court
retains its influence!

We dined at Wellfield with my Mend George Cheape, with whom I rode in
the cavalry some thirty years ago. Much mirth and good wine made us
return in capital tune. The Chief Baron and Admiral Adam did not go on
this trip. When we returned it was time to go to bed by a candle.

_June_ 28.--Being Sunday, we lounged about in the neighbourhood of the
crags called Kiery Craigs, etc. The Sheriff-substitute of Kinross came
to dinner, and brought a gold signet[350] which had been found in that
town. It was very neat work, about the size of a shilling. It bore in a
shield the arms of Scotland and England, _parti per pale_, those of
Scotland occupying the dexter side. The shield is of the heater or
triangular shape. There is no crown nor legend of any kind; a slip of
gold folds upwards on the back of the hinge, and makes the handle neatly
enough. It is too well wrought for David II.'s time, and James IV. is
the only monarch of the Scottish line who, marrying a daughter of
England, may carry the arms of both countries _parti per pale._ Mr.
Skelton is the name of the present possessor.

Two reported discoveries. One, that the blaeberry shrub contains the
tanning quality as four to one compared to the oak--which may be of
great importance, as it grows so commonly on our moors.

The other, that the cutting of an apple-tree, or other fruit-tree, may
be preserved by sticking it into a potato and planting both together.
Curious, if true.

_June_ 29 _[Edinburgh]._--We dined together at Blair-Adam, having walked
in the woods in the morning, and seen a beautiful new walk made through
the woody hill behind the house. In a fine evening, after an early
dinner, our party returned to Edinburgh, and there each dispersed to his
several home and resting-place. I had the pleasure of finding my family
all well, except Johnnie.

_June_ 30.--After my short sniff of country air, here am I again at the
receipt of custom. The sale with Longman & Co., for stock and copyrights
of my [Poetical] Works, is completed, for L7000, at dates from twelve to
thirty-six months. There are many sets out of which we may be able to
clear the money, and then we shall make something to clear the
copyright. I am sure this may be done, and that the bargain will prove a
good one in the long run.

Dined at home with my family, whom, as they disperse to-morrow, I have
dedicated the evening to.

FOOTNOTES:

[328] The first volume had just