JOHN WILSON. 395 



running up to him, and then running back, a famous 

 joke to poor Bill ; and he was greeting each exhibition 

 with so lusty a shout of laughter that he awoke papa. 

 When I became collected enough to remember that it 

 was Saturday I rang the bell, and as coolly as you used 

 to order breakfast in similar circumstances, I ordered up 

 your letter. " Yes, sir," was the reply, and the letter 

 came. And so again, dearest, many, many thanks for 

 it, and for your punctuality. 



' I had my old workfellow, John Wilson, at break- 

 fast with me. He has been out of employment for 

 some time, and has taken to dealing in tea and sugar. 

 You will not be displeased with me for offering him the 

 use of a few pounds for laying in stock if he should 

 require them, or if necessary, to any small amount, the 

 use of my name. I am much mistaken if John be not 

 one of the class whom it is a privilege to be permitted 

 to favour. He thanked me very cordially, but said that 

 at present, at least, he stood in no need of assistance. 

 I have some thoughts of getting up a descriptive article 

 of my residence at Niddry, in which I might introduce 

 John, and contrast his blameless life with the dissipation 

 of the other workmen. It might excite interest, and 

 do him good in his present way of life. 



'There is an interesting exhibition of ancient armour 

 in Edinburgh at present, which I have just been seeing. 

 Some of the suits of mail are very ancient and very 

 curious. One gigantic suit gives the idea of what sort 

 of a man the Bruce must have been. Its height does 

 not exceed six feet two, but the breadth of shoulder, 

 strength of limb, and depth of chest, are enormous. 

 The warrior who wore it, an old Teutonic Goth, must 

 have been a full match, if his courage was equal to his 

 strength, for at least four ordinary men.' 



