164 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. IV. 



and through the kindness of our old schoolfellow, Adam White, 

 it was as free to us on private as on public days, and the read- 

 ing-room of its library became a favourite resort of both of us 

 when we could spare the time. NOT is it to be doubted that 

 both the Temple and the India House were visited for Charles 

 Lamb's sake." 



At the close of a month, when about to return to Edinburgh, 

 the offer of a place as unsalaried assistant in the Laboratory of 

 Professor Graham, now Master of the Mint, but then Professor 

 of Chemistry in University College, caused a complete change 

 in George's plans. The advantages it offered were too great not 

 to weigh strongly with him, as in no place in this country could 

 better opportunity present itself for acquiring a knowledge of 

 analysis and the other branches of Chemistry. He wrote to 

 consult friends at home, saying to his mother "I will not 

 make a vain parade of the grief my non-return will give me. 

 A thousand links of the dearest kind which nothing here can 

 make up for, draw me to Scotland and Edinburgh ; but you, 1 

 am sure, would be the first to say ' go.' " 



The week of suspense caused by the tardy postage of those 

 days was happily ended by the receipt of the desired permission 

 to remain ; and a few days later found him settled at work, and 

 reporting to the home circle " I have not completely recovered 

 my chemical vein ; besides the dissipation of thought which 

 occurred during my idleness here, the long distance I have to 

 go every day, and the consequent fatigue, as well as the un- 

 settled nature of my views yet, have hindered me reacquiring 

 the thoughts which were my summer companions. . . . Let me 

 say a very little of the Laboratory and my companions there, as 

 you will be anxious to know with whom my days are to be 

 spent. I have at least entered on my labours with the best 

 wishes of my preceptors and fellow-labourers. Both Mr. 

 Graham's assistants, Mr. Young 1 and Mr. Play fair, 2 are glad of 

 my addition to their number, and give me all the assistance in 

 their power, and as they are both good practical chemists, and 

 Playfair a geologist, I hope to profit by their society." 



1 Mr. James Young, Bathgate Chemical Works. 



* Dr. Lyon Playfair, Professor of Chemistry in the University of Edinburgh. 



