UNIVERSITY CAREER. 71 



" ' "Wine, they say, drives off despair, 

 And bids even hope remain, 

 And that is sure a reason fair 

 To fill my glass again.' 



" I expected to have heard something from D., informing me of 

 your intention relative to our summer tour to the Lakes. I wrote 

 him how I was situated at present ; hut I would like to hear how 

 your intentions are, as I might perhaps accommodate myself in a 

 great measure to them. I am uncertain whether I shall he in 

 Scotland again for some years. If you could meet me at the Lakes 

 in July early, even without our other friends, I think we might 

 pass the time most happily. But I expect to hear from you very 

 soon at great length. By the by, I know not what excuse to 

 make for not having visited Torrance. If ever you see Margaret, I 

 wish you would tell how happy you know I would have been to 

 see her, but that it could have been only for an hour or two, and 

 that I therefore put off the happiness till I could stay a day or two 

 Avith her in a few months. Perhaps she may attribute to coldness 

 what arose from the deepness of love. It will give me sincere 

 happiness to hear often and soon from you. Every thing interest- 

 ing to you will interest me, so omit nothing of that kind. 



" Remember me kindly to Finlay and Smith, and to all you love, 

 mother and sisters. Blair is with me, and wishes you well. 



" Yours ever, 



" John Wilson." 



It would appear from the following letter, written from his 

 mother's house in Edinburgh, that the tour to the Lakes was 

 changed for one in the Highlands of Scotland, which, during the 

 space of six weeks' time, was agreeably spent by the aforesaid 

 friends : 



" 53 Queen Street, Edinburgh, 

 July 29, 1806. 



" My dear Bob : — I have long been conjecturing the reason of 

 your unconjecturable silence. What in the name of wonder are 

 you about ? I had a letter from Dunlop, telling me you proposed 

 accompanying us to the Highlands. I hope you will do so. Both 

 Dunlop and myself are good fellows, but we should get d — ly 

 tiresome without a third. I think the best way will be to meet at 



