MEMOIR OF DR. WALKER. 45 



lie body. In the professorship I am soon to under- 

 take, I have foreseen many difficulties which I yet 

 hope to surmount ; but this indeed would be a new 

 discouragement which I did not expect. Were I to 

 fail in my attempt, and be found incapable of teach- 

 ing the science to the satisfaction of the public, the 

 field would then be open, and I could have nothing 

 to object. But till that happen, I certainly have 

 some claim to be treated with equity and candour, 

 * I may say, too, with humanity, by those who think 

 themselves concerned. 



" By engaging in that office, I run the risk per- 

 haps of some character, but certainly of having my 

 income diminished, in serving the public ; which at 

 my time of life is no very agreeable prospect, and 

 renders me more dependent than ever I have yet 

 been upon the support of my friends. 



" If your lordship will allow me to number you 

 among these, I would beg your attention to what I 

 have now stated, which could not indeed so readily 

 occur to your lordship as to one whose reputation 

 and interest is at stake. 



" I shall be happy to receive your favourable 

 answer, and am, in the mean time, with my best 

 compliments to Lady Buchan, 



Your Lordship's, &c. 



JOHN WALKER." 



Mr. Smellie instantly and frankly renounced all 

 idea of rivalry; he wished merely to pursue the 

 same course which he had projected along with 



