MY DEAR FRIEND,
I expect before you receive this you will have received a parcel, which I gave to a Mr. Donaldson, who works with Mr. Carswell, manufacturer, Moss Row. When I called on Mr. Ross, he told me he would have sent you some things before that, but he did not wish to put you to the expense of carriage until he got some things from London, which he thought pretty, when he would send them altogether. I knew a woman who was going to Glasgow at that time, and I told him if he got them soon to let me have them, and I would get them conveyed to you. However, she was gone, and fortunately I met with Mr. Donaldson. Mr. Ross lives here in great style—keeps a house in the town, and another in the country. He lives at his country house now. He is very much respected here, and deservedly. I had a long stay with him, and am invited to visit him in the country, but the invitation was given in too general terms to accept it He is vain of his composition. Independent of what he says about it, can there be a greater proof of it than his setting music of his own to “Logan Water,” in .preference to the old air, one of the most beautiful tunes ever composed. He is not so tall as his brother, whom you knew, but very like him in the face, and still thinner in the body and legs. I should like to know what you think of the songs he sent you. I did not look much at them, but what I did look, I thought a good deal of the “Dusky Glen,” and would have thought more of it had I never heard it sung to the “Lack of Gold.” I was in Edinburgh five days before I got a vessel to Aberdeen (no disappointment). I called on Gray. Upon my soul, he was astonished when I mentioned your book that he had not seen it. After what he had told me, and what you had told me of him some time ago, I marked him down a smooth-faced double-dealer. But he made so many palpable excuses, that I thought it might be true what he said. He laid the whole blame on William Orr. He said he had repeatedly asked him to call upon you, and get some copies from you, and give you a guinea. I should be glad to know if that was the case or not. I told him you had no more copies. Then he talked of sending you money whether or not; then he thought again that would hurt your independence. If Gray is not a warm-hearted, friendly, good fellow, he is one of the best actors I ever saw. I am very sorry I had not more of your company when in Paisley. I called at Wilson's that night I was at your house, but you were not there. After that I got happy, and called on Smith and Stewart. I mind I behaved very silly. Upon my soul, Bob, I could not help it. I am so happy when in Paisley, and meeting with so many old acquaintances, that I get little short of craziness. And when I join the Regiment I find fault with almost everything I have done. I'm sure my friends have a great deal of allowance to make, which I hope they do with a good grace. Believe me, it would vex me exceedingly did. I offend any of them in the least by any of my inadvertencies. Give my warmest respects to William Stewart and Robert Smith. I would be glad to hear from any of them as soon as convenient. I hope they are using Smith as he deserves. Your old friend Buchanan and his family are all well, and desire to be re¬membered to you and all our old friends. I hope you won't delay long in letting me hear from you, as you was not very well when I saw you last. I'll be impatient until I hear from you, as I am certain none have your welfare more at heart than
Your old friend,
JAMES CLARK.