432 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



whole was duly signed by John on the i5th of April, and 

 the deed registered and deposited in official keeping, the 

 original in Edinburgh, and an extract in Inverness. 



By this deed, the provisions of which were cordial ly 

 concurred in by the old botanist and lover of nature and 

 science, the whole sum that remained after his death, 

 together with any other moneys realised from his effects, 

 was to be invested, and the interest devoted, for all time, 

 to the formation of a scholarship or scholarships, or, in the 

 absolute discretion of the trustees, to the purchase of prizes, 

 all to be called after his name, " for the encouragement of 

 the study of Natural Science, especially Botany, among the 

 youth, both boys and girls, of the parishes of Alford, 

 Leochel-Cushnie, Tullynessle, Tough, and Keig," in the 

 Vale of Alford. The trustees are empowered to fix " the 

 amount and number of each scholarship, scholarships, or 

 prizes, and the conditions, rules, and regulations on which 

 they shall be awarded ; " and, what is a wise provision, too 

 frequently omitted in such educational endowments, " to 

 alter, vary, or modify the same from time to time, as the 

 trustees may think necessary for adapting them to growing 

 improvements in education in the future, with a due regard 

 to the purpose for which the scholarships or prizes are 

 instituted." 



In carrying out these most praiseworthy intentions of 

 the deceased scientist, the trustees, at a meeting held 

 immediately after the funeral, determined, at present and 

 for some time to come, to devote the proceeds of the 



James Reid, Inspector of Poor for Alford ; James Taylor, of Clashfar- 

 quhar ; John M. B. Taylor; and the author. The number of trustees 

 never to be less than five. 



