| Description | Enquiring after her health with renewed worries about her 'distempered limb'. Alexander notes the death of Captain Graham and comments upon Mrs.Graham's state of mind. He gives family news, including Catherine's improvement under Miss Jenny Holm, although she needs 'more mind'. He has heard good accounts of Sandy in Aberdeen, who is applying himself to study. Despite this, Alexander worries about his path into the Ministry without 'a renovation of heart...a stranger to Grace'. He discusses on Bell Small's debts and Professor Robertson's refusal to discharge them, togerher with Alexander's own family finances, following the unpaid loans to Small and James Macpherson. He gives an account of a visit to Inverness, to see Thomas Holm in gaol, and it is supposed that his punishment will be banishment. He reverts to her health, wondering if Dr. Cleghorn is among her physicians and surgeons and if there have been further operations on her limb. There are fears that Patrick Mackenzie may have lost his life in Spain, as a Lt. Col. Mackenzie is listed dead. He gives other news of mutual friends, and an account of his correspondent, whose 'worth & usefulness were greatly valued' at the Infirmary. He concludes by asking her to recommend a spinning-mistress. |