The laird of Cool's ghost

by William Ogilvie (1689-1729)

The Laird of Cool's

GHOST.

ΒEING

A Wonderful and True Account of Several Conferences betwixt the Revd. Mr Ogilvie, late Miniſter of the Goſpel at Innerwick, and the Ghoſt of the deceaſt Mr Maxwell, late Laird of Cool.

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Written by Mr Ogilvie's own hand, and found in his Cloſet after his Death, which happened very ſoon after theſe Conferences.

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FALKIRK:

Printed by Patrick Mair, at his New Stirling-ſhire PRINTING OFFICE, oppofite the Croſs-Well, where great variety of Books and Pamphlets are ſold very cheap. 1784

ΤΗΕ

Laird of Cool's Ghoſt.

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UPON the third of February, 1724, at ſe(illegible text)o'clock at night, after that I had par(illegible text) with Thurſton, and coming up the bu(illegible text) road, one came up riding after me: u(illegible text) hearing the noiſe of the horſe's feet, I took it (illegible text) be Thurſton; but looking back and ſeeing a horſe of a grey colour, I called, Who's ⟨there?⟩ The anſwer was, The laird of Cool, be not afr(illegible text).

Looking to him, with the little light the (illegible text)afforded, I took him to be Collector Caſtlel(illegible text) who had a mind to put a trick upon me; and ⟨immediately⟩ I ſtruck with all my force with my ca(illegible text) thinking I would leave a mark upon him, (illegible text) would make him remember his preſumption: being ſenſible I aimed as well as ever I did in life, yet my cane finding no reſiſtance, but fl(illegible text) out of my hand, to the diſtance of ſixty feet, obſerving it by it's white head, I diſmounted (illegible text) took it up; but had ſome difficulty in ⟨mounting⟩ again, partly by the ramping horſe, and partly reaſon of a certain fort of trembling through my whole joints; ſomething alſo of anger had ſhare in the confuſion, for he laught when my (illegible text) flew out of my hand. Coming up with him a(illegible text) (who halted all the time I was ſeeking my ſta(illegible text) I aſked him once more who he was? he anſwered The laird of Cool. I enquired firſt, if he was (illegible text) laird of Cool? ſecondly, What brought him there? and thirdly, What was his buſineſs (illegible text)? He anſwered, The reaon that I want you, (illegible text) that I know you are diſpoſed to do for me, (illegible text)at none of your brethren in Lithſdale will ſo ⟨much⟩ as attempt, though it ſerve never ſo good ⟨purpoſe⟩. I told bim, I would never refuſe to any thing to ſerve a good purpoſe, if I thought ⟨was⟩ obliged to do it as my duty. He anſwered, ⟨that⟩ I had undertaken what few in Nithſdale (illegible text)uld, for he had tried ſeveral perſons on that ⟨subject⟩, who were more obliged to him than I ⟨was⟩ to any perſon living. Upon this I drew my ⟨saddle⟩ reins, and talked in furpriſe, aſking what ⟨had⟩ undertaken? He anſwered, that on Sabbath (illegible text), I heard you condemned Mr Paton and the ⟨other⟩ miniſters of Dumfries, for diſſuading of Menzies from keeping his appointment with (illegible text); and if you had been in their place, you would be perſuaded the lad to do as I deſired, and that would have gone with him yourſelf, if he had ⟨been⟩ afraid; and that if you had been in Paton's place, you would have delivered my (illegible text)miſſions yourſelf, ſince they tended to do ⟨several⟩ perſons juſtice. I aſked him, Pray Cool, (illegible text)o informed you that I talked at this rate? To (illegible text)ch he anſwered, You muſt know that we are ⟨acquainted⟩ with many things that the living know ⟨nothing⟩ about. Theſe things you did ſay, and ⟨much⟩ more to that purpoſe, and all that I want, that you would fulfil your promiſe, and ⟨deliver⟩ my commiſſions to my loving wife. Upon (illegible text) ſaid, 'Tis a pity, Cool, that you who know any things, ſhould not know the difference ⟨between⟩ an abſolute and a conditional promiſe; (illegible text) indeed at the time you mention, blame Mr Paton, for I thought him juſtly blameable hindering the lad to meet with you; and if I ⟨had⟩ been in his place, I would have acted quite ⟨the⟩ reverſe; but I did never ſay that if you w(illegible text) come to Innerwick and employ me, that I w(illegible text) go all the way to Dumfries on ſuch an ⟨errand⟩ that is what never ſo much as entered into ⟨my⟩ thoughts. He anſwered, what were your ⟨thoughts⟩ I don't pretend to know, but I can depend on information, that theſe were your words; ⟨I⟩ ſee you are in ſome diſorder, I will wait ⟨on⟩ you when you have more preſence of mind.

