_An Account of Mr. Maxwell Laird of Coul his Appearance after Death
to Mr. Ogilvie a Minister of the present Establishment at Innerwick,
3 Miles East from Dunbar._
Upon the 3d Day of February, 1722, at seven a clock at Night after I had
parted with Thurston [his Name Cant], and was coming up the Burial Road,
one came riding up after me: upon hearing the Noise of his Horse's feet, I
took it to be Thurston, but upon looking back, and seeing the Horse of a
greyish Colour, I called "Who is there?" The Answer was, "The Laird of
Coul [his Name Maxwell], be not afraid." Then looking to him by the Help
of the dark Light which the Moon afforded, I took him to be Collector
Castellow designing to put a Trick upon me, and immediately I struck at
him with all my Force, with my Cane, thinking I mould leave upon him a
Mark, to make him remember his Presumption; but being sensible I aimed as
well as ever I did in my Life, yet my Cane finding no Resistance, but
flying out of my Hand the Distance of about 60 Feet, and observing it by
its white Head, I dismounted and took it up, and had some Difficulty in
mounting again, what by the ramping of my Horse, and what by Reason of a
certain Kind of Trembling throughout my whole Joints; Something likewise
of Anger had its share in the Confusion; for, as I thought, he laughed
when my Staff flew away; Coming up with him again, who halted all the Time
I sought my Staff, I asked once more, "Who he was?" He answered, "The
Laird of Coul." I enquired--j{st}, "If he was the Laird of Coul, what
brought him hither?" and "What was his Business with me?"
C. The reason of my waiting on you is, that I know you are disposed to do
for me a Thing which none of your Brethren in Nithsdale will so much as
attempt, tho' it serve to ever so good Purposes. I told him I would never
refuse to do a Thing to serve a good Purpose, If I thought I was obliged
to do it as my Duty. He answered, since I had undertaken what he found few
in Nithsdale would, for he had tryed some upon that Subject, who were more
obliged to him than ever I was, or to any Person living: I drew my Horse,
and halted in Surprize, asking What I had undertaken? He answered, that on
the Sabbath last, I had heartily condemned M{r}. Paton, and the Rest of
the Ministers in Dumfries Presbytery for dissuading Dr. Menzies's Man,
from keeping his Appointment with me, and that if you had been in their
Place, you would have persuaded the Lad to do as I desired him; and that
you would have gone with him, lest he had been feared; and that if you had
been in Mr. Paton's Place, you would have delivered my Commissions your
self, since it tended to do some People Justice.
O. Pray, Coul, who informed you that I talked at that Rate?
C. You must know, that we are acquainted with many Things, that the Living
know nothing about. These Things you did say, and much more to that
Purpose, and all that I want is, that you fulfill your Promise, and
deliver my Commissions to my loving Wife.
O. 'Tis a Pity, Coul, that you who know so many Things, should not know
the Difference between an absolute, and a conditional Promise. I did
indeed at the Time you mention, blame Mr. Paton, for I think him justly
blameable, for hindering the Lad to meet with you, and if I had been in
his Place, I would have acted quite the Reverse: but did I ever say, that
if you would come to Innerwick, and employ me, that I would go all the way
to Dumfries upon that Errand? That is what never so much as once entered
into my Thought.
C. What was in your Thought I do not pretend to know; but I can depend
upon my Information, that these were your _Words_: but I see you are in
some Disorder, I will wait on you again, when you have more presence of
mind.
By the Time we were got to James Dickson's Inclosure below the Churchyard,
and while I was recollecting in my mind, whether ever I had spoken these
Words he alledged, he broke from me thro' the Churchyard with greater
violence, than ever any man on horseback is capable of, and with such a
singing and buzzing noise, as put me in greater Disorder, than I was all
the Time I was with him. I came to my House, and my Wife observed
something more than ordinary Paleness in my Countenance, and would alledge
that something ailed me. I called for a Dram & told her I was a little
uneasie; after I found myself a little eased and refreshed, I retired to
my Closet, to meditate on this the most astonishing Adventure of my whole
Life.
The 2d Conference.
Upon the 5th of March 1722. Being at Blarehead baptizing the Shepherd's
Child, I came off at Sunsetting, or, a very little after. Near Will.
White's March the Laird of Coul came up with me on Horseback as formerly,
and, after his first Salutation bid me not be afraid, for he would do me
no Harm. I told him I was not in the least afraid, in the Name of God, and
of Christ my Saviour, that he would do the least Harm to me: for, I knew
that He in whom I trusted was stronger than all them put together, and if
any of them should attempt even to do the Horse I rode upon, Harm, as you
have done to Dr. Menzies' man,[1] if it be true that is said, and
generally believed about Dumfries, I have free access to complain to my
Lord and Master, to the Lash of whose Resentment you are as much liable
now as before.
C. You need not multiply Words upon that Head, for you are as safe with
me, and safer, if safer can be, than when I was alive.
I said, Well then, Coul, Let me have a peaceable and easy Conversation
with you for the Time we ride together, and give me some Information about
the Affairs of the other World, for no man inclines to lose his Time, in
conversing with the Dead, without having a Prospect of hearing and
learning something that may be usefull.
C. Well, Sir, I will satisfy you, as far as I think it proper and
convenient. Let me know what Information you want from me.
O. May I then ask you, if you be in a State of Happiness or not?
C. There are a great many Things that I _can_ answer, which the Living are
entirely ignorant of: there are many more Things, that notwithstanding the
additional Knowledge I have acquired, since my Death, that I _cannot_
answer, and there are several Things and Questions that you may start, of
which the last is one, that I _will_ not answer.
O. Then I know not how to manage our Conversation, for whatever I shall
enquire of you, I see you can easily shift me, so that I might profit more
by conversing with myself.