those lonesome moments, when "the heart must have known its own bitterness." Indeed, I must confess, that I feel rather surprised that I should have been able to make any, even the smallest progress, with my task at such a time, and under such circumstances.

But it seems to have been ordained, in the wisdom of Providence, that a work which may well be said to have taken its rise from misfortune, (as I think has already been sufficiently demonstrated) should be nurtured, and brought forward, as it now was, amidst the whirlwind and the storm; and that, it should further, issue from the press, and be given to the world, as it afterwards was, under circumstances peculiarly distressing :-during, in fact, one of the most calamitous periods, ever witnessed, in the bookselling trade.*

That the laborious task to which I had devoted myself, and which I expected one day, would become, in addition to a most pleasing and agreeable employment for the present, a lasting source of future profit in the way of business, was not the means of making me overlook, or neglect, any opportunity for furthering my other business concerns, we have the most undoubted proof, in the circumstance, that our few spring auctions were not neglected, but carried into effect, at the time we could most conveniently allot for the purpose, viz. the month of February,-which was judged soon enough for that short series, all that was deemed necessary at this season.†

And that besides, when I became rather alarmed, at not again hearing from my American correspondent, by the 27th of May, I was induced to write a letter of that date, to a who had resided there for some time, and was a still person greater stranger to me, expressing a wish, that he would

In confirmation of this, I have only to refer my readers to the great change that took place, to the worse, in the state of the country, and the peculiarly calamitous period, which the Bookselling trade, in particular, had to encounter, in that memorable year 1826, when this publication, was destined to issue from the press.

The first of these, was at Pencaitland, on the 3d and 4th Feb.-West Salton 5, 6,-Gladesmuir 7,-Aberlady on the 9,-Gullen 10, 11,-Dirleton 12,Kingston 13, and Linton on the 14th.

wait upon, and make certain inquiries at the other ;-which I am glad to be able to record, to the honour of that worthy man, he did to the full extent of my request-and sent me off the desired information, so far, as he appears to have been able to ascertain the various particulars, so soon as two days after the receipt of my letter; which seems to have been long on its passage, but for which, this good man, (who afforded at least, one instance in his own person, that coNFIDENCE was not altogether an obsolete, or a word out of repute in America,) made some amends by his promptitude and attention.

His letter despatched on the 9th of August, reached me, just in time, (in consequence of its containing nothing satisfactory in regard to the most essential particular—another remittance—or any immediate prospect of a remittance-) to set us once more at work, in our preparations for another extensive winter auction campaign, as the best way, to enable us to get the better of the effects of "hope deferred,” from that quarter, and to make up for present deficiencies, till we saw, what time would produce.

Once more then, we buckled on our auction armour for an active campaign, which we commenced, I see, in Haddington, on Monday the 27th Sept. under the head of "CHEAP SALE and AUCTION of BOOKS, FAMILY BIBLES, &c. but which, was afterwards designated a little further down the advertisement, as "A LITERARY TREAT," and which was continued with very little interruption, until we finished for the year, at Whittingham, on the 25th Dec.-or, I may say, after the interval of another month, by a sale at Dunfermline, from the 29th January to the 12th February, which, I consider it a better, or more fitting period, to bring these operations up to ;-as we did no more, in that way, until the ensuing season, for such sales,*—and, upon the whole I have the sa

• This extensive series of auctions embraced Haddington, week beginning 27th Sept. to 2d of Oct.-Dunbar, 4th Oct. to 9-Eccles, 12 to 14,-Sprout ston, 15, 16,-Stitchel, 18,-Hume, 19,-Greenlaw, 20, 21,-Litholm, 22, 23, Swinton, 25, 26,—Ladykirk 27-Whitsome, 28, 29,-Paxton, 30,-Hutton, Nov. 1,-Allanton, 2,-West Reston, 3,-Ayton, 4, 5, 6,-Coldingham, 8, 9, 10,-Dunfermline, Nov. 13 to 20,-then, after Dunbar Fair week-Tynningham, 30, and Dec. 1st-Linton, 2 to 4,-Haddington again, Dec, 6 to 18,-Pen. caitland, Dec. 20,-Salton 21, 22,-Gifford, 23, 24,-Whittingham, 25,-and again, at Dunfermline, Jan. 29 to Feb. 12.-all inclusive.

tisfaction to add, that the aggregate proceeds of these sales, were something considerable; and must, I think, have come up to our expectations, a thing to which we had not been much accustomed of late, and which, could not, therefore fail, to contribute much to put me in spirits, as the year drew towards a close.

CHAPTER XXXIV.-1825.

Various causes that must have contributed to my composure, and to make me feel somewhat comfortable on entering 1825-Although from certain circum. stances slightly glanced at, it is evident the stream had not continued to run perfectly smooth. It is well for the credibility of my narrative, that part of my story is passed over.- -I am, however, enabled to proceed with my new task, and make some progress in it, during another protracted convalescence.-Another flower in life's journey-Extract from the letter of a very old customer.-More subjects than one engage my attention. Must ever look back with satisfac tion, to a certain portion of my past hours.-One happy effect of my being so en-. gaged. Proceed in my preparations in respect to Popular Philosophy.— Much to do in that Summer and Autumn.-The back again, made meet for the burden-Recover my health, and get into excellent spirits.-Finish our little series of auctions -The aspect of the times, becomes more and more favourable. Happy party at a launching feast.—Issue my prospectus.—My great success in a short period.-The number of subscribers, continues to increase during the winter.-Suddenly interrupted in my preparations, by a piece of most afflictive intelligence.-More flowers in my path.-Renewed correspondence with some of my old acquaintances.-Specimen of the style of one of them.-Pay my long meditated visit of observation, to the Edinburgh College Museum.-Walk by the Cove Shore.-Visit the Siccar Point. -How to kill three dogs with one stone-Expedition to the Fairy Castles to the westward of Oldhamstocks -Kind reception, pleasant party, and hospitable entertainment, at the manse.-Reminded by the snow, that we had not been a day too soon.

