168 The Collection Advertised. [CHAP. Ix. 
fore he could arrive at this conclusion. But force, stern 
force, prevailed over all other considerations. He must, so 
far as he could, get honorably out of debt, although not a 
fatthing of balance might remain. Yes: his eight years’ 
collection of birds and natural objects must go, so that he 
might stand upright before the world. Accordingly, an 
advertisement appeared in the newspapers offering the col- 
lection for sale. 
After the announcement appeared, several gentlemen 
called and told him that he was quite wrong in offering his 
collection for sale. He had several letters from Banff to 
the same effect. Some of his correspondents there offered 
their suggestions and advice. They said that as the col- 
lection had been made in Banffshire, it properly belonged 
to Banffshire ; and that it would be an everlasting slur upon 
the county if it were allowed to go elsewhere. One gentle- 
man of influence requested Edward to delay the sale for a 
few days, in order that he might be enabled to obtain sub- 
scriptions, so as to secure the collection for Banff. Twenty 
pounds could easily be collected in Banff for such a purpose. 
If the subscribers did not themselves buy it, there was a 
scientific society in Banff that would certainly buy it, to 
form the nucleus of a collection of Banffshire fauna. 
Edward accordingly postponed the sale for some days. 
He had great faith in his correspondent, wh was himself a 
member of the society in question. The gentleman had 
considerable influence in the district, and would doubtless 
do what he could to raise the requisite money to purchase 
the collection. But, alas, how futile are promises! Words! 
mere words! Days passed, and no further communications 
arrived. Edward was now pressed for his debts, and he 
‘could no longer postpone the sale of the collection. The 
spark of hope that had been kindled in his breast died out. 
All hope of salvation from any quarter had fled. He must 
meet his difficulties as he best could. It was now the mid- 
dle of the sixth week, and his expenses were increasing 