By this time we were at James Dickſon's cloſure; below the church-yard, and when I ⟨am⟩ recollecting in my mind, if ever I had ſpoke (illegible text) words, I alledged he broke from me through ⟨the⟩ church-yard with greater violence than ever ⟨a⟩ man on horſe-back was capable of, with ſuch ſinging and buzzing noiſe, as put me in ⟨greater⟩ diſorder than I was all the time I was with (illegible text) I came to my houſe, and my wife obſerved ⟨more⟩ than ordinary paleneſs in my countenance. (illegible text) would alledge that ſome thing ailed me; I c(illegible text) for a dram, and told her I was a little ⟨unwell⟩. After I found myſelf a little refreſhed, I ⟨went to⟩ my cloſet to meditate upon this the moſt ⟨astonishing⟩ adventure of my whole life.

Upon the fifth of March, 1724, being at H(illegible text) head baptizing the ſhepherd's child, I came (illegible text) ſun-ſetting, or a little after, and near W(illegible text) White's march, the laird of Cool came up ⟨to⟩ me as formerly; and after his firſt ⟨falutation⟩ bade me not be afraid. I told him, I was ⟨not⟩ the leaſt afraid, in the name of God, and (illegible text) (illegible text) Saviour, that lie would not do me the leaſt ⟨harm⟩, for I knew that he in whom I truſted, was ⟨longer⟩ than all they put together; and if any of ⟨them⟩ ſhould attempt to do (even to the horſe I ride upon) as you have done to Doctor ⟨Menzies'⟩ man, if it be true that is ſaid, and ⟨generally⟩ believed about Dumfries, I have free acceſs ⟨complain⟩ to my Lord and Maſter, to the laſh whoſe reſentment you are liable now as before.

Cool. You need not multiply words upon that (illegible text)d, for you are as ſafe with me, and fafer, if (illegible text)r can be, than when I was alive.

Ogilvy. Well then, Cool, let me have a peace-(illegible text) and eaſy converſation with you for the time ⟨we ride⟩ together, and give me ſome informations ⟨about⟩ the affairs of the other world, for no man (illegible text)ines to loſe his time in converfing with the (illegible text)d, without hearing or learning ſomething ⟨that⟩ is uſeful.

Cool. Well fir, I will ſatisfy you as far as I ⟨think⟩ itiproper and convenient. Let me know ⟨what⟩ information you want from me.

Ogil. May I then aſk you, if you be in a ſtate ⟨of⟩ lappineſs or not?

Cool. There are great many things I can anſwer the living are quite ignorant of; there are ⟨a great⟩ many things that notwithſtanding the (illegible text) knowledge I have acquired ſince my ⟨death⟩, that I cannot anſwer; and there are a (illegible text) many queſtions and things that you may (illegible text) of which the laſt is one, that I will not ⟨answer⟩.

Ogil. Then I know not how to manage our ⟨converſation⟩; for whatever I ſhall enquire of you, I ſee you can caſily ſhift me, ſo that I might fit more by converſing with myſelf.

