330 MEMOIR OF JOHN WILSON. 



and James Ferrier) this forenoon. There is a ball at Mrs. Ed- 

 mund's (the Gale !) to-night, where we shall be. On Thursday, 

 there is a grand public ball at Ambleside, where we shall be ; and I 

 shall keep Maggy at Elleray till Monday, when she and the boys 

 will go in a body to Penny Bridge, and I return alone to Edin- 

 burgh. 



" From your letters I see you are well ; and I cannot deny Mag- 

 gy the pleasure of the two balls ; so remain on her account, which 

 I hope will please you, and that you will be happy till and after my 

 return. The session will begin soon, and I shall have enough to do 

 before it comes on. Dearest Jane, be good and cheerful ; and I 

 hope all good will attend us all during the whiter. Such weather 

 never was seen as here ! Thursday last was fixed for a regatta at 

 Lowood. It was a dreadful day, and nothing occurred but a din- 

 ner-party of twenty-four, where I presided. On Friday, a sort of 

 small regatta took place. A repast at three o'clock was attended 

 by about seventy-five ladies and gentlemen,, and the ball in the 

 evening was, I believe, liked by the young people. The ' worstling' 

 took place during two hours of rain and storm. The ring was a 

 tarn. Robinson, the schoolmaster, threw Brunskil, and Irvine threw 

 liobinson ; but the last fall was made up between them, and gave 

 no satisfaction. The good people here are all well and kind. 

 Maggy has stood her various excursions well, and is fat. I think 

 her also grown tall. She is a quarter of an inch taller than Mrs. 



Barlow. Colonel B lost his wife lately by elopement, but is in 



high spirits, and all his conversation is about the fair sex. He is a 

 pleasant man, I think, and I took a ride with him to Grasmere t'oth- 

 er day. The old fool waltzes very well, and is in love with Maggy. 

 He dined with us at Elleray on Sunday. I have not seen the Wat- 

 sons for a long time, but shall call on them to-morrow. The weather 

 and the uncertainty of my motions have stood in the way of many 

 things. I have constant toothache and rheumatism, but am tolera- 

 bly well notwithstanding. Give my love to Molly and Umbs. Tell 

 them both to be ready on my arrival, to help me in arranging my 

 books and papers in the garrets and elsewhere. My dearest Jane, 

 God bless you always. Your affectionate husband, 



" J. Wilson." 



A few days later he writes : — 



