what from the circumstances !-viz. the endeavouring to put my fourth son into a situation for succeeding to the business of a gentleman in the same profession, who had, in the preceding winter, paid the debt we all owe to nature.

In this, I knew, from the manner in which I was then situated, I could give him little assistance at that precise time, in a pecuniary point of view myself—and there was besides, a serious obstacle, in his youth and want of experience-but, in stating the matter clearly and candidly to a gentleman, who had long, and on many occasions, acted in a most friendly manner, when he could be of use in promoting the interests of my family-observing in course of my letter,-that the one objection, viz. that on account of his youth might "be in a great degree obviated, by his coming under an obligation, to submit to my guidance, and direction in his dealings, for some time; as well as to board himself under my roof." I received in answer to that letter, (which it will be observed, had been delivered by the young man himself)—the following short and friendly reply:

"I have yours,—I am much pleased with your son,—and think you should not lose sight of the establishment you mention-I will be * * next Thursday, when, we can consider of the best method of raising for him the funds necessary.” Yours truly, &c.

Suffice it to say, that when this friendly gentleman did come down, at the time mentioned, arrangements were made for providing the young man with the necessary funds,—and in order not again to recur to the matter at that time, I may as well observe here in passing, that, I see that after purchasing a considerable proportion of the materials and of the stock, and going on with his preparations, he was able to announce, that he had commenced business, in the premises lately occupied by his predecessor in the same profession, by advertisement, dated the 5th of May next.

The storm in February this year, I find by several reminiscences, some of them of a most melancholy description, had been very severe.-Indeed, a friend in his letter of the 24th calls it "a terrible storm," and some of my readers in this quarter, may possibly recollect something of it, when I

say, that it was the same, in which there were so many mails due at one time, and when, there was such a numerous arrival of them, on a Fastens-e'en or Shrove Tuesday.

The storm, however, had so far disappeared, or taken off by the end of the month, that, I find, that by Wednesday the 26th, I was able to go to the westward, and attend a meeting of friends, on what was considered by us all, a very important matter to the family; but from which, as to any lasting good fruits resulting from it, we might as well never have met, or perhaps had better have staid at home.

I was never, however, backward in making an experiment, where there appeared, the smallest prospect of good being done by that experiment, and although some of the others seemed to be more sanguine of success, in this respect, than I wasyet, as the other parties seemed to think otherwise, at the time, I do not regret giving my consent to make the experiment agreed on,-little reason, indeed, as we have since had, to congratulate ourselves on the result.

It was some time in the month of July, I think, that I was much taken, on my return from a journey to the west, with my little namesake and grandson, as I passed through Haddington; for little GEORGE, was indeed, a most pleasant and engaging child, and it was on that occasion, I think, that it was arranged that his mother should bring him east to pay US HIS FIRST VISIT, at a short time afterwards;-and which led, to anticipations, never, alas! to be realized;-for, on the last day of July, likely just at the time we were looking for him down, according to promise, I received a letter from the father, acquainting me with the sudden death of the child, on the evening before. From sundry reminiscences, in my possession, I appear to have been much affected by the circumstance, of the little darling, lying in a kind of mournful state, in my house, and on the VERY SOFA, upon which, we had perhaps been counting upon witnessing his little gambols on that very day-Sunday, the 3d of August,―previously to his being borne forward to his final resting place, in his grandsire's burial ground, in Dunbar church yard.-The following beautiful effusion, dated on the day of his death, will shew, how the afflicted parent was affected on the occasion :

TO MY DEPARTED SON.

Br

CHILD of my love! why hast thou laid
Thy gentle head beneath the willow?
Thy Father's arms, was warmer bed,
Thy Mother's breast a softer pillow.

We joyed to please thee-darling child!
Thou wert our little earthly treasure ;-
And in thy brow, serenely mild,

We read thy gratitude with pleasure.

When gazing on thine eyes of blue,

And cheeks, bedew'd with health's red roses,

We dreaded not that last adieu,

Which the dark grave too soon discloses.

Why did thou leave, thy cradle-bed,

And the fond bosom of thy mother,

To lay in dust thy gentle head,
Beneath a clay cold mossy cover.

Say, in what region of the sky

Is now thy blessed spirit roaming?

That I may trace thy course on high,

When wand'ring in the star-light gloaming.

Heaven snatched thee faultless as thou grew,

A pure unspotted offering blossom,

Exhal'd thy spirit as the dew

That lies upon the lily's bosom.

