him to money on such very empty plans.  I endeavoured to persuade him to make a virtue of necessity, resign all to his creditors, and begin the world on a new leaf.  I offered him Chiefswood for a temporary retirement.  Lady Scott thinks I was wrong, and nobody could less desire such a neighbour, all his affectations being caviare to me.  But then the wife and children!  Went again to the Solicitor on a wrong night, being asked for to-morrow.  Lady Scott undertakes to keep my engagements recorded in future. Sed quis custodiet ipsam custodem?

December 17.—­Dined with the Solicitor—­Lord Chief-Baron[76]—­Sir William Boothby, nephew of old Sir Brooke, the dandy poet, etc.  Annoyed with anxious presentiments, which the night’s post must dispel or confirm—­all in London as bad as possible.

December 18.—­Ballantyne called on me this morning. Venit illa suprema dies.  My extremity is come.  Cadell has received letters from London which all but positively announce the failure of Hurst and Robinson, so that Constable & Co. must follow, and I must go with poor James Ballantyne for company.  I suppose it will involve my all.  But if they leave me L500, I can still make it L1000 or L1200 a year.  And if they take my salaries of L1300 and L300, they cannot but give me something out of them.  I have been rash in anticipating funds to buy land, but then I made from L5000 to L10,000 a year, and land was my temptation.  I think nobody can lose a penny—­that is one comfort.  Men will think pride has had a fall.  Let them indulge their own pride in thinking that my fall makes them higher, or seems so at least.  I have the satisfaction to recollect that my prosperity has been of advantage to many, and that some at least will forgive my transient wealth on account of the innocence of my intentions, and my real wish to do good to the poor.  This news will make sad hearts at Darnick, and in the cottages of Abbotsford, which I do not nourish the least hope of preserving.  It has been my Delilah, and so I have often termed it; and now the recollection of the extensive woods I planted, and the walks I have formed, from which strangers must derive both the pleasure and profit, will excite feelings likely to sober my gayest moments.  I have half resolved never to see the place again.  How could I tread my hall with such a diminished crest?  How live a poor indebted man where I was once the wealthy, the honoured?  My children are provided; thank God for that.  I was to have gone there on Saturday in joy and prosperity to receive my friends.  My dogs will wait for me in vain.  It is foolish—­but the thoughts of parting from these dumb creatures have moved me more than any of the painful reflections I have put down.  Poor things, I must get them kind masters; there may be yet those who loving me may love my dog because it has been mine.  I must end this, or I shall lose the tone of mind with which men should meet distress.