where I found a certain lady on a visit—­so youthy, so beautiful, so strong in voice—­with sense and learning—­above all, so fond of good conversation, that, in compassion to my eyes, ears, and understanding, I bolted in the middle of a tremendous shower of rain, and rather chose to be wet to the skin than to be bethumped with words at that rate.  There seemed more than I of the same opinion, for Col Ferguson chose the ducking rather than the conversation.  Young Mr. Surtees came this evening.

August 17.—­Wrote half a leaf short of my task, having proofs, etc., to correct, and being called early to walk with the ladies.  I have gained three leaves in the two following days, so I cannot blame myself. Sat cito si sat bene.  Sat boni I am sure—­I may say—­a truly execrable pun that; hope no one will find it out.

In the evening we had music from the girls, and the voice of the harp and viol were heard in my halls once more, which have been so long deprived of mirth.  It is with a mixed sensation I hear these sounds.  I look on my children and am happy; and yet every now and then a pang shoots across my heart.  It seems so strange that my poor wife should not be there.  But enough of this.  Colonel Ferguson dined.

August 18.—­Again I fell a half page behind, being summoned out too early for my task, but I am still two leaves before on the whole week.  It is natural to see as much of these young people as I can.  Walter talks of the Ionian Islands.  It is an awful distance.  A long walk in very warm weather.  Music in the evening.

August 19.—­This morning wrote none, excepting extracts, etc., being under the necessity of reading and collating a great deal, which lasted till one o’clock or thereabouts, when Dr. and Mrs. Brewster and their young people came to spend a day of happiness at the lake.  We were met there by Captain and Mrs. Hamilton and a full party.  Since the days of Seged, Emperor of Ethiopia,[321] these days of appointed sport and happiness have seldom answered; but we came off indifferently well.  We did not indeed catch much fish; but we lounged about in a delightful day, eat and drank—­and the children, who are very fine infantry, were clamorously enjoying themselves.  We sounded the loch in two or three different places—­the deepest may be sixty feet.  I was accustomed to think it much more, but your deepest pools, like your deepest politicians and philosophers, often turn out more shallow than was expected.  The whole party dine with us.

August 20.—­Wrote four leaves.  The day wet and rainy, though not uniformly so.  No temptation, however, to play truant; so this will make some amends for a blank day yesterday.  I am far in advance of the press, but it is necessary if I go to Drumlanrig on Wednesday as I intend, and to Lochore next week, which I also meditate.  This will be no great interruption, however, if I can keep the Canongate moving, for I shall be more than half a volume in advance with Napoleon.