FITFUL HEAD. 21 5 



his return, he was persuaded to revise these letters, and 

 towards the close of next year, he published, in two volumes, 

 "A Voyage round the Coasts of Scotland and the Isles," a 

 book rich in poetry and humour ; and, with its magnifi- 

 cent descriptions and amusing information, still the best 

 guide to the romantic regions which he visited ; or, to 

 those who have not courage for a yacht-voyage, the best 

 substitute for an actual survey. 



As everything is interesting, which throws light on the 

 creations of Sir Walter Scott, we transcribe from one of 

 Mr Wilson's Shetland letters, a passage which he himself 

 has not jDublished : — 



TO MISS SYM, BRANDON PLACE, GLASGOW. 



" While at Lerwick, I met with a strong illustration 

 of what has often struck me elsewhere, namely, that go 

 where one might, and however restricted the rano-e of 

 their general acquaintance, some one is foregathered with, 

 who serves as a link to connect the present with the past, 

 in relation even to one's own particular friends and family. 

 When I landed in Shetland, I certainly did not suppose 

 that there existed in that ' Ultima Thule/ a single indivi- 

 dual who had ever heard of me or mine, unless the fame 

 of certain literary relations, such as Miss Sym of Glas- 

 gow, or Professor Wilson of Edinburgh, might, in some 



