LIFE AND STAR-GAZING AT AUCHLEVEN. 113 



happily there more unmolested among the country villagers 

 than among the ploughmen and practical jokers in other 

 places he lived at. To his confidential friends, he used to 

 point out and name the chief stars and constellations, 

 generally giving them their common as well as their 

 Arabic designations, such as Charles's wain, the Lady's 

 elwand, and the like. He would also explain the dials he 

 had made, and the manner of setting them and telling the 

 hours and the points of the compass with them ; being, as 

 an old friend of his said, " a great dial man." 



This was Willie Mortimer, the village shoemaker, who 

 still survives, an intelligent, genial man, in a green old age, 

 with many memories and highest respect for his departed 

 friend. William saw John's " horologe " and was often with 

 him when he adjusted the folding "nogman" (or "the cock 

 o' the dial," as William called it), and told the hour by its 

 means. He was one of the few that were privileged to 

 ascend into " the philosopher," where he was shown the 

 secret chest, with the books and other treasures it con- 

 tained a proof of honour and confidence bestowed on few. 

 He was impressed, as all that knew him there were, with 

 John's high character, retiring studiousness, inoffensive, 

 blameless life, and great memory ; and William Mortimer 

 had the honour of introducing him to Charles Black. 



John's appearance and habits, even at that age, under 

 forty years, were sufficiently striking, and certain to draw 

 popular comment. He wore a blue dress-coat and vest of 

 his own manufacture and country make, with very high neck 

 and clear brass buttons, corduroy trousers, and white-spotted 

 napkin round his throat ; a tall satin hat, well set on the back 

 of his head ; a big blue umbrella, which was an old-fashioned 



I 



