HIGHLANDEES IN SELBOENE 93 



therefrom night and day; and especially at first waking, 

 which by their importunity give me more uneasiness than 

 pleasure, still seizing my imagination, and recurring irresist- 

 ably^ to my memory at seasons; and even when I am 

 desirous of thinking of other matters. . . . Yet notwith- 

 standing all these fine things, I would give six pence to 

 hear you two maidens perform the wopses, the lesson with 

 the jig, and that with the lovely minuet, &c., &c. 



The letter from Nobody puzzled the Mulso family for a 

 long time. At first they suspected me : but the strange, 

 unknown hand, the London post-mark, and some other 

 circumstances threw them all out ; so that to put them out 

 of doubt, I was forced to own the imposture, and to acknow- 

 ledge that you were accessory. Mrs. Clement held her 

 Xtening lately : I was Godfather ; and we named the child 

 Jane. Mr. Charles Etty came in this morning from Spit- 

 head, where his ship, the Duke of Kingston, is lying at 

 anchor in readiness for sailing soon. This young gentleman 

 says that peace is the general talk : so that he supposes 

 they may possibly sail with a white flag, and without any 

 convoy at all. We have had all this winter 26 High-landers 

 of the 77th regiment quartered in this village, and at Oak- 

 hanger : where though they had nothing in the world to do, 

 they have behaved in a very quiet and inoffensive manner ; 

 and were never known to steal even a turnip, or a cabbage, 

 though they lived much on vegetables, and were astonished 

 at the dearness of Southern provisions. Late last night 

 came an express ordering these poor fellows down to Ports- 

 mouth; where they are to embark for India; near 100 of 

 them aboard Charles Etty's ship. Uncle Harry writes word 

 that he hopes his son Charles will have a commission soon. 

 With all due respects I remain 



Your affectionate uncle, 



Gil. White. 



Several of our soldiers came from Caithness. 



