It was in the spring of 1841 that I first addressed Messrs. Chambers of Edinburgh, sending them a prose article and a poem, which were promptly inserted in their Journal; and very soon I had the pleasure of feeling myself an acceptable contributor. When the brothers came to London they called upon me, introducing me to their wives, and what began in a purely business acquaintanceship soon ripened into a warm and lifelong friendship. Seldom, I think, have two brothers done so much good in the world as the brothers William and Robert Chambers; and it is because I knew them so well and for so long a period, that I feel justified in writing about them at some length.

In the year 1845 I spent nearly two months in Scotland, being a guest in either one family or the other the whole time; but I already knew my hosts intimately from having seen them frequently in London, and thus at once felt I was visiting friends. Still what is called “staying with people” makes us more thoroughly acquainted with them than any other form of visiting can do. In my case I found my first impressions but confirmed and widened. Not only apparently, but from more than one assurance of the fact, I know that the brothers worked together most harmoniously, and yet I think it would be difficult to find two men of more opposite characters.