interests & advantages of Society some Established worship & mode of religion & publick order of Priests or Teachers would not be found absolutely necessary if not for the upholding of society, at least for the right management of it.30 The decision of this question depends upon a thorough knowledge of mankind & a judicious observation of the ways by which they have been governed in different ages & circumstances. And I should be glad to have your Lordship’s sentiments upon that head weel knowing your own deep insight into human affairs & that your notions of government & politicks are founded upon solid history & observation. In the mean time I can’t but think it very plain from history that some orders of Priesthood have been very pernicious to Society & that most that ever were might have been under regulations much more advantageous to true religion & Virtue & all the learned & polite arts.
What you tell me my lord of the breaking up of my last surprised me not a litle; But it was a sincere esteem of your Lordship’s uncommon love to truth liberty & virtue that alone induced me to hasten so forwardly in to your friendship & this I am proud to own in the face of all the flatterers of Arbitrary power that I have more real pleasure in the virt<u>ous correspondence in which you are pleased to allow me than in all the gawdry pomp & honours of their most caressed minions I am my Lord with the sincerest respect your
Lordships most obliged
humble servant
Geo: Turnbull
PS. I do not know my lord if I should venture upon so short & distant an acquaintance with your lordship to desire of you to recommend me, if it fall in your way, to go abroad governour to a young gentleman, for that to be sure is what one of your wisdom & honesty will not do rashly; But so impatient is my desire of an opportunity of that sort for my own improvement; & so satisfied am I at the same time that my natural turn fits me for a trust of that kind more than any other that I shal presume to tell your lordship that it would be the greatest favour you could do me & that I am far from proposing your lordship should do any thing of that kind without using any methods you think proper for knowing more of my sufficiency for that business.
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5. To CHARLES MACKIE31
Address: To Mr Charles Macky Professor of History in the university
of Edinburgh
MS: EUL, La. II. 91; unpubl.
London, 3 September 1725
Dear Sir
We are just going to Leave this place; & having as yet received no account of Mr Duncan’s32 inclinations I cannot write any formal commission of Substitution & Factorship33 But shal do it as soon as I know the person you agree with. And I do by this give you full & ample power to transact & bargain with him or any other person in my name to be my Substitute and Factor at Aberdeen to teach my class for me & uplift all the Emoluments & Salaries due to me at the term of Martimass next & thereafter till the bargain & transaction you shal make in my name be duly revocked and do by this missive to you oblidge my self to hold firm & stable any bargain or transaction you shal make with any person in my name and for the above mentioned effect as if done my self personaly; as also to give a formal commission of Factory and substitution to the person you shal agree with upon stampt paper as law requires as soon as you notify the particulars of the said bargain & transaction to me. And for you<r> trouble in this & many other favours shal always be Dear Sir your most oblidged
humble servant
George Turnbull
PS. I am realy anxious to have the affair of the Substitution fairly setled. I shal write to you as soon as we setle at Groninghen. mean time if there is occasion
[print edition page 16]
to write let letters be directed to the care of John Gordon Factor in Roterdam34 Tell Mr Maclauran35 that it has been impossible for me to get out to the country to wait on Jeriswood.36
6. To CHARLES MACKIE
Address: To Mr Charles Macky Professor of History and Antiquities in the
University of Edinburgh North Britain
MS: EUL, La. II. 91; unpubl.
Groninghen, 20 October 1725
Dear Sir
Your friend Rossal37 is very kind & oblidging; and I hope in a litle time I shal be acquainted with him. Mr Udney38 & I wait upon his history colledge; which he has but jus<t> begun. Monsieur Cramant39 is still here &
[print edition page 17]
was Exceedingly weel pleased to hear of your weelfare & desired to have his compliments returned to you. I believe I shal pass this winter pretty pleasantly But by what I can see yet I should not care to be here another. I wrote to Mr Duncan lately my mind about my affair at Aberdeen I should be much oblidged to him if he could think of it; & I leave the terms Entirely to you. But what are our folks inclinations at Aberdeen I know not. I am afraid the folks I thought would be easiest may be most uneasy. For I have wrote twice or thrice both to Dr Mackail40 and Mr Varner41 & have had no answer If they will make me uneasy I cannot help it: But this winter I neither will nor can come home.42 Let them do what they please. And indeed I wish heartily I may be so lucky as to have no more to do with that place. But I know I need not put you in mind how much I want to be delivered from Aberdeen; & how much I wish something better would cast up. I should be glad to know if you have made any steps in the Glascow project43 & what you think of it But I must either finish this letter now without saying any more or lose this post for I am called to the other Room to attend Mr Barbeyrac44 who is come to honour us with a visit. I suppose Mr Duncan has given you an account of his colledges.45 I realy like his
[print edition page 18]
colledge on the Institutes46 but he has given it over because he had not above five to wait on it. I am Dearest Sir
Your most obliged
humble servant
George Turnbull.
7. To CHARLES MACKIE
Address: To Mr Charles Macky Professor of History in the university
of Edinburgh
MS: EUL MS La. II. 91; unpubl.
Aberdeen, 23 January 1727
Dearest Sir
Tis indeed a dismal and affecting story that gives occasion to my troubling you at this time. Poor James Hadden’s melancholy death.47 Now Dear Sir may I adventure to speak of my self to you for that profession & entreat your friendly asistance. I know by many proofs the sincerity of your kindness & friendship towards me. If it was possible to get me into that business I would be very happy: And I can’t think considering how litle there is to do in such a profession but I might turn my studies so as in time to be able to do tolerably in it. I never thought such a profession should be a sine cure; nor was I in such a one would I incline to make it so: But on the contrary apply my self to it with all vigour and application. Dear Sir I need not tell you more
