My nap was a very short one, and was agreeably replaced by Basil Hall’s Fragments of Voyages.  Everything about the inside of a vessel is interesting, and my friend has the great sense to know this is the case.  I remember when my eldest brother took the humour of going to sea, James Watson[453] used to be invited to George Square to tell him such tales of hardships as might disgust him with the service.  Such were my poor mother’s instructions.  But Captain Watson could not render a sea life disgusting to the young midshipman or to his brother, who looked on and listened.  The account of assistance given to the Spaniards at Cape Finisterre, and the absurd behaviour of the Junta, are highly interesting—­a more inefficient, yet a more resolved class of men than the Spaniards were never conceived.

April 14.—­Advised by Mr. Cadell that he has agreed with Mr. Turner, the first draughtsman of the period, to furnish to the poetical works two decorations to each of the proposed twelve volumes, to wit, a frontispiece and vignette to each, at the rate of L25 for each, which is cheap enough considering these are the finest specimens of art going.  The difficulty is to make him come here to take drawings.  I have written to the man of art, inviting him to my house, though, if I remember, he is not very agreeable, and offered to transport him to the places where he is to exercise his pencil.  His method is to take various drawings of remarkable places and towns and stick them all together.  He can therefore derive his subjects from good accurate drawings, so with Skene’s assistance we can equip him.  We can put him at home on all the subjects.  Lord Meadowbank and his son, Skene and his son, Colonel Russell and his sister, dined with us.[454]

April 15.—­Lord Meadowbank, etc., went to Newark with me, and returned to dine with the foregoing.  Charming day.

April 16.—­Lord Meadowbank went to the circuit and our party to their various homes.  By the bye, John Pringle and his brother of Haining dined with us yesterday.  Skene walks with me and undertakes readily to supply Turner with subjects.  Weather enchanting.  About 100 leaves will now complete Robert of Paris.  Query, will it answer?  Not knowing, can’t say.  I think it will.

Sunday 16_th_ [17_th_] April to Sunday 24_th_ of the same month unpleasantly occupied by ill [health], and its consequences, a distinct shock of paralysis affecting both my nerves and spine, though beginning only on Monday with a very bad cold.  Dr. [Abercrombie] was brought out by the friendly care of Cadell, but young Clarkson had already done the needful—­that is, had bled and blistered severely, and placed me on a very restricted diet.  Whether these precautions have been taken in time I cannot tell.  I think they have, though severe in themselves, beat the disease.  But I am alike prepared,

    “Seu versare dolos, seu certae occumbere morti."[455]