FROM the success of my auction sales, so far as they had gone, up to that period, (and it will be seen that they had arrived to very near their termination for the season)-together with the circumstance of my having made, in course of the year that had just passed, a good deal of progress in a work that had been, for some time, the object of my anxious solicitude, and which now, for more reasons than one, I wished to bring

into the market with the greatest possible expedition, I must have been somewhat restored to myself, and to decent composure of mind, at the commencement of 1825.

Notwithstanding, it appears too evident from my memorandums, that the unhappy cause which made me eat that bitter bread of sorrow towards the end of the preceding year, was by no means removed, and that the two other co-operating destroyers of my peace, at the time, still stood in abeyance, with a frowning aspect, as if impatient again to be called into action, to shower down their wrath, on my already too much shattered and battered tenement,-although nothing further must be said for the present on these heads.*

Suffice it, therefore, now to say, that notwithstanding these grievous drawbacks to my comforts, and the many tantalizing and distressing circumstances, under which, I was compelled to proceed with and continue my task,-I actually did proceed with, and continue in the prosecution of it, during another protracted indisposition,-in the most persevering, zealous, and unremitting manner, in course of the early months of the year; and ceased not, till I had brought my plans for publication, as well as the work itself, to considerable maturity in course of the ensuing summer.

My indisposition, this season, indeed, seems to have set very early in, for in a letter from a friend of date, the 28th of December preceding, the expression, "I am exceedingly sorry to learn, that you are so unwell," shews, that at that time, I had been complaining,-while the following, from a card before me, dated the 26th January, written by one, of my oldest acquaintances and customers, and who is pleased, indeed, in that card to compliment me pretty highly

My readers, I trust, will excuse me, for not being less mystical and more explicit, on this part of my subject, for, belonging to that class of my mis. fortunes, which must not be brought too prominently into the public gaze, and partly connected with the mysterious subject within the veil, they must, as in last chapter, be still suffered to remain enveloped in obscurity;-and, it is perhaps well for the credibility of my narrative, that it is so,-for if the whole truth were to be told, in regard to some of these particulars, and other circumstances, that made their appearance in due time,-I much suspect, that my simple story, would lose much of the appearance of its simplicity, and my narrative wear, more of the air of a romance taken from the regions of fiction, than what, in that case it would have undoubtedly become, “A mysterious romance of real life.”

on the length of and uniform cordiality which had subsisted betwixt us, in all our dealings, "I was sorry to hear of your recent confinement," &c. shews that, that indisposition was of a nature sufficiently serious, to occasion confinement; and although, I must have had a temporary respite at the time I was enabled to walk out, and take my short excursion to the fields, on the 31st, or last day of the month, it is evident I must again have had a relapse in course of the month of February, as I recollect from a circumstance that I cannot easily forget, of going to bed on one of the nights of that month, with a blister on, in a state of pretty severe indisposition, but to hail, the ensuing morning, with fear and trembling, instead of songs of joy for my recovery.

How long I continued in a state of confinement, or seriously indisposed, I know not, but I see by some memorandums, up to the 11th of April, that I had been a good deal busied with one subject of a less pleasant description, while the progress I had made with another, viz. my Popular Philosophy, demonstrates, that that part of my occupation, had suffered nothing by my confinement.

This worthy man, Mr James Inglis, late schoolmaster of Innerwick, had indeed, long had dealings with me, as I see, I can count back 42 years, from the time his name first appears in my books, to the day of his interment, in the church-yard of that place, on the 30th of October, 1830,--and by the following extract from his card, above alluded to, it will be seen how he was affected to me, on the 26th Jan. 1825,-"To recognise an OLD ACQUAINTANCE and FRIEND, tends to stir up the finest recollections, and most pleasing feelings of the soul. My attachments to friends of the above description, are not easily shaken, especially where the intercourse I have with them, evinces that probity, honour, and obliging attention, which, without flattery, I have reason to say, have always marked your conduct, and when such engaging qualities combine in a character, they must have an attractive influence, upon every person possessed of a kindred spirit.-It is now, as you observe, many years since we became acquainted, and have had dealings in the way of business, and I rejoice to think that no misunderstanding has ever soured our friendly and cordial transactions.

This may be thought to be too panegyrical for insertion in this place, but let it be recollected, that I have been of late years, so much persecuted by Fortune, as to have nothing to leave, as a legacy to my family, but character,and this will shew, how I stood in that respect, (within these few years,) with a VERY OLD CUSTOMER; who had indeed, had many transactions with me in his time, and having been known to the most of his acquaintances, as, although a very worthy, a very particular man in his way, and one, who would not from any consideration, have given such a verdict, without seeing occasion, is a species of evidence, not to be met with every day, and very much out of the common run,for, Forty two years, is a long time for any two individuals to be acquainted, and much they must have known of each others characters in that time, espe cially, if they had many transactions together, which, it is evident, has been the case in this instance.