recommend pupils, and I am pretty certain of getting the Cambridge men, one and all. All the red ribbons, of course, stand by me, and many private friends (ladies especially) are beating about for pupils.

"In these circumstances, I reconcile myself to the additional expense in beginning here (though I am certain Lucas underrates the London prices), because I am sure I should have just to do in a few years what I am doing now, and with no greater, but in truth with fewer advantages. London is not the place for me at present; Edinburgh is better; this has been impressed on me by Samuel Brown, Forbes, Professor Syme, Young, and others, long ago, before this matter turned up, and I should prefer remaining here to going anywhere else for some time.

:

"I mourn to think how your precious time has been taken up about this and along with this I see with sorrow how little likely it is that you and I will get together for a long while; but the same professional necessity that took you to London will keep me here, and for a while we must 'dree our weird' separately.

"I have in hand at present a very interesting inquiry regarding the phosphorescence of sea animals, and its possible connexion with electricity. It was begun at Forbes's request, and is likely to yield an excellent paper for the British Association. I work some hours a day at purely chemical labour at Christison's, and hope to get something in that way ready also; so that I shall probably read papers at two different sections.

"Regarding the Brotherhood, there is no secrecy as to its character, but the opposite, enjoined on all men. Nevertheless I never talk of it before people, for they cannot be got to understand its true character. I advise you to do the same."

1839-40.

EDWARD FORBES INTRODUCED.

107

"26th May, 1840.

"The bearer of this letter is Mr. Edward Forbes, trianglebearer, painter, song-writer, naturalist, and I know not how many other excellent and admirable things besides. He is at present in London, to superintend the printing of his book on the star-fish, and will stay some time there. As I have told you concerning his talents and amiability before, I shall leave you to discover his merits yourself, and close this introductory portion of my letter; the rest you can read at another time.

66

". . . . For my part, I expect to be married about the year of our Lord 1860; all thought of the ceremony being celebrated sooner has clean gone out of my mind for a long while back, and I have banished all love ideas. It is different, however, with you; and I hope sincerely to see you soon, as that wild, strange, powerful man, the author of the Chartist Epic, says, finding 'expectation substanced into bliss.' With every fond wish for your happiness, I conclude here, for I have got strange beasts to analyse, sent me from the sea-caves of Fife, and they are beginning to decay. Hoping you have not kept Edward Forbes waiting all this time, I remain your affectionate brother,

66

GEORGE."

The allusions towards the close of this letter are in consequence of Daniel's approaching marriage.

"June 6, 1840.

"I work steadily at my lectures, writing and reading often for eight or ten hours a day. I find that the undertaking is a more serious one than it seemed at first. But I don't flinch, and hope to get on bravely."

"July 18.

"I shall write you at present a very short letter, for I have not much to say, and am not in the humour for saying

that little same. -rain, rain, such an eternal shower-bath of rain that no Murphy would have dared to foretell it had he possessed the power to foresee it. If he had chalked out such an umbrella July, he would have been seized by the enraged people, and burned alive,―roasted, as all unboiled murphies should be. In consequence, I have never got out to walk, and the excess of vapours without has begotten dyspeptic, blue-devil vapours within, of which I have not yet got a clear riddance, though a clamber up Arthur Seat with Professor Blackie has expelled most, and given notice of leave to all of them."

The weather here has been of the worst,

The next letter speaks of a pedestrian excursion in prospect, in which George was to have his cousin James as companion. How this plan was carried out, and what were its effects, succeeding chapters will show.

"September 5th.

"I was away at the country when your letter arrived, having gone for two days to Penicuik with John Niven, and since I came back I have been making preparations for setting off to Stirling to-day, if possible. The weather, however, is at present very stormy, and unless it improve I shall not leave till to-morrow. I intend to walk about the country there for a few days, and then set off for Glasgow, when the Association meets. I shall return as soon as the Meeting is over.

"I go to the country without much desire to be there, I have so much to do; but I feel the need of some relaxation, and it will gain time in the end. I have nothing to tell about almost anything. . . . I have not yet written to Glasgow, but they know my intention of coming. I shall be there a week, and leave the moment the business is over.

1839-40.

A GLIMPSE OF SUNLIGHT.

109

Meanwhile the sun has come out, and it prompts me to pack up. I'll write to you either from Glasgow, or as soon as I return."

With this glimpse of sunlight we close the chapter, having before us many days like those St. Paul speaks of, in which neither sun nor stars appeared.

CHAPTER VI.

1

MERCIFULLY is the future hidden from human eyes, else would the few days of country life by which George Wilson expected to "gain time in the end" have been very differently anticipated. It may be that compassionating angels watched with wistful eyes his departure from home, but love infinitely more deep and tender than theirs was even now preparing the furnace, by means of which the process of refinement was to be carried on.

Stirling was the head-quarters of the cousins in their pedestrian tour, a much-valued friend being their hostess. there. On the 10th of September he writes home, "I should have written yesterday had I not been away up in the country, spending the night in a farm among the highland moors, about eight miles above Stirling. Hitherto things have gone on most excellently in all respects; Mrs. M.'s children being in the country, she has devoted her whole attention to making us happy, and we have received every kindness from her. A brief record of what we have been doing will best show you how we have been occupied, and prove to you that we have not misspent our time. Saturday was devoted to a nine miles' walk over the carse