ABERFOYLE. Siv, ' 



Wilson took a house in George Square, which brought 

 him nearer his Edinburgh friends. 



The first letter after this event which has come into our 

 possession was written during a short fishing excursion, in 

 which he was tempted to join his friends, Sir T. D. Lauder 

 and John Kirkpatrick, Esq. 



"Aberfoyle, 15th June 1838. 

 " I hope you have been wearying to hear from me. I 

 snatch a few minutes while Sir Thomas treats himself to 

 a pipe, though smoking by no means makes him hold his 

 tongue. The chief disadvantage of his unfailing good 

 humour and cheerfulness is the contrast which these ex- 

 cellent qualities offer to my own depression, and which, I 

 fear, may make Kirkpatrick suppose that I am a sulky 

 rascal, which I don't think I naturally am. But of this I 

 leave you to judge for yourself. We had but a murky 

 and indifferent voyage up to Alloa on Monday ; but we 

 sat near the funnel, and kept our backs warm. Kirk- 

 patriek met us at Alloa, from whence we walked up to 

 Tullibody, a nice, old-fashioned place, where we were well 

 received. We started in a shandrydan on Tuesday morn- 

 ing early, and got to Aberfoyle by about one o'clock, so 

 as to admit of our walking up to Lochard and enjoying a 

 few hours fishing before dinner. We killed only eight or 

 ten, but they were very fine fish ; and the evening being 



