THE HERB DOCTOR 51 



We have seldom met in books a more beautiful char- 

 acter than this solitary man as described by Wilson. 



We must give you a passage by Wilson on this bene- 

 factor, as the former found him. It will bear reading 

 twice : 



" About six months ago I went to pay him a visit, along 

 with an intimate friend, no less remarkable for a natural 

 curiosity. On arriving at his little hut we found, to our no 

 small disappointment, that he was from home. As my 

 friend, however, had never been in that part of the country 

 before, I conducted him to the glen, to take a view of some 

 of the beautifully romantic scenes and wild prospects that 

 this place affords. We had not proceeded far along the 

 bottom of the vale when, hearing a rustling among the 

 branches above our heads, I discovered our hoary botanist, 

 with his basket, passing along the brow of a rock that hung 

 almost over the center of the stream. Having pointed him 

 out to my companion, we were at a loss for some time 

 to bring about a conversation with him. Having, how- 

 ever, a flute in my pocket, of which music he is exceed- 

 ingly fond, I began a few airs, which, by the sweetness 

 of the echoes, was heightened into the most enchanting 

 melody. 



" This had its desired effect; and our little man stood 

 beside us, with his basket in his hand. On stopping at 

 his approach, he desired us to proceed, complimented us 

 on the sweetness of our music, expressed the surprise he 



