The lawyer's eye glanced at Dominie Sampson. 'A curiosity worth
preserving; and I'll find you a fit custodier. Here you, sir (to
the waiter), go to Luckie Finlayson's in the Cowgate for Miles
Macfin the cadie, he'll be there about this time, and tell him I
wish to speak to him.'

The person wanted soon arrived. 'I will commit your friend to this
man's charge,' said Pleydell; 'he'll attend him, or conduct him,
wherever he chooses to go, with a happy indifference as to kirk or
market, meeting or court of justice, or any other place whatever;
and bring him safe home at whatever hour you appoint; so that Mr.
Barnes there may be left to the freedom of his own will.'

This was easily arranged, and the Colonel committed the Dominie to
the charge of this man while they should remain in Edinburgh.

'And now, sir, if you please, we shall go to the Grey-friars
church, to hear our historian of Scotland, of the Continent, and
of America.'

They were disappointed: he did not preach that morning. 'Never
mind,' said the Counsellor, 'have a moment's patience and we shall
do very well.'

The colleague of Dr. Robertson ascended the pulpit. [Footnote:
This was the celebrated Doctor Erskine, a distinguished clergyman,
and a most excellent man.] His external appearance was not
prepossessing. A remarkably fair complexion, strangely contrasted
with a black wig without a grain of powder; a narrow chest and a
stooping posture; hands which, placed like props on either side of