Cool. You may try.

Ogil. Well then, what ſort of a body is it you appear in and what ſort of a horſe is ⟨you⟩ ride upon, which appears to be ſo full of me(illegible text)

Cool. You may depend upon it, it is not ſame body that I was witneſs to your ⟨marriage⟩ in, nor in which I died, for that is in the ⟨grave⟩ rotting; but it is ſuch a body as ſerves me ⟨for the⟩ moment; for I can fly as fleet with it as my (illegible text) can do without it; ſo that I can go to ⟨Dumfries⟩ and return again, before you can ride twice ⟨the⟩ length of your horſe; nay, if I have a mind go to London or Jeruſalem, or to the moon if ⟨I⟩ pleaſe, I can perform all theſe journies ⟨equally⟩ ſoon, for it coſts me nothing but a thought (illegible text) wiſh; for this body is as fleet as your ⟨thoughts⟩ for in a moment of time you can turn ⟨your⟩ thoughts on Rome, I can go there in perſon: as for my horſe, it is much like myſelf, for (illegible text) Andrew Johnſton my tenant, who died ⟨forty-eight⟩ hours before me.

Ogil. So it ſeems when Andrew Johnſton ⟨declines⟩ to ride, you muſt ferve him in the qu(illegible text) of an horſe, as he does you now.

Cool. You are miſtaken.

Ogil. I thought that all diſtinctions ⟨between⟩ miſtreſſes and maids, lairds and tenants, had ⟨been⟩ done away at death.

Cool. True it is; but you do not take up (illegible text) matter.

Ogil. This is one of the queſtions you w(illegible text) anſwer.

Cool. You are miſtaken, for that queſtion I can anſwer, and after this you may underſtand it.

Ogil. Well then, Cool, have you never yet appeared before God, nor received any ſentence ⟨from⟩ him as a Judge. Cool. Never yet.

Ogil. I know you was a ſcholar, Cool, and 'tis ⟨generally⟩ believed that there is a private ⟨judgement⟩ beſide the general at the great day; the ⟨former⟩ immediately after death ——— Upon this he interrupted me, arguing,

Cool. No ſuch thing, no ſuch thing! no trial till the great day. The heaven which good men ⟨enjoy⟩ after death, conſiſts only in ſerenity of ⟨their⟩ minds, and ſatisfaction of good conſciences, ⟨and⟩ the certain hopes they have of eternal joy, ⟨when⟩ that day ſhall come. The puniſhment or ⟨Hell⟩ of the wicked immediately after death, ⟨consists⟩ in the dreadful ſtings of an awakened ⟨conſcience⟩, and the terrors of facing the great judge, ⟨and⟩ the ſenſible apprehenſions of eternal torments ⟨ensuing⟩, and this bears ſtill a due proportion to ⟨the⟩ evils they did when living; ſo indeed the ⟨fate⟩ of ſome good folks differ but little in ⟨happiness⟩ from what they enjoyed in the world, ſave ⟨only⟩ they are free from the body, and ſins and ⟨sorrows⟩ that attend it: on the other hand, there ⟨are⟩ ſome who may be ſaid rather not to have been ⟨good⟩, than that they were wicked, while living; ⟨their⟩ ſtate is not eaſily diſtinguiſhed from that of ⟨the⟩ former, and under that claſs comes a great {{reconstruct|herd} of ſouls, a vaſt number of ignorant people, ⟨who⟩ have not much minded the affairs of eternity, ⟨but⟩ at the ſame time have lived in much ⟨indolence⟩, ignorance, and innocence.

Ogil. I always thought that their rejecting ⟨the⟩ terms of ſalvation offered, was ſufficient ⟨ground⟩ for God to puniſh them with his eternal diſpleafure; and as to their ignorance, that could ⟨never⟩ excuſe them, ſince they live in a place of ⟨the⟩ world where the knowledge of theſe things might have been eaſily attained.

