CHAP. XIII. } Death of Mr. Boyd. 239 
hearty co-operation to his proposed scheme. He proposed 
the formation of a local committee, in order that the rudi- 
mentary lectures might be brought out under their patron- 
age. Edward was requested to name some gentlemen in 
Banff with whom Mr. Boyd might communicate on the 
subject. This was a poser; for Edward knew only a few 
hard-working men like himself. Nevertheless, he did give 
the name of a gentleman who, he thought, might give his 
assistance. When the gentleman was applied to, he po- 
litely declined. Edward was asked to name another. He 
named another, and he also declined. Thus the proposal, 
from which Mr. Boyd had expected so much, fell to the 
ground, and it was no more heard of. 
Shortly after this event, Mr. Boyd died suddenly. Ed- 
ward thus refers to the event: “It was but yesterday, at 
noon,* that my friend the Rev. Mr. Boyd, of Crimond— 
while full of life and strength, and with every prospect of 
enjoying many, many long years to come—left his young 
and courteous partner and two blooming little ones, to en- 
joy a short walk with a neighboring gentleman. Alas! 
short was the walk indeed, and, woe is me! never to return. 
A few paces, and he dropped down and almost instantly 
expired. Alas! another of my best friends gone. Cruel 
death! if thy hand continues to strip me thus, thou wilt 
soon, very soon, leave me desolate; and then who will take 
notice of the poor naturalist? Well may the parish of 
Crimond say, ‘We have lost that which we may never 
again find.’ Well might Mercy weep, and Religion mourn 
his premature departure, for in him they have lost a friend 
on earth; and J, alas! a friend too, and a benefactor.” 
Edward completed his article on “The Birds of Strath- 
beg” only two days after Mr. Boyd’s death. It had been 
written out at his instance, and was afterward published in 
the Naturalist. It was one of the first papers to which 
Edward subscribed his own name. 
* August 22d, 1854. 
