few lines. James received the other day two
letters--one from you, and one from Mary.

[Footnote 8: William Spalding, author of a History of English
Literature and other works; a close friend till his too early
death.]

"The latter mentioned you had sent a letter for me, which has not
yet arrived. I hope to receive it soon, or that you will write me
another, giving a more particular account of your health than the
letters to James have stated.

"I am at all events glad to hear yourself say you are not worse,
and hope that a little such exertion and variety as you must meet
will tend to strengthen you. We have been going on just as usual;
perhaps I have been a little more idle than usual during the past
week, being the last of the session. I have had one or two friends
in to dine, but did not give them very splendid entertainments.
James is most particular in his care of the cat, and we both prowl
about occasionally looking for gooseberries.

"I caught a hedgehog the other evening, which has been let loose in
the garden. I have been unable to discover his place of abode, but
we sometimes meet him taking an evening stroll through the walks.
He is an object of great interest to the cat, whose curiosity,
however, he seems decidedly to baffle....

"I am sorry to hear Robertson is unwell, but I suppose he is able
to write, and he must really be at the trouble of sending me a
letter before I can trouble myself farther about his trunks.

"I shall be engaged to-morrow and next day in the Justiciary Court,
and shall be otherwise very busy during the rest of the month....

"By the way, could you ascertain anything about the next Circuit?
You might perhaps send a note to Daniel (Alexander Daniel, Esq.,
advocate, Farquhar's Court, Upperkirkgate), asking him to call on
you and see if he can get me a case or two....

"With kindest remembrances to grand-aunt and Mrs Brown.--My dear
mother, your affectionate son,

"JOHN HILL BURTON."

The fondness for animals and for gooseberries were lifelong tastes. That
for animals did not extend to taking much trouble about them; but Dr
Burton had none of a student's nervousness about slight noises or
interruptions. He would have thought a house dull without the sounds of
birds or other pets in it, and one of his favourite amu