I returned, signed the bond for L10,000, which will disencumber me of all pressing claims;[110] when I get forward W——­k and Nap. there will be L12,000 and upwards, and I hope to add L3000 against this time next year, or the devil must hold the dice.  J.B. writes me seriously on the carelessness of my style.  I do not think I am more careless than usual; but I dare say he is right.  I will be more cautious.

January 4.—­Despatched the deed yesterday executed.  Mr. and Mrs. Skene, my excellent friends, came to us from Edinburgh.  Skene, distinguished for his attainments as a draughtsman, and for his highly gentlemanlike feelings and character, is Laird of Rubislaw, near Aberdeen.  Having had an elder brother, his education was somewhat neglected in early life, against which disadvantage he made a most gallant [fight], exerting himself much to obtain those accomplishments which he has since possessed.  Admirable in all exercises, there entered a good deal of the cavalier into his early character.  Of late he has given himself much to the study of antiquities.  His wife, a most excellent person, was tenderly fond of Sophia.  They bring so much old-fashioned kindness and good-humour with them, besides the recollections of other times, that they must be always welcome guests.  Letter from Mr. Scrope,[111] announcing a visit.

January 5.—­Got the desired accommodation with Coutts, which will put J.B. quite straight, but am a little anxious still about Constable.  He has immense stock, to be sure, and most valuable, but he may have sacrifices to make to convert a large proportion of it into ready money.  The accounts from London are most disastrous.  Many wealthy persons totally ruined, and many, many more have been obliged to purchase their safety at a price they will feel all their lives.  I do not hear things are so bad in Edinburgh; and J.B.’s business has been transacted by the banks with liberality.

Colonel Russell told us last night that the last of the Moguls, a descendant of Kubla-Khan, though having no more power than his effigies at the back of a set of playing-cards, refused to meet Lord Hastings, because the Governor-General would not agree to remain standing in his presence.  Pretty well for the blood of Timur in these degenerate days!

Much alarmed.  I had walked till twelve with Skene and Col.  Russell, and then sat down to my work.  To my horror and surprise I could neither write nor spell, but put down one word for another, and wrote nonsense.  I was much overpowered at the same time, and could not conceive the reason.  I fell asleep, however, in my chair, and slept for two hours.  On waking my head was clearer, and I began to recollect that last night I had taken the anodyne left for the purpose by Clarkson, and being disturbed in the course of the night, I had not slept it off.

Obliged to give up writing to-day—­read Pepys instead.  The Scotts of Harden were to have dined, but sent an apology,—­storm coming on.  Russells left us this morning to go to Haining.