So softly came the herald death,

As o'er thy form we weeping bended,
We scarce observ'd the parting breath,
When calm, to God, thy soul ascended.

But oft, my GEORGE, in future years,

Thy fate, untimely, I will mourn;
And with a father's fondest tears

Bedew the turf that decks thy urn!

30th July, 1823.

I do not recollect the precise time, when I first visited the Edinburgh College Museum, preparatory to the description given of it in my Popular Philosophy, which then, as I got my mind more and more relieved from other considerations, must have been obtaining some ascendency in my thoughts; but I recollect distinctly enough, that it was on my way to the westward, to visit some friends in the month of August, this summer, that I embraced the opportunity of introducing my wife to this superb collection, in company with another lady and some friends,-and that it was, in coming out on this occasion, that we met with, and received so hearty a shake of the hand from, poor Mr Constable, then in the zenith of his glory,—and whose activity, perseverance, and enterprising spirit, in trade,-certainly merited a better fate, than what befel him at the last.

Although my heavy stock must, by this time, have been much reduced, yet, the best season for auctioning was not to be let slip, without attempting something, and, I accordingly find, we once more entered upon a new series, beginning at Dunbar, on the evening of the 1st of October, and finishing, with occasional intervals, at same place, on the last week of the year ;-and in the mean time, I availed myself of the busiest selling time in Edinburgh, to get Messrs M. and S. to introduce some of my books occasionally into their catalogues, during the months of November and December.*

* The sale in Dunbar, as above observed, commenced on Wednesday, the first of Oct. and continued to the 11th,-afterwards, we find my son operating at Dunse, on the 13th to the 18th,-at Eccles and Litholm, from the 21st to the 25th, at Kelso, from 28th, to 1st Nov.-at Swinton, 3d, 4th,-Ladykirk, 5th, 6th,-Whitsome, 7th, 8th,—at Allanton, Chirnside and Westruther, week ending the 15th,-Ayton and Coldingham, from 17th to 22d;-after this, there seems to be a small interval during our Fair week,-and then, the sales proceed at Cockburnspath, East Barns, and Innerwick, 1st to 6th Dec.-Tyningham, Whittingham, and Linton, 8th to 13th,-Whittingham and Stenton, 17th to the 20th, and a week at Dunbar, from the 22d to the 27th.

's

The nights, on which some of my articles were inserted in Messrs catalogues, in Edinburgh, were the 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th and 12th-and again, on the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th and 22d Nov.-and 1st, 3d, and 4th of Dec.

CHAPTER XXXIII.-1824.

Although the year 1824, brought with it, its cares and troubles, yet 1 had now got into comparatively smooth water, in many respects -Certain matters, that I must however have felt keenly, or, which, could not have borne lightly on me at the time -The arch enemy of mankind, changes his mode of attack, but is defeated by my resolution, NOT to curse God, and die, but, to BLESS GOD AND LIVE. -Grateful aspirations in my new retrospect.-Am again indisposed.-Begin to think seriously, of proceeding with my "Book of Nature Laid Open."-Circumstances, that must have contributed to induce me, to proceed in earnest with my work at this period —Beautiful extract from Galen.-Golden opportunities not lost sight of,-Moments of seclusion from the world, how they may be profitably employed, and well spent.-Night thoughts, as well as daily exertions, called into action -All necessary, to enable me to progress with my task. What seems to have been the will of providence, in this respect Other concerns not neglected.—Spring auctions —Write to a stranger in America. His prompt reply.-Procedure adopted, after receiving the American intelligence.-Preparations for another extensive winter auction campaign. -“Cheap sale," and "Literary Treat."-Theatre of our new auction operations, from commencement, till their termination.-What must have contributed much, to put me in spirits, as 1824, drew to a close.

THE year 1824 brought with it its cares and troubles, and, of course, its own anxieties and struggles; but, as I had now got into comparatively smooth water, in other respects, and these, however acute and grievous to be borne, may be said either to have belonged to the mysterious subject within the veil,-or so allied to, and connected with, other private concerns, as not to come within the pale of, legitimate subject for public exposure, I shall pass them by, with this slight notice.

There are, however, certain reminiscences, which go to show, that, whatever relief I may have obtained, by this time, in regard to other matters-the troubles of the year, upon which I had now entered, were neither of a light, nor a temporary nature-and that neither did they fall lightly, nor bear transiently,-on my still seemingly devoted head!

For, it could not be a small matter, which could induce a dear friend, in writing to me so early as the 3d of January, as if afraid, that he had touched too strongly on a certain tender