Corpus of Modern Scottish Writing (CMSW) - www.scottishcorpus.ac.uk/cmsw/ Document : 318 Title: Letter on the Trials of Running a Society Author(s): Wauchope, James Edinburgh, [¿]Jun 16th 1785 Dear Campbell I am sorry to say that Ruſsells news to you, about the Society proves but too true: I suppose you know that Randolph was elected Secretary, upon all the rest refusing it. I have not been able to attend regularly myself, since I saw you, as I am taken up in the evening with Greek Masters & &c however I hear he has not behaved very well for some time past, by writing down the Votes wrong on purpose, & when a Member quarelled him for it he told him he had no busineſs to look on when he was writing, or if he did he might write them right himself. but last week he Mr Randolph I mean set out for Glasgow, without leaving either any meſsage on the books of the Society so they met & could do nothing; however there was a Motion made & carried that Mr Hope who was President should deliver a meſsage dictated by the Society that Mr Randolph should give his raisons for behaving in such a manner as taken the consequences. When Hope told me the whole story he begged of me that I would attend at next meeting as there was likely to be some disturbance which I accordingly did. We met & Mr Randolph after hearing Hope read what had been ordered at East Meeting, Said nothing more than that the rain stopt him from coming into Towne, & would not acknowledge that be was to blame. We wished that before any Motion was made he would voluntary make some acknowledgement by saing he was in the Wrong. He was in a great paſsion & said, he would not cringe to any set of people on the face of the Earth the absurdity of which expreſsion you must be sensible of, however after cooling a little he asked the Society to put of the consideration of it till next day that he might have time to consider of it, which was granted so I dont know how it will end but either Ruſsell or I will write you after next meeting about it. We thought it was better not to write both at the same time The Society is to adjourn after this affair is ended, I have room for no more & I fancy there is more than you will be able to read my hand shakes, so with the head I am Dear Archibald yours Sincerely James Wanchope