48 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. (HAT. II. 



letters ; happy in writing to you. I enjoy reading and the 

 company of those I love ; and when night and quietness come, 

 I am almost always perfectly happy. It is only at particular 

 times I become unhappy, and at present I cannot write you a 

 more cheerful letter, but I shall take plenty of exercise, etc., 

 and recover my usual health, and you shall receive a more gay 

 and merry epistle than this present one. The very thought 

 invigorates me, and the strength of my mind will return with 

 returning health. 



" I may take this opportunity of telling you that the Eev. 

 Mr. Alexander, of College Church, was ordained yesterday. 

 Dr. Wardlaw, of Glasgow, presided, and preached on Sabbatli 

 evening; I intend to hear him. And mentioning ministers 

 reminds me of a plan I propose pursuing with reference to 

 Sabbath-evening discourses, viz., to take notes of the more 

 striking passages, and send them to you, hoping to be repaid in 

 the same coin. I believe you are in the habit of taking notes ; 

 I mean to suggest favouring me with the beautiful ideas you 

 may hear from the pulpit. I propose principally to attend 

 Mr. Alexander and Mr. Anderson, and trust my labour will 

 obtain for us something worth having. In addition, you will 

 confer a great favour on me by recommending to my notice 

 those books you find instructive, etc. It is near two o'clock 

 A.M., so I conclude, Yours most affectionately, G. W." 



" February 28, 1835. 



" Really, what with Infirmary classes, and preparation for 

 them, I have had little time left me for perusing works of 

 general literature ; and I have only been twice at church, and 

 neither of the sermons contained much very interesting. How- 

 ever, I don't lose time, and contrive to get some moments for 

 reading interesting books, not strictly medical. At present I 

 have got hold of one that has interested me exceedingly, and 

 which, if you have not read, I would recommend to your per- 

 usal, viz., ' The Confessions of an English Opium Eater !' a very 

 singular book, written by a most talented, unfortunate philoso- 

 pher, containing a narrative of circumstances of rare occurrence, 

 and full of descriptions of mental emotions, interesting to all 



