Page:A history of booksellers, the old and the new.djvu/255

219 WILLIAM BLA CKWOQD, 219 University. Curious reports were spread of half true tales of youthful adventure, of bull-hunts by the shores of Windermere ; of cock-fights in his own drawing-room ; of a thousand escapades of one kind or another ; and these were capped by a rumour that he was not very sound in either religion or morals ; and even Tory counsellors shrunk from supporting a man who was said to be a fast liver and a free thinker. The Whigs started an excellent rival, Sir William 'Hamilton, and the contest was very keen. "I wad like to gie ye ma vote, Mr. Wulson," said an Edin- burgh magistrate, " but I'm feared. They say ye dunna expect to be saved by grace." " I don't know much about that, baillie ; but if I am not saved by grace I am sure my works won't save me." " That'll do, that'll do ; I'll gie you my vote." Others were of a like mind, for Wilson was a man whom to know was to love, and the election was secured. Immediately after the election Wilson returned to Elleray to recruit ; and here an event happened which not only shows his natural impetuosity, but which might have been of very serious consequence, and, as a version of the story has recently appeared in " Barham's Life," it may not be altogether out of place to give the correct version here. Lord M r and three Oxford friends, one of whom had just been ordained, had started in their own coach upon a rollicking tour homewards ; their journey, even in those free-and-easy times, was marked by a blackguardism of conduct almost un- paralleled. At York they halted for a few days few because the inhabitants would stand their presence no longer, and, after paying 150 for their hotel bills, and for 14 2