Letter from Margaret Hay Lunam to John Muir, 1908 Mar 5.

Westfield, Dunbar,Mar. 5th, 1908.My dear Cousin John Muir:Maggie and I are always thinking or speaking about you, and sincerely trusting that your dear Helen is very much better and that you did not require to take her to Arizona this season but that you both were at home looking after your beautiful place and Helen going to see Wanda and her little boy.We have had a wet cold winter, and since March came in we have had a wild snow storm, the hills are still covered with snow. The farmers and their shepherds will be very anxious after their young lambs. You will remember Knock-in-Hair, the hill near us. The Sirdar of Egypt, Capt. Wingate, is building a large house on the top of it for a summer residence. He must be tired of the sandy desert of Egypt. He will be coming here part of the year to Dunbar. Susan Gilroy has taken a house in Wooler, bear Berwick, to be near some of her cousins. She is coming this month to see us. Mr. James Hay and Mrs. Hay are well. They will be in Edinburgh this summer, and will come and see us, I wish you could think of crossing the seas and come and see all your friends.Excuse all mistakes. I am getting very near-sighted, nearly blind, but Maggie is a great comfort to me, and a good housekeeper. Remember us to all other cousins. How is Daniel getting on in Nebraska? Jane Mather is always busy teaching music. There is to be a grand celebration in Edinburgh this August. Mrs. Kelly always asks for you. How is Miss Hoffman -- is she married yet? We were delighted with her very kind regards to all our friends, and kind love to yourself.Ever your affectionate cousin,Margaret Hay LunamP.S. No more earthquakes in San Francisco, I hope.0408

Letter from M[argaret] Hay Lunam to [John Muir], 1903 Jan 23.

[4]I like to see all my friends, I am getting an old woman now, I have [illegible] my 80th year. I cannot expect many more years. [James May?] & family are all well, also Mrs Jeffrey our cousins:- Susan Gilroy. & Jane M[illegible] both well and busy at their school occupations Maggie joins me in much love to all our friends [illegible] [illegible].Believe me ever your affectionate cousinM. Hay Lunam [1]Jan. 23d 1903WESTFIELDDUNBAR[illegible]My dear Cousin JohnWe were very pleased to have you New Year\u27s letter with all your good wishes for the coming year, also with the enclosed money order for the poor people of Dunbar it is awfully good of you never forgetting them, and I am sure03147 2]they are all very grateful to you! We have had a very severe cold changeable winter and a great deal of sickness amongst us but I trust the spring may be better I am glad to say that Maggie is much better getting a little stronger week by week, though she has not yet venture out to take a walk I had a letter lately from Mr Murdock Edenburgh [3]I was very pleased to hear that you correspond with him, he sent us your paper on the Grand Canon! to read, which you sent him. We did enjoy reading it. the description was most wonderful, we are truly delighted to think you, may be in Scotland this year! and have a visit from you once more in [illegible] Dunba

Letter from M[argaret] Hay Lunam to John Muir, 1904 Nov 8.

[4]also Jane Mather, she teaches music, remember me very [illegible] to Mrs Reid and Mrs Galloway, also your brothers. I often sit at the fireside and think of the days when we were all young, and you all coming [over?] to see grandfather and Gre[illegible]! I have not an old acquaintance living in [Dunbar?] now! but I have many home comforts, and Maggie looks well to my every comfort she sends her warmest love to you. We often speaks about you, ever your loving [cousin?]M Hay Lunam [1]do write soonWestfield,Dunbar.November Tuesday 8th 1904My dear Cousin JohnWe were both of us truly delighted on Saturday when Mr Murdock came and spent a few hours with us and told us all about your lovely home and the great kindness you had all shown him, and the glorious sunshine in Martinez California03468 [2]Maggie and I both thank you very much for the Photo you sent us of your two Ba[illegible]ns, they are [young?] ladies [now &?] we are pleased to [have?] your [house?] with you all standing at the door we thank Mrs Muir for sending the beautiful piece of sowed work done by the [illegible]es in Ph[illegible]ens Island I could not believe they could sew such beautiful work, they beat Scotland at that sort of work[3]We are both very well after our long holiday in Berwickshire, we had our house let for two months, when are you coming to Dunbar again you should bring your girls to see Dunbar and [illegible] I would like very much to see you again I am 81 years now, James May, your cousin, is also 81. [illegible] month. Susan Gelroy is well always visiting amongst her friends she often asks for you

Lord Mar's Plans, c. 1700 to 1732

Chapter 1, Part I describes the cultural and political background to Mar's life; this includes information on his schooling, university studies and draughtsmanship, attitude to antiquities and his urbanisme. The roles of Alexander Edward and, in particular, Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun and the Scottish civic tradition in the forming of the historical themes in the gardens at Alloa are discussed. Part II presents the documentary evidence of Mar's involvement in houses and gardens in Scotland. These include the House of Naime, Craigiehall, Hopetoun, those properties of the Earls of Northesk and Wemyss, and the House of Alva. Part II is concerned with similar activities in England. The schemes for Cliveden, Mar's house and those of friends at Twickenham, his friendship with amateur and professional architects: Lord Bingley, James Gibbs, Lord Islay, the Duke of Argyll and others. Finally, Mar's travels in Italy, particularly his opinion of art collections, ancient monuments and some houses in Rome, Tivoli and Frascati, are described

Letter from M[argaret] H[ay] Lunam to John Muir, 1894 Apr 9.

