TC-CWW, 18 April. MS: NLS 23167. Hitherto unpbd.

1. Unexplained.

2. Thomas Erskine wrote to TC, 18 April, from 38 Charlotte Sq., Edinburgh, sorry for his long delay in writing: “the more inexcusable as I had heard from worthy Mrs Braid that Mrs Carlyle, in whom she takes a mother's interest, had been ill. I am glad that she is now better & in a condition to benefit by what of spring or summer may be before us.” He hoped to see them both when next in Scotland: “& before that time I trust that this weary Fritz may be off your conscience, & thrown on the consciences of other men, as incentive or warning as the truth of the matter may make him. I suppose that he shows us what a strong will & a clear insight, without a conscience can do for a man. To me it is a most unpleasing spectacle—a German king confining his kinghood to leading armies & extending frontiers … I would much rather be honest Mrs Braid, selling flour & bacon. & lovingly bearing the burden of her bed rid son.” He wrote: “Our University here narrowly missed getting Scott for Professor of logic the other day, which I greatly lament both for his sake & ours. I believe the Free Kirk bears the sin of it” (see TC to AJS, 25 May 1856, and TC to AJS, 5 Aug. 1856).