INCENTIVES TO STUDY. 17 



were " the smacks " — " Rob the Ranter " and " Maggie 

 Lauder "—the boast of the port, as re-echoing the 

 strains of "Anster Fair;" the fishermen with their 

 nets and tackle on the beach creating in boys a curiosity 

 to know the names and uses of the nets' contents, and 

 that curiosity heightened by the superstitious stories 

 told of the uncouth denizens of the deep. With fish 

 and fun and " sailors' yarns," there were also abundant 

 materials, and of the most interesting nature, for in- 

 vestigation ; and who so likely to take advantage of 

 them as the sons of Dr. Goodsir, to whom the unknown 

 "oddities" were continually being offered for in- 

 spection and discrimination ? Marine zoology was 

 at the door of the Goodsirs, and love of the sea 

 would increase the enthusiasm of the pursuit ; for 

 what life could be more charming than holding the 

 helm, or "hauling in a sheet," while the light bark 

 skimmed o'er the waves, unless the greater pleasure 

 to John and Harry Goodsir of watching the exuber- 

 ance of animal life that was free to roam over the 

 wild sea's foam ; or when that life, caught in the 

 meshed trail, came to be cabin 'd and confin'd, to see 

 the motley group of entities, wanting the loves and 

 affections that bind warmer natures, manifesting 

 rapacity as their only law, and voracity as the sum 

 and Biibstance of life? What opportunities to lads 

 bent on zoological inquiry and in the possession of 

 brain, energy, and education! What glorious in- 

 centives to study in having I lie faculties of the mind, 

 and all the senses, made partakers of the pleasure of 



