Went to Mr Ritchie who gave me the note of hand for fifty pounds at six months—dated 6th May, and the copy of memorandums signed by Mr Hazlitt as follows 

MEMORANDUMS APRIL 23RD 1822

William Hazlitt to pay the whole expence of board, clothing and education for his son WilliamHazlitt, by his wife Sarah Hazlitt (late Stoddart) and she to be allowed free access to him at all times, and occasional visits from him.

Agreed to, W. H.

2. William Hazlitt to pay board, lodging, law, and all other expences incurred by his said wife during her stay in Scotland on their divorce business, together with travelling expences.

Agreed to, W. H.

3. William Hazlitt to give a note of hand for fifty pounds, at six months, payable to William Nettlefold or Order, Value received.

Agreed to, W. H.

Of these things Mr Ritchie took copies for himself; to which he desired me to add a memorandum of having received twenty four pounds from Mr Hazlitt on account of expences in Scotland: which I did, and further mentioned that I had also spent the £37 - 10, which Mr Hazlitt undertook to repay me. He said he had expected him and Mr. Henderson to supper last night, but they did not come. I told him he wished to go to London by the Mail and probably had done so. and that Mr Henderson was desiring him to set out with him for the Highlands that afternoon; but that I did not know which he had done. He said he had requested money of him to take him up; but that he had none to spare. he had a great deal out that he could not get in; that he was willing to be of any personal assistance either to him or me, but that he could not inconvenience himself about money matters. I said that the waiter at the Black Bull had undertaken for his journey in the Mail; and that he was to remit the money to him when he got to town: as well as to send Mrs Dow what he owed her; so that he had none to give me, but said if I got £5 of my brother, or any one else, he would repay it when I arrived in town. He said he must repeat that he thought we had taken the step most advisable for both parties. and now I was free and at liberty to marry again. I replied that we had certainly been in a very uncomfortable state for a long time; and at all events, it could not be worse. He said no. it must be much better. Called at his lodgings to enquire if he went by the Mail. Mrs Dow said, yes, he left there about eight o'clock. I mentioned to her that if I went, I should leave a note with Mrs Pillans, that the twenty shillings might be paid to her; and she said whenever the money came she should have it, if she would take her word for it; but desired me to explain to her, that it depended on her receiving it herself. Called at the Coach Office, and they said Mr Hazlitt did not go by the Mail. Saw the waiter at the Inn door who said he went by the Steam boat at eight o'clock this morning. He would rejoice at that, as he was lamenting that the delay of the business had prevented him. as she was to have sailed the day before, but the weather was so rough the ladies could not get on board. Carried back Mrs Bell’s book. Mr Bell set at me, as soon as I got in, that Mr Hazlitt was gone of that morning by the steam boat, without even calling or sending a note to him after all the friendship he had shown him, and the service he had done him by taking that infernal oath. which no earthly power should ever compel him to do again. and without which he could never have obtained the divorce. there was no other way. and what right had people to bring a parcel of lawyers and people to his house and terrify his poor wife out of her senses. by compelling her to kneel down upon her knees and take it too. because they had been induced to acknowledge that they knew us. and he wished he had never happened to see him at Leith, but that it was his own folly and good nature that had occasioned it. And now he had got off by the steam-boat to avoid his debts and owing the lawyers forty pounds, and he looked on him as a scamp. I told him I understood from Mr Ritchie that the forty pounds he had already paid to Mr Prentice, was likely to cover the whole expence, or nearly so. And as to calling or sending to take a formal leave; it was what I never knew him do to any body, and I also believed he was uncertain about going till the very last. He advised me to go directly to Sir William Forbes's bank, and get a bill drawn on him for the £37 - 10, he owed me, and he would be obliged to pay it. I said he had not money to give me to return, but had advised me to get five pounds of my brother, and he would repay me in London, therefore it was useless to talk of getting the other now. He said I was a great fool to have conceded to his wish for a divorce but that it was now done; and he thought I had better get some old rich Scots Lord and marry here. I was now Miss Stoddart, and was not I glad of that. No. I had no intention of marrying, and should not do what he talked of; that my situation in my own opinion, was pretty much the same as it had long been. He said I must needs marry, and I told him I saw no such necessity: and that as Mrs Bell was not visible I must go. He said he would come at six o'clock and drink tea with me if I would permit him. I told him, to say the honest truth I would rather he did not. Why? I have several reasons. In the first place, I am now rather peculiarly situated, and do not wish to receive any men at all. And I think that quite sufficient. But I am not a man. I shall not enquire into that point & must wish you a good morning. So saying I got to the door, and called out to Mrs Bell that I had brought her book and wished her well if I did not see her again. Upon which she came out of the kitchen from pie making, and said she was ashamed to appear—upon which Bell remarked that she was a virtuous good woman, and an honor to her husband and her sex. that he would not eat a pie that his wife did not make. He hated those wretches who only washed their hands to admire their whiteness: it is quite disgusting to hear such blarney, hypocrisy, lies and impudence; and I set off though a heavy thunderstorm was coming on. which soon burst. in a most tremendous manner. I took shelter in the Panorama of the Bay of Naples, till it abated. In the evening, called and took leave of Mrs Bancks, the rain very violent all night. 

