CHAP. ix. THE COLLECTION DESTROYED. 179 



It was a bitter pang to part with it ; but the thing 

 must be done. Howling was of no use. Edward was 

 even glad to get that paltry sum, in order to be at last 

 set free. The gentleman (Mr. Grant) who bought the 

 collection, wished it for his boy, who had a taste for 

 natural history. The specimens were removed to his 

 house at Ferryhill. They were afterwards packed up 

 and sent to his place in St. Nicholas Street, where 

 they were stored up in some damp and unsuitable 

 room ; and, being otherwise neglected, it is believed 

 that the whole collection eventually went to ruin. 



Perhaps Edward might have got more money for 

 his collection if he had broken it up, and offered it in 

 lots. Professor Dickie was willing to buy a number 

 of his specimens, and to pay a good price for them ; 

 but this would have involved a considerable loss of 

 time, and also a considerable increase of expense. 

 He was therefore under the necessity of disposing of 

 the whole at once. 



" Whatever," says Edward, " may have been the 

 real cause of my ruin and want of success, I must say 

 that, although I was not supported and encouraged, ] 

 had no real claim upon the inhabitants of Aberdeen. 

 I certainly do owe many of them particularly those 

 of the upper and middle classes of society a deep 

 debt of gratitude for their courteous attention and 

 their offered hospitality. Although circumstances 

 did not allow me to avail myself of their kindness, I 

 have never forgotten the unfeigned favours which 



