174 Autobiographical Notes. 



when I resolved to start again. But my limbs were so benumbed 

 that I could only walk with extreme difficulty. I got better, 

 however, as I went on, but continued stiff and lame for days 

 afterwards. 



My loaf soaked with whisky now stood me in good stead. It 

 served me for both meat and drink, and revived me unspeakably. 

 I had twopence remaining in my pocket. I walked that day to 

 the Old Bridge of Urr, 31 miles, where resided John M'Gowan, 

 my father's cousin, who received me most hospitably. I spent 

 three halfpence during the last day's journey, and on my arrival 

 at my kind friend's house I had only a single halfpenny left. I 

 stayed two days at the Old Bridge, then visited my sister and other 

 relatives at my native place ; and in the course of a week I 

 returned to my labours at Buittle, where my welcome was most 

 cordial. 



Of the farmers in Buittle who were my employers, one of 

 them, Mr John Grierson, Logan, was, though not traceable, a 

 very distant and admitted relation of mine through my mother, 

 Margaret Grierson. His wife, a most excellent woman, was 

 through the Griersons his cousin german, so that I felt and was 

 made to feel that here at Logan I was at home. 



It was in the summer of 1811, after returning from College, 

 tliat I had the privilege of becoming known to a very extra- 

 ordinary man, the Rev. Alexander Murray, ^ minister of the 

 neighbouring parish of Urr, the great linguist, and a kind, 

 hospitable, and most worthy man. He invited me to his house, 

 treated me with kindnes.s — nay, received me as if we had been 

 of equal position — so that I felt quite easy in his company. His 

 conversation delighted and improved me ; his love of books and 

 his strict literary habits and tastes made me look on him with 

 reverence. His wife was simple in her manners, with frank 

 native kindness, and altogether my visits to the manse of Urr 

 made an impression on my mind which, at the end of forty 

 years, I remember with equal gratification and intensity. He 

 was, as a great writer said of an early patron, the first friend 

 thar literature procured me, and at least my gratitude made me 

 worthy of his notice. We discussed Calvinistic points together, 



2. Alexander Murray, D.D. (1775-1813), appointed Professor of 

 Oriental Languages in Edinburgh University in Julj', 1812. 



