Salutation of two old Scottish lairds:—­“Ye’re maist obedient hummil servant, Tannachy Tulloh.”—­“Your nain man, Kilspindie.”

Finished six pages, twenty-five pages of print that is, or about the thirteenth part of a volume.  That would be a volume in a fortnight, with a holiday to boot.  It would be possible enough for a little while.

February 12.—­I wrought hard this morning.  Ballantyne blames the Ossianic monotony of my principal characters.  Now they are not Ossianic.  The language of the Ossianic poetry is highly figurative; that of the knights of chivalry may be monotonous, and probably is, but it cannot be Ossianic.  Sooth to say, this species of romance of chivalry is an exhaustible subject.  It affords materials for splendid description for once or twice, but they are too unnatural and formal to bear repetition.  We must go on with our present work, however, valeat quantum.  Mr. Cadell, less critical than J.B., seems pleased.  The world will soon decide if I get on at this rate; for I have finished four leaves to-day, notwithstanding my attendance on the Court.

February 13.—­Mr. Macintosh Mackay, minister of Laggan, breakfasted with us this morning.  This reverend gentleman is completing the Highland Dictionary,[130] and seems very competent for the task.  He left in my hands some papers of Cluny Macpherson, concerning the affair of 1745, from which I have extracted an account of the battle of Clifton for Waverley.  He has few prejudices (for a Highlander), and is a mild, well-mannered young man.  We had much talk on Highland matters.

The Children’s Tales continue in demand.  Cadell expects a new edition of 10,000 about next year, which may be L750 or L800 in pouch, besides constituting a fine property.

February 14.—­Mr. Edwards, a candidate for the situation of Rector in the Edinburgh Academy, a pleasant, gentlemanlike man, and recommended highly for experience and learning; but he is himself afraid of wanting bodily strength for the work, which requires all the nerve and muscle of Williams.  I wish he had been three inches taller, and stout in proportion.  I went to Mr. John Russell’s, where there was an Academical party at dinner.  Home at nine, a cigar, and to bed.

February 15.—­Rose this morning about seven and wrote at the desk till breakfast; finished about a page and a half.  I was fagged at Court till near two.  Then called on Cadell, and so home, tired enough.

February 16.—­There dined with me to-day Tom Thomson, Will Clerk, Mr. Edwards, and my Celtic friend Mr. Mackay of Laggan.