iation, and said,
"It is very true that Andrew deals in the diplomatics of obscurity; but
it's well known that he has a nerve for genius, and that, in his own way,
he kens the loan from the crown of the causeway, as well as the duck does
the midden from the adle dib." To this proverb, which we never heard
before, a learned friend, whom we consulted on the subject, has enabled
us to state, that middens were formerly of great magnitude, and often of
no less antiquity in the west of Scotland; in so much, that the Trongate
of Glasgow owes all its spacious grandeur to them. It being within the
recollection of persons yet living, that the said magnificent street was
at one time an open road, or highway, leading to the Trone, or
market-cross, with thatched houses on each side, such as may still be
seen in the pure and immaculate royal borough of Rutherglen; and that
before each house stood a luxuriant midden, by the removal of which, in
the progress of modern degeneracy, the stately architecture of Argyle
Street was formed. But not to insist at too great a length on such
topics of antiquarian lore, we shall now insert Dr. Pringle's account of
the funeral, and which, patly enough, follows our digression concerning
the middens and magnificence of Glasgow, as it contains an authentic
anecdote of a manufacturer from that city, drinking champaign at the
king's dirgie.

LETTER XIII

_The Rev. Z. Pringle_, _D.D._, _to Mr. Micklewham_, _Schoolmaster and
Session-Clerk of Garnock_
LONDON.

DEAR SIR--I have received your letter, and it is a great pleasure to me
to hear that my people were all so much concerned at our distress in the
Leith smack; but what gave me the most contentment was the repentance of
Tam Glen. I hope, poor fellow, he will prove a good husband; but I have
my doubts; for the wife has really but a small share of common sense, and
no married man can do well unless his wife will let him. I am, however,
not overly pleased with Mr. Craig on the occasion, for he should have
considered frail human nature, and accepted of poor Tam's confession of a
fault, and allowed the bairn to be baptized without any more ado. I
think honest Mr. Daff has acted like himself, and I trust and hope there
will be a great gathering at the christening, and, that my mite may not
be wanting, you will slip in a guinea