66 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. IV. 



of that time. A few days after the final settlement of his 

 plans for the winter, he thus reports to the home circle 

 "I have not completely recovered my chemical vein; 

 besides the dissipation of thought which occurred during 

 my idleness here, the long distance I have to go every day, 

 and the consequent fatigue, as well as the unsettled nature 

 of my views yet, have hindered me reacquiring the thoughts 

 which were my summer companions. . . . Let me say a 

 very little of the Laboratory and my companions there, as 

 you will be anxious to know with whom my days are to be 

 spent. I have at least entered on my labours with the best 

 wishes of my preceptors and fellow-labourers. Both Mr. 

 Graham's assistants, Mr. Young 1 and Mr. Playfair, 2 are glad 

 of my addition to their number, and give me all the assis- 

 tance in their power, and as they are both good practical 

 chemists, and Playfair a geologist, I hope to profit by their 

 society." 



Among the students in the Laboratory this session was 

 Dr. Livingstone, now distinguished for his labours and 

 discoveries in Africa. On the return of the celebrated 

 traveller to this country a few years ago, it was a pleasure 

 to him and George to renew their previous intercourse. 

 A much prized copy of his travels bears the autograph 

 inscription, "To Professor G. Wilson, with the kindest 

 regards of his friend and class-mate David Livingstone." 

 Letters from the rivers Shire and Zambesi have come to 

 this country since George Wilson's death, in which Dr. 

 Livingstone speaks of specimens intended for the Industrial 

 Museum of Scotland. " I have collected," he says, " some 

 little things for you, but they are really so rude that I have 



1 Mr. James Young, Bathgate Chemical Works. 



2 Dr. Lyon Playfair, Professor of Chemistry in the University of 

 Edinburgh. 