Westfield, Dunbar,April 9th, \u2794.My dear Cousin John:It does seem a long time since we heard from each other, but do not think we are in the least forgetting you. We are constantly talking about you, and wondering how you are progressing with your editorship of Picturesque California. It was very kind of you sending us the January no. We did enjoy reading it, also the views. Mrs. Kelly has a reading of it. She showed it to the Minister of Prestonkirk, who thought much of it. We also had in due time the very large paper of 64 pages, containing a description of the Midwinter Fair in San Francisco, with all other accounts of beautiful California. I gave Mr. and Mrs. Comb a reading of it, so you see I keep your Dunbar friends well posted up about you, as far as we know. Mr. Dick is watching for your article about Alaska appearing in the Century. Susan Gilroy is also looking out for it, to send us the Century no. It is not yet in the April no. I should have written you before this time, but I have often had colds and rheumatics, which make me very lazy. I do trust both you and your dear family have kept well this winter. We have had some fearful bad weather, and great gales of wind. Maggie has had a busy winter looking after the old houses in Dunbar that were tumbled down with the great November gale. They are all cleared away now, not an old stone left upon another. All is changed, but I try not to murmur. They served their time, upwards of 200 years old, some parts of the buildings.The fine summer days will soon be here, and we will hope to get a good let for the house, so that we may get a fine holiday somewhere, and forget all about the cold dark wintry days.I had a newspaper lately from your mother, which lets us know she is well, When I see her handwriting. I send her a courier occasionally. They have had a very severe winter in Portage, indeed I think all over the northern states. We will be very happy to have a letter from you at your convenience. Maggie joins me in kindly love to you.In the beginnong of March Susan Gilroy came and saw us for a week. Miss MeKie gave her a few days holidays. She asked very kindly after you and said how she would like to get a letter from you, as the one you mentioned having written to her must have been lost on its journey as it never reached Moat House, Dumfries. When she had left us Mrs.. James Hay and wee Peggie, from Birkenhead, came and stayed ten days. We had a delightful time together. Gilbert Hay, Glasgow, her nephew, came and saw us also when his aunt was here, the same young gentleman you saw at Birkenhead. They all spoke much about you. Mrs. Hay had the photo of your two dear girls with her. She showed us them. We were delighted to see their bonnie faces again. I could not help envying her having them to look at, but I am sure you will be sending us their photos when you have any to spare. Mrs. Kelly would also like very much to have their photo. I am afraid you will think us very troublesome, always reminding you of their likenesses, but you must forgive me.Believe me,Your affectionate cousin, M[argaret] H[ay] Luna

Letter from M[argaret] Hay Lunam to [John Muir], 1895 Feb 1.

Westfield, Dunbar,Feb. 1st, \u2795.My dear Cousin John:I am sure you will be very pleased to hear that we have at last received all the numbers of Picturesque California -- 32 in all, about ten days ago. They have indeed come at a very opportune time to enliven us in the midst of a very severe snowstorm. It has lasted more than a week, and no signs of it abating. All the fields around us are full of snow 6 inches deep. We have not had such quantities of snow luing since 1881.We take a lesson to ourselves every day from some of the numbers of P. California. They are very fine illustrations and delightful reading in them. I have sent some of the numbers in to Mrs. Kelly to enliven her in this bleak weather. Mr. Kelly called the other day and thanked me for letting them see them -- also to enquire for you.Our Liverpoor friends, the Hays, had a sister died a fortnight past!--Mrs. Robson, at Carlington. She was 78,younger than Hardie. Cousin Susan [Gilroy] is leaving her situation at Moat House on the 1st of March. She has been 16 years companion to Miss McKie. I do hope for her own sake that she gets another comfortable situation. We wish her to come to us for a little time when she leaves Moat House.I had a letter some time ago from your mother. She says she is now feeling the infirmities of old age. She and I are getting aged pilgrims in the journey of life. I do trust all your dear friends around you are well.With many thanks for your kindness in sending us so much nice literature. Maggie sends you very kindly remembrances. Believe me,Your affectionate cousin,M[argaret] Hay Luna

Letter from Margaret Hay Lunam to [John Muir], 1894 May 15.

