Matheson Collection > Reliquiae Celticae > Ossianica, with memoir of Dr. Cameron

XXX. MEMOIR OF DR CAMERON.
back. It becomes quite painful to hear the notions of books and
literary matters he gives vent to. He had had my Carlyle's
Johnson on loan, and he is quite delighted with the funny things
C. sa}'s. He is of opinion that it is a very diverting book, and
that reading such nonsense makes good pastime. Only think — C,
who makes of literature so serious a matter, and to whom the
great charge laid by lovers of amusement is that he makes too
great demands on his readers — that he is obscure, unintelligible —
viewed only as a diverting writer. Do you think my friend
understood him in the least, for all the Carlylean doctrines are
implied (in), and may be evolved from, that article ? But it is the
same with all books in this man's hands, yet I have allowed him
to carry off " Tristram Shandy," notwithstanding my fears he may
make a bad use of it in more senses than one. He has pievented
my scrawl being sent off to-night, and brought me no news to help
make up for it, but wind and tide being so uncertain it may make
no ditìerence. Don't forget Lamb at least. I have not yet got a
list of the University Library. I see the cheap edition of
Waverley is out, but I am not particular about that. The
Classics I wish much. If the postage for Lamb do not exceed Is
I should like it by post ; but perhaps these minute directions are
rather troublesome. I do so long for something new, you will
excuse me. I saw the prospectus of Stewart's works, but they
did not excite any strong wish to possess them. Hamilton's Notes
on the Dissertation, if as copious as on Beid, must be curious.
Many of Stewart's blunders are rather of a glaring sort ; while
Hamilton's acquaintance with the history of philosophy, even in
its obscurest departments, is unmatched at least in this country.
Write soon. — Yours sincerely, . David Bruce."
"Kingussie, 24th July, 1854.
"My Dear Sir, — I received both your letters with the
' Witness' yesterday, though they bore the post-mark of the 22nd.
How it came about that I did not receive them on Saturday per-
haps Miss M'K. could explain. She knew I was impatient for a
letter, and perhaps wished to annoy a little. I sent a boy to the
Post-Office on Saturday to inquire, and the way to punish me was
to deliver them on the morning of the Sunday, with the informa
tion that they had had occasion to send. Your explanation as to
the posts and the marks on the back of the letters, leave little
doubt as to how the matter really stood, which I regret the more
because I am prevented from returning an early answer to your
letters. The present scrawl, though I send it off to-night, will
scarcely reach you sooner than if posted on Saturday next — at
least it is a doubtful point. Those winds and waves are
unmanageable things.