THE AUTHORS LAST VISIT. 451 



a terrible day." He spoke again of his introduction to the 

 subject, through his "father" Charles, of his first "vulgar" 

 attempts under his guidance, and of his subsequent progress 

 and delight in the study. He talked also of the blessing 

 his books had ever been to him. He had not, he said, 

 bought many at a time, but only as he could afford them ; 

 and they were well chosen, he thought, for he " never likit 

 varieties in readin' ony mair than in eatin'. Books," he 

 warmly continued, " are real freends." " Yes," echoed I, 

 quoting Wordsworth, " they are 



" ' A substantial world, both pure and good.'" 



" They're a' that," he eagerly assented, " I cu'dna hae dune 

 withoot them ! " The plants then suggested Dunnottar, and 

 the memory of his youthful strength and happy adventures 

 there swept through his aged heart like an exhilarating 

 breeze on the thymy crags themselves. Then, recalling the 

 struggles of the Covenanters for God and for freedom, he 

 spoke of these for some time, and then exclaimed, " O, 

 I aye likit to read about thae times fine excellent ! And 

 Charlie likit them tae ; and he had a fine idea o ' them." 



After leaving him to rest for a little, I returned to bid 

 him farewell. I told him that his comfort was now secured, 

 and that he should not be removed from the cottage a 

 possibility that had disturbed him. He still deprecated 

 being " ower weel treatit and made ower grand." I men- 

 tioned to him that a good lady was willing to send him any 

 books he wished ; but, while grateful for the kindly offer, he 

 said that he did not care for more, as he could not now use 

 them. I promised to write Charles Black of my visit and 

 .all we had said and done. " O yes ! " replied he, with a 