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 Mr Bell called between ten and eleven, and said he had just been with Mr Gray, and that he was perfectly satisfied about the money, and had no claim upon me, and that he was come by his desire to accompany me to the Court. and was himself cited as a witness. I went with him to the private room I was in before, and Mr Gray came soon after. He left the room, and after a short time returned and called out Mr Bell, desiring me to remain where I was. after being absent a short time he came back, with one of the inferior officers of the court and Mrs Knight, the man led her up to me and said “Do you know this Lady? And she replied No I do not; they then went out. I stood up at her approach, not being aware at first who she was. After waiting some further time, Mr Bell went to enquire if we must stay any longer, and soon returned saying we were now at liberty to depart, and that I should not be required to attend any more, that we had staid thus long in order to get leave for Mrs Bell's deposition to be taken at her own house. as she persisted in refusing to attend the court; and they had obtained this favor under the plea of her being in the family way; and frightened at the thoughts of appearing there. Returned and wrote a note to Mr Hazlitt, to leave in case he was out, saying that I would call on him at two o'clock. I left it, and went on to Mr Ritchie's he was engaged with some gentlemen and desired me to call the next day at twelve. Said he had just heard my business was concluded. and that he thought the forty pounds Mr Hazlitt had paid would nearly cover the whole expence. Went again to Mr H- he had not been in, and I left word I would call at four, as they said they expected him then. Came home very much affected and nervous. The morning cold drizzly rain and fog. cleared a little in the afternoon. Saw Mr Hazlitt at four o'clock, he was at dinner but I stopped and drank tea with him. he told me that all was done now, unless Mrs Bell should make any demur in the part required of her, which he feared, as she was quite a devil; and if she could not have her own way, immediately had recourse to hysterics, that her husband was in her power, from his former misconduct and she let him have neither peace at home, or money in his pocket. That as to the manner in which he had spoken of me; he went there extremely irritated and nervous, from suspecting that I would stop short in the business, as I had threatened to do, unless he sent me money immediately and other people plagueing him elsewhere, when she fell upon him and told him he used me very ill, and might be ashamed of himself to spend his time and money among women of the town as he did, and he answered that he knew nothing about that. I had my intrigues too, and was quite as bad. and that I was no maid when he married me, and repeated the story of Mr Thomas, and all his other jealousies. I told him how Bell had insulted me, and afterwards came to apologize by pleading drunkenness, and the character he had heard of me from him. and swearing he would not go away without a kiss in token of forgiveness, and his starting away on my calling Mrs. Pillans. at which he laughed and said that Bell told him he was forced to refrain from coming near me for fear of being drawn aside. I then told him what he had said about Patmore. Sarah Walker and her letters, which he seemed much interested in and exclaimed What a lying son of a Bitch! they were merely letters of business beginning Sir, such an one has been here for you &c. that she had only written twice, when he was at the Renton Inn. and he was mad at her discontinuing to write at all. That he also told me my letter about the money had been handed about in the Court—I did not care if it were so but that Mr Ritchie said it was a direct falsehood. That he also told me that Mrs Dow wanted him to marry her daughter, and the impediment to that was that she had bad teeth and a foul mouth. That if he had known the awfulness of the form, he wou'd not have taken the oath to-day upon any consideration, and nothing should ever induce him to take another in Scotland. to which I had replied that the meaning was the same every where, and if people spoke the truth the form was of little consequence. he observed that he had much need to make these scruples. After the forgery” he had been guilty of, and obliged to fly to America. He said as to his insinuations about Patmore, he believed he had never even seen her above twice, and that was when he came to visit him. But that her conduct seemed quite inexplicable to him, and every one he had told it to. that she professed the greatest fondness, affection and esteem for him & for the last year and an half, had made a constant practise of coming up and sitting on his knee for two or three hours every day of her life, with her arms round his neck, kissing him and expressing the greatest love and attachment. and that he had done every thing but go to bed to her. yet though he made the warmest love to her. she either had no passions, and her fondness was all deceit. or she had the most astonishing controul over them. for there she stopped short. and declared that all this fondling was only friendship and the story she told was that there was a courtship and affection subsisting between herself and a young man who lodged in their house about three years ago, but that some obstacles arising to the match it was broken off by mutual consent, and she would never have any body. Yet the very first time she came to wait on him, which was three days after he came to the lodgings. she made a dead set at him. that he was struck with her appearance and elegant manners, and told her so, and when she got to the door she turned round and stared him full in the face. that her manner ever since had been calculated to draw him on, and that he thought it was nothing but the winning softness and fondness of her manners which he had never met in any other woman that had inveigled him. for she was not at all pretty that her eyes were the worst and had the worst expression he had ever seen. of hypocrisy and design, and had a poor slimy watery look. yet she was well made and had handsome arms. I said it did not appear to me at all the sort of beauty he used to admire, which was plump, and she was as thin and bony as the scrag end of a neck of mutton. that I thought the female figure in the picture at Dalkeith house much more to his taste: he fancied it was like her. I said it was much nearer my form in the thighs the fall of the back and the contour of the whole figure. he said, I was very well made. He said he had two opposite opinions of Sarah Walker at different times. that Patmore, Roscoe, who lodged in the house for four years, and married her sister for love, and said that it had been the