CHAP. xxn. DICK'S ONLY EXTRAVAGANCE. 375 



Thurso, Dick did not make his appearance. On that 

 occasion it was suggested that a geological museum 

 should be established in Thurso, and Dick, though 

 absent, was suggested as the only person likely to obtain 

 and to classify the specimens. But Dick was unwilling, 

 perhaps he had not the time necessary to undertake 

 the work ; and he declined the offer. 



As he did not accept the entertainments of others, 

 neither did he entertain others in his own house. The 

 only exception was in the case of Mr. Peach. The fol- 

 lowing extract is from Mr. Peach's diary : " Rose at 5 

 A.M. After disposing of many matters, I went to see 

 Dick. What pleasure it is to meet him ! This day, 

 for the first time, I ate and drank with him. I asked 

 him for a cup of tea. ' By all means,' he said. I was 

 much amazed with him and his housekeeper, Annie 

 Mackay. There was no cloth on the table. The poor 

 body was sadly put about. Dick, manlike, laughed at 

 her dismay. This is the first time that I partook of 

 food with him. He would often have asked me. He 

 was dashed, because the first time I saw him he asked 

 me to take wine; and because I refused (being a 

 teetotaller), he thought I was above eating and drinking 

 with him. He was much mistaken. He did not then 

 know me." 



Throughout his life, Dick was careful and abstemious. 

 He lived frugally, spending very little upon himself. 

 His only extravagance if such it can be called, was 

 books. These he would have of the best editions, beauti- 

 fully bound. His brother-in-law once offered to 



