DEAR BOB,
I should have answered your kind favour of the lst ult., but that I waited in the expectation of some books from Edinburgh, which our people had written for, in the failure of which I had some thoughts of troubling you about them.They are still expected, but as we leave this town soon, I could not longer delay the writing you.
Believe me, your letter gave me extreme pleasure, the kind attention of my friends, and their concern for my welfare penetrated me deeply and produced sensations I will not attempt to describe. I rejoice to hear that you are still much in the old way. Long may your friendly few, alike removed from ignorance and pedantry, from foppish ceremony and rude vulgarity, enjoy their manly, social, friendly intercourse. And in your hours of relaxation from the fatigues of honest bodily labour or mental exertion, may good sense, good humour, and good cheer crown the chosen circle, in which I spent so many happy hours. For me to hear that you continue to honour me with your regard is my chief consolation for the regret I feel in being separated from your society.
I might give you some account of our situation, but I believe it would prove but uninteresting. Our success in this town has been pretty tolerable, but in short, this life has but few charms for me. The passion I once had for this profession is long since abated. I find myself now incapable of much exertion, and from various causes am convinced I have little to expect from it. I once had some boyish notions of succeeding in it; but I am no longer a boy in years, whatever I may be in wisdom ; and in constitution I am pretty old. Yet do not call me discontented, I am only indifferent. My companions are almost all of them very agreeable, and could I have the pleasure of corresponding with Paisley, and Kilbarchan, as I could wish, I should be tolerably easy.
By-the-bye, I have been long looking for a letter from Kilbarchan. I have written repeatedly to James Barr there, but have received no answer. I wish to know, before I write particularly to my friends there, if he has left the place. If you can gain any information, it would be an obligation to communicate it.
Your love ballad pleased me extremely, and I am impatient for the “Sodger's Return.” I hope you will send me it, and whatever else you can, with the first carrier.You will pardon this haste, but anything of yours will be a cordial to me. Any thing you can easily procure without purchasing, or songs, &c., will be particularly acceptable. I desire to be warmly remembered to all my friends particularly to James Scadlock* (tell him I will write to him soon) to Messrs Anderson,* M'Neil,* Wylie,* &c., &c. Assure them all of my highest respect and grateful consideration, and,
Believe me,
DEAR BOB,
Yours truly,
WM. LIVINGSTONE.
The original of this is in possession of Mr. Matthew Blair, Paisley.—Ed.
* James Scadlock to whom the Epistles, No. 19 and 21, were addressed ; William Anderson mentioned in No. 19 ; William M`Neil on whom the Elegy, No. 62, was made; and William Wylie to whom the Epistle, No. 23, was addressed.—Ed.