178 THE COLLECTION SOLD. CHAP. ix. 



letters from Banff, to the same effect. Some of his 

 correspondents there offered their suggestions and 

 advice. They said that as the collection had been 

 made in Banffshire, it properly belonged to Banffshire ; 

 and that it would be an everlasting slur upon the 

 county if it were allowed to go elsewhere. One gentle- 

 man of influence requested Edward to delay the sale 

 for a few days, in order that he might be enabled to 

 obtain subscriptions, so as to secure the collection for 

 Banff. Twenty pounds could easily be collected in 

 Banff for such a purpose. If the subscribers did not 

 themselves buy it, there was a Scientific Society in 

 Banff that would certainly buy it, to form the nucleus 

 of a collection of Banffshire fauna. 



Edward accordingly postponed the sale for some 

 days. He had great faith in his correspondent, who 

 was himself a member of the society in question. The 

 gentleman had considerable influence in the district, 

 and would doubtless do what he could to raise the 

 requisite money to purchase the collection. But, alas ! 

 how futile are promises. Words ! mere words ! Days 

 passed, and no further communications arrived. Ed- 

 ward was now pressed for his debts, and he could no 

 longer postpone the sale of the collection. The spark 

 of hope that had been kindled in his breast, died out. 

 All hope of salvation from any quarter had fled. He 

 must meet his difficulties as he best could. It was 

 now the middle of the sixth week, and his expenses 

 were increasing daily. Accordingly, he accepted the 

 offer of 20 : 10s. for the whole of his collection ! 



