302 THE LAST SUMMERS AND WINTERS. 



published list of pledged contributors if the publisher ad- 

 vise such ; but I hate to see my own name, having been 

 (under the alias of James Wilson) frequently transported, 

 and more than once actually executed. Even if my know- 

 ledge and capacity admitted of my taking a prominently 

 useful part, I would feel some delicacy in doing so in any 

 new undertaking, seeing that of late years I have declined, 

 at least not acceded to, applications from Mr Lockhart (for 

 the Quarterly Review), and from the Blackwoodians. I 

 won't dwell upon this, because I really feel that editors 

 labour under a misconception in requesting my aid. If 

 they had it oftener, they would ask it seldomer. Expe- 

 rientia docet. I have sent articles to the North British 

 now and then, partly from the impulse of the Free Church 

 spirit, partly because, as a near neighbour and old friend 

 of Professor Fraser, I am within the vortex. A stream 

 must carry straws as well as logs." 



TO THE SAME. 



" Woodville, 5th October 1853. 

 " My dear Sir, — I was favoured with yours of the 1st 

 in due course. I hope to be able to send you something 

 in time. I have been maundering so much of late about 

 the ' Birds of Britain,' that I think they should be allowed 

 to fold their wings for a time. The ' Birds of the Bible' 



