classics of the University, at the gate of which the father was a
mendicant. The young man was modest and inclined to learning, so that a
student of the same age, and whose parents were rather of the lower
order, moved by seeing him excluded from the society of other scholars
when the secret of his birth was suspected, endeavoured to console him
by offering him some occasional civilities. The old mendicant was
grateful for this attention to his son, and one day, as the friendly
student passed, he stooped forward more than usual, as if to intercept
his passage. The scholar drew out a halfpenny, which he concluded was
the beggar's object, when he was surprised to receive his thanks for the
kindness he had shown to Jemmie, and at the same time a cordial
invitation to dine with them next Sunday, 'on a shoulder of mutton and
potatoes,' adding, 'ye'll put on your clean sark, as I have company.'
The student was strongly tempted to accept of this hospitable proposal,
as many in his place would probably have done; but as the motive might
have been capable of misrepresentation, he thought it most prudent,
considering the character and circumstances of the old man, to decline
the invitation.

"Such are a few traits of Scottish mendicity, designed to throw light on
a novel in which a character of that description plays a prominent part.
We conclude, that we have vindicated Edie Ochiltree's right to the
importance assigned him; and have shown, that we have known one beggar
take a hand at cards with a person of distinction, and another give
dinner parties."

The curious reader who is anxious to pursue the character still further,
will be gratified with "a few particulars with which his biographer
appears to be unacquainted,"--by a Correspondent of the _Literary
Gazette_, No. 664.