140 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. [Dec. 



comparatively little expense. And if an hour were appropriated 

 to the study of forestry, which would interfere neither with existing 

 classes in the University nor with those in the Watt Institute, these, 

 by extending their studies over several winters, might prosecute 

 their studies, supporting themselves the while by work in the 

 vicinity of the city. To them it may be an advantage to be able 

 to come forward as candidates for lucrative and honourable appoint- 

 ments ; but it is as likely to advance the practical forestry of 

 Britain, by introducing young men of promise who have been familiar 

 with trees and with the treatment of trees, from their youth up, to 

 the advanced forest science of the day. 



If these views be shared by any two or three, or five or six, 

 intelligent, energetic nurserymen or gardeners in Edinburgh, having 

 the confidence of their fellow- workmen, and known to one another, 

 they might do much to promote the object for which the committee 

 lias been appointed, by making arrangements for classes being 

 formed this winter, in which they and their fellow-workmen might, 

 at an expense within their means, study forestry, conjointly with 

 allied subjects. By doing this, they would secure for all time the 

 glory of having been the creators of the First School of Foeestry 

 IN Scotland ; and they would take an important step towards 

 securing that any development which this may take shall be on 

 the basis of provision being made, as everywhere on the Continent, 

 for the studies of the sou of the rich man and the son of the poor 

 man being prosecuted without class distinction, and with the 

 prospect of a fair field and no favour in subsequent employment. 

 There was a nucleus of truth in the heathen's saying, " The gods 

 help those <\'ho help themselves ; " and in Jewish history we read, 

 " The Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me ? Speak 

 unto the children of Israel that they go forward."— I am. Sir, 

 respectfully yours, 



John C. Brown. 



[We refer to this letter elsewhere. — -Ed.] 



Sir, — In the November number of this Journal, page 65, "The 

 Effect of Lightning on Trees," Mr. A. D. Webster says : 

 " After careful examination, I come to the conclusion that the 

 lightning struck the tree close to the ground, and travelled up the 

 stem in a spiral form for thirty feet," etc. N"ow I write to ask if 

 any of your numerous readers ever saw or heard of such a thing as 

 lightning running upward. I have seen many trees and other 

 objects struck by lightning, but the electricity always took a down- 

 M'ard direction. 



