas 1778. — Poor Deborah! — Her story. — Massacre at Cherry Valley. — Isaiah Hooper disappears. — A letter from Dame Warren. — A ride in Wa.shington's cortege. — Trouble about Arnold. — Camp in 1779. . . 353-377.

Chapter XV

Winter-quarters 1779. — Baron Steuben. — Ladies in Camp. — At Washington's headquarter.s. — Robert Shirtliffe. — A friend in need. — General Washington handles a difficult question discreetly. — A soldier's discharge. — Condemned unheard. — An un-feed attorney. — Saying a les.son well. — Richard Reid's intentions. — Apples a dollar each. — A spy in camp. — All for nothing. — A grand fete in camp. — General Arnold's court-martial. — Letters from Bessie. — A pass to New York. — Exchanged prisoners. — The beautiful river. — At New York in 1779. — Bessie in disxii CONTENTS.

tress.— A new nurse.— Living in Xew York.— Captain Banks's singular manners. — Letters from London. — Why not? — New dresses from London. — Major Andre. — The review. — Bessie elated. — An English Lady. — The little lad. — A terrible denouement. — The fearful game played to the end. — Mr. Warley. — The ensign. — Explanation. — Mr. Seaforth summoned. — A dead man on a bier. — Shot through the heart. — The English Mrs. Banks. — My uncle's heart and fortune. . . . 378-405.

Chapter XVI

Bessie in Philadelphia. — Connecticut wasted. — "Mad Anthony's" exploits. — "Light-horse Harry" at Paulus Hook. — The American Fahius. — Paul Jones. — Washington at West Point. — Rhode Lsland evacuated. — British in the South. — Providing for soldiers. — Charles gone North. — Headquarters at Morristown. — The valueless money. — Nothing to give. — Bravo, Jersey. — A cold winter. — Arnold reprimanded. — Hannah Dana ill. — Going to Morristown. — The farm-house. — A peddler. — A dog a four-legged defender. — A terrible scene. — An escape. — Joseph Dana wounded. — Taken to Philadelphia. — Sent home armless. — Lafayette's return. — ^Mutiny. — Pain and Patriotism. — Isaiali Hooper Mi.ssing. — Letter from Deborah. — Ta-ga-jute at his father's grave. — The Indian's white brother. — Tbe chief's errand. — A wounded friend. — Faithful unto death. — Trust and remorse. — "Good-by(^ Bessie." — "He died believing in her." — Whose fault is it?— Children of the covenant. . . . 40G-428.

Chapter XVII

Affairs in the sjiring of 1780. — Troubles between Congress and the army. — The hero of the age. — Death of De Kalb. — War in Virginia. — Arnold's treason. — The whole storj'. — Andre's doom. — Intentions are not dealt with in court-martials. — Mrs. Arnold. — No news of Colonel Nelson. — Was Thomas dead? — A lock of fair hair. — Retrospection. — Susannah's faith. — A true girl's heart. — Hard winters. — Laurens sent to France to ask funds. — The soldiers of the Revolution. — The great mutiny. — Reed to the front. — Clinton's proposals. — "What, are we all Arnolds?" — Robert Morris at the tea-table. — Proposals in Congress. — Confederation and LTnion. — Moving toward unitj'. — Virginia gentlemen. — Arnold ravaging Virginia. — Cowpens and Guilford Court-house. — Greene leads a cliase. — A goodly Saxon knight. — A British view of affairs. — Plans for spring warfare. — Richard Reid vexed. — At tea. — A wonderful surpri.se. — Isaiah rescued.— Ta-ga-jute does his duty.— His story.— Captive in Shawnee Town. — A hero everv inch. 429-451.

CONTENTS. xiii

Chapter XVIII

Uncle Matthew's visit. — A ride. — A drover. — The Frenchman's. — Mr. Reid sliot. — The girl dragged off. — A struggle for life. — "Who shall drowi>. — A rescuer. — Hurled over the cliff. — Ta-ga-jute. — Richard revives. — Returning home in a cart. — The invalids. — Going to the country. — Summer on the Delaware. — A swift messenger. — Terrible tidings. — A niglit ride. — The dying officer. — The father's coming. — The price of victory. — This is the fruit of war. — Old men's tears. — The Saxon knight's returi>« — Hearts break but war goes on. — The Burial at the vault. — At home< — Desolation. — Susannah the fair. — Sliarp ciuestions. — A sad visit. — More hopeful prospects 452-473.

