94 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839, 
is now closed and the key in the possession of an 
architect at Edinburgh, so that I could not obtain 
admittance. It was in this place, perchance you 
may recollect, that the first meeting of Rob Roy with 
Osbaldistone took place. My Scotch reminiscences 
have been greatly revived to-day. To-day I have for 
the first time seen and tasted — only tasted — the 
two Scotch national dishes, viz., singed sheep’s head 
and a haggis! 
I had arranged to leave Glasgow on the morning 
after Christmas, when Sir William insisted on my 
staying at least over Wednesday to sit for my por- 
trait! I contrived, however, to sit on Tuesday (Christ- 
mas day), when I was done in about four hours, in the 
same style as Sir William’s other botanical portraits, 
and with so much success that it was unanimously 
proclaimed to be a most striking likeness ; in fact the 
most successful of all the artist’s attempts are said to 
be this and that of Dr. Torrey, by whose side, it seems, 
I am destined to be suspended ! — a compliment with 
which I may well feel highly gratified. I believe it is 
a capital likeness. 
I dined out only once at Glasgow, at the house of 
Mr. Davidson, a very rich don who has made all his 
money in business here. 
Late in the day I went into town to secure a place 
in the early coach for Stirling and also a bed for the 
night, as well as to select some little Christmas pres- 
ents for the Misses Hooker. In the evening Sir Wil- 
liam had several friends to dinner, and soon after the 
breaking up of the evening party I took my leave of 
these kind friends with no small regret ; my contem- 
plated visit of ten days has been prolonged to just twice 
that number. And now, as we have fairly bid adieu 
