2 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 
Here, amid delightful rural surroundings, his early years were 
spent. Long afterwards, when looking back to youthful ex- 
periences, and their effect in forming the tastes and stimulating 
the keen love of nature which so greatly influenced his life, he 
wrote: ‘I consider it one of the most favourable things in my life 
that I was brought up in the country.” 
Mr. James King was twice married. Of the first marriage one 
daughter survived, while the children of the second marriage were 
five in number. Thomas, the third son, is the subject of the 
present notice. In evidence of the affectionate relations which 
existed between the members of the family, it may be mentioned 
that for the last thirty years Mr. Thomas King and his brother 
Robert corresponded regularly every week. 
During childhood his constitution remained very weak, so his 
earliest instruction was received at home. But although feeble 
in health, he was always so bright and cheerful, and his disposi- 
tion so affectionate and amiable, as to make him universally be- 
loved. Regarding this period of his life he has written: “I 
was a delicate child, and did not go to school till rather late. 
My first teacher was Mr. Ferguson, Glenhead, or Newton of Bell- 
trees. This place is known for two or three things. Belltrees 
was the home of three poets—Semples of Belltrees—grandfather, 
father, and son. The son is the reputed author of the song, 
‘Maggie Lauder.’ It was also the native place of Mary Semple, 
one of Queen Mary’s Maries. The old mansion has entirely dis- 
appeared, but a yew-tree marks the site of the old garden. Of 
course, nobody told us of these things, but I read of them after- 
wards.” 
In 1854 the farm was sold, and the family removed to Glasgow, 
where, for the next three years, Mr. King studied in the Normal 
Training College of the Free Church of Scotland, with the view 
of qualifying himself for the teaching profession. He taught 
English in schools at Paisley, Chryston, and other places, from 
1858 till 1862, and devoted his leisure hours to his favourite 
study of botany. He was afterwards appointed teacher of 
English and Botany in Garnet Bank Academy, Glasgow ; but 
under the strain of this work his health completely broke down, 
and it became apparent that recovery could not be looked for 
unless in a more genial climate than that of his native land. 