Chapter XIX

A lull in war times. — August 1781. — Xews of the army in motioiv — Washington coming. — Patriot army marches through Philadelphia* — Worn Patriots and splendid French allies. — ]\Iai'ch to head of Elk* — Laurens' success. — The parting. — Cross purposes and cross maidens- — Hester's new freak. — The lost soldier. — Washington's ride to head of Elk. — Good news in the city. — Big bonfires. — Mount Vernon. — Virginian hospitality. — Lady Washington at home. — The allied fleet. — News at midnight. — ''One o'clock and Cornwallis is taken!" — A wild night.— Mutations of fortune. — Description of the siege of Yorktown. — A Patriot Governor. — The surrender. — Sorrow in joy. — Death of Mr. Curtis. — Hannah Dana's lonely grave. — Anxieties of General Washington. — Dreams of Plymouth. — Nothing to wear in 1782. — Belles of the olden times. 474-498.

Chapter XX

Lady Washington in Philadelphia.— A call on Lady Washingtoni — "I should suppose so." — Uncle John proposes to buy the old homestead.— Beautiful vistas.— What the land will need.— The army at Newberg.— Dangers of peace. — Commissioners in Paris. — Hardships in camp. — Bitter to the end.— The truant Colonel's return.— A live sale.— Taken into favor. — A Revolutionary father. — Briti.sh and British. — Our Susannah is happy.— A new arrival. — A guest from Canada.— Prison life in Montreal. — A fantastic couple. — .Judith gives sound advice. — A young lady speaks to the point.— Turning the heel of a stocking. — Discontents in the army.— Waiting for news from England. — Dawnings of peaces- Confiscating Tory property. — Honest men's contracts. — The idea of a Republic. — What kind of men are needed. — And what kind of women* — True life of Republics. — The remedy for all the evils in the world. — Death of Otis. — Sending to France for goods. . . . 498-525.

xiv CONTENTS.

Chapter XXI

Reduction of the army. — Jan. 1st, 1783. — Sir Guy Carleton in New York. — Thomas and Hester. — An expected marriage. — Deborah Samson again. — The anonymous papers in the army. — Wasliington's telling speech. — Letters from Congress to the army. — Arrival of the Triumph. — Letter from Lafayette. — Soldier become citizen. — The Pl3'mouth hero goes home. — Eight years of absence. — The goods from Nantes. — Hester's wedding. — The house in Boston. — A wedding journey 100 years ago. — At the old home in Plymouth. — Richard Reid in the old home. — Hannah's parents. — The joyous greeting. — The mutineers in Philadelphia. — Congress adjourns to Princeton. — A Patriot and a Tory joined in holy matrimony. — Bessie and Mrs. Seaforth. — Colonel Nelson returns from England. — A jolly British uncle. — Treaty signed in Paris. — All the land our own. — Washington resigns his commission. — The scene at Annapopolis. — New Year's eve 1784. — Two letters. — God bless you! — A colored woman's opinions and intentions. — *' Me an' Peter an' Pompey." — The old home and the new life and a cheerful greeting. — May the word be fulfilled unto us 525-548,

ILLUSTEATIOKS.

Page.

Susannah— " Beautiful even in London" (Frontispiece)

