154: MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



for he carried besides his wardrobe and fishing-basket, a parcel of 

 books. He had, in fact, come bound to produce an " article" for the 

 Edinburgh Monthly Magazine, and that inexorable familiar the 

 printer's devil followed on his heels even into the wilds of Rannoch. 

 There he finished for the August number of that magazine a review 

 of " Lalla Rookh," of which the first part had appeared in June. 

 The following letter is the only memorial of this expedition: — 



" My dearest Jane : — On Monday at four o'clock I got to Perth, 

 and during the journey felt much for poor Robert, who must have 

 got dreadfully wet. We dined comfortably there, and walked to 

 Dunkeld in the evening on foot, a very pleasant walk after the rain. 

 On Tuesday, we took the top of the coach to Pitlochry, thirteen 

 miles from Dunkeld, and about six from the bridge, where we got 

 into the coach from Mrs. Izett's. We thence walked by the river 

 Tummel (a scene somewhat like Borrowdale) to an inn at the head 

 of Loch Tummel, where we stayed all night. On Wednesday, we 

 fished up to Kinloch Rannoch, and I killed forty good trouts. I found 

 our worthy friends here in good health and spirits. They have had 

 two children since we saw them, and they inquired very kindly for 

 you. On Thursday, I fished down to Mount Alexander, but the 

 day was cold and unfavorable. Mr. Stewart, of Inverhadden, dined 

 with us at the inn — a rare original. I fear I did not go to bed sober. 

 {Friday.) — I have breakfasted with him, and fished; good sport, 

 though, as usual, I lost several large ones. Menzies and his friend 

 left me to-day for Loch Ericht, and I expect to see no more of them. 

 To-morrow I ought to leave this, but that confounded Lalla Rookh 

 is still on my hands ; so I shall review it to-morrow, leave it here, 

 and be off to Blair Athole on Sunday. On Monday, I shall be at 

 Captain Harden's, Altnagoich, Braemar, and hope on Wednesday 

 to have good accounts of my sweet girl and the fry. After that my 

 motions are uncertain, but on Sunday evening write to ' Mr. Wilson, 

 Post-Office, Inverness, to lie till called for,' and I hope to be there 

 as soon as the letter. That is the second Sunday after my depar- 

 ture. No mistakes now. Write long and witty letters. The weather 

 has been tolerable, and I am in good health. Give my love to Ung 

 and the others, and God in his mercy keep them all well and happy. 

 Heaven bless you forever, and believe me thy loving and grateful 



husband. 



•'Kinloch Ranxoch July 27, 1817." 



