276 THE LAST SUMMERS AND WINTEES. 



devoted to questions of great economical importance, such 

 as the artificial breeding of salmon, and the encourage- 

 ment and right regulation of the cod and herring fisheries. 

 When vacancies occurred in Scottish j>rofessorships of 

 natural science, he was involved in extensive correspond- 

 ence, both as the friend of so many men of science, and 

 as one in whose judgment and impartiality the patrons 

 had confidence ; and the business of the Royal Society of 

 Edinburgh, superadded to the duties of his eldership, and 

 attendance on sundry committees, often left him scant 

 leisure for those literary engagements which multiplied 

 upon him as one of the most popular expounders of a 

 popular science. 



Of his winter work and summer recreations some hints 

 will be found in the following extracts from his corre- 

 spondence : — 



TO MISS TAYLOR. 



" Woodville, Edinburgh, 18th June 1851. 

 " I had great pleasure in hearing of you t'other day, 

 through your note to Marianne, which was kindly sent, 

 with other domestic despatches, to Luib, in the central 

 Highlands of Perthshire, about seven miles beyond Killin. 

 My brother the Professor had been unwell throughout 

 the spring; and having been advised a change of air, he 

 refused to take it unless n family party was made to 



