Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

WILLIAM LAIDLAW. 147
in, so far as I have it in my power. As to any pecuniary
recompense, I cannot in conscience stipulate or accept of any
for as it can be only broken hints, detached fragments, and so
forth, that I can offer, and that but occasionally, I would be
very unreasonable to exact any emolument for such trifles, nor
have I any thoughts of doing so.
It is, however, in your -power to interest me more deeply in
the success of your attempt, in the event of your securing, as
you propose, the assistance of my friend, Mr William Laidlaw,
on the footing of a regular contributor. He is one of my oldest
and best friends in this country—a man of a singularly original
and powerful mind, acquainted with science, well skilled in
literature, and an excellent agriculturist. Having lately given
up an over-rented farm, he is at present inhabiting a farmhouse
of mine called Kaeside, about half a mile from me, and I am
heartily desirous, both for his sake and my own, to secure myself
the benefit of his neighbourhood, as he is amicus omnium
honorum, my confidential adviser on rural economy, and my
companion in field sports. If, therefore, you should think it
advisable to trust to Mr Laidlaw for supplying a certain por-
tion of your Magazine with agricultural or literary articles, I
have not the least doubt they will be executed to your satisfac-
tion, and will consider myself as completely responsible for
what he may supply. He shall have my best advice and fre-
quent assistance ; and as a very special friend of mine answered
Dr Lawson of Selkirk, when in the course of the Carritch they
came to the question, "What is Effectual Calling?" "I have
little doubt we will make it out between us." But, my good
sir, if I am to give this sort of pledge, the emolument derived
to Mr Laidlaw's family must be such as will answer my seljfish
purpose of keeping him in my neighbourhood, and that will
cost you such a rate of copy money as shall enable him to make
at least £120 per annum. Mr Laidlaw is a good antiquary,
and both he and I would have pleasure in contributing to that
branch. He has by him an excellent essay on converting high
and over - ploughed lands into grass, written for the benefit
of your humble servant in a manner likely to be generally
interesting. I have a curious letter of the well-known
Chevalier Eamsay to Mr Bayers on the state, political and
;