Cool. They never properly rejected the ⟨terms⟩ of ſalvation, they never, ſtrictly ſpeaking, ⟨rejected⟩ Chriſt; poor ſouls, they had as great a liking ⟨both⟩ to him and heaven as their groſs ⟨imaginations⟩ were capable of: Impartial reaſon muſt ⟨make⟩ many allowances, as the ſtupidity of their parents, want of education, diſtance from people of ⟨good⟩ ſenſe and knowledge, and uninterrupted application they were obliged to give to their ⟨ſecular⟩ affairs for their daily bread, the impious ⟨treachery⟩ of their paſtors, who perſuaded them, if ⟨they⟩ were of ſuch a party, all was well; and ⟨mans⟩ other conſiderations, which God, who is ⟨pure⟩ and perfect reaſon itſelf, will not overlook theſe are not ſo much under the load of ⟨divine⟩ diſpleaſure, as they are out of his grace ⟨and⟩ favour; and you know it is one thing to ⟨be⟩ diſcouraged, and quite another thing to be perſecuted with all the power and rage of an incenſed earthly king. I aſſure you, men's ⟨faces⟩ are more various and different in the world than their circumſtances are after death.

Ogil. I am loath to believe all that you ⟨have⟩ faid at this time, Cool, (but I will not diſpute ⟨those⟩ matters with you) becauſe ſome things you have advanced ſeem to contradict the ſcriptures, which I ſhall always look upon as the infallible truth of God; for I ⟨in⟩ the parable of Dives and Lazarus, that the one was immediately after death carried up by the angels into ⟨Abraham's⟩ boſom, and the other immediately thrust ⟨down⟩ to hell.

Cool. Excuſe me, ſir, that does not contradict one ⟨word⟩ that I have ſaid, but you ſeem not to underſtand ⟨the⟩ parable, whoſe only end is to illuſtrate the truth, ⟨that⟩ a man may be very happy and flouriſhing in this ⟨world⟩, and moſt wretched and miſerable in the next; and that a man may be miſerable in this world, and more happy and glorious in the next.

Ogil. Be it ſo, Cool, I ſhall yield that point to you, and paſs to another which has afforded me much ſpeculation on ſince our laſt encounter, and that is how you come ⟨to⟩ know that I talked after that manner I did concerning Mr Paton, on the firſt Sabbath of February last. Was ⟨you⟩ preſent with us, but inviſible? He anſwered very ⟨haughtily⟩, No ſir, I was not preſent myſelf. I answered, I would not have you angry Cool; I propoſed ⟨this⟩ queſtion for my own ſatisfaction, but if you don't ⟨think⟩ it proper to anſwer, let it paſs. After he had ⟨pauſed⟩ with his eyes on the ground for three or four ⟨minutes⟩ of time at moſt, with ſome haſte and ſeeming fearfulneſs, ſays,

Cool. Well fir, I will ſatisfy you in that point: You muſt know that there are ſent from heaven angels to ward and comfort, and ſo to do other ſpecial good ſervices to good people, and even the ſpirits of good men ⟨deaparted⟩, are employed in that fame errand.

Ogil. And do you not think that every man has a ⟨good⟩ angel?

Cool. No, but a great many particular men have; ⟨there⟩ are but few houſes of diſtinction eſpecially, but ⟨that⟩ have at leaſt one attending them, and from what ⟨you⟩ have already heard of ſpirits, it is no difficult ⟨matter⟩ to underſtand how they may be ſerviceable to each particular member, tho' at different places, at a great ⟨distance⟩. Many are the good offices which be good ⟨angels⟩ do to them that fear God, tho' many times they are not ſenſible of it; and I know aſſuredly, that ⟨a⟩ powerful angel, or even an active clever ſoul ⟨departed⟩ may be ſufficient for ſome villages; but for your ⟨great⟩ cities, ſuch as London, Edinburgh, or the like, there ⟨is⟩ one great angel that has the fuperintendance of the whole; and there is inferior angels, or ſouls ⟨departed⟩ to whoſe peculiar care ſuch a man, of ſuch a ⟨particular⟩ weight or buſineſs is committed. Now ſir, the kingdom of Satan does ape the kingdom of Chriſt as much ⟨in⟩ matters of politicles as can be; well knowing, that the court of wiſdom is from above: so that from thence are ſent out miſſionaries in the ſame order: But ⟨because⟩ the kingdom of Satan is much better repleniſhed ⟨than⟩ the other, inſtead of one devil, there are in many inſtances, two or three commiſſioned to attend a ⟨particular⟩ family of influence and diſtinction.