source of happiness to him ever since, and the wisest thing he ever did, and who was a sensible well informed young man. and most other people thought her one of the best girls in the world. and he often thought so too. and that she really was fond of him. Then again he fancied she was a complete designing hypocritical devil who only intended to mislead and make a fool of him, and was playing a game to ensnare him, but her character began to be blown now, for he had told every body the whole of her conduct to him I said I thought the last the nearest the truth; and that if he ever did marry her he would repent it. He said that they had had some terrible rows and quarrels in the house: that her father came up one day and saw her in her usual posture on his knee, and said he was so shocked and astonished at the discovery, he did not know what to think or what was going on. to which he replied if you are astonished & at a loss, I am no less so to account for her conduct, for I can assure you that in the very posture and manner in which you found her, it has been her constant practice to spend two or three hours every day; and pretend it is all out of pure friendship He said that the father and mother both acknowledged that they could not keep her out of his room; that she never staid with any other lodger which he said he had himself observed. and that she told them that there was no harm nor any thing wrong between them, but that he talked to her, and she liked his conversation. He said that the mother was the most disgusting, vulgar old wretch that could be and corrupted her children's minds by her bawdy indecent conversation. though he had never heard an improper or indelicate word from the girl yet it had often struck him, that they had never objected to the girls of the town coming up to him continually, and that Sarah would often send them up when her mother had said he was not at home. for which they praised her and said she was a nice girl. I told him it showed what the house and the people were well enough. He said he was determined to ascertain what the real state of things was, and was going up to the house. to watch her narrowly. and perhaps he might kill her and himself too, when he got there. I told him it was like his frenzy about Sally Shepherd. he said that was but a flea-bite, nothing at all to this, for she had never pretended to love him; but all along declared she did not; but this was the only person who ever really seemed, and professed to be fond of him: he was only sorry he had not ravished her the first week he came into the house. Said he would set off to London by the mail that night, though he thought he should be detained by illness, or die on the road; for he had been penned up in that room for five months, in a state as if he was surrounded by demons, and unable to do any work, and he thought he had lost the job to Italy. but to get out of Scotland would seem like the road to paradise. I told him, he had done a most injudicious thing in publishing what he did in the Magazine about Sarah Walker, particularly at this time, and that he might be sure it would be made use of against him, and that every body in London had thought it a most improper thing, and Mr John Hunt was quite sorry that he had so committed himself. he said that he was sorry too, but that it was done without his knowledge or consent. That Colbourn had got hold of it by mistake with other papers, and publishing it without sending him the proofs. He had never intended it for that book at all, but for a Table Talk. and that it had hurt the girl too, and done her an injury. That her profile, when she put on one of her demure looks and turned her head on one side, which she generally did when with him, was very good. I said I should send to his lodgings to know where the child was as soon as I arrived, as he did not seem to think he should take him from Mr Hunt least it might hinder his operations. he told me I could come just as usual he only wished me to take no notice of any thing to the girl, or show her any unkindness. For that was one thing her mother, though not herself had complained of and told him I looked as if I was displeased, and suspected something wrong was going on. I observed that was true enough, and her own conscience told her so. but that I never spoke to any of them but to ask for what I wanted. He asked me where I should be in town, and I told him at Christie’s. he enquired what kind of people they were. I told him a very respectable quiet young couple. lately married: he desired me to take care of myself, and keep up a respectable appearance as I had money enough to do so. He wished he could marry some woman with a good fortune, that he might not be under the necessity of writing another line; and be enabled to provide for the child, and do something for John. and that now his name was known in the literary world he thought there was a chance for it; though he could not pretend to any thing of the kind before. Had no money to give me to come away, but thought I had better send to my brother for five pounds, and he would give it me again when I came to town. I left Mr Henderson with him pressing him to accompany him to the Highlands; but he seemed after some hesitation to prefer going to London. though I left the matter uncertain. he had been dawdling backward and forward about it for three weeks, wishing to have the credit of taking him there, but grudging the money. though he was living upon us for a week together in London. Mr Hazlitt said that if he went to Winterslow he would take the child, as he wished to have him a little with him: so I thought he had better go with the first that went, as I did not think of staying in town more than two or three weeks; and then making some stay at Winterslow, and proceeding afterwards to Crediton. He said we could settle that best in town. Mrs Dow brought in her bill, which he just looked at and said Is that the whole Ma’am? Yes Sir, you had better look it over and see that it is correct if you please. That Ma'am, is one of the troubles I get rid of. I never do it. You are a very indolent man Sir. There is a balance of twenty four shillings Ma'am, can you have so much confidence in me as to let me have that? No Sir, I can’t do that for I have not the money. I shall be glad then Ma'am if you will let me have the four shillings, and you may pay the pound to Mrs Hazlitt on Saturday, or when it comes, she will be here. Yes Sir. and Mrs Hazlitt may look over the bill if she pleases. She returned with the four shillings, saying she had been to two or three places to get that. Thank you Ma'am, this may save me from some great calamity to-night perhaps. From spending more Sir. Went from thence to Leith, and took my place in the Smack, Favourite, to sail on Friday at 2 P.M. paid one pound in advance.

