GENEROSITY TO A BEGGAR. 113 



society passed a vote of thanks upon my labours. Professor 

 Jameson afterwards proposed me as an honorary member of the 

 Society, which was carried by acclamation. 



" Dined with Lady Hunter, mother-in-law to Captain Basil 

 Hall, and met Lady Mary Clarke, aged eighty-two, who was 

 acquainted with Generals Wolfe and Montgomery. I had many 

 questions put to me upon subjects connected with America by 

 the distinguished guests I met at the house. Captain Basil 

 Hall has presented me with a copy of his work upon South 

 America, accompanied by a complimentary note. 



" December 17. Busy painting two cats fighting over a squirrel. 

 Up at candle-light, and worked at the cats till nine o'clock. 



" December 19. Went to breakfast with Sir William Jardine 

 and Mr. Selby at Barry's Hotel. I was sauntering along the 

 streets, thinking of the beautiful aspects of nature, meditating 

 on the power of the great Creator, on the beauty and majesty of 

 his works, and of the skill he had given man to study them, 

 when the whole train of my thoughts was suddenly arrested by 

 a ragged, sickly-looking beggar-boy. His face told of hunger 

 and hardship, and I gave him a shilling and passed on. But 

 turning again, the cliild was looking after me, and I beckoned 

 to him to return. Taking him back to my lodgings, I gave 

 him all the garments I had which were worn, added five shillings 

 more in money, gave him my blessing, and sent him away 

 rejoicing, and feeling myself as if G-od had smiled on me. I 

 aftQfwards breakfasted with Sir William, and gave a lesson in 

 drawing to him and to Mr. Selby. 



"December 20. Breakfasted with Mr. George Combe, the 

 phrenologist, who examined my head and afterwards measured 

 my skull with the accuracy and professional manner in which 

 I measured the heads, bills, and claws of my birds. Among 

 other talents, he said I possessed largely the faculties which 

 would enable me to excel in painting. He noted down his 

 observations to read at the Phrenological Society. 



" Received an invitation from the Earl of Morton to visit him 

 at his seat at some distance from Edinburgh." 



December 22. From the entries in his journal under this date 

 it appears he had written to his wife that he intended to 

 remove to Newcastle or Glasgow. "I expect to visit the 



I 



