1828 Norman Macleod, a 15 year old student at Glasgow university writes to his grandfather

 

Norman Macleod (1812 – 1872), the cheerful author of this January 1828  letter is currently aged fifteen - next birthday in June - and a student at the University of Glasgow; he writes to his grandfather giving him some details of his studies and me some information about his diet. In later life, he had a prominent career in the Church of Scotland, eventually serving as Moderator of its General Assembly for the year 1869-70. He travelled extensively in the Middle East and to India. and wrote about his travels and many other topics. He has a Wikipedia page and so does his mother, Agnes Maxwell MacLeod (1783-1879) who was a poet and writer of songs set to music of which the best known is Sound of Pibroch.

Transcription

Addressed to: James Macleod Esqr   Aros    I of Mull     Argyllshire

 Datelined: Mr Brodie’s Barony Pl.   20 Jany 1828

Postmarked: GLASGOW 23 JAN 1828

 

My Dear Grandfather

I believe I never almost wrote to you a letter without beginning it by making appologies for not writing sooner &c, or without promising amendment. Some old clergyman used to say that if I was paved with good resolutions; I think he should have rather said Macadamised so it is with me. I shall not however now take up your time with a long Rigmarole about the matter, but rather thank you for the letter of good advices (which I hope may not be thrown away) that you took the trouble of writing to me and also for the box of excellent sauceages – the box you were so kind as to send me formerly I also got. Goose – Jam – Cheese are all recei’d and many thanks to you for them. As for the cheese it trancends my scanty genius to relate its rare virtues – its blueness – its – lest I must stop for were I to begin to describe a cheese my paper would very soon be done. I will therefore proceed to tell you of my Studies. We are at present reading in the morning Latin class – Livy 23 lib -  & in the afternoon Horaces Satyres – I read since I wrote to a few of Cicero s orations … pro Marcelo pro Ligario & some others.

In the Greek class Xenoophon, Herodotus , &c. The more I see of Sandford the more I like him as a professor [Sir Daniel Keyte Sandford (1798–1838), professor of Greek] -  & as for Walker [Professor Josiah Walker (1761–1831)] he wd do very well was he not so kind hearted, being unwilling to fine a student &c &c.

I saw the other day some students profess for the prize. In the Greek profession 4 competed, one of these (an Englishman) fainted. He was an interesting lad but he wont get the prize – In the Latin profession 5 competed: all Englishmen indeed they seem to be decidedly superior to us Scotsmen as classical scholars – This examination  is rather a formidable business – as you are surrounded  by 6 professors  and are examined half an hour =

I was out at Campsie last week all the children are laid up with colds but Mama Papa & Aunt Jane are well.

Have you heard anything of the Gaelic monthly magazine that is to be published (P. 6 pence) Papa & Dr [Daniel] Dewar Editors for the 1^st year – it will go on if they get I believe 500 subscribers – as to its content among other things there is to be a short sermon & prayer suited to the capacity of the Highlanders – the Prospectus is published. There is some doubts however of the ultimate success of the work. [Dewar and Macleod published a well-known Dictionary of Gaelic in 1831 but there is no trace of a magazine].

Poor Mrs McGregor is still here trying to support herself – for her greedy Brother wont let her stay with him – I hear (for the information of the ladies) that Martha McM[rest of word lost when seal broken] is to be married to the assistant surgeon of the …….- tis fixed.

I drew the half of my bursary today which was 15£ (Dundonould Mor …..)

I hope Aunt M & Grandmama are well this cold weather & aunt Betty if I may class her among the old people between her & N Morris you must have been teazed with Newyearsday moralizing thus it is with all old maids who have nothing more pleasing to speak about. My love however to them all & to Jessy [?] who does not yet dispair – My best love to her. I will write along with the boxes when the steam B[oat] commences if not before then. I hope this wont add a stone to the pavement of ……

It gives me pleasure to hear your arm is so well. I hope you may yet have the use of it. Give my love to aunt Mrs Maxwell when you see her – she & I got on famously – I must now alas say Vale! Vale! Vale! I have a great many lessons to learn to night. I hope this may be an excuse for this bad letter.

Your affectionate Grandson Nor McLeod

I heard of the loss of the Stirling S B [the steamboat sank on 17 January 1828] and Poor Glengarry drowning [Alasdair Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry: The 15th Chief of Glengarry] .

References

Wikipedia: Agnes Maxwell MacLeod

Wikipedia: Norman Macleod (minister, born 1812)