14 July 1873 – 20 July 1873

To C.'s, carrying some books of poetry to him. He is having a course of reading in English Poetry, and I have lent him Hazlitt's Selections^ Campbell's, etc. Walk, Carlyle, Mr. Robert Tait and I ; C. speaks of Dryden's Alexander s Feast. ' Handel's music decupled the effect of the poetry : this is what music ought to do.' Talking of scenery C. told of two rustic Scotchmen who found themselves by some chance at Ailsa Craig ; they stared in astonishment at the great sea-precipices. At last one said to the other, ' Eh, Jock, Nature's deevilish ! ' The Smith near C.'s father. C. describes minutely the situation of the smithy. ' Smith a great arguer ; used to say, " Tak' ayther side ye like, an' I'll doon ye ! " He was popularly said to make a pudding for himself at Christmas time of horsenails, and this was supposed to keep his bones green. Poor John ! poor fellow ! '