cuap.1x.] The Thing “Impossible.” 155 
of all the occupations that are known, that of shoe-making 
is surely the very worst.” 
“Had you been an outside worker, I would not have 
thought so much about it; but even then it would have 
been surprising. But having to work from morning. to 
night in a shoe-maker’s shop—where these things can nei- 
ther be seen nor found—the thing is perfectly inconceiva- _ 
ble. I'll give my oath that, so far as Aberdeen is concern- 
ed — or, I believe, any other place — there is not a single 
working-man who could, by himself, have done any thing 
of the sort. -I tell you that there is no person who knows 
the laboring people and their cireumstances better than I 
do; and I tell you again, that, situated as they are, the 
thing is quite impossible. They have neither the learning 
nor the opportunities necessary for scientific pursuits; nor 
yet the time nor the money to spare for the purpose. No, 
poor devils! they need all their time and all their money 
to eke out their bare and half-starved existence.” 
“TI quite agree with you,” replied Edward, “in some of 
your remarks ; but I am sorry to say that the wretchedness 
you allude to is in too many cases attributable to themselves, 
and also to their slatternly and improvident wives. They 
do not go into the fields to drink in the sweets of nature, 
but rush unthinkingly into the portals of hell, and drown 
their sorrows in whisky. In this way they beggar them- 
selves and pauperize their families.” 
“There is doubtless something in that,” said the doctor, 
“but I spoke in general. Of course, there are exceptions. 
It would appear that you are one, and a most extraordinary 
one too. And here it is that I am most puzzled. I can’t 
understand how you have done all this single-handed. Be- 
sides, you must have read a great deal. You must have had 
access to the best scientific works; and you must also have 
possessed sufficient means to enable you to collect and ar- 
range these things as they now are.” 
“Permit me to say, sir,” said Edwaid, “that I am not 
