Chapter XVIII: Letter LXVIII: From Capt. Sinclair to Capt. Flint

MY DEAR SIR, _Jamaica_.

Our worthy and zealous friend Mr. Paget having spared me the painful detail of events, which, of late, have rendered this abode of peace one of sorrow and consternation, I will employ my pen on subjects of better and renewed hopes. In the first place, Lady Maclairn will be soothed by hearing, that Philip is the father of a fine healthy boy; and that the mother is doing well, and already the nurse. She has been cautiously told of Mr. Flamall’s death; and thus the suspense and alarm avoided, that would have been occasioned by her seeing her husband’s dejection, which was but too apparent, in spite of his endeavours. We must give him credit for more sensibility on this melancholy occasion, than we feel ourselves. To say the truth, the termination of a life passed without honour or satisfaction, is, in my opinion, little entitled to the tear of affection; although the means, which Flamall employed for the purpose, are appalling to nature and to the Christian. It is a happy circumstance for my brother, that he has uniformly conducted himself in respect to his uncle, so as to have secured his own self acquittal. This, with the prospect of happiness, before his eyes, will, in time, restore him. We shall, however, wait with anxiety for news from Farefield. Had not his wife’s critical situation checked his solicitude for his mother, I believe we could not have prevented his undertaking the voyage to England, for the purpose of supporting her, in the trial which nearly overset himself.

I beg you to be particular in your account of Lady Maclairn’s health, as also Miss Flint’s.

Let Miss Cowley be assured, that her concerns will suffer nothing from the loss of _her agent_. We have been fortunate in having with us a _Mr. Montrose_; this gentleman is the early friend of Philip and Margaret; and is brother to Mrs. Lindsey, my sister’s first nurse, and constant companion at present.

Montrose makes a better consoler than myself. I therefore yield up to him this office; as being his by profession; and no man can better know, and perform his duty. I have not, however, been idle. The attested papers you will receive with this, will inform you that all has been done that could be done. Flamall’s late gloom and the evidence of the servants, induced the coroner’s inquest to give in a verdict of lunacy. We have discovered no letters nor papers of consequence, to his private concerns; and one letter excepted, of a recent date, from his banker, which mentions his having received the half year’s interest of five thousand pounds Bank stock: this of course devolves to his sister. I cannot conclude this letter, without telling you, that I believe, from the order in which all Flamall’s accounts were, that he has, for sometime, been meditating how to escape from a world, in which he knew he was regarded with contempt. You may think me too harsh; be it so. But believe me sincere and honest, and

Your’s to command,
FRANCIS SINCLAIR.