LIFE IN EDINBURGH. 119 



to return to Ambleside, I gave Keir this note, which has no other 

 object than to kindly wish you all peace, and such happiness as you 

 deserve till we meet again. If I cannot pay you a visit at Christ- 

 mas, we shall surely meet early in summer. I will write you from 

 Edinburgh soon. 



" Blair left Elleray on an opposite tack this morning ; weather 

 hazy with heavy squalls from the northwest. Mrs. Wilson begs to 

 be kindly remembered to you, and so would doubtless the progeny 

 were they of mature r age and awake. Yours with true affection, 



"John Wilson. 



" My books had not been sent to Elleray from the ' stamp-mas- 

 ter's' * when I took my departure. If they still linger with fond, 

 reluctant, amorous affection near Green's rotundities, perhaps you 

 might wish to see those about Spain. If so, order them all to your 

 cottage. The dinner in honor of Blucher and the Crown Prince at 

 Ambleside, was, I understood, attended only by the Parson, the 

 Apothecary, the Limner ; — the King, Lord North, and Mr. Fury, 

 signifying nothing. 



" Yale ! iterumque, vale !" 



CHAPTER VLT. 



LIFE IN EDINBURGH. THE BAR. THE HIGHLANDS. 



ELLERAY. 



1815-1817. 



John Wilson's new home was now in Edinburgh. His mother 

 received him and his family into her house, where he resided 

 until the year 1819. Mrs. Wilson, senior, was a lady whose skill in 

 domestic management was the admiration and wonder of all zealous 

 housekeepers. Under one roof she accommodated three distinct 

 families ; and, besides the generosity exercised towards her own, 

 she was hospitable to all, while her charities and goodness to the 

 poor were unceasing. This lady was so well known and so much 

 esteemed in Edinburgh, that when she died, it was, as it were, the 



* Wordsworth. 



