_Ogilvie_--I would be glad to hear a reason that is solid for your not speaking to your wife yourself. But, however, any rational creature may see what a fool I would make of myself if I should go to Dumfries and tell your wife that you had appeared to me and told me of so many forgeries and villainies which you had committed, and that she behoved to make reparation. The event might, perhaps, be that she would scold me; for as 'tis very probable, she will be loth to part with any money she possesses, and therefore tell me I was mad, or possibly might pursue me for calumny. How could I vindicate myself? how should I prove that ever you had spoken with me? Mr Paton and the rest of my brethren would tell me that it was a devil who had appeared to me, and why should I repeat these things as truth, which he that was a liar from the beginning had told me? Chapel and Barnhourie would be upon my top and pursue me before the Commissary, and everybody will look upon me as brainsick or mad. Therefore, I entreat you, do not insist upon sending me an April errand. The reasonableness of my demand I leave to your consideration, as you did your former to mine, for I think what I ask is very just. But dropping these matters till our next interview, give me leave to enter upon some more diverting subject; and I do not know, Coul, but through the information given to me, you may do as much service to mankind as the redress of all the wrongs you have mentioned would amount to, &c. Authorities Consulted and Quoted. No. Page 1. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 228 11 2. Hereditary Sheriffs of Galloway, vol. II., p. 13 14 3. Do. do. p. 459 15 4. _Gallovidian_, vol. IV., p. 40 17 5. Andrew Donaldson, Esq., Ardwell, Stranraer, letter from 24 6. Do. do. 24 7. Do. do. 25 8. Do. do. 26 9. Do. do. 29 10. Cromek's Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song, appendix p. 230 31 11. Wigtown: Historical and Descriptive Sketches, by Fraser, p. 359 34 12. East Galloway Sketches (Dalry), p. 349 35 13. Dumfries and Galloway Antiquarian Society, Transactions of--"Superstitious Custom in Galloway," by J. M'Kie (March, 1895) 40 14. John Copland, Esq., The Studio, Dundrennan, letter from 43