LETTER TO BAIRD. 261 



ten years longer, and if my taste for reading continues, 

 I shall, I trust, pass through a great many paradises of 

 genius. Half the creations of Scott are still before me, 

 and more than half those of every other modern poet. 

 But though I can appreciate the value of an opportunity 

 of perusing the works of such authors, there are oppor- 

 tunities of a different kind to be enjoyed in Edinburgh, 

 which from a rather whimsical bent of mind I would 

 value more highly. My curiosity is never more active 

 than when it has the person of a great man for its object, 

 nor have I felt more delight in anything whatever than 

 in associating in my mind, when that curiosity was 

 gratified, my newly acquired idea of the personal 

 appearance of such a man, with the ideas- I had pre- 

 viously entertained of his character and genius. When 

 I resided in the vicinity of Edinburgh, I have sauntered 

 for whole hours opposite the house of Sir Walter Scott 

 in the hope of catching a glimpse of his person, and 

 several times, when some tall, robust man has passed 

 me in the streets, I have inquired of my companions 

 whether that was not Professor Wilson. But perhaps 

 I am more ambitious now than I was five years ago. 

 Perhaps I would not be satisfied with merely seeing 

 such men, and I am aware that I have not yet done 

 anything which entitles me to the notice of the eminent, 

 though in one instance I have been so fortunate as to 

 attain it. I must achieve at least a little of what I have 

 hoped to achieve before I go to Edinburgh. But even 

 this intention must not be followed up with too great 

 eagerness. Ortogrul of Basra, after he had surveyed 

 the palace of the vizir, despised the simple neatness of 

 his own little habitation. I must be careful lest, by 

 acquiring too exclusive a bent towards literary pursuits, 

 I contract a distaste for those employments which, 



