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[J. Hill]
Lambourne House, Bagshot.
24. 11. 33
My dear Sir,
I have just finished reading your Sir Walter Scott and feel that I must make an effort to thank you for such a delightful book and trust you will not think it is an impertinence if I add such an understanding criticism. You mention Dr John Brown - Now I think you must be too young ever to have seen him - but somehow have a feeling that you "knew" the author of "Rab & his friends" - and it has occurred to me that you might like to see the enclosed Photograph which I have always thought a very charming and characteristic presentment - of one who was not only an old friend but a kind Doctor to a small boy, who, when ill was apt to be rather "sick & sorry" for himself - I well recall how, frequently after examination "kittle [?]" was prescribed - no sooner prescribed than the bedclothes turned back and the medicine promptly applied by the good Doctor himself.
It would give me great pleasure, it you will accept the little picture of "Rab" as a small mark of appreciation - and thanks for many pleasant hours - Perhaps I should explain lest my name mislead that I belong to an old West Country family for over four hundred years intimately
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connected with the history of Glasgow - and am now much nearer four score years than the allotted span of three score and ten.
Believe me
Yours very truly
James Hill.
27th. The delay in posting this is due to my being unable to find the photograph of Dr John Brown that I intended to send you, so am obliged to send you one not so good. While searching I however found the enclosed photograph of Miss Agnes Hill a dear old maiden Aunt with whom I lived while attending the Edin. Academy in 1871. She knew Sir Walter well and was a great admirer - so I was brought up in the tradition! It is rather a nice picture of a typical Scottish lady of that period. Pray let me have this one back.
At the moment I am deep in your story of the Scots Kirk in Montrose. You make clear to me a great deal I had failed to understand. It is delightful reading to one brought up under Dr Norman Macleod of the Barony Parish Glasgow and the less celebrated but aged Dr Smith of the Parish of Cathcart.
Pray excuse the loquacity of old age increasing years. J.H.
