like the meaning when you did get at it? or was that like some ponies,
too difficult to catch, and, when caught, not worth the trouble?"

"I am far from saying that, my dear sir, in respect it would be
downright uncivil; but since you ask my opinion, I wish you could have
thought about something more appertaining to civil policy, than all this
bloody work about shooting and dirking, and downright hanging. I am told
it was the Germans who first brought in such a practice of choosing
their heroes out of the Porteous Roll; [Footnote: List of criminal
indictments, so termed in Scotland.] but, by my faith, we are like to be
upsides with them. The first was, as I am credibly informed, Mr. Scolar,
as they call him; a scholar-like piece of work he has made of it, with
his robbers and thieves."

"Schiller," said I, "my dear sir, let it be Schiller."

"Schiller, or what you like," said Mr. Fairscribe; "I found the book
where I wish I had found a better one, and that is, in Kate's
work-basket. I sat down, and, like an old fool, began to read; but
there, I grant, you have the better of Schiller, Mr. Croftangry."

"I should be glad, my dear sir, that you really think I have
_approached_ that admirable author; even your friendly partiality ought
not to talk of my having _excelled_ him."

"But I do say you have excelled him, Mr. Croftangry, in a most material
particular. For surely a book of amusement should be something that one
can take up and lay down at pleasure; and I can say justly, I was never
at the least loss to put aside these sheets of yours when business came
in the way. But, faith, this Schiller, sir, does not let you off so