HIS CHARACTERISTICS AND CHARACTER. 4/5 



neighbours, at the large library he was able to acquire 

 under such narrow circumstances, which was surprisingly 

 extensive even by middle life. But it is the old story over 

 again, of the will rinding a way. 



John's temper was naturally warm, if not keen ; but it 

 was generally held in good control, even in argument, till 

 that waxed too hot, when he would strike out in some 

 characteristic expression. As to his command of temper, 

 Charles Black is very decided, and similar testimony is 

 borne by other friends. In his later years, when the 

 infirmities of age weakened his self-restraint, he began to 

 manifest impatience and give way to bursts of crossness as 

 we have seen ; but these were generally evanescent, and 

 passed away with the weakness that caused them. It 

 speaks highly for his moral strength, that, possessing 

 naturally fervid combative feelings impatient of opposition, 

 and having passed through those peculiar domestic trials 

 that affect temper perhaps above everything else, he should 

 have maintained throughout life the generally even disposi- 

 tion he did. His treatment of his wretched wife under her 

 continued persecution of him for so many years, is a 

 monument to the man's philosophy and forbearance, which 

 nothing but a strong will, sustained by high moral purpose 

 and powerful self-control, could have achieved. 



His kindliness of heart was a marked characteristic ; as 

 one of his friends said, " he wi'dna do hairm to onything." 

 When staying at Netherton, after carrying a web to a 

 "gude wife" near Monymusk, he was returning through 

 the heather according to custom, when his attention was 

 drawn by the piteous screams of a poor hare that had been 

 caught in a hidden snare. John, "whose heart was all 



