3O2 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



cultivation. This had been greatly increased by his study 

 of several practical works, and he had lectured on the sub- 

 ject at Auchleven, as we have seen. 



One of his old friends still retains grateful recollections 

 of his services in this respect. This is Mrs. McCombie, 

 widow of Mr. McCombie of Cairnballoch, an old lady now 

 above seventy, who felt a high regard for the man, and 

 thinks that " the story of his enthusiasm for plants, to 

 which he sacrificed his life, should do good." John first 

 became acquainted with Mr. McCombie while living in 

 Tough, where Cairnballoch is situated. He was then 

 accustomed to go there to help at the harvest and to assist 

 in the garden, and continued to do both for years after he 

 came to Droughsburn. He also did a good deal of weaving 

 for Mrs. McCombie. On one occasion, John came to Cairn- 

 balloch with a bundle of weeds, which Mr. McCombie asked 

 him to name and describe. This John did, after spreading 

 them out on a table, in the presence of the household. 

 Amongst these was the old nurse, who stared at the 

 homely lecturer in utterly bewildered surprise, with a look 

 at John and his plants which the editor, when he used to 

 tell the story, said he never would forget. 



Mrs. McCombie was greatly impressed with the weaver's 

 earnestness of character, his willingness to impart know- 

 ledge, his desire to make himself useful, his intimate 

 acquaintance with plants, his mild behaviour to those who 

 laughed at him on account of his devotion to them, and 

 especially with his practical services in gardening and the 

 information he imparted in connection with it. His instruc- 

 tions, which she says were not at all commonplace, she 

 valued and has since acted on with very good results, 



