22 Transactions. 
from being present “ben the hoose,” as she had to attend to the 
frying of the ham in the kitchen; but Mr Dunlop obviated the 
difficulty by saying that she could leave the door, open between 
the apartments, and so would benefit by his ministrations, while 
at the same time she attended to her duties in the kitchen. This 
plan was adopted, and Mr Dunlop so managed as to conclude 
his devotions just as the ham was heard to give the concluding 
frizzle. On their way home in the evening, Mr Dunlop remarked 
to his companion—‘‘ Mr Tammas, did ye notice hoo I nicket the 
time?” Another instance of Mr Dunlop’s eccentricity I may 
mention, as I was present on the occasion, and heard the 
rey. gentleman’s remarks. When quite a youth I went one 
Sunday evening with my mother to hear Mr Dunlop preach, 
and at the conclusion of the service, which was conducted in his 
usual broad lowland ‘“‘ Doric,” as he descended the pulpit stair 
he espied my mother, and addressing her in a loud tone, audible 
to all about him, said—‘ Glad to see ye here, Mrs Tyler; ye'll 
hear nothing in this place but soon’ doctrine, according to the 
Shorter Catechism and the Confession o’ Faith.” Poor Wattie! 
I do not know what was his end, but I have heard that he lost 
his popularity, and was in very straitened circumstances at the 
close of his life. 
My first acquaintance with the Academy must have been 
previous to 1822, when I was pupil with a worthy old gentleman 
named Haigh, who wore a brown curled wig, and in a sort of 
paternal fashion instructed a number of juveniles of both sexes 
in the rudiments of reading and writing. One recollection I 
have of him was his looking over my shoulder when making 
some of my first essays in writing, and saying that “I need not 
add so many fringes to my letters.” In 1822 I joimed the Latin 
class then taught by Rector Harkness, a very enthusiastic person, 
and, I should think, an able scholar. He certainly possessed 
the faculty of inspiring many of his pupils with his own love of 
learning. I recollect that he had a large chair constructed after 
the pattern of the “sella curulis,” the public seat of the Roman 
consuls. This machine, which was ascended by steps, was 
placed at the top of the class, and was the coveted seat of the 
“‘dux,” and the cause of many an intellectual contest in order to 
gain the envied elevation. I have learned from one who was a 
pupil of the Rector’s at a later date, that he was rather severe’ 
in the exercise of his authority, and liberal in the use of the 
