January 6.—­A letter from Henry Scott about the taking ground for keeping the reform in Scotland upon the Scottish principles.  I will write him my private sentiments, but avoid being a boute-feu.

Go this day to Selkirk, where I found about 120 and more persons of that burgh and Galashiels, who were sworn in as special constables, enough to maintain the peace.  What shocked me particularly was the weakness of my voice and the confusion of my head attempting to address them, which was really a poor affair.  On my return I found the Rev. Mr. Milne of Quebec, a friend of my sister-in-law.  Another time would have been better for company, but Captain John Ferguson and Mr. Laidlaw coming in to dinner, we got over the day well enough.

January 7.—­A fine frosty day, and my spirits lighter.  I have a letter of great comfort from Walter, who in a manly, handsome, and dutiful manner expressed his desire to possess the library and movables of every kind at Abbotsford, with such a valuation laid upon them as I choose to impose.  This removes the only delay to making my will.  Supposing the literary property to clear the debts by aid of insurances and other things, about 1835 it will come into my person, and I will appoint the whole to work off the heritable debt of L10,000.  If the literary property can produce that sum, besides what it has already done, I would convey it to the three younger children.

January 8.—­Spent much time in writing instructions for my last will and testament.  Sent off parcel by Dr. Milne, who leaves to-day.  Have up two boys for shop-lifting.  Remained at Galashiels till four o’clock, and returned starved.  Could work none, and was idle all evening—­try to-morrow for a work-day; so loiter on.

January 10.—­Went over to Galashiels, and was busied the whole time till three o’clock about a petty thieving affair, and had before me a pair of gallows’-birds, to whom I could say nothing for total want of proof, except, like the sapient Elbow, Thou shalt continue there; know thou, thou shalt continue.[413] A little gallow brood they were, and their fate will catch them.  Sleepy, idle, and exhausted on this.  Wrought little or none in the evening.

Wrote a long letter to Henry [Scott], who is a fine fellow, and what I call a heart of gold.  He has sound parts, good sense, and is a true man.  Also, I wrote to my excellent friend the Lord Chief [Commissioner].  I thought it right to say that I accepted with gratitude his Majesty’s goodness, but trusted it was not to bind me to keep my fingers from pen and ink should a notion impress me that I could help the country.  I walked a little, to my exceeding refreshment.  I am using that family ungratefully.  But I will not, for a punctilio, avoid binding, if I can, a strong party together for the King and country, and if I see I can do anything, or have a chance of it, I will not fear for the skin-cutting.  It is the selfishness of this generation that drives me mad.