Untitled - Electric Scotland

28 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. n.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are to be employed
in ad
judging the prizes; 1 and that the exhibition on Thursday the
ist of May will conclude the session. I trust your fellow-
students will allot many prizes to you ; but at any
rate I am sure
you deserve them. I agree with you that the boys are not always
strictly impartial, and I am told that there are many observations
on their conduct this year at the Edinburgh College. I hope,
however, you have a good chance for their votes ; for, indepen
dently of your attention and progress in your studies, I do not
think there can be anything in your manners unkind, or which they
could take offence at. You must write to me on the Thursday
night, and send to me the printed list by the coach or some safe,
attentive private hand. I suppose it will be printed on the Wed
nesday, and I trust your name will be often in it. During the
three idle days at the beginning of the week, occupy your time
with walking a good deal, calling upon and taking leave of the
Lockharts, M Farlanes, and all who have been kind to you, and
with reading some amusing English author. Have you read
Pope s Rape of the Lock, or Milton s L Allegro or his Comus?
You have them with you. ... By the by, in little excursions
which you happen to make, as well as longer journeys, always
take with you some well-written, agreeable author, that you may
fill up pleasantly the broken hours which occur on such occa
sions. It might be a good thing for you and me to make out
one book
a list with that view. By going on regularly, in taking
after another in such a list, it is wonderful what you may ac
complish without diminishing, but rather increasing, the pleasure
of your journeys. These are most proper and convenient times
to commit fine passages of the poets to memory.
You know that I some time ago secured for you during the
summer an hour from Marriott 2 for Greek, and one for French
from Buquet. 2
I have now also secured an hour three times
a week from Roberts for Elocution. The only others I wish
for you are one three times a week for Mathematics, and one
also three times a week for dancing. But I have not yet been
able to ascertain the best masters for these branches.
"
Nothing this summer will give you hard work but the Greek.
Upon it, however, you must bestow great attention, and keep next
1
According to the custom in the University of Glasgow, the prizes are
adjudged by the votes of the students.
2 A master in the Edinburgh Academy.