Grandmotlier's Mother . . 25

Tire Old Farm 28

Portrait of Patrick Henry 44

The old Thirteen Colonies 46

Grandfather's Church 52

Novel Reading , 59

Nut Gathering — A New England Scene 79

Portrait of Samuel Adams ........ 80

Winter at Plymouth 84

By Coacli to Boston 99

Night Ride of Paul Revere ........ 103

Abbey at Home with Grandfather Ill

Carpenter's Hall— 1774 . . * 113

Telling the War-News 115

Bringing home the letters 122

Scene of the Battle of Bunker Hill— 1775 139

Burial Hill at Plymouth 148

The Retreat from Quebec 151

The Old Mill 161

Faneuii Hall— Boston 162

Portrait of Deborah Samson as "Robert Shirtliffe" . . . 167

Bessie and Mr. Bowdoin . 168

State House— Philadelphia, 1776 177

House in which Decl. of Independence was written. . . . 179

Independence Bell . ISO

Philadelphia and vicinity — 1776 182

Independence Hall . 183

Map of the Jerseys — 1776 190

Portrait of Dr. Benjamin Franklin 193

Portrait of General Greene 196

Battle of Long Island— 1776 197

Battle of Trenton— 1776 208

Portrait of General Washington 211

The Prison Hulk "Jersey " 223

Isaiah Hooper on his farm ........ 225

16 ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

Fourth of July Celebration in 1777 233

Portrait of General Burgoyne . . 234

Portrait of General Sullivan 237

Portrait of La Fayette 238

Portrait of Lord Cornwallis 239

Portrait of General Fraser . . 249

Burgoyne's Encampment 250

Scene of Burgoyne's Surrender . 251

Bessie and Abbey — "What! has he asked you? " .... 261

Portrait of Captain Andre 263

Portrait of Ta-ga-jute Logan — The White Man's friend . . . 277

The Subterranean Passage under the Logan House .... 283

Bringing in the Yule Log — Logan House 286

Supplies for Army at Valley Forge 291

Encampment at Valley Forge— 1777-8 292

Hannah Dana ... 295

Portrait of Lady Washington 300

Portrait of General Arnold 353

The Beautiful Valley of Wyoming 357

Portrait of Brandt 359

Portrait of General Francis Marion 368

Indian Massacre in Cherry Valley 374

Eeturn of La Fayette to France 385

Bessie convalescent 395

Verplanck's Point, from Stony Point Lighthouse .... 404

Portrait of General Anthony Wayne 407

Subscriptions for the Continental Army 409

Scene of Arnold's Treason •. . . . 431

The Arrest of Major Andre 432

The Logan House 450

Portrait of General Heath 483

Mt. Vernon, the home of Washington 484

Siege of Yorktown— 1781 489

The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis 490

Washington's Headquarters at Newberg 501

Portrait of Sir Guy Carleton 502

Capture of Thomas Otis by the Lidians 511

Abbey and Richard visit Plymouth 535

AVashington resigning his command ....... 542

The End 548

IrhtroclTLctory jVote.

TT was the vice of the old-school historians that they ■^ dealt only with the public aifairs of nations. According to their philosophy, events were nothing unless projected on the heroic scale : and the difference between the heroic and the Quixotic was often undiscoverable. The most obscure annalist felt called upon to mask, mount, and marshal his characters, and set them all a-j ousting. The world was a tournament and human life a ceremony. Here was a king, there a priest, and yonder a warrior. Here was a Senate debating, there an army marching, and yonder a city sacked by janizaries. The whole panorama was a thing remote from the real dispositions and purposes of life ; a pageant of idealities rather than a drama of facts.

Not so with the historical writings of the New Era. History now hath its undercurrent, upon whose abounding bosom are borne the destinies of all men. Now have the lowly found a voice ; the weak man, a tongue ; the

poor man, an oracle. The poets from Wordsworth down,

1 8 INTEOD UCTOR Y NOTE.

the great novelists, and the new-school historians have praised the common lot and made it beautiful. Every-day life has been crowned with all the beatitudes of letters and art. The discovery has at last been made that Manners and Customs are the vital parts of history ; that what the people think about and hope for is more important in the records of nationality than the story of intrigues, debates, and battles.

The following work is a contribution to the history of the social life of the fathers. It aspires to be considered a special study made in the by-ways of the Revolution. The aim has been to preserve and present, in a compact and attractive form, the story of some important facts likely to be overlooked or forgotten in the glamour of the great Centennial — facts already but half discoverable through the shadows, and soon to be lost in oblivion unless preserved in some such record as this.

THE PUBLISHERS.

CHAPTER I. THE story's history

rPHINGS trifling in themselves, at the time and place of their orig-in, become of worth as curiosities when removed to a certain distance of space, or as antiquities when removed to a certain distance of time. In this centennial year of our Republic every relic of Revolutionary days has acquired an arbitrary value. "What a treasure to the "Committee" would be that famous pie for which one hundred dollars of Colonial currency were paid! What a romance hangs about some idle letter, describing a party given to Lord Howe ; or a fragment of a complimentary note bearing the signature of Martha Washington. This interest in all that belongs to our Revolutionary struggle has influenced me to present to the public a simple memorial of family life one hundred years ago, which until now would only have been interesting to the descendants of her by whom it was written. In editing this chronicle for the public I feel obliged to give an account of its origin

and history. My paternal grandfather was a Scotchman from Paisley. He left home early in life, and having settled in New York State, after some years married a maiden of mingled Scotch and Puritan blood. About a decade after the marriage, my grandmother's mother died, and among her papers was found a portly roll of yellow manuscript, written in a clear, bold hand. My grandmother at once recognized this as the record of her mother's early life — a bit of family chronicle which she had heard read in her young days, and which had been carefully preserved by its author, as a relic of happy and yet often anxious hours.

