exculpated ourselves, is for our patrons to determine.--A
few words at parting, on the policy of the above conduct. We
need not enlarge upon the advantages which publishers (and, to
some extent, authors) derive from portions of their works
appearing in periodical journals. The benefit is not reciprocal,
but largely on their side, if they consider how many columns of
advertisement duty they thereby avoid. It is well known that the
_first edition_ of any work by such a master-spirit as Sir
Walter Scott is consumed in a few days by the circulating
libraries and reading societies of the kingdom; but how many
thousands would neither have seen nor heard of his most
successful works, had not the _gusto_ been previously created by
the caducei of these literary Mercuries. Again, sift any one of
them, with higher pretensions to originality than our economical
sheet will admit of, and you shall find it, in _quantity_, at
least, to resemble Gratiano's three grains. But we are not
inclined to quarrel with the scheme, for with Johnson we say,
"Quotation, sir (Walter), is a good thing," in the hope of
hearing our readers reply, "This fellow pecks up wit as pigeons
peas."--ED.]

Some words passed after the departure, of Robin Oig, between the
bailiff, and Harry Wakefield, who was now not indisposed to defend Robin
Oig's reputation. But Dame Heskett prevented this second quarrel by her
peremptory interference. The conversation turned on the expected
markets, and the prices from different parts of Scotland and England,
and Harry Wakefield found a chap for a part of his drove, and at a
considerable profit; an event more than sufficient to blot out all
remembrances of the past scuffle. But there remained one from whose mind
that recollection could not have been wiped by possession of every head
of cattle betwixt Esk and Eden.

This was Robin Oig M'Combich.--"That I should have had no weapon," he
said, "and for the first time in my life!--Blighted be the tongue that
bids the Highlander part with the dirk--the dirk--ha! the English
blood!--My muhme's word--when did her word fall to the ground?"

Robin now turned the light foot of his country towards the wilds,
through which, by Mr. Ireby's report, Morrison was advancing. His mind
was wholly engrossed by the sense of injury the treasured ideas of
self-importance and self-opinion--of ideal birth and quality, had be