HISTORY OF FRANCE, ALLAN RAMSAY, OLIVIER BOSSELIN, all sorts of
rubbish, APROPOS of BURNS, COMMINES, JUVENAL DES URSINS, etc. I
walk about the Parliament House five forenoons a week, in wig and
gown; I have either a five or six mile walk, or an hour or two hard
skating on the rink, every afternoon, without fail.

I have not written much; but, like the seaman's parrot in the tale,
I have thought a deal. You have never, by the way, returned me
either SPRING or BERANGER, which is certainly a d-d shame. I
always comforted myself with that when my conscience pricked me
about a letter to you. 'Thus conscience' - O no, that's not
appropriate in this connection. - Ever yours,

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON.

I say, is there any chance of your coming north this year? Mind
you that promise is now more respectable for age than is becoming.

R. L. S.



Letter: TO CHARLES BAXTER



[EDINBURGH, OCTOBER 1875.]

NOO lyart leaves blaw ower the green,
Red are the bonny woods o' Dean,