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that wonderful man David Bridges. I was at his house at 

 a quarter before nine ; a daughter was practising the piano, 

 the son reading, his wife, well-dressed, was sewing. I 

 conversed with her and looked at the pictures till the door 

 opened and my friend came in, attired in his robe de 

 chambrc, shook my hand warmly, and taking his handker- 

 chief from his pocket, he began whisking and wiping 

 chimney mantel, tables, chairs, desk, etc., to my utter 

 annoyance, for I felt for the wife whose poor housewifery 

 was thus exposed. After breakfast we walked to see my 

 portrait and 'o criticise it, for both Mr. Lizars and Mr. 

 Bridges are connoisseurs. In the evening I visited Mr. 

 Howe, the editor of the "Courant" and then to the theatre 

 with Mr. Bridges to see Wairner (?) perform *' Tyke" in 

 *' The School of Reform." We met at the Rainbow 

 Tavern, and soon entered the theatre, which was thinly 

 attended ; but I was delighted with the piece, and the per- 

 formance of it, though we left before it was concluded to 

 attend Mr. Weiss's concert in the Assembly Rooms in 

 George Street. The flute playing was admirable both in 

 execution and tone ; Mr. Bridges supped with me. It is 

 now again one o'clock, and I am quite worn out. 



December 2, Saturday. The weather was a sharp frost 

 till evening, when it rained. I was busy painting all day, 

 and did not put foot out of doors till I went to dine with 

 Dr. Brown, the professor of theology.^ Mr. Bridges went 

 with me, and told me that Professor Wilson had prepared 

 a notice for " Blackwood's Magazine " respecting myself and 

 my work. I think the servant who called out my name at 

 Dr. Brown's must have received a most capital lesson in 

 pronunciation, for seldom in my travels did I hear my 

 name so clearly and well pronounced. Several other 

 guests were present, Professor Jameson among them, and 

 we passed a most agreeable evening. I must not forget 



1 An eminent divine 1784-1858; father of Dr. John Brown, author of 

 " Rab and his Friends," etc. 



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