50 AT GRANDHOLM MILLS.' CHAP. in. 



thrown across the deep and dark winding Don. Be- 

 neath you, the fishermen are observed hauling to the 

 shore their salmon nets. Westward of the Auld 

 Brig the river meanders amongst the bold bluff 

 banks, clothed to the summit with thick embowered 

 wood. Two or three miles above are the Haughs, 

 from which a fine view of the Don is obtained, with 

 the high wood-covered bank beyond it ; and, over all, 

 the summits of the spires of St. Machar, the cathe- 

 dral church of Old Aberdeen. 



It was to roam through these woods and amidst 

 this beautiful scenery, that young Edward so much 

 desired to be employed at the Grandholm factory. Nor 

 was he disappointed in his expectations. Scarcely 

 three days had elapsed ere a letter arrived at the 

 Edwards' house, informing both the boys that they 

 would be employed at the mill at the usual wages. 

 The hours were to be from six o'clock in the morning 

 till eight o'clock in the evening. 



The boys had accordingly to be up by about four 

 in the morning, after which they had to get their 

 breakfast and to walk two miles to their work. They 

 were seldom home at night before nine. It was de- 

 lightful in summer, but dreary in winter, when they 

 went and came in the cold dark nights and mornings. 

 The wages of the boys were at first from three to four 

 shillings a week each, and before they left the mill 

 their wages were from five to six shillings a week. 



The boys were first put into the heckling shop. 



