was cut down.  The yew-hedges, labyrinths, wildernesses, and other marks that it had once been the abode of one of the Millers connected with the author of the Gardener’s Dictionary (they were a Quaker family), are all obliterated, and the place is as common and vulgar as may be.  The lady the cottage belongs to was very civil.  Allan, as a man of taste, was much delighted with what he saw.  When we returned, we found our party at home increased by Lady Anna Maria Elliot, who had been showing Melrose to two friends, Miss Drinkwaters.  Lady M.’s wit and good-humour made the evening go pleasantly off.  There were also two friends of Charles’s, by name Paley (a nephew of the archdeacon) and Ashworth.  They seem nice young men, with modesty and good-breeding.  I am glad, as my mother used to say, that his friends are so presentable.  Moreover, there came my old, right trusty, and well-beloved friend, John Richardson, so we were a full party.  Lady Anna Maria returned in the evening.  Francis Scott also dined with us.

August 30.—­Disposed of my party as I best might, and worked at my review.  Walked out at one, and remained till near five.  Mr. Scott of Harden and David Thomson, W.S., dined with us.  Walked with Mr. Allan through Haxel Cleugh.

August 31.—­Went on with my review; but I have got Sir Henry’s original pamphlet,[30] which is very cleverly written.  I find I cannot touch on his mode of transplantation at all in this article.  It involves many questions, and some of importance, so I will make another article for January.  Walked up the Rhymer’s Glen with John Richardson.[31]

FOOTNOTES: 

[17] Right Hon. Joseph Planta (son of Joseph Planta, Principal Librarian of the British Museum from 1799) was at this time one of the Secretaries to the Treasury.  He died in 1847.

[18] Personal Memoirs by P.L.  Gordon, 2 vols. 8vo, Lond. 1830.

[19] General David Stewart of Garth, author of Sketches of the Highlanders. 2 vols. 8vo, Edin. 1822.  General Stewart died in St. Lucia in 1829.  Sir Walter said of him that no man was “more regretted, or perhaps by a wider circle of friends and acquaintance.”

[20] Resulting in the duel of 21st September 1809.—­See Croker’s Correspondence, vol. i. p. 20; and Life, vol. iii. ch. xix.

[21] Afterwards Lord Polwarth.

[22] Persian chitty = a short note.

[23] Letters to Richard Heber, Esq., containing Critical Remarks on the Series of Novels beginning with “Waverley,” and an Attempt to ascertain their Author. 8vo, London, 1821.

[24] They were published under the title Ancient Ballads and Songs, 2 vols. 8vo, 1828.

[25] The Forester’s Guide and Profitable Planter, reviewed in the Quarterly, Oct. 1827.  See also “On Planting Waste Lands,” in Misc.  Prose Works, vol. xxi. pp. 1-76.