June 4.—­Court as usual, and not long detained.  Visited Cadell.  All right, and his reports favourable, it being the launch of our annual volume, now traversing a year, with unblemished reputation and success uninterrupted.  I should have said I overhauled proofs and furnished copy in the morning between seven and ten o’clock.

After coming from the Court I met Woll and Gala, and agreed upon the measures to be attempted at Selkirk on the eighth at the meeting of trustees.  In the evening smoked an extra cigar (none since Tuesday), and dedicated the rest to putting up papers, etc., for Abbotsford.  Anne wants me to go to hear the Tyrolese Minstrels, but though no one more esteems that bold and high-spirited people, I cannot but think their yodelling, if this be the word, is a variation, or set of variations, upon the tones of a jackass, so I remain to dribble and scribble at home.

June 5.—­I rose at seven as usual, and, to say truth, dawdled away my time in putting things to rights, which is a vile amusement, and writing letters to people who write to ask my opinion of their books, which is as much as to say—­“Tom, come tickle me.”  This is worse than the other pastime, but either may serve for a broken day, and both must be done sometimes.

[Abbotsford.]—­After the Court, started for Abbotsford at half-past twelve at noon, and here we are at half-past five impransi.  The country looks beautiful, though the foliage, larches in particular, have had a blight.  Yet they can hardly be said to lose foliage since they have but a sort of brushes at best.

June 6.—­Went through a good deal of duty as to proofs, and the like.  At two set out and reached by four Chiefswood, where I had the happiness to find the Lockharts all in high spirits, well and happy.  Johnnie must be all his life a weakly child, but he may have good health, and possesses an admirable temper.  We dined with the Lockharts, and were all very happy.

June 7.—­Same duty carefully performed.  I continued working till about one, when Lockhart came to walk.  We took our course round by the Lake.  I was a good deal fagged, and must have tired my companion by walking slow.  The Fergusons came over—­Sir Adam in all his glory—­and “the night drave on wi’ sangs and clatter."[366]

June 8.—­Had not time to do more than correct a sheet or two.  About eleven set off for Selkirk, where there was a considerable meeting of road trustees.  The consideration of the new road was intrusted to a committee which in some measure blinks the question; yet I think it must do in the end.  I dined with the Club, young Chesters president.  It is but bad fun, but I might be father of most of them, and must have patience.  At length

    “Hame cam our gudeman at e’en,
      And hame cam he."[367]