SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY. 3 



his knowledge of its scenery. He has learnt it. Fidelity to truth in 

 this education has been the habit of his mind, and, not conflicting 

 with moral demands, has brought about a ruggedness of character 

 that has frequently found its illustration during national crises. 

 Here, then, we have a contrast in the effect of art upon mind ; 

 and, curiously enough, an apt illustration by way of test was 

 supplied during the Indian mutiny. At the foot of one of the 

 wild craigs of Scotland lies the little village of Ellachie, from 

 which the rugged rock takes its name. Here, during many gene- 

 rations, a few simple peasant families have been found in the 

 peaceful enjoyment of Highland solitude. The tinkling bells of 

 the sheep upon the mountains, the simple airs sung by the Scotch 

 lassies at their work, and the shepherd's bagpipe, supply music 

 that fittingly illustrates the reign of peace in that little valley. But 

 a day came when some of those peasant sons had to leave their 

 quiet homes at the foot of that wild rock and serve in India. 

 There they had not to wait long before they were called to action. 

 It fell to their regiment to sustain one of the most severe on- 

 slaughts made upon the British during the whole of the mutiny. 

 The numbers were cruelly unequal, and both English and Scotch 

 were falling fast. At length the Scotch regiment suffered the 

 most severe strain of the contest. Over and over again did these 

 brave Highlanders advance, and as many times they were driven 

 back. Their number was rapidly growing less, and they were at the 

 point of despair. Must they however yield without a final struggle? 

 Memories of old Scotland now quickly returned, — the peaceful 

 Highland homes and absent faces, the wives and little bairnies 

 left behind, the mountain-streams and bleating sheep and the 

 great over-hanging rock protecting all. Should they never see 

 them again ? They are seen to halt, and with a tremendous shout 

 which is taken up all along the line, " Stand fast, Craigiellachie ! " 

 they charge with such deadly effect that the Sepoys, falling back, are 

 unable to recover their positions, and victory that day is with the 

 British. 



I have referred to Mr. Ruskin's view of true inspiration 

 in art, simply to afford a fitting illustration of the difference 

 between interest and inspiration in science— the one being but 

 science at second-hand — honesty in scientific pursuits, however, 



