130 ANNALS OF SCOTTISH NATURAL HISTORY 



was to follow all his days. From his childhood his 

 inclinations led him to study Nature, and any moments that 

 he could spare from his work were devoted to this pursuit. 

 His note-book was ever ready to jot down any observations 

 he might be able to record during the day, and when night 

 came he was often to be found studying the stars at the 

 Maxwelltown Observatory. He did much to reorganise the 

 Dumfriesshire and Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian 

 Society when in 1876 it had fallen into abeyance; and at 

 this period he was appointed Secretary. In 1879 he married 

 a daughter of Mrs. Glendinning of Glasgow Street, Maxwell- 

 town, and three years later he was called upon to make a 

 decision which must have indeed been difficult. Joseph 

 Thomson, the African traveller, had been commissioned to 

 undertake an exploration of Eastern Africa for the Royal 

 Geographical Society, and invited him to act as Naturalist to 

 the expedition ; his sense of duty overcame his desire, and 

 Robert Service stayed at home. 



His knowledge of Natural History was utilised in 1892 

 when he gave evidence before the Commission appointed to 

 investigate the Plague of Field Voles in Scotland, and also 

 in 1895 when he appeared as a witness before the Sol way 

 Fisheries Commission. On 23rd February 1901 his astro- 

 nomical studies were all but rewarded by the discovery of 

 a new star, which, however, had been observed by Dr. 

 Anderson of Edinburgh a few hours earlier. At his father's 

 death in October, his business became even more engrossing, 

 though in 1903 he was persuaded to undertake the honorary 

 duties of Secretary and Curator to the Dumfries and 

 Maxwelltown Observatory Museum, and held these posts for 

 seven years. He took a keen interest in politics, being a 

 staunch Conservative ; and more than once he served on the 

 Town and Parish Councils. He was in constant request at 

 Horticultural Shows, and he judged the roses at the Royal 

 Caledonian Horticultural Society's Exhibition only the 

 summer before his death. Overwork was undoubtedly the 

 cause of the attack of paralysis which eventually proved 

 fatal to him on 8th May 1911. Three days later he was 

 laid to his rest in Troqueer Kirkyard, being survived by his 

 wife, two sons, and three daughters. 



