returned to Edinburgh, with his mind largely stored with Border legends derived from his grandmother, a person of romantic humour and sprightly intelligence. At this period, Pope's translation of Homer, and the songs of Ramsay's "Evergreen," were his favourite studies; he took delight in reading aloud the more striking passages. In 1779 he was sent to the High School, where he had the advantage of being taught by Mr Luke Fraser, an able scholar, and Dr Adam, the erudite Rector. His scholastic progress was not equal to his talents; he was devoted to romance, and experienced greater pleasure in a country ramble, than in giving due attention to the business of the class-room. As he became older, his love of miscellaneous literature amounted to a passion; and as his memory was singularly retentive, he accumulated a store of knowledge. On the completion of his High School attendances, he was sent to reside with relatives at Kelso; and in this interesting locality his early attachment to legendary lore experienced a revival. Returning to Edinburgh, he, in October 1783, entered the University. Here his progress was even less marked than it had been at school. Mr Dalzell, the Professor of Greek, spoke of his hopeless incapacity. The Professor survived to make reparation for prophesying so rashly. The aspirations of the future poet turned to a military life; but his lameness interposed a barrier. At length he adopted a profession suitable to his physical capabilities; in his fourteenth year he entered into indentures with his father. To confinement at the desk, irksome to one of his peculiar tastes, he was reconciled by the consideration that his fees enabled him to add to his library.