Westfield, Dunbar, May 15th, \u2794.My dear Cousin: Your kind and welcome letter dated 27th April reached us on May 12th, We are very glad to learn that you are well and very busy making books and looking after work people oh your ranch. We are often speaking about you, and we do think if you have to be in New York this summer you should just come across the big pond to Scotland, even for a month, to see us all again. Your friends are often enquiring after you. Mrs. Kelly was asking very kindly for you on Sunday. We are rather in hopes of getting our kirk restored this summer. Things are progressing onwards at present. Should it be commenced, we will be having a few visits from James Hay occasionally, as he is the Architect for the work to be done. I sent your mother a newspaper about the disputed point with the heritors, lately.I had another letter the other day from Susan. She tells me she haw had a long letter from you and is highly delighted over it, and will soon be writing you. I am indeed very sorry about all the missing numbers of Picturesque California up to this date. I have only the first no. I told you of. How very provoking to think you have paid the money for all the numbers. I do hope you will get it all righted at the publishing office. Perhaps the Hays .may have got their numbers all right, but when Mrs. Hay was with us in March she said they had got 3 nos. and were all delighted with them. Mrs. Kelly wonders if you got her letter, as she has not heard from you for a long time, and always hopes you will be sending your photo along with your two dear girls. You do not mention your mother-in-law, so we hope she is very well now, also Mrs. Muir.Is Mrs. Reid strong now, and all your other friends near you? Along with this letter I am sending you an old Psalm Book that your grandfather used at family -worship all my young life, even until his death in \u2752, The sight of it may recall some of your own youthful days. Should you not care about keeping it your David might, as the name on it is the same. The old houses are all swept away and an addition made to the draper\u27s shop. Nothing but changes around us, Maggie and Tim had many a walk into the town seeing after it. Tim is a busy dog always running out and in at the gate,We will be glad to hear from you when you have a little spare time.Maggie joins me in kind love to you and all yours. I am,Your affectionate cousin.Margaret Hay Luna

Letter from Margaret Hay Lunam to [John Muir], 1893 Dec 9.

Westfield, Dunbar,Dec, 9th, \u2793.My dear Cousin:We are near the end of this year, Christmas close at hand. I am writing to wish you and all your dear family a bright and joyous Christmas, also all your friends near you. We are wearying to have a letter from you. We can hear nothing of you, since you left Portage, but we do trust you got all safe home and found all well and glad to see their dear wanderer once more in their midst. Many a time Maggie and I talk over your visit to Dunbar. We will never forget the summer of \u2793. When Susan writes she never forgets to ask after you, also our Liverpool cousins. You will remember old Mr. and Mrs. Angus, Mrs. A,died last month. I do not think Mr. A. will be long behind her; he has had a stroke of paralysis. I am writing your Mother. She will be sorry to hear about Mrs. Angus [who] is a very old friend. They used to play together when bairns. The Melvilles all well. Mrs. M. never forgets to enquire for you. We have had a terribly stormy Nov., one fearful gale damaged the roof of the old house down the close in Dunbar so much that the Inspector of Works has ordered it all to be pulled down as dangerous to life, so we have to put our shoulders to wheel and get it all cleared away. What changes we do live to see. Will your dear bairns accept of Xmas card from Dunbar? Maggie joins me in very kind regards, and best wishes for the coming joyous season. Expecting to hear from you soon if not too busy to write,Your affectionate cousin,Margaret Hay Luna

Letter from [Margaret Hay Lunam] to [John Muir], 1894 Sep 22.

Westfield, Dunbar,Sept. 22, \u2794. My dear Cousin: I duly received your kind letter of the 7th. I am always truly pleased to have a letter from you, should it only be a few lines, as I know you have a busy useful life, the time must fly quickly with you. I am sure your dear family will be very happy this season to have you [with] them, and not climbing those ice-bound mountains. We will look out for the Country Magazine to read your paper in it. We had our house let 5 weeks this summer, and got a nice holiday. We only went to the village of East Linton, 6 miles from here. Susan got two weeks leave of absence and came to us. Maggie and she went off [on] a four days trip to the Highlands to Oban, and went through the pass of Glencoe. They returned highly delighted with all they had seen. After getting settled down here again Maggie is away to visit our friends Mr. James Hay and family. You may be sure they will have many a talk about you. It is last September that you and Mag[gie] went to Liverpool, and they all saw you sail for your far-away home. What a great comfort to your dear Mother to know all her family are well and doing well in their worldly concerns. I am very sorry and annoyed to think I have only had of Picturesque California the Jan. number, after your kindness and expense about wishing us to have it. James Hay is trying to find out where the fault can be, as he gets his regularly. It is very kind of him also. I cannot understand where the photos of your dear bairns will be wandering to, as they have not yet reached Dunbar. I was pleased to hear Mrs. Kelly and Susan had got them and all [were] not lost. I am wondering if you got the old Psalm Book of Grandfather I sent you about June! I am enclosing a Poem of Dunbar. They are being republished. [Letter incomplete] [Margaret Hay Lunam