382 OBITUAEY NOTICE.— JAMES WOOD 



The family removed from Redpath to Earlston about the 

 year 1845. There Mr Wood, then a boy of twelve or 

 thirteen, was apprenticed to Mr Alexander, draper, rather 

 against his own wishes, and the advice of friends who knew 

 his taste for mechanics, and urged his father to train him 

 as an engineer. After finishing his apprenticeship, he went 

 first to Edinburgh, then to Jedburgh, and finally, in the 

 year 1857, to Gralashiels, where, two years later, he started 

 business as a draper on his own account. His business 

 career was a highly successful one, although his tastes lay 

 in other directions. Latterly he gave up his connection 

 with the drapery business, and devoted his attention to the 

 importation of wool from New Zealand, and its sale in 

 home markets. 



Mr Wood became a member of the Berwickshire Natural- 

 ists' Club in September 1869, and was not only a frequent 

 attender at its field meetings, but enriched its Proceedings 

 with occasional contributions from his pen on various scientific 

 and archaeological subjects. He had a wide acquaintance 

 with the geology and natural history of the Border district, 

 as well as with its traditions and folk-lore, and his papers 

 always bore marks of careful study and accurate observation. 

 There was, besides, a quiet humour about them, which 

 imparted a distinct charm to what would have been other- 

 wise mere details of dry facts. 



Mr Wood's life was comparatively uneventful, but few 

 lives can have been spent more happily. His simple tastes 

 he was able to gratify to the full ; his knowledge of local 

 history and tradition, and his love of archaeological and 

 scientific pursuits threw him into congenial society ; and he 

 was the centre of a much attached and affectionate family 

 circle. In municipal and ecclesiastical matters he took a 

 deep and intelligent interest. In 1868, he was elected to 

 the first Town Council formed in Galashiels after the passing 

 of the Household Franchise Act, and in the following year 

 he was ordained an elder in the Parish Church. All 

 through life he was an ardent supporter of the temperance 

 cause. Never slow to express and maintain his convictions, 

 ready at repartee, nimble of wit, and a born mimic, he 



