ALEXANDER WILSON. x jii 



bring themselves to ruin, can never promote either their happiness 

 or welfare. In others, though, to a certain extent, the same courses 

 are run, they are generally conducted with moderation — intemper- 

 ance is avoided — politics and literature are freely entered upon and 

 keenly contested, and the argument is conducted with a ready con- 

 viction to the truth, and more for the sake of information, than the 

 obstinate maintenance of any untenable opinion. Libraries of con- 

 siderable- extent belong to some of these clubs ; the taste for read- 

 ing and study is gradually increasing, and many of the more sedate 

 members avail themselves of their privilege, to advance their 

 knowledge of some favourite subject, and occasionally launch into 

 debates with ardour and penetration, and talent, not often found 

 so varied among this class of society. Other sources of information 

 and improvement also occupy the unemployed hours of the more 

 respectable operatives. The different branches of mechanics are 

 eagerly pursued, and often practically applied, with such success, 

 as to raise the individual from dependency to the higher ranks of 

 society. Natural history is also studied, and the more interesting 

 works on the subject sought after and eagerly perused • and botany, 

 or rather the culture of flowers, forms one of the most favourite 

 and universal recreations. Almost every one possesses his flower 

 garden, and, as his taste directs, enters warmly into the culture of 

 what are called florist's plants, — polyanthuses, ranunculi, anemonies, 

 hyacinths, pinks, and carnations ; and as much pleasure is afforded, 

 and emulation excited, in watching the success of a favourite bulb 

 or seedling, as could arise from an indulgence in more common, but 

 less innocent amusements. The naming of their flowers, too, is a 

 matter of great importance, and serves to draw their attention to 

 the history of the individuals whom they wish to commemorate. 

 Political characters, and men renowned for great talents or learning, 

 every townsman of any celebrity, or friend with some endearing 

 qualifications, has a favourite tulip, or pink, or carnation dedicated 

 to his praise, and the memory of those who have long departed are 

 yet called to remembrance by the same fleeting emblems. 



Such is a rude sketch of the nature of the society in which 

 Wilson spent his infancy and early youth. The son of honest and 

 industrious parents, whose circumstances were never such as to 

 enable him to procure those branches of education at length so 



