_March_ 3.--Could not get the last sheets of _Malachi_, Second Epistle, last night, so they must go out to the world uncorrected--a great loss, for the last touches are always most effectual; and I expect misprints in the additional matter. We were especially obliged to have it out this morning, that it may operate as a gentle preparative for the meeting of inhabitants at two o'clock. _Vogue la galère_--we shall see if Scotsmen have any pluck left. If not, they may kill the next Percy themselves. It is ridiculous enough for me, in a state of insolvency for the present, to be battling about gold and paper currency. It is something like the humorous touch in Hogarth's _Distressed Poet_, where the poor starveling of the Muses is engaged, when in the abyss of poverty, in writing an Essay on payment of the National Debt; and his wall is adorned with a plan of the mines of Peru. Nevertheless, even these fugitive attempts, from the success which they have had, and the noise they are making, serve to show the truth of the old proverb-- "When house and land are gone and spent, Then learning is most excellent." On the whole, I am glad of this brulzie, as far as I am concerned; people will not dare talk of me as an object of pity--no more "poor-manning." Who asks how many punds Scots the old champion had in his pocket when "He set a bugle to his mouth, And blew so loud and shrill, The trees in greenwood shook thereat, Sae loud rang ilka hill"?[204] This sounds conceited enough, yet is not far from truth. The meeting was very numerous, 500 or 600 at least, and unanimous, save in one Mr. Howden, who having been all his life, as I am told, in bitter opposition to Ministers, proposed on the present occasion that the whole contested measure should be trusted to their wisdom. I suppose he chose the opportunity of placing his own opinion in opposition, single opposition too, to that of a large assembly. The speaking was very moderate. Report had said that Jeffrey, J.A. Murray, and other sages of the economical school, were to unbuckle their mails, and give us their opinions. But no such great guns appeared. If they had, having the multitude on my side, I would have tried to break a lance with them. A few short but well-expressed resolutions were adopted unanimously. These were proposed by Lord Rollo, and seconded by Sir James Fergusson, Bart. I was named one of a committee to encourage all sorts of opposition to the measure. So I have already broken through two good and wise resolutions--one, that I would not write on political controversy; another, that I would not be named on public committees. If my good resolves go this way, like _snaw aff a dyke_--the Lord help me!