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Received a letter from my little boy. Walked to Leith, and called twice on Mr Bell to enquire about the twenty pounds for Mr Gray. could not see him, but Mrs Bell had asked him between my calls, and he said he did not know about it. The weather exceedingly cold, with a high north-east wind

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Received a letter from Peggy. Walked through Mutton Hole & Cromond town. crossed the ferry there to Dalmeny Park, the seat of the Earl of Roseberry. Here are by far the most extensive and finest Avenues, and gravel roads, grasswalks, groves and plantations of majestic trees I have seen at all. the ruins of Baron Bugle, (the old castle) still stands on the edge of the Frith of Forth, as a landmark: but the present residence is a handsome building of a castellated form, in a more sheltered situation, amid noble trees, yet commanding a view of the water. The upper grounds are truly magnificent: the Frith here stretches out into a wide expanse; dotted with boats and vessels of different kinds: the small island of Inch Garvey with its single castle; the villages and towns on the opposite shore; and the lawns and plantations round you, form a scene exquisitely beautiful. I spent a considerable time and walked several miles in this delicious place. Then went to Queen's Ferry, a small landing place; and returned by the high road to Craigie Hall, the seat of James Hope Vere Esq.r This is a fine old fashioned place, with the Almond water running through the grounds, with a grotto and plantations, and a fine avenue at the entrance. Both here and in Ld Roseberry's domains they were in the midst of the hay harvest, whose fragrance was delicious. A little beyond this, the scenery of Cromond bridge over the river Almond, the rich plantations sloping to its banks and the winding stream are very beautiful: indeed the whole road till within three miles of Edinburgh is uncommonly rich. Struck into the Leith road at Mutton hole; got back about eight o'clock, having sauntered about twenty four miles. It was a very rough cold easterly wind, though the sun was warm.