Ogil. I read that there are ten thouſand times ten thoufand of angels that wait upon God and ſing his praise and do his will, and I cannot underſtand how the ⟨good⟩ angels ſhould be inferior in uumber to the evil

Cool. Did I not ſay, that whatever the number ⟨both⟩ the ſpirits departed are employed in the ſame buſineff ſo that as to the number of original deities, where Satan is chief, I cannot determine, but you need ⟨not⟩ doubt but there are more ſouls departed in that ⟨place⟩ which in a looſe ſenſe you call hell, by almost an in(illegible text)nity, than what are gone to that place which in a li(illegible text) ſenſe you call heaven, which likewiſe are employed (illegible text) the ſame purpoſe; and I can aſſure you by the bye, ⟨that⟩ there is as great difference between angel, both good a bad, as there is among men, with reſpect to their ſen(illegible text) knowledge, cunning, cleverneſs and action; nay, ⟨which⟩ is more, the departed ſouls in both ſides out-do ſeveral from their very firſt departure, of the original ⟨angels⟩. This you will perhaps think a paradox, but it is true.

Ogil. I do not doubt it, but what is that to my question about what I am ſolicitous?

Cool. Take a little patience, ſir, from what I ⟨have⟩ ſaid, you might have underſtood me, if you had thoughts about you, but I ſhall explain myſelf to you. Both the good and the bad angels have ſtated times of rendezvous, and the principal angels, who have the charge either of towns, cities or kingdoms, not to mention particular perſons, villages and families, and all that is tranſacted in theſe ſeveral parts of the country, are there made open, and at their re-encounter on each ſide, every thing is told, as in your pariſh, in milns, kilns, and ſmithies, only with this difference, that many things falſe are talked at the living re-encounters, but nothing but what is exact truth is ſaid or told among the dead; only I muſt obſerve to you, that as I am credibly informed, ſeveral of the inferior bad angels, or ſouls of the wicked men departed, have told many things that they have done, and when a more intelligent ſpirit is ſent out upon enquiry, and the report of the former ſeeming doubtful, he brings in a contrary report, and makes it appear truth; the former fates very ill. Nevertheleſs, their regard to truth prevents it; for while they obſerve the truth, they do their buſineſs, and keep their ſtation, for God is truth.

Ogil. So much truth being among the good angels, I am apt to think that lies and falſehood will be as much in vogue among the bad,

Cool. A groſs miſtake, and it is not the alone miſtake which the living folks fall under, with reſpect to the other world, for the caſe plainly is this, an ill man will not stick at any falſehood to promote his deſign, ſo, as little will an evil foul departed, ftand at any thing that can make himſelf ſucceſsful; but in making report, he muſt tell the truth, or woe be to him; but beſides their monthly, quarterly, or yearly meetings, or whatever they be, departed ſouls acquainted, may take a trip to ſee one another yearly, weekly, daily, or oftener if they pleaſe. Thus then I anſwer your queſtion that you vas ſo much concerned about, for my information was from no leſs than three perſons, viz. Andrew Aikman, who attends Thurſton's family; Janies Corbat, who aits upon Mr Paton, for the time, who was then looking after Mrs Sarah Paton, who was at your houſe; and an original emiſſary appointed to wait upon yours.

