This and the next four or five letters refer to the candidature of R.
L. S. for the Edinburgh Chair.
_Kinnaird Cottage, Pitlochry, Wednesday, June 21, 1881._
MY DEAR MACKAY,--What is this I hear?--that you are retiring from your
chair. It is not, I hope, from ill-health?
But if you are retiring, may I ask if you have promised your support to
any successor? I have a great mind to try. The summer session would suit
me; the chair would suit me--if only I would suit it; I certainly should
work it hard: that I can promise. I only wish it were a few years from
now, when I hope to have something more substantial to show for myself.
Up to the present time, all that I have published, even bordering on
history, has been in an occasional form, and I fear this is much against
me.
Please let me hear a word in answer, and believe me, yours very
sincerely,