The chiefs of Grant - Electric Scotland

394 SIK lA'DOVlCK CillANT OF CHANT, I'.AUOXF.T. [1717-
the result, that after mucli argument, he had persuaded the President n^t
only to see the joi;ng eoujile, but tu receive tlieni into his fanuly. Sir
James's letter, however, had greatly disconcerted Mr. Patrick Grant, hut
the latter concealed tlie tone of Sir James's letter fi nn tli^' President,
jilr. Grant then proceeds to r.incilia; Sir dames hii ;
i im to reflect more dehberati'v on i]:C matter, as tlir fact >
-If.
lie implores
Ludovick's
marrying Avlthout his fatlier's consent was tlie " oidy circurasi ;,iice of the
marriage that 's blamable," and employs various argument-- to induce
Sir James to aijree heartilv to the marriaij'e, and l)e reconciled in his son
and dauijbiter-inJaw. He reminds Sir James that in reu'ard to Lrrss he
had only a reserved liferent, Ifut that since his succession to the Grant
estates, he had intromitted with the rents of Luss. This fict, j\Ir. Grant
points out, would raise diiliculties witli the heir of tailzie, and fur that reason
as well as others, he urij'es Sir James to take a cordial view of Ludovick's
marriage.
Whether these arti'uments had anv efl'ect on Sir James, or whether
calmer reflection showed him that his son's llailt was one to be leniently
dealt with, the result was pleasing to Ludovick Gi-ant and liis young wife.
Writing in answer to the President, who had made Lord Lovat the bearer
of a letter to Sir Jame.s, the latter says,' " I am heartilie sorrie he (Ludo-
vick) should have given your Lordship and my ladie the least groiuid of
being dissatisfied with his conduct in it, tliough I must own you have both
shown the commendable and true compassion of tender-hearted piarents, soe
very naturall to both towards tliere children in forgiveing. I nmst say the
choise my son has made, being every way soe very honourable, gives me the
o-reatest of yleasure in haveinfr now some title and claim to the friendship
and protection of a fomilie Cjuhich I always honoured and esteemed among the
first," etc. Sir James proceeds to say that though his son had not behaved
in a dutiful manner to himself, yet he would be guided by the President in
his conduct to the young pieople. The President replied in comj)limentaiy
terms," and the affair was thus arranged at the time.
It is to be feared, however, that Ludovick's want of duty towards his
fiither, added to questions arising out of tlie administi-ation of the Luss
1 Draft Letter, of date 4th August 17'27, at Castle Grant. - Letter, -l^d .August 17-7, Hh'/.