76 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



a professional career, it is evident that he gave him- 

 self to it with his usual conscientious earnestness. 

 There is no need to ask his own opinion on this 

 subject, for, besides subsequent events which speak 

 very clearly on the subject, there still exists an old 

 note-book, in which he entered descriptions of the 

 processes used in the trade ; and this book testifies 

 to the method of a man determined to be master of 

 his subject. 



Naturally, under the arrangement made with Mr. 

 Douglas, his wages were very small ; but that was, 

 compensated for by his being free at all his class 

 hours. 



Lodgings were the next important matter to be 

 looked after. He thought of a very decent family, 

 named Malcomson, on the Calton, to which he had 

 been accustomed to take butter and milk when he 

 was with the McAslands. He called on Mrs. Mal- 

 comson, and told her what he wanted, and that he 

 could not afford to pay much. He was not altogether 

 a stranger to her, having, as just mentioned, supplied 

 her for a considerable time with farm produce. She 

 had three boys at school, and she said that if he were 

 willing, and could spare a little time night or morning, 

 to help the boys with their lessons, that would pay for 

 his lodging. He said that his spare time was not 

 much, but that he would do what he could, and would 

 prefer to pay something besides. She answered that 

 that matter could be settled afterwards. He considers 

 that he was fortunate in getting into this house. Per- 

 haps good character had more to do with it than good 

 fortune. Both Mrs. Malcomson and her husband were 



