sion. He has to deal with parents actual and
possible, but the offspring are seen evanescently, often loom in
the distance, and sometimes can't be got to exist even when most
desired.--Yours truly, J.H. BURTON."

[Footnote 12: The late Professor Simpson.]

Dr Simpson's really universal genius led him pretty deeply into
archaeology, in which he sometimes, as on the present occasion, showed
more zeal than knowledge.

One of the first summers at Craighouse was enlivened by a long visit
from the African traveller, Captain Speke. Dr Burton met with him in the
hospitable house of his friendly publisher, the late John Blackwood, at
Strathtyrum. Captain Speke was then preparing, or endeavouring to
prepare, for the press, his book, the 'Discovery of the Source of the
Nile.' The truly gallant Captain being more practised in exploring than
in writing, Mr Blackwood suggested his going home with Dr Burton, that
he might have the benefit of his advice in the formation of his
materials into a book. The family at Craighouse became warmly attached
to their guest. He endeared himself by his simple unassuming character,
and a peculiar sweetness of temper. The sorrow at Craighouse was great
on hearing, during the following autumn, of his most lamentable death.
He who had escaped so many dangers--was so well accustomed to
firearms--accidentally shot by his own gun while partridge-shooting near
his paternal home!

While at Craighouse, Dr Burton's library gradually increased from being
an ordinary room full of books, to a collection numbering about 10,000
volumes. From his earliest years Dr Burton had been a collector of
books, and Craighouse led to the increase of his collection in two ways.
The distance from the town was an impediment to the use of the
Advocates' Library in his historical studies, and there was space at
Craighouse for any number of books. There were always rooms which could
be taken into occupation when wanted; and to his life's end it was a
favourite amusement of Dr Burton's to construct and erect shelves for
his books.

In an article in 'Blackwood's Magazine' for August 1879, there occurs
the following lively description of the impression made by the library
on the mind of a visitor. Before the passage quoted was published, Dr
Burton had left Craighouse for Morton House, but the description
evidently refers to Craighouse:--

"We have had the privilege of dropping in upon him [Dr Burton clearly