to read the epoch-making document.

"DEAR SIR: I am charged with the melancholy duty of announcing to you

the death of your excellent grandfather, Mr. Alexander Loudon, on

the 17th ult. On Sunday the 13th, he went to church as usual in the

forenoon, and stopped on his way home, at the corner of Princes Street,

in one of our seasonable east winds, to talk with an old friend. The

same evening acute bronchitis declared itself; from the first, Dr.

M'Combie anticipated a fatal result, and the old gentleman appeared to

have no illusion as to his own state. He repeatedly assured me it

was 'by' with him now; 'and high time, too,' he once added with

characteristic asperity. He was not in the least changed on the approach

of death: only (what I am sure must be very grateful to your feelings)

he seemed to think and speak even more kindly than usual of yourself:

referring to you as 'Jeannie's yin,' with strong expressions of regard.

'He was the only one I ever liket of the hale jing-bang,' was one of his

expressions; and you will be glad to know that he dwelt particularly

on the dutiful respect you had always displayed in your relations.

The small codicil, by which he bequeaths you his Molesworth and other

professional works, was added (you will observe) on the day before his

death; so that you were in his thoughts until the end. I should say

that, though rather a trying patient, he was most tenderly nursed by

your uncle, and your cousin, Miss Euphemia. I enclose a copy of the

testament, by which you will see that you share equally with Mr. Adam,

and that I hold at your disposal a sum nearly approaching seventeen

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