LITERARY EMPLOYMENT. 105 



have been often the better for them ; but they may be 

 converted by the vicious into apologies for their in- 

 dulgence of every passion, and the perpetration of every 

 crime. 



' I trust you will recommend me to Mr Turpie. Ask 

 him if he remembers how he used to mar my calculations 

 by getting astride of my shoulders, and my many threats 

 of beating him, which he learned to treat with so 

 thorough a disregard/ 



In the course of the summer of 1835 Miller was 

 applied to for contributions to the Tales of the Borders, 

 a periodical series began by Mr J. Mackay Wilson, and 

 highly and deservedly popular. Wilson had died, and 

 the publication of the Tales was continued for the benefit 

 of his widow. Hugh consented, and a sufficient number 

 of sketches and tales from his pen to fill a considerable 

 volume appeared in the series. His entire remunera- 

 tion, as he informs us in the Schools and Schoolmasters, 

 was five pounds. 



