To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart. of Jesus college, Oxon.
DEAR PHILLIPS,
If I stay much longer at Edinburgh, I shall be changed into a
downright Caledonian -- My uncle observes, that I have already
acquired something of the country accent. The people here are so
social and attentive in their civilities to strangers, that I am
insensibly sucked into the channel of their manners and customs,
although they are in fact much more different from ours than you
can imagine -- That difference, however, which struck me very much
at my first arrival, I now hardly perceive, and my ear is
perfectly reconciled to the Scotch accent, which I find even
agreeable in the mouth of a pretty woman -- It is a sort of Doric
dialect, which gives an idea of amiable simplicity -- You cannot
imagine how we have been caressed and feasted in the good town of
Edinburgh of which we are become free denizens and guild
brothers, by the special favour of the magistracy.
I had a whimsical commission from Bath, to a citizen of this
metropolis. Quin, understanding our intention to visit Edinburgh,
pulled out a guinea, and desired the favour I would drink it at a
tavern, with a particular friend and bottle-companion of his, Mr
R-- C--, a lawyer of this city -- I charged myself with the
commission, and, taking the guinea, 'You see (said I) I have
pocketed your bounty.
Pages:
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404