Of this I am distinctly sensible, and thank God that the mist attending this whoreson apoplexy is wearing off.

I went to the Studij and copied Bevis of Hampton, about two pages, for a pattern.  From thence to Sir William Gell, and made an appointment at the Studij with his writer to-morrow at ten, when, I trust, I shall find Delicteriis there, but the gentleman with the classical name is rather kind and friendly in his neighbour’s behalf.[515]

January 26.—­This day arrived (for the first time indeed) answer to last post end of December, an epistle from Cadell full of good tidings.[516] Castle Dangerous and Sir Robert of Paris, neither of whom I deemed seaworthy, have performed two voyages—­that is, each sold about 3400, and the same of the current year.  It proves what I have thought almost impossible, that I might write myself [out], but as yet my spell holds fast.

I have besides two or three good things on which I may advance with spirit, and with palmy hopes on the part of Cadell and myself.  He thinks he will soon cry victoria on the bet about his hat.  He was to get a new one when I had paid off all my debts.  I can hardly, now that I am assured all is well again, form an idea to myself that I could think it was otherwise.

And yet I think it is the public that are mad for passing those two volumes; but I will not be the first to cry them down in the market, for I have others in hand, which, judged with equal favour, will make fortunes of themselves.  Let me see what I have on the stocks—­

Castle Dangerous (supposed future Editions), L1000
Robert of Paris, " " " 1000
Lady Louisa Stuart, " " " 500
Knights of Malta, " " " 2500
Trotcosianae Reliquiae, " " 2500

I have returned to my old hopes, and think of giving Milne an offer for his estate.[517]

Letters or Tour of Paul in 3 vols. 3000
Reprint of Bevis of Hampton for Roxburghe Club,
Essay on the Neapolitan dialect,

FOOTNOTES: 

[507] Sir William Gell styles him “Archbishop,” and adds that at this time he was in his ninetieth year.  Can this prelate be Rogers’s “Good Old Cardinal,” who told the pleasant tale of the Bag of Gold, and is immortalised by the pencil of Landseer seated at table en famille with three of his velvet favourites?  See Italy, fcp. 8vo, 1838, p. 302.

[508] This is the last notice in the Journal by Sir Walter of his dear friend.  James Skene of Rubislaw died at Frewen Hall, Oxford, in 1864, in his ninetieth year.  His faculties remained unimpaired throughout his serene and beautiful old age, until the end was very near—­then, one evening his daughter found him with a look of inexpressible delight on his face, when he said to her “I have had such a great pleasure!  Scott has been here—­he came from a long distance to see me, he has been sitting with me at the fireside talking over our happy recollections of the past....”  Two or three days later he followed his well loved friend into the unseen world—­gently and calmly like a child falling asleep he passed away in perfect peace.