Soon after Mr Smith reached Edinburgh, where he had not a single acquaintance, he set out to deliver his letter of introduction. He found his way to Drummond Place easily enough, and then inquired for the street he was in search of--Duncan Street; but the native he applied to could not well make out his southron tongue, and directed him instead to Dublin Street, which all men know is at the opposite angle of the Place. When our letter-bearer reached his number, he was surprised to find, instead of the respectable 'main-door' he had been taught to expect--a green-grocer's shop. He was puzzled: but after comparing carefully the number of the house and of the note, he concluded that his London friend had made a mistake; and in this idea he was confirmed by the green-grocer, to whom he applied. 'Hoot, sir,' said the man of cabbages, 'it's nae mistake to speak o'--it's just ae side of the street for the ither;' and pointing to a house almost immediately opposite, he informed him that there Mr Archibald resided. Mr Smith crossed over to the number indicated, and finding no knocker--for we do not like noise in Edinburgh--pulled the bell. 'Is Mr Archibald at home?' demanded he of the serving-maiden who came to the door. 'Yes, sir.' 'Can I see him?' 'He's no in, sir.' 'No in! Will you direct me to his office?' 'He has nae office.' 'No! What does he do? Where does he go?' 'He aye gangs to the kirk.' 'To the kirk! What is he?' 'He's a minister.' Mr Smith was puzzled again. He had a strong impression that his man was a merchant--nay, he had even some floating idea that he was a wine-merchant: but still--here were the street and the name, and not a particularly common name--a conjunction which formed a stubborn fact. He asked if he could see Mrs Archibald, and was at once shown into that lady's presence. Mrs Archibald received him with the ease and politeness of one accustomed to the visits of strangers, and on being told that he had a letter of introduction for her husband, entered freely into conversation. 'I saw Mr Archibald's last communication to my friend in London,' said Mr Smith, determined to feel his way: 'it was on the subject of schools.' 'That is a subject in which Mr Archibald is much interested, and so likewise am I.' 'He mentioned, more especially, Mrs So-and-so's school in George Street.' 'Doubtless.' 'Then you are more nearly concerned in that school than in any other.' 'It is natural that we should be so, for our children are there.' 'I thought so!'