ose
himself to a repetition of the fastidious exhibitions of engineers and
artists who have their talents at market. But such things are among the
curiosities of London; and if you have any inclination to undergo the
initiating mortification of being treated as a young man who may be
likely to interfere with their professional interests, I can easily get
you introduced."

I do not know whether to ascribe these strictures of your friend to
humour or misanthropy; but they were said without bitterness; indeed so
much as matters of course, that, at the moment, I could not but feel
persuaded they were just. I spoke of them to T---, who says, that
undoubtedly G---'s account of the exhibitions is true in substance, but
that it is his own sharp-sightedness which causes him to see them so
offensively; for that ninety-nine out of the hundred in the world would
deem an evening spent at the conversations of Sir Joseph Bankes a very
high intellectual treat.

G--- has invited me to dinner, and I expect some amusement; for T---, who
is acquainted with him, says, that it is his fault to employ his mind too
much on all occasions; and that, in all probability, there will be
something, either in the fare or the company, that I shall remember as
long as I live. However, you shall hear all about it in my next.--Yours,

ANDREW PRINGLE.

On the same Sunday on which Mr. Micklewham consulted Mr. Snodgrass as to
the propriety of reading the Doctor's letter to the elders, the following
epistle reached the post-office of Irvine, and was delivered by Saunders
Dickie himself, at the door of Mrs. Glibbans to her servan lassie, who,
as her mistress had gone to the Relief Church, told him, that he would
have to come for the postage the morn's morning. "Oh," said Saunders,
"there's naething to pay but my ain trouble, for it's frankit; but
aiblins the mistress will gie me a bit drappie, and so I'll come betimes
i' the morning."

LETTER XVIII

_Mrs. Pringle to Mrs. Glibbans_
LONDON.

MY DEAR MRS. GLIBBANS--The breking up of the old Parlament has been the
cause why I did not right you before, it having taken it out of my poor
to get a frank for my letter till yesterday; and I do ashure you, that I
was most extraordinar uneasy at the great delay, wishing much to let you
kno