Life of a Scotch Naturalist 1

Life of a Scotch Naturalist 1

Life of a Scotch Naturalist

Thomas Edward, Associate of the Linnean Society. Fourth Edition

 

Author: Samuel Smiles

 

 

PREFACE.

 

 

THE history of the humblest human life is a tale of marvels. Dr.

Johnson said that there was not a man in the street whose biography

might not be made interesting, provided he could narrate something of

his experiences of life, his trials, his difficulties, his successes,

and his failures.

 

I use these words as an introduction to the following biography of my

“man in the street.” Yet Thomas Edward is not an ordinary man. Eighteen

years since, I mentioned him in _Self-Help_, as one of the most

extraordinary instances of perseverance in the cause of science that

had ever come under my notice.

 

Nor was he a man of any exalted position in society. He was a

shoemaker then; he is a shoemaker still. For nearly thirty years he

has fought the battle of scientific poverty. He was one of those men

who lived _for_ science, not _by_ science. His shyness prevented him

pushing himself forward; and when he had done his work, he was almost

forgotten.

 

How he pursued his love of Nature,—how he satisfied his thirst for

knowledge, in the midst of trials, difficulties, and troubles,—not the

least of which was that of domestic poverty,—will be found related

in the following book. Indeed, it may be said of him, that he has

endured as much hardship for the cause of science, as soldiers do in a

prolonged campaign. He spent most of his nights out of doors, amidst

damp, and wet, and cold. Men thought him mad for enduring such risks.

He himself says, “I have been a fool to Nature all my life.”

 

He always lamented his want of books. He had to send his “findings” to

other naturalists to be named, and he often lost them. But books could

not be had without money; and money was as scarce with him as books.

He was thus prevented from taking rank among higher-class naturalists.

He could only work in detail; he could not generalise. He had to be

satisfied with the consolation that Mr. J. Gwyn Jeffreys once gave him.

“Working naturalists like yourself,” said he, “do quite as much good

service in the cause of science as those who study books.” Edward,

however, doubted this; for he considered works on natural science to

be a great help to the working naturalist. They informed him of what

others had done, and also of what remained to be done.

 

Those who would know something of what Edward has accomplished in only

_one_ department of his favourite subject, should consult Messrs.

Bate and Westwood’s _History of the British Sessile-eyed Crustacea_,

where his services to the cause of science are fully and generously

acknowledged. Of the numerous Crustacea mentioned in that work, Edward

collected a hundred and seventy-seven in the Moray Firth, of which

twenty were New Species.

 

In 1866, Edward was elected an Associate of the Linnean Society,—one

of the highest honours that science could confer upon him. Since

then, however, he has been able to do comparatively little for the

advancement of his favourite study. He had been so battered about by

falling from rocks in search of birds, and so rheumatised by the damp,

wet, and cold, to which he was exposed at night,—for he was obliged to

carry on his investigations after his day’s work was over,—that he was

unable to continue his investigations in Natural History.

 

In the Appendix will be found a Selection of the Fauna of Banffshire,

prepared by Edward. I have been able to find room for only the Mammals,

Birds, Fishes, and Crustacea. I wish it had been possible to give the

Star-fishes (_Rayed Echinodermata_), Molluscs, Zoophytes, and other

objects; but this would have filled up the book, and left no room for

the Biography.

 

It was not my intention to have published the book in the ornate

form in which it now appears. But my friend Mr. Reid,—being greatly

interested in the man and his story,—and having volunteered to

illustrate the work “for love,” I could not withstand his generous

offer. Hence the very fine portrait of Edward, so exquisitely etched by

Rajon; and the excellent wood engravings of Whymper and Cooper, which

illustrate the volume.

 

It is scarcely necessary to say that the materials of the book have

been obtained from Edward himself, either by written communication or

by “word of mouth.” Much of it is autobiography. Edward was alarmed at

the idea of what he communicated being “put into a book.” He thought

it might do me an injury. “Not a copy,” he said, “would be bought in

Banff.”

 

However this may be, the writing of the Biography has given me much

pleasure. It has led me to seek health amidst the invigorating breezes

of the North; and to travel round the rugged shores of Aberdeen and

Banff, in search of the views of bays and headlands with which Mr. Reid

has so beautifully embellished the book.

 

It may be objected—“Why write the life of a man who is still living?”

