y be allowed to give the history of this part of his life entirely in
his own words.

"EDINBURGH, _3d Nov. 1830_.

"MY DEAR MOTHER,--I have just arrived here, and as there is a
friend of Mr Dauney's just about to set off for Aberdeen, I
preferred letting you get a bit of a note or so to sending you a
newspaper. Of course I have nothing to write you about but my own
concerns. A delightful moonlight night for travelling, but the
coach rather full: there were three nice children, with whom I
contrived to amuse myself. All went on well till we came to
Burntisland Ferry, where we had to proceed so far in an open boat.
The sea poured in in a rather disagreeable manner; and while I
thought every one was getting a good ducking but myself, a large
miscreant of a wave contrived to escape every other passenger, and
to settle right upon my shoulders. I have not yet secured a
lodging in Edinburgh, but have been wandering through all the
streets admiring. Of the Old Town I think far more than of the New,
it is so majestic and magnificent, and am resolved, if I can, to
live in it.

"I dined at Mr Dauney's to-day. He has requested me to stay with
him till I can get lodgings conveniently, but I expect to be stowed
away to-morrow. I delivered Mr Innes's parcel; and remain, my dear
mother, your most affectionate son, J. HILL BURTON.

"_P.S._--I would have written you a long letter, but do not wish to
absent myself from table."

* * * * *

"11 KEIR STREET, EDINBURGH,
_Tuesday Evening, 9th Nov. 1830_.

"MY DEAR MOTHER,--I take the opportunity of Mr Innes's parcel,
which leaves this to-morrow afternoon, to give you a more succinct
account of my affairs than you could derive from my laconic epistle
of last week. I must, however, preface by requesting you to write
me as soon as you conveniently can, either by Innes or L. Smith's
conveyance, as I am anxious to hear the state of your cold, and how
James is succeeding at school.

"When I dismounted from the coach I was peculiarly struck by the
sight of magnificent streets, with scarcely a human being to be
seen along them. I expected to have found them of that crowded
description so often characteristic of a metropolis; but to one who
is accustomed to see our grand mercantil