embrance
amongst your books, when years have passed away, of one in
his grave who had a sincere regard for you, and who now signs
himself, yours very faithfully,

E.B. RAMSAY.

23 Ainslie Place, Jan. 11, 1866.

My dear Dr. Alexander--You will not suppose me to be an
advocate for the donkeyism of vestment ritual. But I wish you
not to have unfavourable impressions as regard _our_ concern
with such matters. We have a canon declaratory on vestments,
asserting the ordinary surplice, gown, hood, and stole. It is
stupidly worded, but the meaning is obvious. I was vexed from
your experience to hear of such foolish proceedings at Bridge
of Allan, contrary to canon and to common sense.... The
_green_ part of the dress which caused your wonder, naturally
enough, is not a freak of new vestments, but is a foolish way
which the Glenalmond students have adopted of wearing the
_hood_, which our Bishops (not without diversity of opinion)
had granted for those who had been educated at our College.
It is a hood lined with _green_ (Scottish thistle colour),
and they have a way of wearing it in a manner which brings
the coloured part in front. Pray, pray, don't think of
answering this; it is merely to correct an unfavourable
impression in one whose favourable opinion I much desiderate.
I cannot tell you the pleasure I had in your visit on
Tuesday.--With sincere regard, yours always, E.B. RAMSAY.

23 Ainslie Place, June 8, 1866.

Dear Dr. Alexander--I forgot to mention a circumstance
connected with my story of to-day. I have had a communicant
thereanent with Dr. Robert Lee. The good Dr., although fond
of introducing Episcopalian practices, which cause great
indignation amongst some of his brethren, does not wish it to
be understood that he has the least tendency to become an
Episcopalian himself. In short, he hinted to me himself that
were such an idea to become prevalent it would materially
weaken his influence with many followers. "It is to improve
my own church, not to join yours," were his words, or to that
effect. In carrying out this idea he has a hit in his
"Reformation of the Church of Scotland" against
Episcopalians, and in the first edition he brings up Dean
Ramsay and the unfortunate statement he had made, as a
melancho