CONTENTS. Xlll 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



HIS STUDIES AND FRIENDS AT AUCHLEVEN. 



Intellectual pursuits ardent as ever; John's studies in "the philosopher"; 

 "Ye've laid by the moon and ta'en up the stars?"; John's practical 

 answer ; botanising round Gadie side ; out all night and ' ' like naebody 

 else " ; his style of speech ; holds the first Botanical Exhibition ; his 

 discourse then, " Botany not a beast"; his fame spreads: still an 

 herbalist : his Astronomical studies ; makes a telescope ; John on the 

 stars at a soiree. : Entomology : Meteorology : Theology ; studies the 

 Greek Testament ; anti-papal reading : bewildered opinions of him at 

 Auchleven ; "he's a fool" ; John regards the exoteric and the esoteric : 

 John and young Dr. Mackay ; their friendship ; their joint studies of 

 Botany and Theology. 



18491852. Pages 245255 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



JOHN BECOMES AN ESSAYIST. 



Rise of the Mutual Instruction movement in the north ; " Corresponding 

 Committee " appointed ; " Address to Farm Servants " issued ; " Mutual 

 Instruction Union " formed ; Female classes ; " Rural Echo " published ; 

 the after history of movement : the Auchleven Class ; its meetings, soirees 

 and library ; John at the meetings ; his essays there : his Essay on 

 Botany ; advocates Natural History for children ; his praise of Linnaeus : 

 Essays on Astronomy ; Essay on Weaving : Essay on Practical Garden- 

 ing ; good effects of flowers everywhere ; advices on gardening ; criticism 

 of gardens in general ; influence of such natural studies. 



18461852. 256268 



CHAPTER XXV. 



FRIENDSHIP AND COURTSHIP. 



Renewed intercourse with Charles Black on the Gadie ; their last ramble 

 together ; their subsequent connection : wishes a home of his own ; John 

 a great ladies 1 man ; his matrimonial qualifications ; a love-letter of 

 John's ; John and the housekeeper ; John gets another denial ; John 

 and a third lady on the hill-top ; John's chivalry in love-making. 



18481852. 269277 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



SETTLEMENT AND WORK AT DROUGHSBURN. 



Events during his residence at Auchleven : the Vale of Alford and John's 

 relations to it ; Droughsburn described ; his workshop and home there : 

 William Watt his predecessor ; their connection ; eminent weavers : John 