To this it may be answered, that Edward has lived his life and done his

work. With most of us, “_Hic jacet_” is all that remains to be added.

If the book had not been written now, it is probable that it never

would have been written. But it may be asked,—“Is the life really worth

writing?” To this question the public alone can give the answer.

 

LONDON, _Nov. 1876._

 

 

 

 

CONTENTS.

 

 

CHAPTER I.

 

EARLY YEARS.

 

Edward born at Gosport, Portsmouth—The Fifeshire

Militia—Return to Cupar—Residence at Kettle—Settles at

Aberdeen—The Green—How Edward became a Naturalist—The

sow Bet—Stolen by Gipsies—The Inches, Aberdeen—Fondness

for “Beasts”—An incorrigible boy—Imprisoned at

home—Sets the house on fire—Is laid up by fever—His

Recovery—Birds’ Nests—Rubislaw Quarries—The Wasp’s

Nest Pages 1-20

 

 

CHAPTER II.

 

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOLMASTERS.

 

Edward goes to school—Plays the Truant—The

fishwives—Bell Hill—Grannie’s Plunge—A Kae taken to

school—Edward’s expulsion—Sent to his second school—The

Horse-leeches—Edward expelled—The third school—The

Sparrow’s nest harried—Takes the nest to school—The

birds “chirrup”—The Master bit by a Centipede—Edward

thrashed terribly—Expelled from his third school—A

night under the logs—Results of his punishment—Hunt

after an adder—The adder sold 21-46

 

 

CHAPTER III.

 

APPRENTICESHIP.

 

Goes to work—A Tobacco-spinner—Factory at

Grandholm—The Banks and Braes of the Don—The Brig

o’ Balgownie—Spires of St. Machar—Working at the

factory—The Sedge-warbler—The Kingfisher—Country

rambles—Apprenticed to a Shoemaker—Charles

Begg—Shoemakers’ pets—Begg’s brutality—Edward’s pets

killed—Wishes to be a sailor—Tries in vain 47-60

 

 

CHAPTER IV.

 

RUNS AWAY FROM HOME.

 

Sets out for the Kettle—His provisions—His

money—Tries to sell his knife—Ruins of Dunnottar

Castle—Bervie—Encounter with tramps—Montrose—Sells

his knife—Sleeps in a haycock—Arbroath—The sailors’

wives—Dundee—The Long-tailed Titmouse—Cupar—Reaches

the Kettle—Reception by his uncle—Sets out for

home—Uncivility of a gamekeeper—Adventure with a

Bull—Rests near Stonehaven—Reaches Aberdeen—His

reception at home 61-74

 

 

CHAPTER V.

 

RESUMES WORK.

 

Offers himself as a sailor—Resumes shoemaking—Wild

Botanical Garden—Tanners’ pits for puddocks—The

picture shops—The _Penny Magazine_—Castlegate on

Fridays—Gunmakers’ windows—Tries to emigrate to

America as a stowaway—He fails—Joins the Aberdeenshire

Militia—Chase of a butterfly—Is apprehended—Is

reprimanded and liberated—Enlists in the 60th

Rifles—Assists as a pew-opener—Leaves Aberdeen for

Banff 75-86

 

 

CHAPTER VI.

 

SETTLES AT BANFF.

 

His employment—Finds time to follow his bent—His

Caterpillars among the workmen—His landlady—Marries a

Huntly lass—Settled for life—Self-education in Natural

History—Stuffs birds—His want of education—Want of

books—Shy and friendless—Avoids the public-house—His

love of Nature—The ocean—The heavens—Makes

a collection—His gun and paraphernalia—His

equipment—Sleeps out of doors at night—Exaggerated

rumours about him—Frequents Boyndie churchyard—Lies in

holes during rain—Disagreeable visitors—Awful night

in Boyndie churchyard—Moth-hunting at night—Terrible

encounter with Badgers 87-103

 

 

CHAPTER VII.

 

NIGHT WANDERERS.

 

Animals wandering at night—Their noises and cries—The

Roe-deer and hare—The Rabbit—A Rabbit fight—The

Fox—The Badger—The Field Mice—The Weasel—Attack by a

Weasel—Pertinacious Rats—The Otter—The Polecat—Boyne

Castle—Fight with a Polecat—The Long-eared Owl—The

Brown Owl—A chorus of Frogs—Birds of prey—Landrail,

Sedge-warbler, Rook—Songsters at night