to tell an anecdote,
which I shall here set down--how shorn, alas, of all the accessories
that gave it life when he recited it. Calling, before he set out, on
one of the ancient spinsters of his family, to inquire if she had any
message for Kelso, she retired, and presently placed in his hands a
packet of some bulk and weight, which required, she said, very
particular attention. He took it without examining the address, and
carried it in his pocket next day, not at all to the lightening of a
forty miles' ride in August. On his arrival, it turned out to contain
one of the old lady's pattens, sealed up for a particular cobbler in
Kelso, and accompanied with fourpence to pay for mending it, and
special directions that it might be brought back to her by the same
economical conveyance.

It will be seen from the following letter, the earliest of Scott's
writing that has fallen into my hands, that professional business had
some share in this excursion to Kelso; but I consider with more
interest the brief allusion to a day at Sandy-Knowe:--

TO {p.137} MRS. SCOTT, GEORGE'S SQUARE, EDINBURGH.

(_With a parcel._)

ROSEBANK, 5th September, 1788.

DEAR MOTHER,--I was favored with your letter, and send you Anne's
stockings along with this: I would have sent them last week, but
had some expectations of a private opportunity. I have been very
happy for this fortnight; we have some plan or other for every
day. Last week my uncle, my cousin William,[74] and I, rode to
Smailholm, and from thence walked to Sandy-Knowe Craigs, where we
spent the whole day, and made a very hearty dinner by the side of
the Orderlaw Well, on some cold beef and bread and cheese: we had
also a small case-bottle of rum to make grog with, which we drank
to the Sandy-Knowe bairns, and all their connections. This jaunt
gave me much pleasure, and had I time, I would give you a more
full account of it.

The fishing has been hitherto but indifferent, and I fear I shall
not be able to accomplish my promise with regard to the wild
ducks. I was out on Friday, and only saw three. I may probably,
however, send you a hare, as my uncle has got a present of two
greyhounds from Sir H. MacDougall, and as he has a license, only
waits till the corn is off the ground to commence coursing. Be it
known to you, however, I am not a