344 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



old weaver. From Mr. Taylor, I have gained more regard- 

 ing John than from any other friend. 



In the Vale of Alford, there lived another farm-servant, 

 a friend of Taylor's, but somewhat older, called William D. 

 H. Deans. With exemplary diligence and perseverance, 

 under trying difficulties and ill health, he went to Aberdeen 

 University the nursing mother of thousands of her able 

 but humble sons and in due time took his degree. 

 Though adorned with academic honours, he did not forget 

 his old friends in the Vale, but, amongst other kindly 

 services, used to assist his struggling companion, Taylor, in 

 his neglected education ; guiding his English studies, correct- 

 ing exercises for him by post, and introducing him to Latin, 

 to help him in botanical nomenclature. Deans determined 

 to devote himself to teaching as a profession, in which he 

 had engaged during his college course. 



In 1 868, while conducting a school at Lethenty, in Fyvie, 

 in Aberdeenshire, he was introduced by the parish minister, 

 the Rev. Gavin Lang,* to an earnest botanist, the Rev. 

 William Lytteil,f then officiating at a church near the Cross 

 of Jackson, who possessed a good herbarium, specially rich 

 in grasses and ferns. Under him, Deans began Botany both 

 in the book and in the field. In order to help him to do it in 

 proper form, he bought Balfour's " Outlines " of the science, 

 and a vasculum. That summer, he returned to his mother's 

 house at Alford, and began its independent study. In 

 coming home one evening after seeking for plants, he met 

 a neighbouring farmer, who, when he saw his unwonted 

 vasculum and its contents, said : " Weel, Willie, man, ye su'd 



* Now of Inverness. 



t Author of" Landmarks of Scottish Life and Language," 1877. 



