28 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. I. 



benches, was irresistibly ludicrous. At a very early age, he 

 and his brothers were in the custom of noting down anything 

 remarkable they observed in the heavens, or in the animal 

 creation. I remember seeing a small book of these notanda, 

 and very numerous and interesting were the topics introduced. 

 One, I remember, was on some phenomenon observed in the 

 sky, with conjectures as to the cause. I showed this book to a 

 literary man, who would scarcely believe that it was the com- 

 position of mere boys. No doubt their abilities were beyond 

 those of most youths, but they owed the cultivation of them to 

 their mother (their father being constantly engaged in business). 

 She directed their young minds first to God, and their duty to 

 Him, then she steadily encouraged inquiry and investigation, 

 first into outward objects, and, as they advanced in years, 

 into scientific pursuits. When very young they had a museum 

 of their own collecting, with many really beautiful specimens. 

 I remember most particularly several beautifully prepared 

 skeletons of small animals, such as mice, sparrows, etc. George 

 used to visit me occasionally, when he never failed to impress 

 any scientific visitor who might be present with his talent and 

 eager pursuit after knowledge. Many were the predictions 

 uttered that he would be an eminent man. 



" I believe the key to Mrs. Wilson's success in the education 

 of her family, was the love that she fostered among them, and 

 the free discussion that she encouraged, she herself taking a part 

 in all their pursuits, and becoming young again for their sakes." 



A friend, and occasional guest of the family, Mr. Maxwell 

 Dick, of Irvine, greatly increased the interest of the boys in 

 mechanical pursuits, by familiarizing them with his own nume- 

 rous and ingenious inventions. He was zealous on behalf of 

 their Society, kindly contributing from time to time to its stores, 

 and in various ways so winning their regard, that a vigorous 

 correspondence was kept up with him. Of this a specimen is 

 given. Mr. Dick in after days has often spoken with enthu- 

 siasm of the extraordinary character of George, whose individu- 

 ality stood out clearly even then. The special subject of interest 

 to him seemed to Mr. Dick to be Comparative Anatomy, for 



