172 Autobiographical Notes. 



On my arrival in Edinburgh my companion and I took joint 

 lodgings, consisting of a single bedroom, and the character of the 

 accommodation mav be inferred when I mention that the rental 

 w^s 4s 6d per week, coals included. I joined the Latin and Greek 

 classes, the former taught by Mr Christison, the latter by Mr 

 Dunbar. I also attended for three months a class for English 

 reading taught by William Scott, then a venerable man, author 

 of an English dictionary that bears his name, also of various 

 school books now little used. 



My__attention to my studies was assiduous and my progress pro- 

 portionate. Mv whole funds, which were to keep me during the 

 session and provide for class fees, amounted to £16. I econo- 

 mised them well. Butcher meat I never tasted. As I could not 

 well afford candles, I often stretched myself on the floor and 

 turned up mv dictionary by the light of the fire. Early in March 

 my resources became about exhausted, and I waited on the two 

 learned Professors whom I have named to ascertain if the time I 

 had attended might be allowed to pass for a session. I told 

 them at the same time the cause of my making the enquiry. They 

 both agreed to my request considering the circumstances, and con- 

 sidering that I had been invariably regular in my attendance, and 

 they granted me certificates accordingly. 



I started next day for home with three shillings and a few 

 coppers in my pocket as my only remaining funds, and had 

 little doubt that I would reach my destination, my sister 

 Mrs Kelly's house in my native parish, 105 miles distant. 

 at the end of the third day. My expectations were entireh 

 frustrated. I had not left Edinburgh many minutes when 

 such a torrent of rain commenced and continued that when 

 I reached Noble House, sixteen miles from town, I felt 

 phy.sically exhausted, and could not proceed further. I there- 

 fore took refuge in the inn there. Having told the land- 

 lord, Mr \Mlliamson, that I was a student returning from the 

 University, he was very kind. I took a cup of tea and got to 

 bed; expense, Is 6d. Next morning, which was clear, but the 

 roads very heavy, I started with a hopeful heart but a very weak 

 purpose. I could not afford to breakfast at any inn — but inns 

 were few and far between. I entered a cottage and got bread 

 (oatcake) and milk, the charge sixpence. Without further rest 

 or refreshment I reached Moffat, a distance of about thirty-four 



