The Book-Hunter | Page 9

the beginning of his Edinburgh
life, and relate to a feat of mental exertion equal to his bodily
performances. He was at the time living in lodgings, for the purpose of
passing his legal examinations preparatory to coming to the Bar; but he
may be allowed to give the history of this part of his life entirely in his
own words.
"EDINBURGH, 3d Nov. 1830.
"MY DEAR MOTHER,--I have just arrived here, and as there is a
friend of Mr Dauney's just about to set off for Aberdeen, I preferred
letting you get a bit of a note or so to sending you a newspaper. Of
course I have nothing to write you about but my own concerns. A
delightful moonlight night for travelling, but the coach rather full: there
were three nice children, with whom I contrived to amuse myself. All
went on well till we came to Burntisland Ferry, where we had to
proceed so far in an open boat. The sea poured in in a rather

disagreeable manner; and while I thought every one was getting a good
ducking but myself, a large miscreant of a wave contrived to escape
every other passenger, and to settle right upon my shoulders. I have not
yet secured a lodging in Edinburgh, but have been wandering through
all the streets admiring. Of the Old Town I think far more than of the
New, it is so majestic and magnificent, and am resolved, if I can, to live
in it.
"I dined at Mr Dauney's to-day. He has requested me to stay with him
till I can get lodgings conveniently, but I expect to be stowed away
to-morrow. I delivered Mr Innes's parcel; and remain, my dear mother,
your most affectionate son, J. HILL BURTON.
"P.S.--I would have written you a long letter, but do not wish to absent
myself from table."
* * * * *
"11 KEIR STREET, EDINBURGH, Tuesday Evening, 9th Nov. 1830.
"MY DEAR MOTHER,--I take the opportunity of Mr Innes's parcel,
which leaves this to-morrow afternoon, to give you a more succinct
account of my affairs than you could derive from my laconic epistle of
last week. I must, however, preface by requesting you to write me as
soon as you conveniently can, either by Innes or L. Smith's conveyance,
as I am anxious to hear the state of your cold, and how James is
succeeding at school.
"When I dismounted from the coach I was peculiarly struck by the sight
of magnificent streets, with scarcely a human being to be seen along
them. I expected to have found them of that crowded description so
often characteristic of a metropolis; but to one who is accustomed to
see our grand mercantile thoroughfare, the paucity of perambulators in
some of the streets of Edinburgh appears rather peculiar. Others I found
at particular periods to be thickly inhabited. My first course was to
direct my course through the rain to G.B.'s dwelling, where I found him
reading a large Bible. He appears to have carried fanaticism to a
ridiculous pitch, unworthy of his education and station in life. He put

into my hands a tract (composed I am afraid by himself), with
injunctions to read it. I intend to send it to you as a curiosity. His
brother Charles, whom I best knew, used to be a clever and sensible
boy, very well informed; I hope he, too, is not also among the prophets.
How few steer a middle course! G.B. cannot do the most trifling act
without connecting it with religion. It is a mere disease. Others never
think of it at all. I think it is Dr Johnson who says something to this
effect: '----was mad, and showed it by kneeling down and saying his
prayers on the street. Now there are many men who are not mad, yet I
am afraid are worse than poor ----, for they never pray at all.' But to
return--I inquired at Mr B. if he could recommend me to any cheap and
respectable lodging. After applying some thought to the subject, he
began to recollect that he did know of one or two. With regard to one
the address was rather imperfect, as he knew neither the name nor the
number, but had a guess of the street. The other I discovered, and now
occupy, although he gave me both a wrong name and wrong number.
"Immediately on leaving B.'s I went to Dauney, who appeared glad to
see me, and kindly asked me to dine with him. He has a very handsome
house. Mrs Dauney is a very agreeable person, and they have two
children. He would not hear of my leaving him till I had got
accommodated with good lodgings. The rooms I now occupy I did not
enter