198 BUSINESS, RECREATION ; SUNSHINE, SHADOW. 



which he conducted the business of the Council and of 

 the Society itself, he proved an able and not unsuccessful 

 substitute for his eminent and accomplished friend. 



During the later years of his life, Mr Wilson interested 

 himself in territorial churches, and in efforts for improving 

 the dwellings of the poor, and, as an elder, he had consi- 

 derable outlet in his district and elsewhere, for the tender- 

 ness of his sympathy, and for more substantial benefactions. 

 But there were few associations, either benevolent or 

 scientific, which, in later years, engrossed so much of his 

 time and thought as the Fishery Board. In the fishes 

 themselves, as an angler and a naturalist, he felt a certain 

 interest, but as a patriotic Scotchman he felt still more 

 interest in their captors and consumers. The brave and 

 hardy seamen of our northern coasts commanded his 

 highest admiration, and knowing well the finny wealth of 

 those stormy waters, he was anxious that all should be 

 done which proprietors or a government can do, to lessen 

 the dangers, and augment the productiveness of this great 

 branch of national industry. First, in conj miction with 

 Sir Thomas Dick Lauder, and afterwards with the Hon. 

 Bouverie F. Primrose, many were the months which he 

 spent afloat, in order to examine stations, quays, and 

 harbours ; many were the days spent in London and 

 elsewhere, urging on official personages points so vitally 

 affecting the food of the community and the defences 



