on Good Principles and Good
Breeding." This work was issued from the establishment of Mr James
Fraser, of Regent Street. In the May number of _Blackwood's Magazine_
for 1834, he again appeared before the public in the celebrated
"_Noctes_," which had been discontinued for upwards of two years, owing
to his misunderstanding with Mr Blackwood. On this subject we are
privileged to publish the following letter, addressed to him by
Professor Wilson:--

"_30th April._

"My dear Mr Hogg,--After frequent reflection on the
estrangement that has so long subsisted between those
who used to be such good friends, I have felt convinced
that _I_ ought to put an end to it on my own
responsibility. Without, therefore, asking either you
or Mr Blackwood, I have written a '_Noctes_,' in which
my dear Shepherd again appears. I hope you will think I
have done right. I intend to write six within the year;
and it is just, and no more than just, that you should
receive five guineas a sheet. Enclosed is that sum for
No. I. of the new series.

"If you will, instead of writing long tales, for which
at present there is no room, write a 'Series of Letters
to Christopher North,' or, 'Flowers and Weeds from the
Forest,' or, 'My Life at Altrive,' embodying your
opinions and sentiments on all things, _angling_,
shooting, curling, &c., &c., in an easy characteristic
style, it will be easy for you to add L50 per annum to
the L50 which you will receive for your '_Noctes_.' I
hope you will do so.

"I have taken upon myself a responsibility which
nothing but the sincerest friendship could have induced
me to do. You may be angry; you may misjudge my
motives; yet hardly can I think it. Let the painful in
the past be forgotten, and no allusion ever made to it;
and for the future, I shall do all I can to prevent
anything happening that can be disagreeable to your
feelings.--With kind regards to Mrs Hogg and family, I
am ever most sincerely and affectionately yours,

"John Wilson."

During the summer after his return from London, Hogg received what he
accounted his greatest literary honour. He was entertained at a public
dinner, attended by many of the distinguished literary characters both
of Scotland and the sister kingdom. The dinner took place at Peebles,
the chair being occupied by P