24 THE BANK ACCOUNTANT. 



at first in forcing your way to the publisher's shop, you 

 must just remember that there are few writers who have 

 not failed in their earlier efforts. Genius itself seems 

 hardly more indispensable to the literary aspirant than 

 that mixture of firmness and self-reliance which, unde- 

 pressed by failure or disappointment, can pursue its per- 

 severing and onward course till at length it triumphs 

 over fortune and circumstance. At present your mind 

 resembles a musical instrument of great compass and 

 power, but nearly all the semi-tones are wanting. But, 

 my own dearest Lydia, for your own sake and mine you 

 must remember that your mind and body are unequally 

 matched ; that though the one is strong and active, 

 the other is comparatively fragile and easily worn out, 

 and that your exertions must be modified to suit the 

 capabilities of the weaker of the two. 



' I was only a few days in Linlithgow when a gen- 

 tleman called on Mr Paterson (the agent) to inquire for 

 me, stating that the Principal (Baird) was at his country 

 house, and very unwell, but desirous notwithstanding 

 that I should call on him on the following Thursday. I 

 then learned for the first time that the Principal's coun- 

 try house is not more than two miles from Linlithgow. 

 I found the grounds in the vicinity of the house laid out 

 into little patches, each bearing a different variety of 

 field or garden vegetables, and altogether presenting the 

 appearance of what is termed an experiment farm. 

 Husbandry and gardening are two of the Principal's 

 hobbies. The house is a little old-fashioned structure. 

 I was shown into a low parlour ; the Principal was in 

 bed, I was told, but was just going to try to get up. 

 The poor Principal found himself unable to rise, and I 

 was shown up to his room. He received me with great 

 kindness, held my hand between both his for more than 



