_Schloss Hainfeld_, p. 333.]

I ought to have mentioned before, that in June, 1795, he was appointed
one of the curators of the Advocates' Library, an office always
reserved for those members of the Faculty who have the reputation of
superior zeal in literary affairs. He had for colleagues David Hume,
the Professor of Scots Law, and Malcolm Laing, the historian; and his
discharge of his functions must have given satisfaction, for I find
him further nominated, in March, 1796, together with Mr. Robert
Hodgson Cay--an accomplished gentleman, afterwards Judge of the
Admiralty Court in Scotland--to "put the Faculty's cabinet of medals
in proper arrangement."

On {p.219} the 4th of June, 1796 (the birthday of George III.), there
seems to have been a formidable riot in Edinburgh, and Scott is found
again in the front. On the 5th, he writes as follows to his aunt,
Christian Rutherford, who was then in the north of Scotland, and had
meant to visit, among other places, the residence of the "chere
adorable."

EDINBURGH, 5th June, 1796.

MY CHERE AMIE,--Nothing doubting that your curiosity will be upon
the tenters to hear the wonderful events of the long-expected 4th
of June, I take the pen to inform you that not one worth
mentioning has taken place. Were I inclined to prolixity, I
might, indeed, narrate at length _how_ near a thousand gentlemen
(myself among the number) offered their services to the
magistrates to act as _constables_ for the preservation of the
peace--how their services were accepted--what fine speeches were
made upon the occasion--_how_ they were furnished with pretty
painted brown _batons_--_how_ they were assembled in the aisle of
the New Church, and treated with claret and sweetmeats--_how_ Sir
John Whiteford was chased by the mob, and _how_ Tom, Sandy Wood,
and I rescued him, and dispersed his tormentors _a beaux coups de
batons_--_how_ the Justice-Clerk's windows were broke by a few
boys, and _how_ a large body of constables and a press-gang of
near two hundred men arrived, and were much disappointed at
finding the coast entirely clear; with many other matters of
equal importance, but of which you must be contented to remain in
ignorance till you return to your castle. Seriously, everything,
with the exception of the very trifling circumstances above
mentioned, was perfectly quiet--much more so