116 A SCIENTIFIC APPRECIATION [ch. vi. 
himself a front rank in natural science, but with 
small means of supporting his family; and the 
appointment to the Chair of “ Civil and Natural 
History” in Marischal College in 1841 must have 
brought a welcome relaxation of the strain.” 1 
MacGillivray often said that his life had been 
very rich in friends; but it is difficult, now at 
least, to say definitely that he owed much to any, 
except to his fellow student William Craigie and 
to the young physician, George Barclay, under 
whom he began the study of medicine. We are 
inclined to think that his success was in the main 
the natural outcome of innately fine abilities, 
sharpened by enduring hardness in his youth, 
and developed by strenuous self-discipline. For 
MacGillivray’s life well illustrates the soundness 
of an often forgotten ancient counsel, which 
recommends patient preparation as a condition of 
lasting achievement“ Prepare thy work without, 
and make it fit for thyself in the field; and after¬ 
wards build thine house” (Proverbs, xxiv. 27). 
What cannot but be regretted, however, is that 
MacGillivray did not live longer in the enjoyment 
of the house that he had built. For he only held 
his professorial chair for eleven years, and he died 
when he finished the fifth volume of his great 
book on British Birds. 
1 “Natural Science in the Aberdeen Universities,” by Prof. J. 
W. H. Trail, M.D., F.R.S., Aberdeen Quatercentenary Studies, p. 169. 
