CHAPTER IV 

 1860-1871 



Continuation of Botanical Studies — First Appointment as 

 A Teacher in Belleville, Ont. — Marriage, 1862 — Rela- 

 tions WITH OTHER BOTANISTS — BOTANICAL EXCURSIONS — 



Accepts the Chair of Natural History, Albert College, 

 Belleville; Ont. 



THE scene now shifts to Castleton, where, beginning with 

 January, 1860, I spent ten months teaching and studying 

 botany. The village doctor (Dr. Gould) was an Eclectic, 

 as many doctors were at that time and understood botany. Very 

 soon he and I were friends and I went with him when he was 

 visiting on Rice Lake Plains. I usually rose at four in summer 

 and made a large collection before breakfast. During this summer 

 I progressed greatly in my studies and made excursions in all 

 directions. Up to this time I made no attempt to do anything 

 with carices or grasses. I had no microscope nor glass, of any 

 kind, and had to depend on my eye alone and, as a result, I learned 

 to depend on the eye even in taking in the meaning of a book. I 

 collected a few species this year which I could make nothing of, 

 and sent them to Professor Hincks, of Toronto University, who 

 named them for me. One of them was a puzzle (Ambrosia artemi- 

 siaefolia) to me and I have never forgotten the pleasure it gave 

 me to know its name. Doctor Gould, of Castleton, was a great 

 help to me and took me to many places I could not go on foot. 

 In the autumn I heard through my brother who lived in 

 Belleville that one of its schools would be vacant in November 

 and I applied for it. The late Sir Mackenzie Bowell was Chair- 

 man of the Public School Board at that time and obtained my 

 appointment. On November 1st, 1860, I became teacher in No. 

 1 School, Belleville. There were four Public Schools in that 

 town at that time. My removal to Belleville was the real turn- 

 ing point of my life. Before the winter was over I had discovered 