At this I was much ſurprized, and after a little thinking, I aſked him, and is there really, Cool, an emiſſary from hell, in whatever ſenſe you take it, that attend my family?

Cool. Yes, you may depend upon it.

Ogil. And what do you think is his buſineſs?

Cool. To divert you from your duty, and cauſe you underhand, to do as many ill things as he can, for much depends on having the miniſter on their ſide.

Upon this I was ſtruck with a ſort of terror, which I cannot account for, nor expreſs: in the mean time, he ſaid ſeveral things I did not underſtand; but after a little, I coming to my former preſence of mind, ſaid,

Ogil. But Cool, tell me in earneſt, if there be indeed a devil that attends my family, tho' inviſible to us all.

Cool. Juſt as ſure as you are breathing; but be not ſo much dejected upon this information, for I tell you likewiſe, that there is a good angel that attends you, who is ſtronger than the other.

Ogil. Are you ſure of that Cool?

Cool. Yes; and there is one riding on your right hand, who might as well have been elſewhere, for I meant you no harm.

Ogil. And how long has he been with me?

Cool. Only ſince we paſſed Brand's lee; but now he is gone.

Ogil. We are juſt upon Elenſcleugh, and I deſire to part with you, tho' perbaps I have gained more by our converſation, than I would have done otherwiſe in a twelve-month, I chuſe rather to ſee you another time, when you're at leiſure, and I will it were at as great a diſtance from Innerwick as you can.

Cool. Be it ſo, ſir, but I hope you will be ſo obliging to me next re-encounter, as I have been to you this.

Ogil. I promiſe you I will, in as far as is conſiſtant with my duty to my Lord and Maſter, Chriſt Jeſus; and ſince you have obliged me ſo much by information, I will anſwer all the queſtions you propoſe, as far as is gone.

conſiſts with my knowledge; but, I believe, you want no information from me.

Cool. I came not here to be inſtructed by you; but I want your help of another kind.

Upon the oth of April 1724, as I was returning from Old Hanſtock, Cool came up with me on horſe-back, at the foot of the ruinous incloſure, before we came to Dod: I told him, his laſt converſation had proved ſo acceptable to me, that I was well pleafed to ſee him again, and that there was a vaſt number of things that I wanted to inform myſelf further of, if he would be ſo good as to ſatisfy me.

Cool. Laſt time we met I refuſed you nothing you aſked, and now I expect that you ſhall refuſe me nothing that I ſhall aſk.

Ogil. Nothing ſir, that is in my power, or that I can do with ſafety to my reputation and character. What then are your demands?

Cool. All that I deſire of you is, that as you promiſed that Sabbath-day you would go to my wife, who now poſeſſes all my effects, and tell her the following particulars, and tell her in my name to rectify theſe matters. First, That I was owing juftly to provoſt Croſby, 50l. Scots, and three years intereſt; but hearing of his death, my good-brother, the laird of C———l, and I, forged a diſcharge, narrated the bond, the ſum, and other particulars, with this honourable clauſe, that at that time, it had fallen by, and could not be found, with an obligation on the provoſt's part to deliver up the bond as ſoon as he could hit upon it; and this diſcharge was dated 3 months before the provoſt's death; and when his ſon and ſucceſſor, Andrew Croſby, wrote to me concerning this bond. I came to him, and ſhowed him his diſcharge, which ſilenced him, ſo that I got up my bond without more ado. And when I heard of Robert Kennedy's death, with the ſame help of C———l, I got a bill upon him for 190l. of which I got full and compleat payment, C———l got the half. When I was at Dumfries, the day that Thomas Grier d'ed, to whom I was owing an account of 361 C———l my good brother was then at London, and not being able of my ſelf, being but a bad writer, to get a diſcharge of the accompt, which I wanted exceedingly, met accidentally with Robert Boyd, a poor Writer lad in Dumfries I took him to Mrs Carnock's, and gave him a bottle of wine, and told him that I had paid Thomas Grier's account, but wanted diſcharge, and if he would help me to it, I would reward him He flew away from me in a great paſſion, ſaying, He would rather be hanged; but if I had a mind for theſe things, I had ⟨better⟩ wait till C–l came home. This gave me great trouble, fearing what C–l and I had done formerly was no ſecret. I followed Boyd to the ſtreet, and made an apology that I was jeſting, commending him for his honeſty, and took him ſolemnly engaged never to repeat what had paſſed. I ſent for my coufin B. H. your good brother, who with no difficulty, for a guinea and a half undertook, and performed all that I wanted; and for a guinea more, made me up a diſcharge for 200l. Scots, that I was owing to your father in law, and his friend Mr Muirhead; which diſcharge I gave to John Ewart, when he defired the money; and he at my deſire produced it to you, which you ſuſtained.