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Walked through Gilmerton to Melville Castle, on the northern bank of the North Esk, near to Lasswade. the house is embowered in tall trees, which slope down on all sides, with noble avenues and walks and the river with its woody banks faces one of the fronts of the castle. It is a beautiful place though the walks and slopes were not kept in very good order. and the avenue by which I entered was particularly wild and neglected, the richness of the scenery within the park, was quite a contrast to the road leading to it, which is open and bare. returned by Lasswade and Libberton Kirk to dinner. The tower of this last is a pleasing object from many places round. In the evening walked to Newhaven. On the pier, and round by the water side to Leith. up to the High Street Edinburgh, and back to my lodgings. quite fatigued with my pinching shoes. 

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Went twice to the mound, and once to Mr Scott's in Parliament Close, up eight pair of stairs, to get some small views of places in Scotland. the last time, I met Mr Hazlitt, at the foot of my stairs. coming to me. he said that Mr Gray was to have the money out of what he had paid Mr Prentice. that he had called, but Mr P. was not at home; though he had explained the matter to his clerk, who would see every thing properly done, and give me due notice of it. that Mr Gray, had merely sent to me, as a matter of form that the money should come through my hands, as he had been told all along that he was to pay it. I said, then Mr Prentice had better send it to me: but he replied there was no occasion; Mr Gray would not care a damn who paid him the money, but that I was always starting off, and turning short round at something or other. Said he had also notice to appear at 11 o'clock on Wednesday. and that the more he had tried to hurry them the more they had delayed. and he wanted very much to be off. I told him, he need not be uneasy about meeting me in the steam boat, for I did not intend to go that way. asked him if he thought it a good collection of pictures at Dalkeith house. he said no, very poor. there were but two, tolerable. one a female figure, floating on the water in an historical picture, which he thought a copy of some good picture. I told him I had remarked it; and thought that figure exceedingly good. The other was a Claude, but in a very dirty condition. Indeed it was so very dingy, that I did not recognize it to be one of that Master's, though I remember the picture, which hangs in the hall. In the afternoon walked to Gilmerton, and saw the subterraneous house, cut out of the solid rock by George Paterson, a blacksmith, and finished, after five years incessant labour, in 1724. The water was up, in the bottom, so that I could not go through it, but the rooms and arched door ways seemed neatly finished, though small. And the aperture would not lead you to suspect that it was any thing more than the mouth of a well. for it is level with the garden in which it stands. but on peeping in you perceive the stairs to descend; it is a strange fancy, to live excluded from the light of day, in a damp cave. Continued my walk to Musselburgh, on the coast of the Frith of Forth. through Portobello and Leith. this long walk by the water with the shipping, boats, and great number of bathing machines—which at Leith are drawn into the water by horses, was a diversified and pleasing prospect. more especially, as the day was exceedingly clear and beautiful. I think this walk was about fifteen miles, which I enjoyed much, although I wore a pair of light shoes which nearly crippled me, but I have worn out all the rest, and do not like to buy more here.

