May 1.—­Brought Andrew Shortreed to copy some things I want.  Maxpopple came with us as far as Lessudden, and we stopped and made a pilgrimage to Fair Maiden Lilliard’s Stone, which has been restored lately, to the credit of Mr. Walker of Muirhouselaw.[511] Set my young clerk to work when we came home, and did some laborious business.  A letter from Sir Thomas Lawrence informed me I am chosen Professor of Antiquities to the Royal Academy—­a beautiful professor to be sure!

May 2.—­Did nothing but proofs this morning.  At ten went to Selkirk to arrange about the new measures, which, like all new things, will throw us into confusion for a little at least.  The weather was so exquisitely good that I walked after tea to half-past eight, and enjoyed a sort of half-lazy, half-sulky humour—­like Caliban’s, “There’s wood enough within."[512] Well, I may be the bear, but I must mount the ragged staff all the same.  I set my myself to labour for R.P.G.[513] The Germanic Horrors are my theme, and I think something may be yet made of them.

May 3.—­An early visit from Mr. Thomas Stewart, nephew of Duchess of Wellington, with a letter from his aunt.  He seems a well-behaved and pleasant young man.  I walked him through the Glen.  Colonel Ferguson came to help us out at dinner, and then we had our wine and wassail.

May 4.—­Corrected proofs in the morning.  Mr. Stewart still here, which prevented work; however, I am far beforehand with everything.  We walked a good deal; asked Mr. Alexander Pringle, Whytbank, to dinner.  This is rather losing time, though.

May 5.—­Worked away upon those wild affairs of Hoffmann for Gillies.  I think I have forgot my German very much, and then the stream of criticism does not come freely at all:  I cannot tell why.  I gave it up in despair at half-past one, and walked out.

Had a letter from R.P.G.  He seems in spirits about his work.  I wish it may answer.  Under good encouragement it certainly might.  But—­

Maxpopple came to dinner, and Mr. Laidlaw after dinner, so that broke up a day, which I can ill spare.  Mr. Stewart left us this day.

May 6.—­Wrought again at Hoffmann—­unfructuously I fear—­unwillingly I am certain; but how else can I do a little good in my generation?  I will try a walk.  I would fain catch myself in good-humour with my task, but that will not be easy.

May 7.—­Finished Hoffmann, talis qualis.  I don’t like it; but then I have been often displeased with things that have proved successful.  Our own labours become disgusting in our eyes, from the ideas having been turned over and over in our own minds.  To others, to whom they are presented for the first time, they have a show of novelty.  God grant it may prove so.  I would help the poor fellow if I could, for I am poor myself.

May 8.—­Corrected Hoffmann with a view to send him off, which, however, I could not accomplish.  I finished a criticism on Defoe’s Writings.[514] His great forte is his power of vraisemblance.  This I have instanced in the story of Mrs. Veal’s Ghost.  Ettrick Shepherd arrived.