onversation. His defect in conversation
was that he was a bad listener. His own part was well sustained.
His enormous store of varied information poured forth naturally and
easily, and was interspersed with a wonderful stock of lively anecdotes
and jokes. But he always lacked that greatest power of the
conversationalist, that subtle ready sympathy which draws forth the best
powers of others.

He was invaluable at a dull dinner-table, furnishing the whole _frais
de la conversation_ himself; but he never probably appeared to quite
such advantage as in the family party at 15 Inverleith Row. His long
walks with Mr Innes, sometimes on a Saturday, often on a Sunday,
generally ended by his accepting the proffered invitation to dinner on
his return. As he was the only guest, nothing could be more suitable or
delightful than his amusing the whole circle during the whole time of
his stay; and he has himself stated that his attention was first drawn
to a shy and particularly silent girl by her irresistible outbursts of
laughter at his stories, which outbursts in their turn encouraged him to
pour forth story after story of his vast repertory in that sort.

On the 3d of August 1855 John Hill Burton married Katharine Innes as his
second wife. He had by that time become accustomed to combine office
with literary work, and, with the extraordinary activity and
adaptability of his intellect, found them helpful to each other. About
the time of his second marriage he conceived the project of his complete
'History of Scotland,' and directed his studies and investigations
towards its execution, continuing, as his manner was, to throw off
slight foretastes of his greater work as articles for 'Blackwood,' &c.
His mode of life at that time was to repair to the office of the Prison
Board, in George Street, about eleven. He remained there till four, and
made it matter of conscience neither to do any ex-official writing, nor
to receive ex-official visits during these hours. He gave his undivided
attention to the duties of his office, but has often said that these
made him a better historian than he could have been without them. He
conceived it highly useful for every literary man, but especially for a
historian, to get acquainted with official forms and business. He has
himself expressed this opinion fully in his printed works. Returning
from his office to dinner at five, he would, after dinner, and after a
little family chat in the drawing-room,