I am sorry that the apology you
so kindly meant for me is one which I cannot
plead -- namely that your first letter might possibly
not have reached me. At the same time, it would
be impossible for me, after so long an interval
to give any distinct account of the circumstances
which, at the period of its reception, prevented me from
answering it, I have most assuredly been very ungal-
lant; and, considering the nature and object of the
request it contained, in other respects culpable[?].
Your second letter reached me at Glasgow on the
afternoon of this day [?]; and next morn-
ing I came off for Edinr. where I now write.
A press of engagements prevented me from getting any
thing said in reply before leaving home; and since
coming in here, I have been tossed about incessant-
ly. I am tho more concerned at this, because, after
all I am constrained to answer you in terms that
will not be to your mind, -- that is, in terms of ne-
gation. I should not only be seriously[?] anxious to
gratify you; I should count it, moreover, a high
honour to have my name associated with the names
of those eminent and excellent friends of religion
and humanity, whom you mention; and an hon-
our still higher to appear in permanent associa-
tion with the Cause, equally glorious for its piety
and its benevolence, in which they have so nobly
and through the divine blessing, so successfully
co-operated. I rejoice in having been, even in how-
ever feeble a manner, employed in the work of ?
pecation?, -- in pulling down the prison-house, and
striking off the fetters of the bondmen; -- and few
things could afford me a higher gratification than
to put a stone into the Monument which you are
engaged in erecting upon its ruins, to tell posterity
where it stood, the curses it contained, and how
it fell. But it must not be. The time is alrea-
dy gone, which your last letter allowed me; and
my hands are now, and must be for some time
to come, quite full. I might explain how; but
it might wear the aspect of affectation, and is un-
necessary. The hands you inumerall are more than
sufficient to present to the view of posterity an ex-
quisite piece of masonry, -- a structure, in moral
& literary architecture, amply worthy of the great
occasion. ----

I have only now once more to offer my apolo-
gies, lame as I feel them to be, for my former long
silence, and to ask your forgiveness. ----
Mrs. W. who is here with me, unites[?] in kindest
regards to youself & to the members of both the fa-
milies with which you stand connected. -- We are
just going down to Leith, and intend leaving for
home to morrow morning. -- We thank you for
your kind regrets as to our not seeing you when in
your neighbourhood; we join in reciprocating those
regrets, and hope to be more fortunate next time.