iv.] Clirjcr, OF A PROFESSION, 1833. 87 



performances of the veteran in science, the result well 

 vindicated the wisdom of the choice. And no doubt the 

 sense of his own exceeding youthfulness in years if not 

 in learning, and the knowledge that he himself and his 

 supporters were on their trial, acting on his tensely-strung 

 and resolute spirit, urged him to put forth his utmost 



ngth, and to silence all murmurs of detraction. But 

 though such feelings may naturally have had some place 

 in his mind, it was from higher and more stable sources 

 that his habitual strength was drawn. The following 



'acts show with what aims and motives he entered 

 on his new career : 



'GREENHILL, Zrd Febi-uary, 1833. 



' God of His great mercy has brought me safely through 

 another year : He has directed my steps abroad, He has 

 \\atched me there, He has given me much richly to enjoy, 

 He has called me home at an earlier period than I pro- 

 posed, He has fulfilled the object which was the immediate 

 cause of that return. In all these proceedings I see His 

 hand. If ever I felt disposed to say, "To-day or to- 

 morrow I shall go to such a city, and stay there a 

 ." He has convinced me of the uncertainty of human 

 affairs, and, by analogy, of my own life. "His ways 

 are in the sea, and His path in the "Teat waters, and 

 ire not known.'' \\\ the fulfilment of the 

 object of my return to this country, I lind myself at an 

 r period than I propo^-d in the j >osition of Professor 

 ;ral Philosophy \ n Kdinlmridi, to which 1 was 

 cl. <-ted on the :}oth ult. May it be for my <>\\ n welfare, 

 tmp.,ral and eternal. It is under this condition alone 

 prayed for it. To-day I received the ( ( om- 

 lion, and expressed my wants and wishes in such words 

 : n most powerful and gracious God, look 

 ii with on the infirmities of Thy .-ervant. 



d the ehanL r in.L, r scenes of life give me firmness to 

 ly lix< d on the ^nvat object of that 

 .vhieh Thou ha~t -iven me. I trace the workings of 

 idence in Thy fecenl dealings with me. Let my 



