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Indiana University Studies 



assert, was to be supported by the whole fraternity, whether right or 

 wrong. The idea was so delightful, that they met next day at Oman's 

 Hotel, to celebrate the formation of the club; they dined at five o'clock, 

 and separated at two in the morning; and such was the hilarity which 

 had prevailed among these mad revellers, most of them men of scholar- 

 ship and genius, as well as bacchanals, that they agreed to have a daily 

 meeting of the same kind. It is needless to add that such a paroxysm 

 could not be lasting; and during five or six weeks over which these 

 quotidian meetings extended, some of the members drank themselves into 

 derangement, while others rushed headlong into engagements that ended 

 in marriage. As for Hogg, whose head needed little stimulus beyond the 

 poetry that was in it, he was soon laid up by inflammatory fever, which 

 was not abated by their sympathetic visits, often made at two or three 

 o'clock in the morning, after their meeting dissolved, and when they 

 were in such a hazy or mischievous condition, that they generally broke 

 all the knockers and bell-handles in the stair, amidst their search for 

 the right door. Finding that in spite of their attentions their poet 

 laureate did not recover, the Right and Wrong Club held a consulta- 

 tion upon the subject; and as their deliberation was probably at an 

 early hour of the evening, they wisely resolved to discontinue their 

 meetings until he joined them, and should that never happen, never to 

 meet again. By this resolution, to which they stoutly adhered, the club 

 was broken up. It was probably the last monstrosity of the kind by 

 which the past history of Edinburgh is disfigured. 



This severe attack of illness, by which the Shepherd was confined 

 three weeks in bed had almost proved fatal, and was only surmounted by 

 the strength of his constitution and the care of a skilful physician. In 

 the meantime. Sir Walter Scott had heard of his illness; and although 

 all intercourse between them had ceased, he never failed to call every 

 day at Messers. Grieve and Scott's to inquire for the patient on his 

 return from his official duties at Parliament House. Nor were these 

 mere calls of ceremony, for one day, taking Mr. Grieve aside, he asked 

 him if Hogg had proper attendance and good medical advice? Mr. 

 Grieve assured him that he had both, and that in the doctor the patient 

 had implicit confidence. "I would fain have called upon him", rejoined 

 Sir Walter, "but I knew not how I would be received. I request, how- 

 ever, that he may have every proper attendance and want for nothing 

 that can contribute to the restoration of his health. And in particular, 

 1 have to request that you will let no pecuniary consideration what- 

 ever prevent his having the best medical advice in Edinburgh, for I 

 shall see it paid. Poor Hogg! I would not for all that I am worth 

 in the world that anything serious should befall him." Mr. Grieve, as 

 desired kept the secret, so that it was not till some time afterwards 

 that the Shepherd by accident, got information of this interview. He 

 was struck with the kindness of Sir Walter, and afflicted with the 

 thcftjght that he had quarrelled with such a friend, so that he could 

 not rest until he had attempted a reconciliation. The result of this 

 penitent and relenting feeling was the following characteristic letter: — 



