PREFACE. 



delivered a speech at Leeds on the occasion of the 

 meeting of the British Association, which was held 

 there in September 1858. 



" In pursuing my researches in the Highlands," 

 said the Baronet, " and going beyond Sutherland into 

 Caithness, it was my gratification a second time to meet 

 with a remarkable man in the town of Thurso, named 

 Robert Dick, a baker by trade. I am proud to call 

 him my distinguished friend. When I went to see him, 

 he spread out before me a map of Caithness and pointed 

 out its imperfections. Mr. Dick had travelled over the 

 whole county in his leisure hours, and was thoroughly 

 acquainted with its features. He delineated to me, by 

 means of some flour which he spread out on his baking 

 board, not only its geographical features, but certain 

 geological phenomena which he desired to impress upon 

 my attention. Here is a man who is earning his daily 

 bread by his hard work ; who is obliged to read and 

 study by night ; and yet who is able to instruct the 

 Director-General of the Geographical Society. 



" But this is not half of what I have to tell you of 

 Robert Dick. When I became better acquainted with 

 this distinguished man, and was admitted into his 

 sanctum which few were permitted to enter I found 

 there busts of Byron, of Sir Walter Scott, and other 

 great poets. I also found there books, carefully and 

 beautifully bound, which this man had been able to 



