THE EUROPEAN JOURNALS 145 



much the general amount, although I am sure it is quite 

 enough for two hundred and twelve miles, but the beggarly 

 manners used to obtain about one half of it ; to see a fel- 

 low with a decent coat on, who calls himself an independent 

 free-born Englishman, open the door of the coach every 

 ten or twelve miles, and beg for a shilling each time, is 

 detestable, and quite an abuse ; but this is not all : they 

 never are satisfied, and if you have the appearance of 

 wealth about you, they hang on and ask for more. The 

 porters here were porters indeed, carrying all on their 

 backs, the first I have seen in this island. At the Star we 

 had a good supper, and chatted a long time, and it was 

 near one before the Messrs. Patison and I parted ; Mr. 

 Walton had gone on another course. I thought so much 

 of the multitude of learned men that abound in this place, 

 that I dreaded the delivery of my letters to-morrow. 

 /George St., Edinburgh, October 26. It was ten o'clock 

 when I breakfasted, because I wished to do so with the 

 Patisons, being so much pleased with their company. I was 

 /much interested in the different people in the room, which 

 was quite full, and the waiters were kept skipping about 

 with the nimbleness of Squirrels. ' My companions, who 

 knew Edinburgh well, offered to accompany me in search of 

 lodgings, and we soon entered the second door in George 

 Street, and in a few minutes made an arrangement with 

 Mrs. Dickie for a fine bedroom and a well furnished sitting- 

 room. I am to pay her one guinea per week, which I 

 considered low, as the situation is fine, and the rooms 

 clean and comfortable. I can see, from where I am now 

 writing, the Frith, and the boats plying on it. I had my 

 baggage brought by a man with a tremendous beard, who 

 imposed on me most impudently by bringing a brass shil- 

 ling, which he said he would swear I had given him. I 

 gave him another, threw the counterfeit in the fire, and 

 promised to myself to pay some little attention hereafter 

 to what kind of money I give or receive. I walked to 



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