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was the very early development of the tendency to take all statements of fact in their literal meaning, and to compare them with one another, and with the facts in their actual occurrence. Consequent on this tendency, or as an accompaniment of it, was the strong sense of contradiction when varying statements could not be reconciled. From my

earliest consciousness, I had this peculiarity in a degree beyond what I could observe in those about me. It operated in many ways, and showed itself particularly in religion and conduct. Children in general, if at all quick, are ready to perceive contradictions in the sayings and conduct of their elders. In time, this usually passes off, and they come under a hackneyed conformity that ceases to compare ideals with actuality,-promise with performance. With me, time only increased the disposition; and it was in the end, as will be shown, fatal to my religious conversion, and made me a ready listener to sceptical criticism.

As my properly childish days terminated, and my working occupation began at eleven, I may remark that, during those years, I was to all intents a child like others about me, at home or at school. I entered into the prevailing sports and amusements of children, without being much of an adept in the games that needed skill. My parents were but too glad to give us out-of-door liberty, save

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when we had to take a part in rocking the cradle of a baby, running errands, fetching water (a standing need), or assisting in the home part of a weaver's work-namely, filling the little bobbins with yarn for the shuttles-a duty that fell primarily to the weaver's wife, but which was ultimately shared in by the children.

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I could hardly say that I was a devourer of books. Not many came in my way, so that I had not the means of testing the appetite. know for certain that reading readily fatigued me, if much prolonged. If I had had more access to thrilling romance, I should probably have devoured it even between eight and eleven. I was about ten at the time of the Burke and Hare tragedies, and had the chance of reading all about them; the interest being of the most thrilling description. The story, fascinating as it was, made for a time a reign of terror to children; and I used to test my courage by passing the Surgeons' Hall at night, risking, as I thought, having a plaster put on my mouth as a prelude to being murdered for dissection.

The transfer of the master of Gilcomston School to another appointment, made a sort of break-up in the school. I ought properly to have been sent on to the Grammar School, to prepare

for Marischal College-where I should, doubtless, have gained a small competition bursary, and commenced a college career. This, however, my father could not afford. The fee for the school was half a guinea a quarter-books entailing an additional outlay. My eldest brother had already gone into a shop; while I found an opening as errand boy to an auctioneer. I had also to be a sort of clerk, to assist at auctions, and to open and sweep the rooms in the morning. There was a great deal of lounging idleness in the post; and, instead of being kept down by strain of work, I was rendered healthy and strong. The responsibility, however, was too much for me; and I had to leave in about two years.

Book-sales were part of the business, and I had constantly access to libraries brought in to be sold. I frequently turned over the leaves of the numerous volumes laid out for inspection to buyers, but did not imbibe any great addition to my knowledge or culture. What I distinctly remember, however, was a sudden but temporary interest that I took in Euclid, having now attained the power of comprehending him. I suppose I was then in my thirteenth year.

My father now put me to the loom, where I continued for the next five years, which was also the period of my self-education. I soon was able

EARLY OCCUPATION.

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to earn a little money beyond what I had to give my mother for board wages. I had one offer of a situation as clerk in a small office; but sitting at a desk was never very congenial, and the muscular exercise of weaving seemed preferable.

The weeks of my commencing work at the loom saw the Reform agitation at its crisis; being the summer of 1831. I was caught in the fury of the movement, and attended the public demonstrations on the links; going in procession with youths of my own age, or thereby. I could not help contracting Reform sympathies, which, in the shape of liberalism in general politics, stuck to me through life.

I was now thirteen. In another year, or little more, I had taken to scientific studies. Before that, however, I must have trifled away my time with mere diversions, of which, Church music was one. It was long a hobby, little gifted as I was with a musical ear. I used to attend evening classes for singing practice; and, when I was free, I ran after churches where there chanced to be a good precentor-the Methodist Chapel for one.

Another memorable incident was my becoming intimate with two brothers, named Stewart, sons of a blacksmith, whose smithy was an agreeable lounge, especially in winter evenings. The father

was a remarkable man for his station, and had collected a library, partly of theology, like that of my father, but much more wide-ranging, and partly of works of science and even metaphysics,—all which the sons turned to account. The eldest may have been five years my senior. The brothers were already self-taught mathematicians, like myself, and were also well up in elementary Physics and Astronomy. They were no longer at school, being at work with their father, and thus always very accessible; while, on Saturday evenings in particular, I used to spend hours with them in their home. In all my scientific studies, I had them henceforth as companions and prompters. They also introduced me to the Library of the Mechanics' Institution, then in existence about ten years, and at a somewhat low ebb after a flourishing commencement. The books of the library were almost exclusively scientific, and were, therefore, very helpful, as I cared only for science. The Stewarts joined me in endeavouring to revive the Institution in various ways; and we ultimately all became members of the Managing Committee,-I being for a long time the Secretary.

Reverting to my scientific studies, I must have begun with Algebra, and worked at the higher equations and related parts. My memory furnishes

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