THE

HISTORY OF MATTHEW WALD.

Lately Published, by the same Author,

I.-VALERIUS, A ROMAN STORY.

3 vols. 12mo.

II. SOME PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF

MR ADAM BLAIR.

One vol. 12mo.

III.-REGINALD DALTON.

3 vols. post 8vo.

THE

HISTORY

OF

MATTHEW WALD.

WE TALKED WITH OPEN HEART, AND TONGUE

AFFECTIONATE AND TRUE;

A PAIR OF FRIENDS, THOUGH I WAS YOUNG,
AND MATTHEW SEVENTY-TWO.

WORDSWORTH.

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, EDINBURGH:
AND T. CADELL, LONDON.

MDCCCXXIV.

CXFORD

EDINBURGH:

PRINTED BY JAMES BALLANTYNE AND CO.

THE HISTORY

OF

MATTHEW WALD.

CHAPTER I.

I NEED not begin this story, my dear, since it is addressed only to you, with a full account of my pedigree. You know the antiquity of the family, with which you are so closely connected. You are aware that we came into Scotland towards the middle of that interesting period, which learned people talk of under the name of "the AngloSaxon colonization." In fact, the tree was Norman originally, and had scarcely taken root in England ere it was transplanted hither-where, upon the whole, it may be said to have thriven.

A