Disconnected and distant, these have been costing large sums of money from time to time, all now thrown away.  We are now to have space enough for a very large range of buildings, which we may execute in a simple taste, leaving Government to ornament them if they shall think proper—­otherwise, to be plain, modest, and handsome, and capable of being executed by degrees, and in such portions as convenience may admit of.

Poor James Hogg, the Ettrick Shepherd, came to advise with me about his affairs,—­he is sinking under the times; having no assistance to give him, my advice, I fear, will be of little service.  I am sorry for him if that would help him, especially as, by his own account, a couple of hundred pounds would carry him on.

February 16.—–­“Misfortune’s gowling bark"[172] comes louder and louder.  By assigning my whole property to trustees for behoof of creditors, with two works in progress and nigh publication, and with all my future literary labours, I conceived I was bringing into the field a large fund of payment, which could not exist without my exertions, and that thus far I was entitled to a corresponding degree of indulgence.  I therefore supposed, on selling this house, and various other property, and on receiving the price of Woodstock and Napoleon, that they would give me leisure to make other exertions, and be content with the rents of Abbotsford, without attempting a sale.  This would have been the more reasonable, as the very printing of these works must amount to a large sum, of which they will reap the profits.  In the course of this delay I supposed I was to have the chance of getting some insight both into Constable’s affairs and those of Hurst and Robinson.  Nay, employing these houses, under precautions, to sell the works, the publisher’s profit would have come in to pay part of their debts.  But Gibson last night came in after dinner, and gave me to understand that the Bank of Scotland see this in a different point of view, and consider my contribution of the produce of past, present, and future labours, as compensated in full by their accepting of the trust-deed, instead of pursuing the mode of sequestration, and placing me in the Gazette.  They therefore expected the trustees instantly to commence a law-suit to reduce the marriage settlement, which settles the estate upon Walter, thus loading me with a most expensive suit, and, I suppose, selling library and whatever they can lay hold on.

Now this seems unequal measure, and would besides of itself totally destroy any power of fancy or genius, if it deserves the name, which may remain to me.  A man cannot write in the House of Correction; and this species of peine forte et dure which is threatened would render it impossible for one to help himself or others.  So I told Gibson I had my mind made up as far back as the 24th of January, not to suffer myself to be harder pressed than law would press me.  If this great commercial company, through