My grandfather had, with Scotch tenacity, clung to his home and kindred over seas. He had been often urged to bring his wife on a visit to the old country relations; but family and business cares had prevented him frona accepting the invitation. Yet he was exceedingly desirous of making his large circle of brothers and sisters feel acquainted with their "American relative," and when he had read the story left by his mother-in-law he thought that if he sent the manuscript, with miniatures of the author and her daughter, his wife, it would serve to make the whole family feel less like strangers to him and his. His parents being dead, he very naturally sent his gift to his eldest brother John, with a request that he would "lend it around" among his family friends.

Now, my great-uncle John had made a good marriage, and prospered in his business; and, among other strokes of good luck, it had been his fortune to rent a historic bit of property — nothing less than the Grange, near Crookstown Castle, once a royal demesne, and belonging to Margaret, wife of James IV. of Scotland, and daughter of Henry VII. of England. This Grange had been one of the homes of Mary Stuart, with her governess and nurse, before her departure for France. The Grange had fallen from hand to hand, the old dwelling still standing, until it was rented, with a mill property, to my great-uncle John. Success had made this worthy man a little arrogant: established in what had been an abode of royalty, beholding around him the oaken wainscotings and the tapestried panels which had graced the home of the luckless and ill-deserving princess, he began to feel himself in some occult fashion allied to the Tudors and Stuarts, and treated his own family in a lofty and dictatorial manner. Those canny Scots were unruffled by this style of l^rotherly kindness; they merely accepted it as "ane o' Johnny's ways" — all but my great-aunt Jean. Aunt Jean, eldest of her family, a spinster who had inherited several thousand pounds from a far-oif cousin, deeply resented her brother's assumption of superiority. Between Jolin and Jean existed internecine war that nothing could placate.

When the errant Matthew sent from America his present of two minia'tures on ivory, and an ancient chronicle, to the home of his fathers, and chose John as the recipient of his gift, great was the wrath that surged in the soul of Aunt Jean. She believed that the family had entered into a conspiracy against her — that Matthew was confederate with John to rob her of the respect due her. John, with much condescension, oifered her the first reading of the manuscript after his own family had finished it. ^ly aunt Jean scornfully rejected the proifer, and avowed she .

" wad hae naething to do wl't." True to her chosen policy, when the story was in the hands of a niece, whom she was visiting, and was to be read aloud to the household, aunt Jean arose and left the room. (However, there was pretty good proof that she satisfied her curiosity by remaining so near an open door that she heard every word of all the readings.) My great-aunt could not be content without* some more forcible manifestation of her feelings in this important matter. She cast about her for a fashion of punishing her delinquent brothers. Where should she find it better than in the making her will? Aunt Jean theorized in general that she should some day die, as did other mortals; but the prospect of death was not near enough to set her at peace with all humankind, brothers Matthew and John included. She summoned a lawyer and had her will prepared and duly signed, and took care to proclaim fully the manner of her last testament. She left to each of her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, twenty pounds to buy a mourning ring — except to the erring John and Matthew, and their children. The remainder of her property did Aunt Jean devise to the "Breetish Museum Library, whar (to quote her own words)' nae doubt waur bulks eneugh to teach people hoo properly to respec' their elders."

Thus did Aunt Jean testify to her final rejection of her family, her native place, and all Scottish institutions.

Uncle John heard the ncMS, and great was his disgust. It was now needful that he should make his will, and proclaim its contents, that Aunt Jean might find him even with her in the strife. Great was the debate in his heart when he considered how he could outrival his excellent sister; he was almost ready to order his body to be turned into a mummy and devised to the Egyptian collection in that famous Museum! What should he do? Uncle John was resolved to leave his son and daughter '' forehanded wi' the warld," and he would not bequeath from them one hoof of his thoroughbreds, one horn of his choice cattle, one "pund o' siller." Day after day he pondered, and then the solution of his difficulty came in a great burst of light; he leaped up, snapping his fingers, and cried: "I hae it the noo! I will gie the manuscript to the Breetish Museum." Forthwith a lawyer was summoned, and a codicil added to my great-uncle's last will and testament — "The manuscrup sent frae America, to the Library o' the Breetish Museum." When I visited Scotland I expected to find this famous manuscript of my great-grandmother still in the hands of some one of the family, and trusted that it might be bestowed upon me, at my request. Uncle John and Aunt Jean had long been buried, and great Mas my chagrin to learn that the roll of paper, valueless to any one but myself, had been done up in a morocco case lined with silk and forwarded to the British Museum. A year afterward, I entered the famous Library as a constant reader, and when I had made acquaintance with the ways of the place I looked for the family manuscript; it was not down on the catalogue.