454 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. XI. 



this scrap of paper instead thereof to write a line upon. I think 

 I begin to mend. Yesterday was a delightful day. My limbs 

 ache less. I sleep better, and feel less languid. The great quiet- 

 ness and serenity of this place calm and soothe me, and the 

 almost entire rest to which I surrender myself, is slowing my 

 pulse, and clearing my brains perceptibly. We have what I 

 have long wished for, a western window with a wide prospect. 

 Lambs and crows, and the sound of running water ; the steam- 

 engine whistle, and the lowing of distant cattle, prevent utter 

 solitude. The sky is ever changing, and in the evening a 

 crescent moon and the evening star play at hide-and-seek 

 among the clouds." 



From this pleasant life, with " the absence of business-worry, 

 the easy morning's literary work, the long profitable readings 

 and meditations, and the soothing influence of green fields, and 

 blue or sunny skies," he was speedily roused, and cast into the 

 whirlpool of this world's cares. Intelligence reached him while 

 at Bridge of Allan of the death of Dr. Gregory, Professor of Che- 

 mistry in the Edinburgh University. He mourned the loss of 

 one so amiable and so accomplished, but did not consider his 

 own prospects affected by it. So passed a day or two, in un- 

 consciousness of the stir on his behalf in town, from which, at 

 last, came a kind friend urgently to insist on his appearing as a 

 candidate for the Chair. The result we shall give as much as 

 possible in his own words. 



"May?. 



" MY DEAR DANIEL, The enclosed [a letter to the patrons as 

 candidate] will startle you as much as it does myself. I left 

 Edinburgh three weeks ago, anticipating nothing but a long rest. 

 In my absence Dr. Gregory died very unexpectedly. He had 

 long been poorly, and had scarcely lectured this winter, but no 

 one thought him near death. I had no thought of trying for 

 this Chair, but without waiting for my consent, such a troop of 

 friends, including Councillors, have taken up my case that, 

 nolens volcns, I am in the field. I look at the matter very com- 

 posedly. For purely personal reasons, I should rather remain 

 as I am ; for others I could change. I shall cheerfully abide 



