June 9.—­Corrected proofs in the morning.  When I came home from Court I found that John Lockhart and Sophia were arrived by the steam-boat at Portobello, where they have a small lodging.  I went down with a bottle of Champagne, and a flask of Maraschino, and made buirdly cheer with them for the rest of the day.  Had the great pleasure to find them all in high health.  Poor Johnny is decidedly improved in his general health, and the injury on the spine is got no worse.  Walter is a very fine child.

June 10.—­Rose with the odd consciousness of being free of my daily task.  I have heard that the fish-women go to church of a Sunday with their creels new washed, and a few stones in them for ballast, just because they cannot walk steadily without their usual load.  I feel somewhat like this, and rather inclined to pick up some light task, than to be altogether idle.  I have my proof-sheets, to be sure; but what are these to a whole day?  Fortunately my thoughts are agreeable; cash difficulties, etc., all provided for, as far as I can see, so that we go on hooly and fairly.  Betwixt and August 1st I should receive L750, and I cannot think I have more than the half of it to pay away.  Cash, to be sure, seems to burn in my pocket.  “He wasna gien to great misguiding, but coin his pouches wouldna bide in."[529] By goles, this shall be corrected, though!  Lockhart gives a sad account of Gillies’s imprudences.  Lockhart dined with us.  Day idle.

June 11.—­The attendance on the Committee, and afterwards the general meeting of the Oil Gas Company took up my morning, and the rest dribbled away in correcting proofs and trifling; reading, among the rest, an odd volume of Vivian Grey;[530] clever, but not so much so as to make me, in this sultry weather, go up-stairs to the drawing-room to seek the other volumes.  Ah! villain, but you smoked when you read.—­Well, Madam, perhaps I think the better of the book for that reason.  Made a blunder,—­went to Ravelston on the wrong day.  This Anne’s fault, but I did not reproach her, knowing it might as well have been my own.

June 12.—­At Court, a long hearing.  Got home only about three.  Corrected proofs, etc.  Dined with Baron Clerk, and met several old friends; Will Clerk in particular.

June 13.—­Another long seat at Court.  Almost overcome by the heat in walking home, and rendered useless for the day.  Let me be thankful, however; my lameness is much better, and the nerves of my unfortunate ankle are so much strengthened that I walk with comparatively little pain.  Dined at John Swinton’s; a large party.  These festive occasions consume much valuable time, besides trying the stomach a little by late hours, and some wine shed, though that’s not much.

June 14.—­Anne and Sophia dined.  Could not stay at home with them alone.  We had the Skenes and Allan, and amused ourselves till ten o’clock.