1 837-38. DISPENSARY PRACTICE. 57 



perambulate the delightful purlieus of the West Port and 

 the neighbourhood, sometimes steering across the ' bridge 

 that spans ' that prince of ditches, the canal, and at other 

 times winging our flight to the Grassmarket ; and winding 

 up all by journeying to the West Kirk Charity Workhouse, 

 where we have charge of all the little urchins' health and 

 welfare. So you see I am a great man in the way of 

 practice, and not destitute at least of patients, and the 

 means of learning that branch of medicine. 



"I trot about every day from ten till two, and most 

 tiresome it is, and when I come home, I am fit for very, 

 very little. Up to the present time, however, I have taken 

 geology in hand, and get on with considerable speed, and 

 with very great delight; but I have got nothing done at 

 chemistry. There is no room for working at home, and I 

 cannot work to my heart's pleasure in Dr. Christison's. I 

 must have no one overlooking, even kindly ; so, up to this 

 time, I have been miserable from want of my laboratory, 

 and means to try, by the test of experiments, the projects 

 of my brain. It is the disagreeable mood of mind, attend- 

 ant on this state of things, which has kept me from writing, 

 though I had plenty to say, and have a great deal more 

 than this letter, big as it is, will hold. To-morrow sees my 

 chemical labours begin, as you will learn before you finish 

 this letter ; but lest I make this a mere preface and 

 apology, and because I have been wearying to say it, let 

 me heartily congratulate you on your success. I cannot, as 

 mother did when she read it, bring tears to my eyes ! that 

 becomes a kind mother ; but a kind brother will, with 

 exulting, joyous feelings, wish you all the comfort and 

 happiness so auspicious an event should bring, and feel 

 his own soul bettered by the knowledge your letter con- 

 veyed. I am proud of you, Daniel, with your high thoughts 



