II4 LIFE OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. VI. 



Minister Walker. This morning we walked home again in 

 a bright beautiful sunny day, and did not lose our way. We 

 looked in at Mr. Abernethy at the Bridge of Allan, and as 

 he was at dinner, he insisted on our staying, which we did." 



The troubles of this excursion were increased by James 

 Russell, with characteristic heedlessness, having left home 

 with shoes so worn, that it was found necessary to have 

 a pair made by a country workman. These, being strong 

 and heavy, so blistered his feet that he was thankful to take 

 them off, and limp along shoeless in the quiet roads. The 

 result of the unwonted exertion to George was a sprain, 

 which might have yielded readily to simple appliances; 

 but a dislike to give trouble, combined with a child-like 

 forgetfulness of pain not immediately pressing, led to con- 

 cealment from his kind hostess that he had suffered aught. 

 It was a cloud no bigger than a man's hand, yet it was to 

 darken all his life. Passing over the same ground fifteen 

 years later, he spoke almost shudderingly to a sister of this 

 walk and all it recalled to mind. 



Three days later than the letter just given, he went to 

 Glasgow, to attend the meeting of the British Association. 

 A week of exertion and excitement, almost inseparable from 

 such assemblies, caused further injury to health, and he 

 returned home seriously ill. His friend, Dr. Skae, was his 

 medical attendant; and now began that deep debt of 

 obligation which his friends of the medical profession laid 

 him under throughout the rest of his life. Their aid was in 

 most cases given unasked, prompted by a loving regard, 

 and with the tenderness of brothers did more than one 

 watch the ebb and flow of his strength, prolonging by 

 affectionate care the years of his earthly sojourn. 



A letter to Daniel, of October 2d, speaks of his health : 

 " I shall not apologise for taking a small sheet in answer to 



