P.S.—I have read the whole of Fitzgerald's "Zero," and the idea is exceedingly well wrought out.
Miss Hogarth.
Kennedy's Hotel, Edinburgh, Saturday, Dec. 12th, 1868.
I send another Scotsman by this post, because it is really a good newspaper, well written, and well managed. We had an immense house here last night, and a very large turn-away.
We have four guests to dinner to-day: Peter Fraser, Ballantyne, John Blackwood, and Mr. Russel. Immense preparations are making in the establishment, "on account," Mr. Kennedy says, "of a' four yon chiels being chiels wha' ken a guid dinner." I enquired after poor Doctor Burt, not having the least idea that he was dead.
My voice holds out splendidly so far, and I have had no return of the American. But I sleep very indifferently indeed.
It blew appallingly here the night before last, but the wind has since shifted northward, and it is now bright and cold. The Star of Hope, that picked up those shipwrecked people in the boat, came into Leith yesterday, and was received with tremendous cheers. Her captain must be a good man and a noble fellow.
The same.
Kennedy's Hotel, Edinburgh, Monday, Dec. 14th, 1868.
The dinner-party of Saturday last was an immense success. Russel swore on the occasion that he would go over to Belfast expressly to dine with me at the Finlays'. Ballantyne informed me that he was going to send you some Scotch remembrance (I don't know what) at Christmas!