shortly after the
receipt of the offensive epistle, that Hogg was confined to his
lodgings, in an obscure alley of Edinburgh, called Gabriel's Road, by
a dangerous illness, Scott called on Mr. Grieve to make inquiries
about him, and to offer to take on himself the expenses of the best
medical attendance. He had, however, cautioned the worthy hatter that
no hint of this offer must reach Hogg; and, in consequence, it might
perhaps be the Shepherd's feeling at the time that he should not, in
addressing his lifelong benefactor, betray any acquaintance with this
recent interference on his behalf. There can be no doubt, however,
that he obeyed the genuine dictates of his better nature when he
penned this apologetic effusion:--

TO WALTER SCOTT, ESQ., CASTLE STREET.

GABRIEL'S ROAD, February 28, 1815.

Mr. SCOTT,--I think it is great nonsense for two men who are
friends at heart, and who ever must be so,--indeed it is not
in the nature of things that they can be otherwise,--should
be professed enemies.

Mr. Grieve and Mr. Laidlaw, who were very severe on me, and
to whom I was obliged to show your letter, have long ago
convinced me that I mistook part of it, and that it was not
me you held in such contempt, but the opinion of the public.
The {p.083} idea that you might mean that (though I still
think the reading will bear either construction) has given
me much pain; for I know I answered yours intemperately, and
in a mortal rage. I meant to have enclosed yours, and begged
of you to return mine, but I cannot find it, and am sure
that some one to whom I have been induced to show it, has
taken it away. However, as my troubles on that subject were
never like to wear to an end, I could no longer resist
telling you that I am extremely vexed about it. I desire not
a renewal of our former intimacy, for haply, after what I
have written, your family would not suffer it; but I wish it
to be understood that, when we meet _by chance_, we might
shake hands, and speak to one another as old acquaintances,
and likewise that we may exchange a letter occasionally, for
I find there are many things which I yearn to communicate to
you, and the tears rush to my eyes when I consider that I
may not.

If you allow of this, pray let me know, and if you do not,
let me know. I