traditionally reported to have caused the founder of the Hazlewood
family hold his stirrup until he mounted into his saddle. In his
general deportment he was pompous and important, affecting a
species of florid elocution, which often became ridiculous from
his misarranging the triads and quaternions with which he loaded
his sentences.

To this personage Glossin was now to write in such a conciliatory
style as might be most acceptable to his vanity and family pride,
and the following was the form of his note:--

'Mr. Gilbert Glossin' (he longed to add of Ellangowan, but
prudence prevailed, and he suppressed that territorial
designation)--'Mr. Gilbert Glossin has the honour to offer his
most respectful compliments to Sir Robert Hazlewood, and to inform
him that he has this morning been fortunate enough to secure the
person who wounded Mr. C. Hazlewood. As Sir Robert Hazlewood may
probably choose to conduct the examination of this criminal
himself, Mr. G. Glossin will cause the man to be carried to the
inn at Kippletringan or to Hazlewood House, as Sir Robert
Hazlewood may be pleased to direct. And, with Sir Robert
Hazlewood's permission, Mr. G. Glossin will attend him at either
of these places with the proofs and declarations which he has been
so fortunate as to collect respecting this atrocious business.'

Addressed,

'Sir ROBERT HAZLEWOOD of Hazlewood, Bart.
'Hazlewood House, etc. etc.