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Walked to Holyrood house in the morning, and after dinner to Dreghorn Castle. a handsome Gothic building of an irregular form, the seat of Alexander Trotter Esqr — the grounds are large and well laid out. surrounded by the Pentland hills, and not far from Collinton. there are some fine woody lanes in the neighbourhood. On my return, found a note from Mr Gray, appointing next Wednesday for my attendance, and desiring a “payment of Twenty Pounds towards the expence.” I took it to Mr Bell’s, he and Mr Hazlitt went out at the back-door as I came in at the front. I gave the message to Mrs Bell who told me, Mr Hazlitt had been to Mr Gray’s, and seemed out of spirits that the affair was postponed till Wednesday. and that he was going down to Leith to enquire about the sailing of the steam-boats. I returned and wrote him a note to inform him of Mr Gray’s demand, and put it in the post myself.

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Walked to Castorphine hill, commanding very fine views of the Frith of Forth. The town of Edinburgh. The Pentland hills with cottages and gentlemen's seats. From thence through the fields to the village of Castorphine, then round to the beautiful and richly wooded village of Collinton, on the height of which rises out of a forest of fine trees, the seat of Sir Wm Forbes. there are also several very pretty houses on a smaller scale, and the road from thence, through Slateford, under the Arch of the Glasgow Canal, is exceedingly rich and beautiful—it was also a new way to me into Edinburgh, the evening too was delicious with a few heat drops, that increased the fragrance of the hay and fields of beans &c.. the crops are every where most abundant. Met Mr Hazlitt in Catherine Street. and asked him what I was to do if Mr Gray sent any bill in to me. and he said I had nothing to do with it for that he had paid Mr Prentice forty pounds, which was nearly the whole expence for both of them. I said, that was what Mr Ritchie, to whom I had spoken about it, thought. He said Mr Ritchie had nothing at all to do with it. and I remarked that he was the person he had sent to me about it. and that he did not think it would finish on Monday. and asked if he had heard any thing more, he said, No. but he thought it would be Monday or Tuesday. and as soon as it was done he wished I would come to him, or let him know and he would come to me to finally settle matters, as he had some things to say, and I told him I would. I was rather flurried at meeting him, and totally forgot many things I wished to have said. which vexed me afterwards.

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Called on Mr Ritchie to ask if he thought I should finish the business on Monday, and told him that I had met Mr Hazlitt at Dalkeith house by accident, and that he understood it was to be settled on Monday. showed him Mr Gray's note. He said I must stay till called on, but he could not tell when that would be. I asked him what I was to do if Mr Gray sent in any bill to me, as I did not wish to look as if I ran away to avoid it; but that both he and Mr Hazlitt, knew I had not the money for it. He said he supposed Mr H. would be provided for that, I said the law as well as his own engagement made him answerable for it, but I did not know how I was to get it of him. and that he had told me that he had already paid Mr Prentice forty pounds on account of it. He seemed much surprised at that, and said he could not conceive how it could amount to any such sum, unless it was to pay Mr Gray also. I told him that was what I wanted to know. and also what was to be done about my own payment, as Mr Hazlitt now seemed to demur to the one quarter, that he had all along agreed to. and there was also the £20. that I was to have in a present. He said that he was at present very much engaged in some business, which would end in two days more, and that then, if I was at all apprehensive about it, he would write to, or see Mr Hazlitt on the subject, but that he had very little intercourse with him now; indeed he had not seen him since his return. from London. I said that though I was sorry to trouble him, I wished he would do so, as it was not thought right for me to go to him myself. and I wished to return to England as soon as possible, and that he also was desirous that I should, because he wanted to go himself, and thought it would be awkward if we should meet in the same boat. which made him laugh. The wind was so high at the corners that it broke two of the whalebones of my new parasol; and some person rubbed against it with butter so that I got it quite spoiled, to my great vexation. Took a short walk in the evening and found it very cold.

