129 



SCHOOL-DAYS AND EARLY LIFE. 1766 — 1791. 



Jonathan's father, who was by trade a wood-sieve and basket maker, 

 seems to have been a man of superior education and tastes ; he was a 

 good Latin scholar, and encouraged his son in the study of both Latin 

 and mathematics. Jonathan's school-days were spent partly at the 

 Langdale school, then taught by the Rev. R. Steele, and partly at a 

 good school at Ambleside. 



From his school-days until his twenty -fifth year, Jonathan dwelt with 

 his father at Scroggs, working with him in the making of wood-sieves, 

 baskets, etc. He also cleaned all the clocks and watches in the neigh- 

 bourhood, and showed himself very skilful in engraving upon copper- 

 plates, seals, and coins. Connected with this last act is a story which 

 relates to this part of his life, before he left Scroggs to live at Keswick. 

 Jonathan was in love with a young woman named Ann Youdale, and he 

 engraved their names together upon a silver coin. But unfortunately, 

 the village blacksmith (Mr. Bowness) was also a suitor for the maiden's 

 hand ; and some years after, on his niece (Mrs. Wilson) enquiring of 

 Jonathan how it was that his name and that of Ann Youdale were 

 engraved on the same coin, he replied, "Oh, the blacksmith beat me." 

 Clearly the smith understood the value of striking the iron Avhile hot, 

 while our friend's geological hammer had scarcely as yet been wielded. 



It is probable that business reasons induced him to move to Keswick 

 in the year 1791. From this time we hear no more of love-suits, and the 

 geologist and guide were wedded solely to nature and the hammer. 



Before moving to Keswick, his acquaintance with Mr. Peter 

 Crosthwaite began on this wise. Jonathan, standing outside the Cros- 

 thwaite Museum, was accosted by its founder and asked if he would sell 

 a curious stick he held in his hand ; Otley asked a shilling for it, the 

 proprietor of the Museum stipulating to show him the collection over 

 bargain ; from this time congenial tastes drew the two together as firm 

 and staunch friends. 



KESWICK LIFE. 179I — 1856. 



We now enter upon Otley's Keswick life, which lasted for a period 

 of sixty -five years. He first lodged at Brow Top, and his little shop- 



