Slietch of the Life of Mr. David Douglas. 121 



David Douglas, of humble but respectable parentage, was born 

 at Scoone in Perthshire in the last year of the last century. He 

 received his early education at the parish school of Kinnoul, in 

 the neighbourhood. He was somewhat wayward, and therefore 

 frequently the mark for the master's ire. Trout-fishing and 

 bird-nesting held out temptations too strong for the lively boy, 

 and such occupations often lengthened his road, if they did not 

 entirely prevent his march to school. His love of nature soon 

 displayed itself in the rearing of birds, collecting of plants, and 

 other such amusements. Following up these early intuitions, 

 employment was found) for him, first in the nursery ground and 

 then in the gardens of the Earl of Mansfield, at Stowe. 



Here his zeal and industry were so conspicuous, that they gained 

 him the esteem and affection of the superintendent. After a 

 seven years apprenticeship in these gardens, where he acquired a 

 thorough knowledge of the practical part of gardening, the friend- 

 ship of the superintendent Mr. Beatty, procured him a situa- 

 tion under Mr. Alexander Stewart, who had charge of the gardens 

 at Valleyfield, the seat of Sir Kobert Preston near Culross. There 

 being at this place a very choice collection of plants, the attrac- 

 tions of the kitchen-garden and of out-door work, soon lost their 

 weight with young Douglas, who now began to study botany, 

 and to attach himself to the care of the exotics, of which Valley- 

 field could boast a magnificent display. Being very careful of the 

 plants committed to his care, Mr. Stewart showed him much kind- 

 ness, and allowed him the privilege and advantage of Sir Robert's 

 botanical library. Such an opportunity was not lost by the youth- 

 ful naturalist. The second year he became foreman to Mr. Stewart, 

 when upon application, he gained admission to the Botanical gar- 

 dens at Glasgow. This nursery of botanists was still in its in- 

 fancy, but advancing rapidly to high reputation under the know- 

 ledge, skill, and fostering influence of Professor Hooker, since 

 whose time, a succession of able and indefatigable Botanists have 

 well preserved its celebrity. The energetic working qualities of 

 Douglas, and his vivacity of disposition, speedily procured him 

 the esteem and regard of all connected with the gardens ; and the 

 valuable friendship of the professor, which he at this time acquired, 

 may be looked upon as the reward of his sterling merits. For the 

 Professor, now Sir W. Jackson Hooker, I have heard him express 

 such sentiments as a son mis-ht hold for a revered and beloved 

 parent. First a diligent attendant at the botanical lectures, 



