February 8.—­I had a little work before dinner, but we are only seven pages into volume second.  It is always a beginning, however; perhaps not a good one—­I cannot tell.  I went out to call on Gala and Jack Rutherfurd of Edgerstoun; saw the former, not the latter.  Gala is getting much better.  He talked as if the increase of his village was like to drive him over the hill to the Abbotsford side, which would greatly beautify that side and certainly change his residence for the better, only that he must remain some time without any appearance of plantation.  The view would be enchanting.

I was tempted to buy a picture of Nell Gywnne,[128] which I think has merit; at least it pleases me.  Seven or eight years ago Graham of Gartmore bid for it against me, and I gave it up at twenty-five guineas.  I have now bought it for L18, 18s.  Perhaps there was folly in this, but I reckoned it a token of good luck that I should succeed in a wish I had formerly harboured in vain.  I love marks of good luck even in trifles.

February 9.—­Sent off three leaves of copy; this is using the press like the famished sailor who was fed by a comrade with shell-fish by one at a time.  But better anything than stop, for the devil is to get set a-going again.  I know no more than my old boots whether I am right or wrong, but have no very favourable anticipations.

As I came home from the Court about twelve I stepped into the Exhibition.  It makes a very good show; the portraits are better than last year, those of Colvin Smith and Watson Gordon especially improve.  Landseer’s Study at Abbotsford is in a capital light, and generally admired.  I particularly distinguished John Thomson’s picture of Turnberry, which is of first-rate excellence.  A picture by Scrope was also generally distinguished.  It is a view in Calabria.

There is a rival Exhibition which does not hurt the earlier foundation, but rather excites emulation.  I am told there are good paintings there.  I came home with little good-will to work, but I will compel myself to do something.  Unluckily, I have again to go out to dinner to-day, being President of the Bannatyne.

The dinner was a pleasant one; about thirty members attended.  I kept the chair till near eleven, and the company were very joyous.

February 10.—­I set myself doggedly to work, and turned off six leaves before dinner.  Had to dinner Sir John Pringle, my dear Gala and his lady, and young Mackenzie and Miss Jardine.  I was quite pleased to see Gala so well recovered of the consequences of his frightful fall, which hung about him so long.  He is one of the kindest and best-informed men whom I know.

February 11.—­I had Charles Young[129] to breakfast with us, who gave us some striking anecdotes of Talma during the Reign of Terror, which may figure in Napoleon to great advantage.

My son Charles left us this morning to take possession of his situation in the Foreign Office.  He has been very lucky.  Correcting sheets, etc., took up the morning hours.  I wrote three leaves before two o’clock.  Day bitter cold—­with snow, a strong contrast to the mild weather we had last week.