240 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. V. 



write gravely to my grave brother. Wait a bit, the gravity is 

 coming. 



" James has got a prize from Sir W. Hamilton for translation, 

 but otherwise has not done much this winter. I am as before ; 

 but now done with classes. Dr. Kombst, who has highly eulo - 

 gized my progress in German, especially my quickness in learn- 

 ing to speak (after a fashion) ! has sent me a perpetual ticket to 

 his lectures and classes, so that I may take my own time of at- 

 tending. . . . 



" Forbes and I have visited some class-rooms, and will look 

 over more before fixing. ... I have many kind friends here, and 

 keep a good heart in me." 



" Wednesday, May 1840. 



" I shall just write you here a desperately swift letter, having 

 too little leisure to take much pains about the perplexing little 

 commas and stops that stand in the way of composition. I 

 would I were beside you in your busy working, I think I could 

 help you more (indirectly) than some better-hearted people. 

 Whenever you come, we shall be glad to have you, and I can tell 

 you that you will find your old friends as loving as before ; and 

 I can promise you some desirable new ones. Although you 

 are so very busy, I am going to introduce to you by letter a 

 gentleman leaving this for a short stay in London, Edward For- 

 bes, the celebrated editor of the ' Maga,' a real good-hearted, 

 clever fellow, and one I am sure you will like. He was a 

 painter before he took to natural history, and is still a fine 

 sketcher ; he has seen your work, spoke of it in very high (but 

 honest) terms, and wished to know you. He is about twenty-five 

 years old, and now destined for a scientific career. 



" He is a very amiable, obliging fellow ; at the same time 

 exceedingly well read in all sorts of books, and fond of litera- 

 ture. I need not tell you he is a wit, or a good song writer ; 

 but you may not know that spite of all the quips and cranks 

 that gave the ' Maga' so much interest, he is a fellow of great 

 good sense, and fine taste as to literary or artistic merit. In- 

 deed, I do not know among my friends any one on whose judg- 

 ment I would put more reliance in any disputed matter. 