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Staid at home working my handkerchief –

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Walked to Newhaven to enquire about the Steam boats to London. they said the fare was four Guineas and an half, without liquor. which I think a great deal too much. Called on Mrs Bell on my return. they seemed surprised to hear I had been at Dublin. asked me to stay dinner but I told them I had a roast duck and green peas at home, so must decline it. Mrs Bancks brought me the Cottagers of Glenburnie to read. The afternoon turned out very rainy.

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My bowels too unwell to go to Church with Mrs Bancks, but I drank tea with her, and we walked by the water of Leith, and home by Pilrig Street in the evening. 

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Walked to Dalkeith, saw the Grounds, and the house and pictures of the Duke of Buccleugh. his father and mother are dead, and he is not yet of age, he has five sisters and one brother. The pictures are numerous, but I think not many capital ones. There are two or three small landscapes of Claude's two portraits of Rembrandts—a few family pictures by Vandyke, but not master pieces of any—coming out. Met Mr Hazlitt and Mr Henderson who had just arrived in a gig. Mr H. said he had heard again from Patmore, who saw the child last Tuesday, and that he was well and happy, I told him of my last letter and its contents. He said he thought the business would be done next Monday week. Adverted again to the awkwardness of our going back in the same boat. I told him I had some thoughts of going by boat to Liverpool and the rest by land, as I should see more of the country that way, which he seemed to like. Asked me if I meant to go to Winterslow I said yes, but that I should be a week or two in London first. He said he meant to go to Winterslow and try if he could write, for he had been so distracted the last five months that he could do nothing, and perhaps he would let me know another time what he had suffered. that he might also go to his mother's for a short time, and that he meant to take the child from school at the half quarter and take him with him, and that after the hollidays at Christmas he should return to Mr Dawson's again. Said he had not been to town. and that we had better have no communication at present, but that when it was over he would let me have the money as he could get it. Asked if I had seen Roslin Castle, and said he was there last Tuesday with Bell, and thought it a fine place. Mr Henderson shook hands, and made many apologies for not recollecting me, and said I looked very well. but that from my speaking to Mr H. about the pictures he had taken me for an artist. kept hurrying him to go into the lodge and sign his name: (the way by the bye, in which he found me out.) but he told him he wanted to speak to me a minute. Left them, and walked on about a mile further to Newbattle Abbey the seat of the Marquis of Lothian. walked through the grounds which are very pleasant, and the North Esk runs through them, as well as the Duke of Buccleugh’s — The two Gentlemen passed me in their Gig as I was returning. I found Mrs Bancks had called in my absence to ask if I would like to go to church with her tomorrow. I called on her, and we walked on the Calton Hill together.

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Staid at home and mended my stockings—in the evening walked on the Calton hill and to the meadows, through Burntsfield Links home—

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Received a letter from the child. Walked to the meadows. Rather unwell in my stomach to-day. 

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Walked through the Meadows and Burntsfield Links, to the sweetly retired Hermitage of Braid. the residence of Miss Gordon. It is buried in a narrow vale, between two ranges of hills; and surrounded with wood. The small rivulet called Braid Burn meanders through the middle of the vale in which it stands. Then mounted the hills of Braid; and returned by the House of Grange, a turretted mansion, formerly the seat of the well known military commander in the reign of Queen Mary, William Kirkaldy. In this house, too, the celebrated Historian Dr Robertson, spent the last months of his life. came in at the head of the meadows, and home to dinner. There is a nice old fashioned terraced garden at the Grange. In the afternoon walked to Craigmillar Castle. It is now in ruins; a barmkyn or thick rampart wall thirty feet high, with parapets and turrets, encompasses the building: the rooms that remain are rather small, with wide low chimney pieces, mostly arched; at what time it was built is unknown. It occurs however on record as a fortalice, in a charter in the reign of Alexander 2nd in 1212, by Wm son of Henry de Craigmillar, to the monastery of Dunfermline. An inscription on the gate of the outer rampart bears the date 1427. In the year 1477 John Earl of Mar, a younger brother of James 3rd was confined in this castle. It was also the residence of James 5th for some time during his minority. In 1543 this castle was burnt and plundered by the English. Craigmillar was the frequent residence of Mary Queen of Scots, after her return from France in 1561. Her french retinue were lodged at a small distance, at the village, which, from that circumstance, still retains the name of Little France Came round by Duddingstone House, belonging to the Marquis of Abercorn. mounted with no small difficulty to the top of Arthur's seat, for it was both slippery and steep, and I could hardly stand against the wind when I got up, or get down again, but succeeded at last, though the exertion fatigued me, and I tore my shoes, with twisting my feet on the slippery grass. walked home by Duddingstone Loch: and over the dikes across the fields. 

