1858. CHEMISTRY CHAIR VACANT. 32! 



Blackie would be quickly doomed to Lynch law. . . . 

 Before I left Edinburgh, a friend told me that his late 

 grandmother, when nearly ninety, speaking of heaven, said, 

 1 It was nae for the like of Jenny Brown and her to expect 

 to get far ben ; but may be they would get seats on the 

 hinmost 1 benks near the door.' Good old body, I hope 

 she is far ben by this time." 



" Tuesday. 



11 As I have not the porcelain tablet 2 beside me, I pick 

 up this scrap of paper instead thereof to write a line upon. 

 I think I begin to mend. Yesterday was a delightful day. 

 My limbs ache less. I sleep better, and feel less languid. 

 The great quietness and serenity of this place calm and 

 soothe me, and the almost entire rest to which I surrender 

 myself, is slowing my pulse, and clearing my brains per- 

 ceptibly. We have what I have long wished for, a western 

 window with a wide prospect. Lambs and crows, and the 

 sound of running water, the steam-engine whistle, and the 

 lowing of distant cattle, prevent utter solitude. The sky is 

 ever changing, and in the evening a crescent moon and the 

 evening star play at hide-and-seek among the clouds." 



From this pleasant life, with " the absence of business- 

 worry, the easy morning's literary work, the long profitable 

 readings and meditations, and the soothing influence of 

 green fields, and blue or sunny skies," he was speedily 

 roused, and cast into the whirlpool of this world's cares. 

 Intelligence reached him while at Bridge of Allan of the 

 death of Dr. Gregory, Professor of Chemistry in the Edin- 



1 Farthest back seats. 



2 Conversation with his mother was often carried on by means of the 

 tablet alluded to. It is now preserved, with the last words he wrote on 

 it, no one being permitted to use it after him. 



