period. For example, one of these gentlemen thus writes to
another in April, 1797: "By the way, Scott is become the
merest trooper that ever was begotten by a drunken dragoon on
his trull in a hayloft. Not an idea crosses his mind, or a
word his lips, that has not an allusion to some d----d
instrument or evolution of the Cavalry--'Draw your swords--by
single files to the right of front--to the left
wheel--charge!' After all, he knows little more about wheels
and charges than I do about the wheels of Ezekiel, or the
King of Pelew about charges of horning on six days' date. I
saw them charge on Leith Walk a few days ago, and I can
assure you it was by no means orderly proceeded. Clerk and I
are continually obliged to open a six-pounder upon him in
self-defence, but in spite of a temporary confusion, he soon
rallies and returns to the attack."]

The note-book from which I have been copying is chiefly filled with
extracts from Apuleius and Anthony-a-Wood--most of {p.245} them
bearing, in some way, on the subject of popular superstitions. It is a
pity that many leaves have been torn out; for if unmutilated, the
record would probably have enabled one to guess whether he had already
planned his Essay on Fairies.

I have mentioned his business at the Bar as increasing at the same
time. His _fee-book_ is now before me, and it shows that he made by
his first year's practice L24 3s.; by the second, L57 15s.; by the
third, L84 4s.; by the fourth, L90; and in his fifth year at the
Bar--that is, from November, 1796 to July, 1797--L144 10s.; of which
L50 were fees from his father's chamber.

His friend, Charles Kerr of Abbotrule, had been residing a good deal
about this time in Cumberland: indeed, he was so enraptured with the
scenery of the lakes, as to take a house in Keswick with the intention
of spending half of all future years there. His letters to Scott
(March, April, 1797) abound in expressions of wonder that he should
continue to devote so much of his vacations to the Highlands of
Scotland, "with every crag and precipice of which," says he, "I should
imagine you would be familiar by this time; nay, that the goats
themselves might almost claim you for an acquaintance;" while another
district lay so near him, at least as well qualified "to give a swell
to the fancy."

After the rising of the