CLOSING YEARS. 451 



to remain in his own room. Possibly the languor of disease made 

 exertion painful to him, for it was difficult to prevail on him, in the 

 latter portion of his life, to drive or even to sit in the open air. 

 Much to the surprise of the household, he one morning this sum- 

 mer expressed a desire to go into Edinburgh. Unfortunately, Mr. 

 Wilson's carriage was not at hand, some of his family having gone 

 into town to make calls. This contretemps it was supposed would 

 have diverted his intention to another day. Not so. He sent to 

 Dalkeith for a conveyance, and on its arrival set off with his servant 

 upon his mission, giving no hint as to its nature, but evidently bent 

 upon something of the most engrossing interest and anxiety to him- 

 self. On arriving in Edinburgh he drove to Mr. Blackwood's, in 

 George Street, to rest before proceeding farther. Every one re- 

 joiced to see him ; and as he drove along many a respectful and 

 glad recognition he received, people wondering if he had come to 

 live and move among them once more. But what had brought him 

 through the dusty roads and hot midday sun ? He looked wearied 

 and feeble as he got into his carriage to drive away from George 

 Street, apparently without any particular object in view. So might 

 it have been said, for he had not mentioned to any one what had 

 brought him so far — far for an invalid, one who had almost risen 

 from a sick-bed. His mysterious mission to Edinburgh was to give 

 his vote for Thomas Babington Macaulay. When he entered the 

 Committee-room in St. Vincent Street, supported by his servant, a 

 loud and long cheer was given, expressive both of pleasure at seeing 

 him, and of admiration at the disinterested motive which had 

 brought him there. Mr. Macaulay's recognition of this generous 

 action supplies an interesting sequel to the incident : — 



" Royal Hotel, Clifton, 

 July 16, 1852. 

 " My deab Me. Gordon : — I am truly grateful for your kindness 

 in letting me know how generous a part Professor Wilson acted 

 towards me. From my school-days, when I delighted in the Isle 

 of Palms and the City of the Plague, I have admired his genius. 

 Politics at a later period made us, in some sense, enemies. But I 

 have long entertained none but kind feelings towards him, and his 

 conduct on Tuesday is not the first proof which he has given that 

 he feels kindly towards me. I hope that you will let him know 



