CHAP. XIII. ] Mr. Peach's Letter. 241 
Mr. Peach was a well-known naturalist, and he has since 
become distinguished in connection with recent discoveries 
in geology. Mr. Peach had once visited Edward, in com- 
pany with Mr. Greive, the customs officer at Banff. In 
answer to the application made to him from Fraserburgh, 
he said: 
“T do know our friend Mr. Edward, of Banff, and I have 
thought a great deal about him of late. I have wondered 
how he was getting on in bread-and-porridge affairs. Oh, 
these animal wants! How often do they ride rough-shod 
over the intellectual’man, not so much on his own account, 
as for those dependent on him. I have been thinking of 
Edward’s excellent wife and her flock of seven girls, which 
I saw when at Banff. They were all neat and clean, and 
well cared for, in a wee bit roomie—the walls covered with 
cases. of birds. When we called, there was a sweet-cake 
and a glass of wine for myself and Mr. Greive. I was un- 
happy at refusing his wine—for you know I am an out-and- 
out teetotaller— but I took his cake with thankfulness. 
And now, what can I do for that good man and his wife 
” 
Mr. Peach went on to say that a great’ many Glut-men 
were employed at Wick harbor, to patrol the shore night 
and day, and prevent the landing of brandy, tobacco, and 
other excisable articles; that he could give. Edward em- 
ployment for a time at that work, but that it could not be 
permanent. His age was beyond that which would allow 
of his being appointed a tide-waiter. Mr. Peach added, “I 
will not lose sight of the appointment of subcuratorship. 
This would be the very thing. If forty or fifty pounds a 
year could be obtained, that would be glorious!” 
These suggestions ended in disappointment. Edward 
could not remove to Wick to accept a temporary appoint- 
ment; and the subcuratorship could not be obtained. He 
therefore went on with his old work—natural history and 
shoe-making. But he must have been pressed by the grow- 
11 
