CHAP. xv. DICK'S POLISHING BENCH. 225 



that I am forgetful or unmindful of such affairs. But 

 many conflicting cares will be creeping in and annoying 

 one. Thus the course of stone, love, cannot run smooth. 

 For three weeks and more I have been grinding the few 

 stones I have into something of a neater shape, rendering 

 them less cumbrous and more trim and smooth. Truth to 

 say, it is hard work, and requires enthusiasm. Geologists 

 should be all gentlemen, with nothing else to do." 



The means by which Dick sawed and polished his 

 stones, were very simple. An old cask about the size of 

 a herring barrel set on its end, and supporting a board 

 or flat stone, was his bench. He had a short portion of 

 the common hand-saw, fitted by himself with a rough 

 wooden handle. With this, and the addition of a little 

 sand and water, he trimmed the stones containing the 

 fossils, and afterwards polished them by rubbing the two 

 surfaces together. This work is generally done by 

 machinery ; but Dick did it all by the strength of his 

 arms. It occupied a great deal of time, and was often 

 very heavy labour. 



Hugh Miller plied Dick very hard. He was con- 

 stantly writing to him, asking for further information. 

 Mr. Miller was then contemplating his new book The 

 Testimony of the Rocks for the purpose of reconciling 

 geology with the Mosaic account of creation. The 

 matter of the book was first delivered as lectures. 

 " You ask me," said Dick, " what good news I bring 

 you from the shore, from the quarries in the hills, and 

 from the quarries in the plains ?" I answer, simply nc 

 uews at all. 



