The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

382 Sni JAMKS GKANT OF GP.AXT, IJAUON'ET. [1710-
duties oliliged liim to reside chiefly in London, yet promoted ilie planla-
tion and inlpro^"enlent oi' his estiile and iieiylilxiurhood. This is sliowii li\-
a letter to his son Lndoviek, Avho acted as ri."sldeiit and virtual Laird of
(Irant. After rel'eri-inn' to certain money matters, lie ' urns
to iitlairs ni'
domestic iiiterest. "The syd sadle Avas sent to Ijietli, :. d the litle hhike'
vent in the same sliip. 1 tinnk it \vere jn-oper yoti o-,'(>red him north, as
lie won't g'ett the l)est of instniction at KdinhiirL^h whvl yoti are not there,
and it 's a jiitie stich a ])rettie boy shotild Ije lost. ... In a letter to mv
datighter I send yott some spruce firr seed which I had from the Peer (Lord
Islay), with a good ([nantity of jwnaster ajiples which I thought to have
sent in the last shiji that went to Findhorn, Imt tmlnckilie miss'd the occa-
sion. They shall lie sent with first. There are in the box with tliem 4 oitnces
large ston ]>yne, halfe ane ottnce cyprus (cyjiress). four aples of the large
cedar, on ottnce lalnuamm, and on ounce hladdei-sencie. The cedar-apples
must be opened to gett oitt the seed by makeing a hole Avith a smale gemelet
from the on end to the other, and then breaking it (them), and the seed
will be easily taken out. The same method will doe Avitli the jiynasters ;
the fire must not be used to open them. Pray let me know Iioav the elms,
beeches, and Avillowes doe that were sent last. 1 wish there be care taken to
prcseiwe the willowes from the cattle, for I ]iropose great pleasure in them,
as you know they have shads of them in several places here of the same
Light with those sent." "
He adds : " I had almost forgott to tell you that Mr. Heron, otumember
who droves in cattle, spoke to me severall times anent the cattle
of otir countrey, and sayd that if the countrey people would keep them
for him, he would send a servant in a litle time who shottld btiy them, and
pay readie money as they cotild agree, only they should be oblieged to keej)
and grase them untill the ordinar time of sending them to Criefe ore Falkirk.
This they doe everie year, however. Pray tell the countrey of this, for Mv.
Heron seems verie nuicli enclyn'd to bargain with them, and here their
money is shure, and noe after deductions when they are pay'd. Acquaint
me by first how this proposal is reli.shd, and if I shall si)eak yet more-
' A negro jinge for L.-idy Marijarct Or.iut.
- Oii-iiial Letter, dated ."M A[.ril I 7.)('), at Castle Hrant,