1838. AN EXCURSION IN PROSPECT. 93 



and gifted in diplomacy (forgive the pun) ; and I should have 

 been delighted to have accepted your kind invitation to Peni- 

 cuik, where I know I should have been very happy. A splendid 

 equestrian I doubt not I should have become, under the foster- 

 ing care of you for my Ducrow, and though I might not have 

 learned to stand on my head on the saddle, or play a somersault 

 over a horse's back, or drive four horses in hand a la courier, yet 

 I think you might have turned me out, albeit little versed in 

 the mysteries of horse-flesh or the delights of the saddle, at least 

 fitted to trot gaily, perhaps to canter, assuredly to gallop ; and 

 your uncle, too, I am sure, would have been kind and obliging, 

 and I should have relished the place, society, and country 

 abundantly, had it been in my power to accept your kind in- 

 vitation. I have been most earnestly invited, however, by 

 friends in Stirling, Callander, and Glasgow, to visit them, and 

 I propose setting off to-morrow for Stirling, then to Callander, 

 Loch Katrine, Loch Lomond, etc. I am fortunate in having 

 friends in all these places, and I am the more anxious to set off 

 immediately, as I must be home by the first of October to begin 

 with Christison at his laboratory ; and I have, in addition, some 

 most important projects of my own, which in truth cannot well 

 stand over longer, for I must look forward to the next winter as 

 a very busy one. I had hoped to have had Mr. Williamson with 

 me, but being now completely enrolled as clerk in the Infirmary, 

 Mr. Lizars won't let him go, at least he strongly advises him to 

 stay at home ; for it would appear that he got his situation with 

 some difficulty, and had better not be very ready making 

 requests till he has been longer in office. So I shall be deprived 

 of his most pleasant society, and shall not enjoy my journey 

 half so much as I should do had I the company of my ci-devant 

 fellow -apprentice, whose merry, happy joyousness would much 

 have beguiled the weary minutes, which more or less beset even 

 the most delightful journey, and which I cannot expect any 

 more than most other folks to avoid. . . . Now, though I 

 cannot have the pleasure of accompanying you this autumn, 

 I may perhaps find you disengaged, and as willing to put 

 yourself about for me next season. Honestly, nothing could 

 delight me more, and nothing would delight my friends, espe- 



