Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

KING James's LEXTF.iiS in his favour, 1611. clxix
of tlie letters was to safeguard the interest of tlie helpless minor by staying
all unnecessary litigations against him during liis minority, to warn the tutor
to be careful of the minor's education, and of the welfare and continuance
of his house, to be honest and faithful iu his oflice of tutory, and not to
expect or make gain or aggrandisement for himself. To guarantee the
carrying out of these injunctions, George Home, Earl of Dunbar, Lord High
Treasurer of Scotland, was ai^pointed by the king to superintend the accounts
and proceedings of the tutor. The lords of session gave effect to the letter
of the king, and superseded all civil actio)i3 against James Johnstone nntil
he was of the age of fourteen years.^ The timely interposition of the king
showed a kind solicitude on his part for the preservation of the ancient
house of Johnstone, and his care and consideration of its youthful repre-
sentative is highly creditable to him as acting a fatherly part to the father-
less young chief.
In one of his letters his Slajesty refers to the widov,' of Sir James having
been recently married to " a stranger." Tliis lady has been already referred
to in the memoir of Sir James. Sara ^Maxwell, Lady Jolmstone, survived
her husband for twenty-eiglit years, and during all that tin;ic slie was very
devoted to the interest of the Johnstone family. Her jointure house at first,
after the death of Sir James, appear.? to have been the tower of Loohwood.
Her ladysliip was courted there by Jolm, first Earl of Wigton, and became
his countess. " Sara, Countess of Wigton," was her usual signature and
designation, even after her third marriage to the Yiscouut of Airds.
An instance of the great advantage wliicli accrued through her to the
Johnstone family may here be noticed. The deadly feuds between the
Maxwells and the Johnstones were only too well known, and at first sight it
seems rather inexplicable how Lord John.stonc, when he was created Earl of
Hartfell, and Lord Johnstone of Moffatdale and Evandale in 16-13, should
House.
* Act dated 9th November IGll apj.eiided to the origintil Uttor in the General Kegister
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