22 MEMOIR OF JOHN HUNTER. 



won the heart of Miss J. Hunter, she, contrary to 

 the wishes and advice of her relations, consented 

 to become his wife. The marriage proved unfortu- 

 nate. Buchanan got into company, and neglected 

 his business, which of course became involved. Ac- 

 cording to one representation, Mr Hunter removed in 

 these circumstances to Glasgow, to comfort his sister, 

 and to assist in extricating her husband's affairs ; but, 

 according to another account, his object was to asso- 

 ciate himself in the business, and prosecute the trade 

 It is obvious, however, that these two objects are in 

 no way incompatible ; and it would be false shame 

 to throw a veil over the transaction. If probabilities 

 and local tradition mdy be depended upon, there ap- 

 pears little doubt that John worked at his brother- 

 in-law's trade for some time ; but matters do not 

 seem to have benefited by his interference, and even> 

 tually he returned to Long-Calderwood. 



How far John Hunter was chagrined by this 

 failure, or what influence it may have had on his fu- 

 ture character, we have no means of determining. 

 Up to this period, however, it is apparent, that his 

 powerful mind had found nothing to arouse its ener- 

 gies. The drudgery of grammar, and of a mecha- 

 nical trade, had proved alike uncongenial ; and, 

 though wayward in his temper, and too little school- 

 ed by discipline or art, it is not to be doubted that 

 his active mind was spontaneously exercised in some 

 manner which tended to strengthen its faculties, and 

 enabled him to maintain through life an individuality 



