STORY OF MR. PEACH. 239 



in like pursuits. " It is one of the circumstances of 

 peculiar interest," said Hugh Miller, " with which geology 

 in its present state is invested, that there is no man 

 of energy and observation, who may not rationally in- 

 dulge in the hope of extending its limits, by adding to 

 its facts." 



While engaged in their respective pursuits, Dick and 

 Peach were quite unknown to each other. They worked 

 on quietly and unostentatiously, without any thought of 

 fame. It might be said that theirs was " the pursuit of 

 knowledge under difficulties." But this is a mistake. 

 The pursuit of knowledge is always accompanied with 

 pleasure, and the pleasure is only enhanced by the diffi- 

 culties with which it is surmounted. 



But circumstances shortly occurred which led to Mr. 

 Peach's promotion in the service, and to his removal to 

 the north first to Peterhead and afterwards to Wick. 

 Then it was that Dick and Peach became the most inti- 

 mate of friends. For this reason it is perhaps appropriate 

 to couple the portrait of the one friend with that of the 

 other, not only because their pursuits during their 

 leisure moments were in a great measure the same ; but 

 because it serves as an introduction to the correspond- 

 ence which follows. 



Mr. Peach has told us the story of his life. We 

 think it full of interest. It shows what a man in even 

 the humblest ranks of life may do, to accumulate know- 

 ledge and to advance science for the benefit of his 

 fellow-creatures. 



Mr. Peach was born in September 1800, at the village 



