148 MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



In the month of September he again visited Elleray, accompanied 

 by the eldest of his little girls. On his way he wrote to his wife : — 



"Penrith, Friday, September 2Qth, 

 Evening, Nine o'clock, 1816. 



"Dearest Jane: — We got safely to Hawick about ten o'clock; 

 found a comfortable room and fire; supped, and went to bed. 

 Maa;gy and Mary Topham* drank tea at the fireside in the same 

 room with us, and were in bed by eleven. Maggy stood her journey 

 well ; made observations on the moon, and frightened me with the 

 beast several times. We left Hawick in a chaise at ten next morn- 

 ino-, and proceeded to Knox's, where we dined. We left that by 

 eight o'clock, and reached Longtown by eleven. 



" I supped the ladies and bedded them in half an hour. We left 

 Lonjjtown after breakfast, at ten o'clock ; came through Carlisle, 

 and dined at five o'clock. Maggy drank tea at seven, and imme- 

 diately after retired to bed with Mary Topham, and I believe they 

 are both sound asleep at this moment. 



" To-morrow morning at six o'clock we leave this for Patterdale, 

 and I think most probably will remain all night at BoAvness. On 

 Sunday will reach Hollow Oak to dinner. Nothing can excel 

 Maggy's behavior — she is perfect ; all eyes that looked on her loved 

 her, and Miss Knox, I understand from Mary Topham, cut off a 

 lock of her hair to keep. Merit is sure of being discovered at last. 



" She has sat on my knee almost the whole way, and I feel I love 

 her better than ever I did before. She will be an angelic being 

 like her gentle mother. I will write from Hollow Oak on Monday, 

 so you will hear on Tuesday or Wednesday. Write to me on 

 Tuesday, care of Mrs. Ullock, Bowness. 



" Give me all family and other news. Love Johnny for my sake, 

 and teach him some prayers and hymns before I return. 



" Thy affectionate husband, 



"John Wilson." 



In another letter a few days later, dated from Elleray, he gives 

 rapid notes of his doings ; how he attended a ball which was " most 

 dull, though it gave universal satisfaction;" how next day he "lay in 

 bed all day," and the next " crowed all day like a cock at Elleray, to 



* Nursery- maid. 



