"Milton, third of July, 1782.
"Dear Madam,
"I received your agreeable favour a fortnight ago, and am happy to
find that your health is not worse than when I left you. I return
you my sincere thanks for your being so mindful of me as to send me
the agreeable news about Johny's arrival, which relieved me from a
great deal of distress, as that was the first accounts I had of him
since he sailed. I think, poor man! he has been very lucky, for
getting into bread so soon after landing. I had a letter from John,
which, I suppose, came by the same conveyance with yours. I am told
by others that it will be in his power now to show his talents, as
being in the engineer department. He speaks feelingly of the
advantages he got in his youth, and the good example showed him,
which I hope will keep him from doing anything that is either sinful
or shameful.[314]
"I received a letter from Captain Macdonald, my husband, dated from
Halifax, the twelfth of November '82; he was then recovering his
health, but had been very tender for some time before. My son
Charles is captain in the British Legion, and James a lieutenant in
the same: they are both in New York. Ranald is captain of Marines,
and was with Rodney at the taking of St. Eustatia. As for my son
Sandy, who was a-missing, I had accounts of his being carried to
Lisbon, but nothing certain, which I look upon the whole as a
hearsay; but the kindness of Providence is still to be looked upon,
as I have no reason to complain, as God has been pleased to spare
his father and the rest. I am now at my brother's house, on my way
to Skye, to attend my daughter, who is to lie-in in August; they are
all in health at present. As for my health at present, it's
tolerable, considering my anxious mind and distress of times.
"It gives me a great deal of pleasure to hear such good accounts of
young Mr. M'Kinnie:[315] no doubt he has a great debt to pay, who
represents his worthy and amiable uncle. I hope you will be so good
as remember me to your female companions. I do not despair of the
pleasure of seeing you once more, if peace was restored; and I am,
dear madam, with respect and esteem, your affectionate friend,
"FLORA MACDONALD."
Flora died in 1790, having attained the age of seventy. Her corpse was
interred, wrapt in the sheet on which Charles Edward had lain at
Kingsburgh, and which she had carried with her to America, intending
that, wherever she should be entombed, it should serve as her
winding-sheet.
The life and character of Flora Macdonald exemplify how true it is,
that, in the performance of daily duties, and in domestic life, the
loftiest qualities of woman may be formed; for the hourly practice of
self-controul, the exercise of judgment, the acquisition of fortitude,
tend to the perfection of those virtues which ennobled her career. In
all her trials she acted a woman's part. Her spirit was fortified by a
strength that was ever gentle. She was raised by circumstances above a
private sphere; when these ceased to actuate her, she returned
cheerfully to what many might deem obscurity, but which she gladdened by
a kind and cheerful temper. No vain-glory, no egotism, vulgarized her
one great effort. The simplicity of her character was inherent and
unextinguishable; and the deep interest which was attached to her
character was never lessened by any display. Her enthusiasm for the
Stuart cause ceased only with her life. When any person thoughtlessly,
or cruelly, applied the term "Pretender" to the Prince whom she
reverenced, her anger for a moment was aroused. But contention ill
accorded with the truly feminine, yet noble and well-principled, mind of
Flora Macdonald. Upon the error or truth of that belief in hereditary
and indefeasible right which she entertained, it is of little moment, in
estimating her virtues, to pass an opinion. Perhaps we may venture to
conclude with Dr. Johnson, "that being in rebellion, from a notion of
another's right, is not connected with depravity; and that we had this
proof of it, that all mankind applaud the pardoning of rebels, which
they would not do in the case of murderers and robbers."