"
The letter from which the above is an extract, is signed JAMES
HOGG, and dated from Altrive Lake, August 1st, 1823. It bears
the stamp of authenticity in every line; yet so often had I been
hoaxed by the ingenious fancies displayed in that Magazine, that
when this relation met my eye I did not believe it; but, from the
moment that I perused it, I half formed the resolution of
investigating these wonderful remains personally, if any such
existed; for, in the immediate vicinity of the scene, as I supposed,
I knew of more attractive metal than the dilapidated remains of
mouldering suicides.
Accordingly, having some business in Edinburgh in September
last, and being obliged to wait a few days for the arrival of a
friend from London, I took that opportunity to pay a visit to my
townsman and fellow collegian, Mr. L--t of C--d, advocate. I
mentioned to him Hogg's letter, asking him if the statement was
founded at all on truth. His answer was: "I suppose so. For my
part I never doubted the thing, having been told that there has
been a deal of talking about it up in the Forest for some time past.
But God knows! Hogg has imposed as ingenious lies on the
public ere now.
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