418 NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 



drink to our next meeting in one bottle of Champagne," and the bell 

 was rung before I could have had time to have said " No." But I was 

 not disposed to say *' No;" on the contrary, although — if I may be 

 allowed to paraphrase an injunction without intending disrespect to the 

 author of it — sufficient for the day had been the wine thereof, I was 

 delighted at this pledge of friendship and good feeling in my noble host, 

 and newly-acquired friend, and answered, emphatically — ^*With all my 

 heart, my lord,'' Unluckily, however, the butler informed us there was 

 no more champagne in ice, and a bottle of burgundy was ordered as its 

 substitute ; this being finished, we retired to our beds, and I know not 

 how I can better describe our parting at the bottom of the stairs, — his 

 lordship's road being one way and mine another, — than by another para- 

 phrase of the following lines in one of Shenstone's pastoral ballads, to 

 which, Dr. Johnson says, " if any mind denies its sympathy, it has no 

 acquaintance with love or nature :" 





He gaz'd, as I slowly withdrew. 



My path I could hardly discern; 

 So kindly he bade me adieu, 



I felt that he bade me return." 



But, to be serious. The frank and hearty reception which greeted me 

 on my arrival was more than equalled in the kindness shown me on my 

 departure, in wishes expressed for my repeating my visits to Hawkhead 

 whenever I was disposed to do so. 



At the early hour of five, the same morning, was I in a post-chaise, on 

 my road for Glasgow, to be in time for the Carlisle mail, in which I 

 was once more booked; and precisely in that state of feeling in which 

 most respectable gentlemen of my age and habits would have found 

 themselves after having been allowed only about three hours for the 



