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THE PROVOST




INTRODUCTION



During a recent visit to the West Country, among other old friends
we paid our respects to Mrs Pawkie, the relict of the Provost of
that name, who three several times enjoyed the honour of being chief
magistrate in Gudetown. Since the death of her worthy husband, and
the comfortable settlement in life of her youngest daughter, Miss
Jenny, who was married last year to Mr Caption, writer to the
signet, she has been, as she told us herself, "beeking in the lown
o' the conquest which the gudeman had, wi' sic an ettling o' pains
and industry, gathered for his family."

Our conversation naturally diverged into various topics, and, among
others, we discoursed at large on the manifold improvements which
had taken place, both in town and country, since we had visited the