t--was excessively weak. "The Rosted Baron" remains a popular work
in a small circle. It is a tale, crowded, as its title indicates, with
blood and flames. The idea may have been taken from the burning of
Frendraught. It was written when Dr Burton was quite a boy, and is now
one of a heap of manuscripts in a childish hand on very yellow paper
remaining in his repositories.

"3 HOWARD PLACE, SOUTH,
_24th July 1833_.

"MY DEAR MOTHER,-- ... I was extremely glad to receive your letter
by post this morning, showing me that you are able to go about, and
that you are enjoying yourself as much as possible. James[9] and I
have been getting on very well and very comfortably.

[Footnote 9: Dr Burton's eight years younger brother.]

"I am obliged to delay our proposed jaunt till Monday next, as I
find it impossible to get my work finished before Friday, the day I
had fixed on. You are aware that I have long delayed an article on
Criminal Trials for the 'Westminster Review.' I have now set about
it seriously, and am resolved not to stir until it is finished,
which I hope may be on Saturday. I have likewise some things to
finish for Chambers before I go, and then I think I shall be able
to enjoy a few days of a stravaig.... I got a slight interruption
last night; just as the twilight came on, Alex. Smith came in. Now
I had been living like a hermit for some time, and though he has
been more than a fortnight returned I had not seen Smith for ten
days. The matter was irresistible. We set to and got very jolly
together. He complained of having low spirits, but they were soon
elevated, and before he went away he was leaping over the chairs,
and very anxious to leap out at the window. I received on Monday
the enclosed letter from Miss H. to you, and wrote by way of answer
that I should send it to Aberdeen intimating my intended visit. By
the way, a circumstance of some consequence occurs to me at this
moment. If you remain for three weeks in Aberdeen and then leave
it, you will do so just about a fortnight (I think) before the
Circuit. Might it not be as well to remain until that period, when
I might attend the Circuit and bring you back? I do not know at
this moment the day of the Circuit, but the newspapers will inform
you.

"You may tell Robertson [the before mentioned 'Jo