[Manchester—Sunday, 6 August 1865]
August 6. Manchester. Wonderfully beautiful weather.
Jamie has been here two days and met the actor William Warren yesterday in the lane. No one but an actor can tell the discomfort of dressing five or six times in one evening, he says, during the hot dog day weather. Putting on tights, for instance. Being joined by a third person the talk turned upon the troubles which everyone must have, the “skeleton” in short, “Yes, we all have our “Bubbley Jock!” said he. J.T.F. asked what that was and being told it was a turkey. An incident in Scott’s life was recalled which had slipped our memories. It seems Scott was walking down the streets of Edinburgh one day talking with his friends one of whom said, “I suppose we can find no one in the world who is altogether content.” Well said Scott observing an idiot approaching them who appeared always mild and content, “I guess he has nothing to complain of, let’s ask him, Tell me, said he, addressing the poor idiot, have you anything to complain of “Noa, Noa,” said he thoughtfully, “oa yaas, ane thing, the neeboor Bubbley Jock do keep up a fearfu screechin.” Scott remarked as he turned away that he thought we all had our “Bubbley Jock.”
Read Lycidas on the rocks & watched the waves. Glorious moonlight.