Alexander wilson. 
XXXV 
™ t e our of your own distress, be as a healing angel of 
peace to your mind. Do every thing possible to make 
your ouse comfortable ; fortify the garrison in every 
point; stop every crevice that may let in that chilling 
ovi , the roaring, blustering northwest ; heap up ilres big 
enough for an Indian war-feast ; keep the Hour-barrel full ; 
a c loaves like Hamles Head;* make the loom thunder, 
an the pot boil, and your snug little cabin re-eeho nothing 
but sounds of domestie felicity. I will write you the 
moment I bear of George. 1 shall do every thing I have 
said to you, and never lose sight of the 18th of March ; 
or which purjiose I shall keep night school this winter, 
and retain every farthing but what necessity requires— 
depend uiion me. These are the outlines of my plan. If 
health stand it, all will be well ; if not, we cannot help it.” 
“ I succeed tolerably well ; and seem to gain in the 
esteem of the people about. I am glad of it, because I 
nope It will put it in my power to clear the road a little 
before you, and banish despondence from the heart of my 
dearest friend. Be assured that I will ever as cheerfully 
contribute to your relief in difficulties, as 1 will rejoice 
tnt you ill prosperity. But we have nothing to fear. 
ne lundred bushels of wheat, to be sure, is no great 
mar eting ; but has it not been expended in the support 
n a mother, and infant brothers and sisters, thrown upon 
your bounty in a foreign country ? Robert Burns, when 
le mice nibbled away his corn, said : 
I ’ll get a blessiu’ wi’ the lave. 
And never miss ’t. 
^icre he expected one, you may a thousand. Robin, 
a^d n " '^°'’*^cssion, ploughed up his mice out of ‘ ha’ 
name.’ You have built for your little wanderers a 
oozie bield,’ where none dare molest them. There is 
♦ The name of a ruck near Paisley. 
