Is it possible that this could ever have been contemplated by the canon?
I do fear the extreme and Romanising party, and they hurt us here.

The Scotch office is supposed to identify us with them, and certainly the comments upon it make it speak a language very different from the English." June 19.--"Left home in the 'Engineer' coach at seven, travelled through to London without stop, and arrived there at one o'clock: wonderful the shortening of this journey; went with a party to Handel's Athalia at Exeter Hall; tired, fagged, and sleepy as I was, I yet felt deeply the power of the mighty master in this his mighty work.

Yes, Handel is the greatest musician the world ever saw." July 18, 1845.--"Returned to London: did little more there: arrived in Edinburgh for Mr.Sandiland's marriage, a great stretch of friendship in me, for it has discomposed all our summer plans." On 15th August there is an entry too characteristic to be omitted:--"Have been thinking a great deal about the state of matters at present, and the sort of demeanour I should exhibit to the world.

I should be very cautious--hardly give an opinion if conflicting statements, and certainly not gossip about them--certainly not speak harshly or severely of any.

Keep my own course, work hard, and endeavour to conciliate; rather lean to high than low side." November 10, 1845: "at a meeting to hear Dr.Simpson, Mr.Macfarlane, and Norman Macleod give an account of their mission to North America: interesting.