304 A POSSIBLE SUB-CURATORS HI P. CHAP. xv. 



Mr. Bate must have been a thoroughly kind and 

 good-hearted man. He may possibly have heard 

 something of the circumstances of Edward, and he 

 was now on the look-out for some higher vocation for 

 the Naturalist than that of " ladies' shoemaker." The 

 Eev. George Gordon, also a zoologist, who was in 

 constant communication with Mr. Bate, may have 

 probably informed him of Edward's ambition, which 

 was, to be appointed curator or sub-curator of some 

 important museum. Hence Mr. Bate's letter to 

 Edward. After informing him that Mr. Lubbock 

 would shortly ask him to make a collection of Crus- 

 tacea, and advising him to send certain fishes in 

 proof spirit to the British Museum, he proceeded, 



" I have one thing more to say ; but I write in 

 ignorance of your circumstances, and therefore, if I 

 tread upon a corn, pray forgive me. I have been 

 asked if I can recommend a person to the College of 

 Surgeons, whose duty will be to attend upon the 

 Curators and Professors, and make preparations, and 

 do other work in Natural History. The salary is 

 1 : 10s. a week. If such a thing will suit you, let me 

 know, and I will write to propose you. If the place 

 is not filled up, I think it might be got." 



This letter raised a glimmer of hope in Edward's 

 breast. Was he really to be rewarded at last for his 

 efforts in Natural History, by an appointment which 

 would bring him into communication with scientific 

 men? It may be mentioned, that Edward had 



