CHAR II.] GLENLAIR CHILDHOOD. 39 



learning some new trick (performed for his wages of 

 home-made biscuit after dinner), and neither he nor 

 James were ever tired of repeating the old ones. To 

 mention this is not mere trifling, for his power over 

 animals and perception of their ways 1 was a permanent 

 characteristic, and he found a scientific use for it at 

 a later time in inspecting the eyes of dogs with a 

 view to certain optical investigations. 2 



He does not seem to have been particularly fond of 

 riding at an early age, though in later life it was his 

 favourite recreation ; but at ten years old, as has been 

 said, he used to ride his pony behind his father's 

 "phaeton." 



Lastly, amongst the constant surroundings of the 

 boy's early years, the " vassals " must not be for- 

 gotten. Davie M'Vinnie and his family Sandy Fraser 

 the gardener, and his the Murdochs, who were the 

 kindred of Maggie, James's nurse, were the objects of 

 a continuous kindly interest and friendly companion- 

 ship, which had a genial effect on the heart of the 

 child. And by those of them whom I have been able 

 to see, he is still remembered, notwithstanding many 

 years of inevitable silence, with undoubting affection. 

 The very names of the places where they lived are 

 suggestive of quaintness and singularity, as were 

 most things in the Galloway of that day, where it 



1 " He seemed to get inside them more than other people." J. B. 



2 " Coonie," a favourite terrier in later years, had a trick of howl- 

 ing unmercifully whenever the piano was played. He was completely 

 cured of this, and Maxwell told a friend, in his grave way, that he 

 had taken " Coonie " to the piano and explained to him how it went. 

 That was all. 



