STEVENSON Robert Louis.MareMagnum
Scotland. Letter Signed to John Adam Esq. concerning repairs to Dumbarton Castle
17903249Dumbarton Scotland 1790. Good. Folio half-sheet 1 p. 20 lines name of the recipient on verso 2 vertical and 4 horizontal folds evidence of wax seal on verso old tape repair at top margin not affecting text ink gall corrosion on outer margin affecting one word. Preserved in mylar sleeve. An extremely curious provincial Scottish letter dated 1790 which incorporates misspellings based on non-standard sociolects of the Scottish dialect. While "worthless" relics such as this were almost invariably discarded they remain of the great interest in Ortheopy the study of pronunciation. Indeed much of what is known about Vulgar Latin pronunciation is preserved in graffiti in the ruins of Pompei. <br/><br/>Concerning the content of the letter: William Steuart or Stewart writes to John Adam Esq. describing water damage to four rooms in Dumbarton Castle: two were newly painted the other two newly wall-papered. An associate suggested that he procure a carpenter in Inversnaid to the amount of GBP 35 and therefore "if you have any masonwork to do I can do it at the time."<br/><br/>The letter is signed by Steuart but was clearly dictated by him to an unnamed scribe. Our transcription of the letter retains the original spelling:<br/><br/>"Dumbarton May 24th 1790. Dear Sir<br/>I received both your letters one of the 10th & the other of the 13th curant & have noted the contents. I told Capt. Roberson what work was to be don sic at the Castle hear sic this year when he simed i.e. seemed much surprised that his hous sic was not rough cast. Ther sic is 2 rooms neu sic painted & other two neu sic pappred sic which will be quite spiled i.e. spoiled with the watter sic comin through the wall & he has wrot i.e. wrote to Campt. Rudyard about it. Last neight sic I had a letter from Mr. Young beiging i.e. begging of me to go to Inversnaid to gat sic som sic Carpenter work don sic ther sic to the amount of GBP 35 so if you have any masson sic work to do I can do it at the time. I am Dear Sir your very humbel sic Serv't" shaky signature of William Steuart. <br/><br/>Questions remain: Why go to Inversnaid to procure a carpenter This extremely tiny village was located 30 miles away from Dumbarton Castle while Glasgow was only 13 miles away. And was recipient of the present letter to be identified with the architect John Adam Esq. of Edinburgh 1721-1792 son of William Adam and older brother of Robert Adam unknown books
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