444 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



the natural outward expression of this inward struggle 

 between latent independent strength and the unaccount- 

 able and unaccustomed feeling of helplessness and need of 

 assistance, which he had always objected to in his self- 

 dependent solitude. His prostration was so great at times 

 that he became quite blind ; asking them, for instance, to 

 light the candle which was burning before him ! He was, 

 on such occasions, put to bed for a while. He would 

 soon rise again, refreshed and amiable, and become quite 

 talkative, all the former clouds being dispelled and for- 

 gotten. His life was now a succession of April sunshine 

 and shower, and the light, when it came, beamed all the 

 brighter after the previous gloom. 



During one of these blithe blinks, he mentioned to me 

 the songs he used to sing, recited vigorously and humor- 

 ously several lines in " Johnnie Cope," a favourite with him 

 and Charles Black ; and, poor dear soul, now as the inner 

 fire under these inspiring strains of other days blazed up into 

 stronger flame, he rose from his chair, leant forward with 

 his hands on the table, and, in trembling but surprisingly 

 vigorous notes, sang a verse of the favourite old ballad 

 called "The Blaeberries" 



" Will ye go to the Hielands wi' me ? " 



He talked of the story it contained, and of " Scots wha 

 hae " and " Auld Lang Syne ; " the last being mentioned 

 with a natural sigh, raised by the feeling of waning strength 

 and the remembrance of departed joys. 



The fund his friends had recently subscribed, and his 

 present comforts due thereto, affected him beyond expres- 

 sion, and brought the tears of genuine gratitude to his eye. 