A great many of the like inſtances were told, of which I cannot remember the perſons names, and things; but ſays he, what vexes me more than all theſe, is the injuſtice I did to Homer Maxwell tenant to my Lord Nithſdale, for whom I was factor. I borrowed 2000 merks from him, 300 of which he borrowed from another hand; I gave him my bond, and for reaſons I contrived, I obliged him to ſecrecy: he died within the year, and left nine children and his wife had died before himſelf. I came to feal up his papers for my Lord's ſecurity. His eldeft daughter intreated me to look through them all, and to give her an account what was their ſtock, and what was their debt; I very willingly undertook it, and in going through the papers, I put my own bond in my pocket: his circumſtances proving bad, his nine children are now ftarving. Theſe things I deſire you to repreſent to my wife, and take her brother with you, and let them be immediately rectified, for ſhe has a ſufficient fund to do it upon, and if it were done, I would be eaſy and happy; therefore you will make no delay.

After a ſhort pauſe, I anſwered, 'Tis a good errand, Cool, you are ſending me to do juſtice to the oppreffed and injured, but notwithſtanding that I ſee myſelf come in for 300l. Scots, let me beg a little time to conſider on the matter, and ſince you are as much maſter of reafon now as ever, and more than ever, we will firſt reaſon upon the matter in its general view, and then with reſpect to the expediehcy of my being the meſſenger, and this I will do with all manner of Frankneſs. From what you have ſaid I fee clearly what your prefent ſtate is, fo that there needs be no more queſtions on that head, and you need not bid me take courage, and not be afraid of you, for at this moment, I am no more afraid of you than of a new born child. Cool. Well, ſay on. Ogil. Tell me then, ſince ſuch is your ability, that you can fly thouſand miles in the twinkling of an eye, if you deſire to do the ⟨expressed⟩ juſtice, be as great as yonu pretend, what's the reaſon you don't fly to the coffers of ſome rich Jew or bankier, where There are ten thouſands of gold and Glver, and inviſibly lift, and inviſibly return it to the injured? And ſince your wife has ſufficient land and more, why cannot you empty her purſe in your inviſibility, to make theſe people amends?

Cool. Becauſe I cannot.

Ogil. If theſe things be rectified, you would be eaſy and happy, I don't at all credit that, for whatever juſtice you may do to the people, yet the guilt of the baſe action always remains on you.

Cool. Now you think you have filenced me, and gained a noble victory; but I will ſhow you your miſtake immediately, for I cannot touch any gold or money, by reaſon of theſe ſpirits that are ſtated guardians of juſtice and honeſty,

Ogil. What is that you tell me, Cool! do not unworthy fellows break houſes every night, and yet you, that can put yourſelf ⟨into⟩ ſo many hundred various ſhapes in a moment, cannot do it: What is that you tell me, Cool!

Cool. 'Tis true, ſir, againſt the living, men may find out ſome probable means of ſecuring themſelves, but if ſpirits departed were allowed, then no man would be ſecure for in that caſe, every man that they had a prejudice at would ſoon be ruined.

