144 MEMOIK OF JOHN WILSON. 



seen great scenery, undergone hardships, and arn in good health. 

 I returned to Achlian a few days ago, bnt the post was one day 

 missed, and I sent this by a private hand to Dalmally, and thence to 

 Edinburgh. I have had much good fishing, much bad, and much 

 tolerable — picture of human life. Keep all letters till I see thee. 

 But immediately on getting this write to me, care of Robert Find- 

 lay, Esq., Miller Street, Glasgow. I shall be there ere long, day I 

 cannot fix, because conveyances are doubtful, but you will be look- 

 ing upon me with a pleasant countenance somewhere about the 7th 

 or 8th of this month. Recollect I left you on the 11th, so it is not 

 so long since I went away as you said in your letter. 



" I suppose Cadell wished to see me about the Edinburgh Re- 

 view. This is conjecture. What he calls agreeable to me may turn 

 out to be supercilious praise, saying I am not a good boy. Fare- 

 well. " J. Wilson." 



From Achlian he now worked his way across to Blair Athole, 

 whence he writes to tell how he fares. He is "lame in the knee," 

 and has "not been in bed," but he is just starting, at 6.30 a. m., as 

 if under vow or penance, on a journey of thirty-four miles! 



" Dearest Jane : — It is half-past six morning, and I am just set- 

 ting off to Braemar, anxious for your letter. I will write you at 

 length first moment I have an opportunity, which will be in two or 

 three days ; meanwhile I am well, though lame in my knee. 



" Obey all your directions, but, in addition to them, write on 

 Friday (this day week) to me, care of Alexander M'Kenzie, Esq., 

 Millbank, Dingwall. I have not been in bed, and am just setting 

 off thirty-four miles. God bless and preserve thee and ours ever- 

 lastingly ! " J. Wilson. 



"Bridge op Tilt, Blair Athole, 

 Friday, August, 1816." 



So northward he goes with his lame knee, as one burdened with 

 some great exploring quest, which must be fulfilled at all hazards, 

 and through all fatigues. Through the loneliest glens, up the high- 

 est mountain-tops, careless of weather, and finding "adventures" 

 in the least likely places, he holds on to the north, and again to the 

 west, till we light on him, after twenty-five miles' walk, sitting 

 down to address his wife from the hospitable abode of his friend 

 Mr. M'Kenzie : — 



