In little more than the space of nine months Lady Letitia presented the doctor with a chubby male _Placebo_. This proved very agreeable to Sir Patricius, who really had, or affected to have, a rooted dislike to all children of the feminine gender. And here it must be incontinently confessed, that this event took place to the no small astonishment and disappointment of all the surrounding gossips in the adjoining parishes and baronies, as these sapient folks had somewhat too hastily assumed the fact that Lady Letitia Placebo had passed by the time and season when ladies wish, and may expect to be in _that state_, "who love their lords!" They, in sooth, considered her ladyship too ancient to prove _enceinte_. Sir Patricius, upon this most desired and happy event, raised his stately head somewhat higher than he was wont to do; and with all due discretion, gravity, emphasis, and mellow intonation of voice, addressed his auditory--his countenance, meanwhile, as he spoke, being lighted up by the important smile of self-applause, and having consequentially put his Carolus snuff-box in requisition--"I did," said he, "it must be confessed, form some hopes and expectations upon this much wished for occasion, which have been now so happily realized; as verily, my Lady Letitia Placebo hath not disappointed me. For as the learned and justly celebrated Archimedes was accustomed to observe-- "[GREEK: DThS MThI TEN STIGMÊN]," &c. &c. It now becomes our melancholy duty to record that the noble and highly gifted Duchess of Tyrconnel did not many years survive the deplored death of her deeply beloved daughter--her adored Adelaide; and ere long was followed to the grave by her brave and illustrious duke, who directed that the following inscription should be placed upon his tomb:-- PATRIÆ INFELICI, FIDELIS. "Faithful to the last to his unhappy country!" NOTES, &c. &c. In which are given four original Letters of King James II. never before published; accompanied with fac-similes of his royal Signet and Signature. Likewise, an original Letter from the Duke of Berwick; the fac-simile of the Duke's Seal and Signature are also given, copied critically from the original Letters in the Manuscript Closet of Trinity College, Dublin. CHAPTER I.--VOL. I., p. 17. "Ailsa, about fifteen miles from the coast, [of Ayrshire,] is a vast rock of a conical form, 940 feet in height, two miles in circumference, accessible only on the north-east, and uninhabited. Its summit is covered with heath and a little grass. It is the property of the Earl of Casilis, who obtains a rent from it, paid from the sale of feathers, Solan geese, and rabbit-skins. On its acclivity are the ruins of a chapel and fort, and near these there is a spring of fresh water."--PLAYFAIR'S _Geographical and Statistical Description of Scotland_, vol. I. p. 179.