Ogil. Might you not go to the mines of Mexico and Peru, where there little ſums would not be miſſed?

Cool. No, ſir, for the ſame reaſon.

Ogil. But Cool, ſince there is fo much treaſure lot in the ſea, you may eaſily dive into the bottom of it, ſearch that, and refund theſe people their loſſes, where no man is injured.

Cool. You are a little too forward this night, ſir, and inclined much to banter, what I've ſaid might ſatisfy you; but ſince it does not, I'll tell you further, that no fpirits, good or bad, have power to take any money or gold; the good never do, tho' the (illegible text)nd if once in an age, it is no ſmall quarrel, for if it were allowed them, then they would be very ſucceſsful in their buſineſs, and never fail of gaining their points.

Ogil. What hinders them, Cool?

Cool Superior powers that govern and guard all.

Ogil. You have ſatisfied me intirely upon that head, but pray, Cool, what is the reaſon that you cannot go to your wife yourſelf ad tell her what you have a mind: that would be a more ſurer way to gain your point.

Cool. Becauſe I will not.

Ogil. That does not ſignify to me, Cool.

Cool. That is one of the queſtions that I told you long ago, would not be anſwered; but if you go as deſired, you ſhall have all ſatisfaction after you have done your buſineſs. Truſt me for once, and believe me, you ſhall not be diſappointed.

Upon the 10th of April, 1724, coming from Old-Hermes, the poſt road, we again met together upon the head of the p(illegible text) called the Peale, he aſked me if I had conſidered the matter he reccommended? I told him I had, and was in the ſame opinion when we parted; that I would not poſſibly undertake his h(illegible text) miſſions, unleſs he could give me them in writings under his ⟨hand⟩. I told him that the firſt of his grievances were ſo great, that I could not poſſibly remember them without being in writing, that I wanted nothing but reaſon to determine me in that, and other affairs of my life: I know, ſays he, this is a mere evaſion but tell me if the laird of Thurſton will do it! I am ſure, fain he will not, and if he ſhould, I would do all that I could to hinder him; for I think he has as little concern in theſe things as myſelf. But tell me, Cool, is it not as eaſy to write your ſtory, as to tell or ride on what d'ye call him, for I have forgot your horſe's name.

Cool. No ſir, it is not, and perhaps I may convince you of ⟨the⟩ reaſonableneſs of it afterwards.

Ogil. I would be glad to hear a reaſon that is ſolid for ⟨not⟩ ſpeaking to your wife yourſelf; but, however, any rational creature may ſee what a fool I would make of myſelf, if I would go ⟨Dumfries⟩, and tell your wife that you had appeared to me, ⟨and⟩ told ſo many forgeries and villanies that you had committed; and that she behoved to make reparation: The event might perhaps (illegible text) that ſhe would ſcold me, for ſhe would be loth to part with money ſhe poſſeſſes, and therefore tell me I was mad, or poſſibly purſue me for calumny: How would I vindicate myſelf! how ⟨could⟩ I prove that ever you ſpoke with me! Mr Paton and other mifters in dumfries would tell me, it was the devil had ſpoken ⟨with⟩ me, and why ſhould I repeat theſe things for truth, which he ⟨that⟩ was a liar from the beginning, had told me! C p l, and B. would be npon my top, and purſue me before commiſſaries, every body would look upon me as brain-ſick or mad, ⟨therefore⟩ I intreat you, do not inſiſt upon ſending me a vain errand. The reaſonableneſs of my demands, I leave to your own conſideration as you did your former to mine. But dropping theſe matters our next interview, give me leave to enter upon ſome more ⟨diverting⟩ ſubject, and I do not know Cool, but the information you have given, may do as much ſervice to mankind, as the redreſſing of all theſe grievances would amount to.

Mr Ogilvie died very ſoon after.

FINIS