for grinding away at the old mill of imagination, yet somehow I have no
great will to the task. After all, however, the morning proved a true
April one, sunshine and shower, and I both worked to some purpose, and
moreover walked and directed about planting the quarry.

The post brought matter for a May or April morning--a letter from Sir
James Mackintosh, telling me that Moore and he were engaged as
contributors to Longman's Encyclopaedia, and asking me to do a volume at
L1000, the subject to be the History of Scotland in one volume. This
would be very easy work. I have the whole stuff in my head, and could
write _currente calamo_. The size is as I compute it about one-third
larger than _The Tales of my Grandfather_. There is much to be said on
both sides. Let me balance pros and cons after the fashion of honest
Robinson Crusoe. _Pro._--It is the sum I have been wishing for,
sufficient to enable me to break the invisible but magic circle which
petty debts of myself and others have traced round me. With common
prudence I need no longer go from hand to mouth, or what is worse,
anticipate my means. I may also pay off some small shop debts, etc.,
belonging to the Trust, clear off all Anne's embarrassment, and even
make some foundation of a purse for her. _N.B._--I think this whacking
reason is like to prove the gallon of Cognac brandy, which a lady
recommended as the foundation of a Liqueur. "Stop, dear madam, if you
please," said my grandfather, Dr. Rutherford, "you can [add] nothing to
that; it is _flaconnade_ with L1000," and a capital hit, egad.
_Contra._--It is terribly like a hack author to make an abridgement of
what I have written so lately. _Pro._--But a difference may be taken. A
history may be written of the same country on a different plan, general
where the other is detailed, and philosophical where it is popular. I
think I can do this, and do it with unwashed hands too. For being
hacked, what is it but another word for being an author? I will take
care of my name doubtless, but the five letters which form it must take
care of me in turn. I never knew name or fame burn brighter by over
chary keeping of it. Besides, there are two gallant hacks to pull with
me. _Contra._--I have a monstrous deal on hand. Let me see: Life of
Argyll,[296] and Life of Peterborough for Lockhart.[297] Third series
_Tales of my Grandfather_--review for Gillies--new novel--end of _Anne
of Geierstein_. _Pro._--But I have just finished t