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Wrote to Mrs Armstead. Put it in the Office and paid the Postage. then walked to the Saltfield Baths of Leith Links

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Received a letter from Mrs. Armstead; and a note from Mr Gray to say I should not be called on for two or three weeks. but without telling me how long I must remain in Scotland. Put on my Velvet Pelisse and walked to the North Bridge, but it was so cold and uncomfortable that I was forced to return and sit by the fire, and get some extra bed clothes.

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Staid at home; the weather windy and cold, with rain. 

Wrote to Peggy and Coulson. 

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Sent the child’s letter to his father, with a note, telling him I was just returned from Dublin with four-shillings and sixpence in my pocket and I wanted more money. He came about two o'clock and brought me ten pounds. and said he did not think he was indebted to me any quarters money, as he had supplied me with more than was necessary to keep me: that he had nothing to do with my travelling about and spending money at Inns; and that it was never intended to implicate him in the payment of such a manner of living. But that he had said he would give me twenty pounds to spend in seeing the country when the business was concluded; and he could not think what I had done with all the money I had spent. I told him that he did not consider that I had to come up from Winterslow, to be in London above a fortnight & have the child with me for the Easter Hollidays. to buy some articles of cloaths, necessary to my coming here, and none of which would have been wanted if I had remained at Winterslow. He said he was not to pay for that; and I told him it was incurred to oblige him; that I did not desire to come, but quite the contrary, was very unwilling. that I had paid the expences of the journey, and lived some time on the remainder: so that instead of laying by the whole of that quarter, it was all spent. and that I had afterwards lived on what he had given me. That I had been one tour into the Highlands. another to Perthshire and the Highlands, and I was just come from Dublin. that though travelling was now cheap, living at Inns was very dear. He said he knew that if I went to fine Hotels I might spend a great deal but that was not intended. That he had squeezed £100 out of Jeffrey, like so many drops of blood. out of which he had paid £40. to Mr Prentice. £10. to me. £20. for his own expences, and the rest, he should go to London with; perhaps he might set out that night, for he was drove almost mad. He had been uneasy at not hearing from the child, though he had sent him a pound, and ordered him to write. I remarked that the letter I sent him, was addressed to him, and I supposed the child did not know how to direct to him. He said, he would if he had attended to what he told him. That he wrote to Patmore, and desired him to see for the child, and convey him to Mr John Hunt's. and that in his answer he said “I have been to the school, and rejoiced the poor little fellow's heart, by bringing him away with me; and in the afternoon he is going by the stage to Mr Hunt's. He has only been detained two days after the hollidays began.” He said he expected when he last came from London that the business would have been settled in a few days, and the repeated delays had quite frenzied him—that Mr. Prentice had told him last night it was again put off another fortnight, requested me to write to Mr Gray. to know whether I should be called on next friday, and if it would be necessary for me to remain in Scotland after that time: if not, he thought I had better go the saturday, by the steam boat, as the accomodations were excellent and it was very pleasant, and good company. that he intended going by it himself as soon as he could, when the affair was over; and therefore I had better set out first, as our being both there together would be awkward, and look like making a mockery of the lawyers here. Wished I would also write to the child in the evening as his nerves were in such an irritable state. he was unable to do so. Both which requests I complied with. Walked down to Leith in the evening, and found the air chilly, though the moonlight was pleasant.

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