PUBLIC APPEAL MADE ON HIS BEHALF. 427 



the balance in good food." Another contributor sen- 

 tentiously observed that " if the prophets and others sent 

 for our instruction are not now stoned, they are apt to be 

 starved, even in this generation." Another gave five 

 shillings "to keep the wolf from the door till once his 

 position was known to the public, of whom none could 

 have a poorer opinion than the writer ; for whoever tries 

 to uphold fallen humanity tries a most difficult task hog 

 won't eat hog, dog won't eat dog, but man will devour his 

 fellow-man in true cannibal fashion ; " and concluded by 

 asking John to " read the thirty-seventh psalm, and to trust 

 with implicit confidence in the Great 'I Am,' and when 

 plenty comes in to supply your every want, as doubtless it 

 will, thank God first and man next." 



The manner in which some of the subscriptions were 

 gathered was also interesting. Families interested in 

 botany and the botanist united together in personal gifts, 

 from the oldest to the youngest, as in Lord Claude 

 Hamilton's. Some public works and offices joined in small 

 subscriptions, which together became considerable, such as 

 the Addiewell Chemical Works. Aberdonians in several 

 places sent joint presents to their countryman. One 

 gentleman in Glasgow fastened one of the leader appeals 

 to a sheet in his office, which drew many an unreluctant 

 coin from his visitors. Other kindly hearts in various parts, 

 near and distant, became generous beggars amongst their 

 friends. Not a few who contributed large amounts desired 

 to be nameless. One wrote from a sick bed, making 

 suggestions for increased subscriptions, which happily, from 

 the prompt fulness of the gifts, it was unnecessary to 

 adopt. Several newspapers acted as recipients of moneys, 



