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papers from his aunt, herself a granddaughter of the factor, who, however, desired "to remain anonymous." "She is old-fashioned enough," adds Mr. Gibb, "to be rather jealous of the reputation of the biographer, and I think her intention in voluntarily placing these letters at your disposal is to show him in the rôle of a landed proprietor who, by endeavouring to be strict as well as just, realised his responsibilities to his family and his tenants."

As the last of Andrew Gibb's daughters lived until about 1890, it is clear that we have, in this opinion, a reliable family tradition regarding Boswell during the thirteen years in which he directed the affairs of Auchinleck.

This tradition is borne out by the evidence in the letters. Considered merely as letters, they are, of course, devoid of interest, but they do show us a man dealing with a work to which he is competent, and, though financially embarrassed, yet in general just, compassionate, and attentive to detail.

The following may serve as a specimen :

ANDREW,

LONDON, 4 June, 1791.

You have done very well as to the cattle and sheep; and you will remit the proceeds by a bill, that I may distribute the cash.

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Declared, upon somewhat doubtful testimony, to be the work of the Adam brothers

As to Andrew Arnot, he seems to be in woeful circumstances. But I incline to indulge him so far as not to sell his cattel, and in short to try if he can

recover.

As to George Paton, I am sorry to see him falling back so. He has a cautioner for five years' rents, and if he does not pay up equally with the rest, I mean his Whitsunday money rent and Candlemas meal, let him be proceeded against; and if he fails to pay, proceed against his cautioner. But do not deal harder with him than with others; I mean, let his Martinmas rent remain unpaid till I come home in August.

Let me add as to Andrew Arnot, that if he suffers his cattle to trespass, and if there be an appearance of much debt to others besides me, his stock and crop should be secured for my behoof.

I think John Lindsay in Skilburn a good man, and therefore accept of his proposal of six pounds for the grass crop, with liberty to dig the yards so far as not in grass. That is, I believe, about his old rent; for he paid one rent to me and the other to the original tenant's widow.

However ill Andrew Dalrymple has behaved, I relent, and you will act in terms of my note at the foot of his letter, which I enclose.

Let Archibald Steel know that I cannot judge of his case till I see his farm. But neither he nor any one else upon my estate has reason to fear that I will be a hard master.

I recollect no more at present, but remain

Your well wisher,

JAMES BOSWELL.

It is clear that Andrew Gibb was not obliged to be the kind of factor that was known to Robert Burns in the same county a very few years before, and that James Boswell was not the kind of absentee landlord who disgraces the pages of British history. The letters to Andrew are full of human touches and of vivid glimpses of Auchinleck fallen tree, the encroachments of the river Lugar, the collapse of "a large part of the old house," dear to Boswell as "an old acquaintance." "I am sorry for David Murdock's heavy losses. Be easy with him. How is my young Muirland pony thriving?"

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There is a far-away echo of the French Revolution, which Boswell deems it necessary to put down by any means ready to his hand :—

What does John Stirling mean by apprehending commotions? Bad people attempted to raise them here. But the wise and worthy majority have united so firmly that all fear is over. In case any seditious deceitful writings have been dispersed in our neighbourhood, I send you two copies of Judge Ashurst's "Charge" and "One Pennyworth of Truth," which may be posted up in smithy's and lent about. Paste one of Judge Ashurst's "Charges" in the office, that all the tenants may see it.

On May 31, 1793, he writes the following interesting sentence which, if the purpose expressed in

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