308 MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



much ; went with him to Sammy Barber's. Sammy was delighted 

 to see me. He has unroofed his house, and is raising it several 

 feet. He has built a bed-room for himself, thirty feet long, by 

 twenty wide, with two fireplaces, and one enormous window com- 

 manding a view of the whole lake. It is the most beautiful room I 

 ever saw. All the rest of the house is equally good, and still the 

 external look improved. 



" Wordsworth is in London. I called for the nymphs at eight 

 o'clock, and we reached Elleray about ten o'clock — all well. Both 

 nymphs are recovered, though Mary has still a little sore-throat 

 left. To-day, we have walked to Bowness, and made some calls. 

 We visited the Island, and Miss Curwen comes to Elleray next 

 Wednesday to stay all night. She is a sweet girl, modest, sensible, 

 amiable, and English. They are a worthy family. The girls are 

 just now gone on to Ray rig with Miss Taylor, and I shall join them 

 there. I wait behind to write to the Turkess. The country now 

 is in perfect beauty ; and I think of one who has been a kind, and 

 affectionate, and good wife to me at all hours. If I do not, may the 

 beauty of nature pass away from my eyes ! To-morrow we dine at 

 Calgarth. On Tuesday next, Sammy Barber and H. Coleridge 

 dine with us. Neither Wellock nor M'jSTeil has appeared, and I 

 shall wait for them no more. Captain Hope and his lady and a 

 piccaninny have just driven up to the door of the inn ; he is a son of 

 the Lord President's, and brother of the Solicitor-General, and a 

 friend of mine. They are just off again. Write as soon as you can 

 or choose, and tell Johnny or Blair to write too — a conjoint letter. 

 Once more, love to you all. Tour affectionate husband, 



"John Wilson." 



The following letters show how well he knew to adapt his com 

 munications to the taste of his correspondents : — 



TO HIS SON BLAIR. 



"Elleray, Friday Afternoon, May 23, 1828. 

 " My dearest Blaie : — Your very entertaining and witty letter 

 came in due course at the breakfast hour, and made us all laugh till 

 we were like to burst our sides ; and Mary had very nearly broken 

 a tea-cup. It was, however, rather impertinent. Your pony is in 

 capital health and spirits, and Mary rides him very gently and not 



