26 Biographical Sketch 



Of course the young enthusiast accepted 

 such an unlooked-for and promising ap- 

 pointment, though in writing home he said : 

 " One thing only clouds the prospect. 

 You may easily guess how distressed I will 

 be to leave the country without seeing you 

 all. Yet I trust in the mercy of God we 

 may meet again. Although I write to accept, 

 there would likely be time for a letter to 

 reach me in London ; and if you wish to veto 

 the proceedings (which, however, I cannot 

 contemplate), there will be time." 



A portion of his father's reply may be 

 given here : 



" One point in your letter I fervently thank 

 God for. It breathes affectionate confidence 

 and docility. It is when you leave the veto 

 with us who have your honour and interest 

 so deeply at heart. 



" We do not baulk your laudable zeal and 

 ambition. 



"Now you will find the good of Mac 

 Gillivray's course, mapping out to you the 

 boundaries and localities of Natural History. 

 Your previous studies in Natural Philosophy, 

 Medicine and Anatomy will also tell ; and 

 your education in Shetland, itself a kind of 



