a time will come round when
his talents will have an opportunity of being displayed to his
advantage. I have no prospect of seeing my _chere adorable_ till
winter, if then. As for you, I pity you not, seeing as how you
have so good a succedaneum in M. G.; and, on the contrary, hope,
not only that Edmonstone may _roast_ you, but that Cupid may
again (as erst) _fry_ you on the gridiron of jealousy for your
infidelity. Compliments to our right trusty and well-beloved
Linton and Jean Jacques.[104] If you write, which, by the way, I
hardly have the conscience to expect, direct to my father's care,
who will forward your letter. I have quite given up duck-shooting
for the season, the birds being too old, and the mosses too deep
and cold. I have no reason to boast of my experience or success
in the sport, and for my own part, should fire at any distance
under eighty or even ninety paces, though above forty-five I
would reckon it a _coup desespere_, and as the bird is beyond
measure shy, you may be sure I was not very bloody. Believe me,
deferring, _as usual_, our dispute till another opportunity,
always sincerely yours,

WALTER SCOTT.

P. S.--I believe, if my pony does not soon recover, that
misfortune, with the bad weather, may send me soon to town.

[Footnote 103: William Hamilton of Wishaw,--who afterwards
established his claim to the peerage of Belhaven.]

[Footnote 104: John James Edmonstone.]

It was within a few days after Scott's return from his excursion to
Hexham, that, while attending the Michaelmas head-court, as an annual
county-meeting is called, at Jedburgh, he was introduced, by an old
companion, Charles Kerr of Abbotrule, to Mr. Robert Shortreed, that
{p.176} gentleman's near relation, who spent the greater part of his
life in the enjoyment of much respect as Sheriff-substitute of
Roxburghshire. Scott had been expressing his wish to visit the then
wild and inaccessible district of Liddesdale, particularly with a view
to examine the ruins of the famous castle of Hermitage, and to pick up
some of the ancient _riding ballads_, said to be still preserved among
the descendants of the moss-troopers, who had followed the banner of
the Douglases, when lords of that grim and remote fastness. Mr.
Shortreed had many connections in Liddesdale, and knew