HIS OTHER FRIENDS AT NETHERTON. 2O/ 



In 1873, Mr. Beveridge removed to Aberdeen, to be 

 curator of the Free Church College and Museum, having 

 been compelled to leave his natal spot through the action 

 of a subsequent proprietor, and there he still labours at his 

 old pursuits. John visited him regularly in Aberdeen, for 

 the two kept their old friendship undimmed to the last. 

 Though amidst congenial surroundings, a happy family, and 

 appreciative friends, William feels, in spite of his buoyancy 

 and humour, like a caged mountain bird in the confinement 

 of the city, and deeply sighs for the free and natural life of 

 the country, in the home of his fathers on the breezy 

 uplands of Tough. 



To that parish there came, in 1836, the year of Duncan's 

 arrival, a house-painter and fellow-townsman of his, called 

 James Barclay, then thirty years of age. He settled down 

 with his wife and family at the Backloaning, not far from 

 the parish school and the hamlet of the Craigh, and there 

 he lived for four years. Like William Beveridge, he was 

 a born genius in several lines. Being highly intelligent, 

 humorous, waggish, and genial, he speedily became a 

 general favourite, both in business and social life. He was 

 the soul of all merrymakings, where he could tell a good 

 story, sing a capital song, and play well on the violincello. 

 His intellectual life was equally active. He soon became a 

 member of the Debating Club that then existed at Tough 

 another being Mr. McCombie, of Cairnballoch in that neigh- 

 bourhood, founder of the Aberdeen Free Press. He was also 

 a promoter of the circulating library, recently founded there. 

 Beveridge and Barclay became very intimate, and it was 

 Barclay that introduced Willie to fiddle-making, and stained 



