,8 THE HOME OF A NATURALIST. 



science. He took the liveliest interest in his patients, 

 and attended the poorest from whom he could expect 

 no remuneration as assiduously, and dispensed to them 

 medicines as liberally, as though they had been dowered 

 with ample fortunes and could pay handsome fees. 



On occasions, when he was visiting neighbouring 

 islands professionally, if in summer, he would usually 

 take with him his fowling-piece, as well as a small 

 stock of medicines, and after the duties of the day 

 were over he would spend some hours of the afternoon 

 in hunting seals amongst the numerous neighbourmg 

 island holms and skerries, in rambling along the shores 

 in search of rare birds or in botanizing. Thus he was 

 often able to combine pleasure with his professional 

 avocations, and to prosecute those studies in natural 

 history to which he was passionately devoted. 



An intense admirer of Nature, of a closely logical 

 intellect, and at the same time of a deeply reverent 

 spirit. Natural Theology was a study in which he de- 

 licrhted. I quote the following from one of his com- 

 in°onpkce books: "The pleasure of enjoyment is 

 nearly equalled by the pleasure of constantly and 

 habitually referring it to the beneficent agency of our 

 Creator. This habit of recognising and adoring Him 

 at all times is itself a heaven on earth." 



One of our father's favourite walks was along the 

 north shore of Baltasound to Swinaness, and the 

 lofty precipice of "The Keen" there, and his elder 

 two boys were often his companions. On these occa- 

 sions the conversation was very commonly about Nature 



