12 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



The first things he did when coming down in the 

 morning was to read and meditate over a chapter in 

 the Bible. After that, he read a Dictionary! His 

 children used to wonder how he could possibly find 

 interest in so dry a book. No doubt it was the study 

 of the Bible and Dictionary which made him speak 

 and write such pure, true, and elegant English. At 

 breakfast, the four-footed pets came in with the chil- 

 dren, and all received a morsel of some dainty from 

 the Naturalist's plate. Breakfast was a meal over 

 which he delighted to linger, and only the apparition 

 of some factotum whose patience was short-lived, say- 

 ing, " If ye please, sir, I'm waiting for," &c., brought the 

 meal to an end. 



Although his manner was always grave, almost to 

 severity, he loved to see others happy ; and his children 

 have no brighter recollections than of the long winter 

 evenings, when he made his sweet-toned violin breathe 

 such melody as only a master's hand can evoke from 

 any instrument. Often he merely played dance-music, 

 that the young people might enjoy what he called 

 healthful recreation; but oftener they sat spell- 

 bound while he played plaintive Scotch airs, stirring 

 pibrochs, grand marches, soul-melting melodies, sacred 

 music. Weber's Last Waltz was one of his favourite 

 airs. 



His domestic life had been deeply tinged by sorrow ; 

 but the great intellect, and yet greater heart, bore him 

 through all, so that he retained in old age all the fresh 

 feelings of younger days. His interest in the progress 



