64 JAMES CLEEK MAXWELL. [CHAP. III. 



the House of Middlebie has lent gallantry to the archers by 

 his spirited songs ; and a fair lady, a friend of the same 

 house, has painted a couple of pieces, and presented them, 

 the one to Mr. Lawrence of Largnean, the president of the 

 club, and the other to Mrs. Bell of Hillowton, the lady 

 patroness. The former picture represents William Tell 

 aiming at the apple on his son's head ; the latter, the chaste 

 huntress Diana piercing a stag. Both are ic beautiful 

 exceedingly." 



Thus well accomplished in every point and accessory of 

 their beautiful pastime, loyal and happy are the Bowyers 

 of Urr. 



One of James's spirited songs, a parody of Scott, 

 beginning " Toxophilite, the conflict's o'er/' still exists 

 in Cousin Jemima's handwriting, with a sketch for 

 the picture of William Tell, in which the features of 

 the House of Middlebie are idealised. The artist 

 also proved the best shot on this occasion. The poem 

 is not worth printing, though it has characteristic 

 touches of grotesque ingenuity and humorous obser- 

 vation which are very curious in a boy of twelve. 

 m. 12. The summer of 1843 was also memorable for the 

 completion of the New Offices at Grlenlair. Whatever 

 he may have intended before the death of his wife, 

 Mr. Clerk Maxwell made no change in the dwelling- 

 house during his lifetime. But these out-buildings 

 had been designed by himself; he had drawn the 

 working plans for the masons ; he had acted as clerk 

 of the works, rejecting unfit material, etc., and every 

 detail had been executed under his own eye. So 

 absorbed was he in the supervision, that he omitted 

 his usual visit to Edinburgh in July. In one of Mrs. 



