engravings of them in a work called _Lacunar
Strevelinense_. Edinb. 4to, 1817.]

TO MR. WILLIAM LAIDLAW, KAESIDE.

EDINBURGH, November 15, 1817.

DEAR WILLIE,--I have no intention to let the Whitehaugh
without your express approbation, and I wish you to act as
my adviser and representative in these matters. I would
hardly have ventured to purchase so much land without the
certainty of your counsel and cooperation.... On the other
side you will find a small order on the banker at
Galashiels, to be renewed half yearly; not by way of
recompensing your friendship "with a load of barren money,"
but merely to ease my conscience in some degree for the time
which I must necessarily withdraw from the labor which is to
maintain your family. Believe me, dear Willie, yours truly,

W. SCOTT.

TO THE SAME.

EDINBURGH, 19th November, 1817.

DEAR WILLIE,--I hope you will not quarrel with my last.
Believe me that, to a sound-judging, and philosophical
{p.198} mind, this same account of Dr. and Cr., which fills
up so much time in the world, is comparatively of very small
value. When you get rich, unless I thrive in the same
proportion, I will request your assistance for less, for
little, or for nothing, as the case may require; but while I
wear my seven-leagued boots to stride in triumph over moss
and muir, it would be very silly in either of us to let a
cheque twice a year of L25 make a difference between us. But
all this we will talk over when we meet. I meditate one day
a _coup-de-maitre_, which will make my friend's advice and
exertion essential--indeed worthy of much better
remuneration. When you come, I hope you will bring us
information of all my rural proceedings. Though so lately
come to town, I still remember, at my waking hours, that I
can neither see Tom Purdie nor Adam Paterson,[82] and rise
with the more unwillingness. I was unwell on Monday and
Tuesday, but am quite recovered.

Yours truly,

W. S.

[Footnote 82: Adam Paterson was the intelligent foreman
of the company of masons then employed at Abbotsford.]

TO THOMAS SCOTT, ESQ., PAY