MY DEAR DAVID,

I HAVE not written to you for these eight days, simply because I have not been able to do so. The fit has been a severe one, and I feel that I am weakened, and see that I am thinned by it, beyond almost any preceding example in my own experience. My friend Wastle, however, was quite indefatigable in his attentions; and every now and then, some of the new friends I have made in Edinburgh would be dropping in upon me to relieve the tedium or the agony, (as might happen) by the charms of their good-humoured and sympathetic conversation. Mr Jeffrey, in his way home from the Parliament-House—Mr Playfair, immediately after delivering his lecture—and sometimes Professor Leslie and the Ettrick Shepherd, in the course of their walks, were among my morning visitors; and I had a regular succession of poets, artists, and young lawyers sipping coffee in my view every evening. An old maiden lady, nearly related to Mr Wastle, was also particularly kind to me. She sent her foot-boy every morning, with compliments and enquiries, and some small jar of sweetmeats, or bottle of cordial of her own manufacture—or the like. Indeed, the Laird informs me, that one day she went so far as to throw out some hints respecting a visit to the sick man, in propriâ personâ; but my friend easily spared me that addition to my uneasiness, by one or two dry remarks about “malicious tongues,” and the “rules of propriety.” But now, my good friend, I am well nigh a sound man again, and intend, God willing, to walk out and sun myself in Prince’s-Street a little while to-morrow forenoon.

In the meantime, I have had my sofa removed close to the window, which commands a view of a short street, communicating between St Andrew’s-Square and Prince’s-Street—and which is tolerably frequented, although not quite so much so as I could wish. This, indeed, is the only fault I have to find with my hotel—it does not afford me a sufficient peep of the bustle and tumult of the city. In the country I like to be altogether in the country—but, I think in a town, above all, in a town hotel, the best situation is that which is nearest the heart of the hubbub.