334 THE JOURNEYMAN. 



selves the possession of minds of a larger size than we 

 admit to have fallen to the share of the members of 

 yours. True, indeed, we have not yet thought proper 

 to produce the data on which we found the opinion, 

 and are by far too strong to be compelled to it, but 

 should we once seriously set about it, Cromarty would 

 prove a desperate bad field for us. By much the 

 greater half of the collective intellect of the town is 

 vested in the ladies.' 



Before our next letter is written, the promised visit 

 to Miss Dunbar has taken place. Immediately on re- 

 turning to Cromarty, Miller had written to her and 

 intrusted the letter to a young lady, who lost it. This 

 will sufficiently explain the opening paragraph. The 

 rest needs no elucidation, but I know no letter of 

 Miller's which does more honour either to his head or 

 his heart. The brotherly walk home with the poor 

 woman on whom society had so long frowned was 

 intensely characteristic of Hugh. It would be pleasant 

 to know how she was impressed by her companion. 



' Cromarty, July 24, 1833. 



c Only think how unfortunate I have been ! Your 

 letter reached Cromarty on Sunday morning, but the 

 poor fellow whose heart would have leaped within him 

 at the sight 'of it, was not there to bid it welcome. 

 This is now Wednesday evening, and I have only just 

 got home to the perusal. The loss of my letter is 

 positively nothing, at least, nothing in itself; but how 

 vexatious it is to me to think for the last few days you 

 must have entertained hard bitter thoughts of me, I 

 have been careless, I have been indifferent. But no; I 

 will not permit myself to believe that I have suffered in 

 your esteem. There is a faith and chanty of friendship 



