1 30 mSEN B Y PERSE VERA NCR. 



altogether lost. I enjoyed in these years fully the average 

 amount of happiness, and learned to know more of the 

 Scottish people than is generally known. Let me add — for 

 it seems to be very much the fashion of the time to draw 

 dolorous pictures of the condition of the labouring classes— 

 that from the close of the first year in which I wrought as 

 a journeyman up till I took final leave of the mallet and 

 chisel, I never knew what it was to want a shilling ; that my 

 two uncles, my grandfather, and the mason with whom I 

 served my apprenticeship — all working men — had had a similar 

 experience; and that it was the experience of my father also.' 

 He was also deeply conscious at this time of the change which 

 had passed over him since meeting with Miss Fraser. He 



could write thus to her : — ' How very inefficient, my L , 



are the friendships of earth ! My heart is bound up in you, 

 and yet I can only wish and regret, and — yes, pray. Well, 

 that is something. I cannot regulate your pulse, nor dissipate 

 your pains, nor give elasticity to your spirits ; but I can implore 

 on your behalf the great Being who can. ... I would fain be 

 rich, that I might render you comfortable ; powerful, that I 

 might raise you to those high places of society which you are 

 so fitted to adorn ; celebrated, that the world might justify 

 your choice.' After a five years' courtship, on the 7th January 

 1837 the two were happily united, when his salary, with a 

 small addition froo the earnings of his wife, who kept a few 

 pupils, did not amount to much more than ;!^ioo a year. 



He was now at Cromarty, a regular bank agent, and as 

 usual investigating and looking about for any opening which 

 might present itself, by which he could turn his leisure hours 

 to account. Accordingly he contributed as many tales as 

 would form a volume to the serial publication called Wilson's 



