NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 323 



to the having indulged in these jolhGcations but seldom, that I am able 

 to stand the brunt of them now. 



But a melancholy reflection attends the present retrospect. That most 

 worthy person, the late Provost Blaikie of Aberdeen, was to have been 

 with us this day ; in fact, he did join us on the following ; and now, 

 poor man, he is in his grave, having been struck with instant death. He 

 has, however, left behind him a character which his countrymen, as 

 well as his profession, may be proud of — that of an honest man, In- 

 deed he carried about him the appearance of an honest and a really 

 good man ; the " placidi reverentia vultus" struck you at first sight. 



The bee that gives the honey, also gives the Wound. Our party 

 dropped off by degrees, until at length it was all dispersed, and with, to 

 me, more than commonly unpleasant reflections attendant on similar oc- 

 casions — namely, that, from the gulf which is between us, it is probable 

 I may never meet some of them again. I remained at Keith-hall till the 

 sixth, in the enjoyment of every thing my kind host could provide for 

 me, hunting alone excepted; and on the seventh I arrived at Ury, the 

 seat of my old friend, Captain Barclay, a description of which, as well as 

 of my doings there, shall form a portion of my next contribution. 



Tuesday, January 6th, left Keith-hall after an early dinner; arrived 

 at Aberdeen at eight o'clock ; and, had it not been that fate has ordered 

 it otherwise, I should have had something to have said of the manner in 

 which I passed the time between that hour and midnight. Suffice it to 

 say, it w^as at the house of a worthy man who has since paid the debt we 



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