66 THE BANK ACCOUNTANT. 



I loved more than all the rest put together, and for the 

 last five years you have been that one ; and now that I 

 have so short a time to be here, I can have no hope of 

 ever again seeing you. But I assure you the sad, bitter 

 thoughts were but passing ones and your letter gave 

 me entire pleasure. 



' There is scarcely any one I am sorry to part with 

 but you. God knows how fervently I wish you life and 

 happiness, and your advancement in public favour. I 

 consider your late appointment as very respectable, and 

 as procured for you in the most agreeable and delicate 

 manner, but cannot help regarding your literary pursuits 

 as the main business of your life. When, probably, 

 will your book be out, or is it actually gone to press ? 

 Many a time I have wondered to myself if ever I 

 shall see it, and have sometimes hopes that I may ; 

 but were I to be guided by my present feelings of 

 pain and discomfort, I should say the thing is not 



very likely. , You are not aware of Lord 



Medwyn's high appreciation of your genius. It was to 

 his brother, Mr John Forbes, that Major Gumming Bruce 

 lately transmitted one of your letters and extracts from 

 your Traditional His tori/, given him by the Messrs 

 Andersons, in four franked covers. The Major had sent 

 to me, as a thing of course, for your address, that Mr 

 Forbes might have waited on you, but I could give him 

 no clue. 



' Sir Thomas [Dick Lauder] seems changed in many 

 things since he left this part of the country. He will 

 never become that clamorous fool, a Radical ; but he is 

 certainly far too violent in his politics. But I am a Tory, 

 you know ; though I believe your Whiggism and my 



Toryism are not very dissimilar Will you not 



come and see me on your way home ? You cannot, surely, 



