Chapter I: 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 104-128

CHAPTER VIII.

FORMS A NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTION.

Situation of Banff—Macduff—Cliffs of
Banffshire—Gamrie—The fishing-boats—Gardenstown—The
fishermen—Crovie—Hell’s Lum—Troup Head—Pennan—The
dens of North Aberdeenshire—Aberdour—Church of
Aberdour—Inland county of Banff—Ben Macdhui—Edward’s
rounds—Pursuit of two Geese—Pursuit of a little
Stint—Shoemaking—Edward’s traps—His collection
of insects—Collection destroyed—Loss of dried
plants—Exhibits his collection at Banff 129-152

CHAPTER IX.

EXHIBITS HIS COLLECTION AT ABERDEEN.

Aberdeen his city of expectations—Dramatic
bird-stuffing—Collection taken to Aberdeen in six
carriers’ carts—Exhibited in Union Street—The
handbills—Appeal to the people—The expected
rush—General visitors—Professional visitors—An
interrogator—Edward disbelieved—“The thing
impossible”—Edward’s vindication—Invites his mill
mates—Temperance and drunkenness—Edward a mystery—A
lady visitor—Appeals to “The Millions”—The exhibition
a failure—Edward in despair—The beach—The flock of
Sanderlings—The Providential Bird—The collection
sold—Departure from Aberdeen 153-180

CHAPTER X.

RESUMES HIS FORMER LIFE AND HABITS.

Re-enters his desolate dwelling—Return of his
family—Begins again—Redoubles his zeal—His
paraphernalia—Ramble in the Balloch Hills—A
successful search—A furious storm comes on—Crossing
the moor—A haven—The chip-boxes destroyed—A terrible
woman—His hat and insect boxes—How to preserve—A
referee—Edward’s certificate from the Justices—Love of
birdnesting—Accident at Tarlair—Falls from a cliff, and
is rescued—Draws on his Savings Bank 181-202

CHAPTER XI.

BEGINS TO PUBLISH HIS OBSERVATIONS.

The Rev. Mr. Smith—The Bridled Guillemot—Grammar—Scraps
from the newspapers—The Death’s-head Moth—Butterflies
and locusts—_Locusta migratoria_—Saw-flies—The
Spider—Notes in Natural History—Rare birds—The
Bee-eater—The Bohemian Waxwing—The Brown Snipe-Edward’s
pursuit—The Snipe escapes—Adventure on Gamrie
Head—The Fox’s lair—The precipice—The Peregrine
Falcon-Feeds upon its prey—Flight of the Falcon—Slides
down the rocks—Discovers a Spinous Shark—Returns
home 203-229

CHAPTER XII.

RAMBLES AMONGST BIRDS.

Mr. Smith’s articles published in the
_Zoologist_—Edward’s power of observation described—The
beautiful Heron—Cries of the Birds at Ness Bogie—The
motherly Wild Duck—Burial of the Wild Duck—The
Pickietars—The Pickietar fishing—The Pickietar
shot—Rescued by his friends—Edward’s closeness
of observation—The Turnstone—Its description—Its
labours—The Turnstones turn over a Cod—The little
Auk—Sea-fowl nurseries—Pennan—Sleeps in Hell’s Lum—The
sea-birds at night 230-251

CHAPTER XIII.

LITERATURE AND CORRESPONDENCE.

Death of the Rev. Mr. Smith—Mr. Smith’s
helpfulness—Observation of the Partridge—The Rev.
Alexander Boyd—Loch of Strathbeg—The Waterfowl
at Strathbeg—Swans—Geese—Ducks—Winter and summer
birds—The Ring Dotterel—A pursuit—Mr. Boyd’s
article—Encouragement of native talent and genius—Death
of Mr. Boyd—Publication of ‘Birds of Strathbeg’ in
_Naturalist_—Mr. C. W. Peach—Writes articles for the
_Zoologist_—Finches—Crows and Crab-shells—The Heron
and the Crows—A fight in the air—Crows, Hares, and
Rabbits—Cold and Whisky—Edward’s health fails—Again
draws on his Savings Bank 252-278

CHAPTER XIV.

BY THE SEA-SHORE.

Marine objects on the shores of Banffshire—Edward’s
sea-traps—Captures a rare fish, Bloch’s Gurnard—The
incoming wave—Big fish the best dredgers—Helped by
the fishermen—Helped by his daughters—The Cod’s
bill of fare—Haddocks—Advice to the fishermen—The
fishers of Macduff—The Blue-striped Wrasse—The
Saury Pike—Yarrell’s Blenny—Black Goby—Equoreal
Needle-fish—Edward’s self-education—How he got
his fishes named—“Give him books!”—Edward’s
enthusiasm 279-296

CHAPTER XV.

DISCOVERIES AMONG THE CRUSTACEA.

Mr. Bate of Plymouth—His work on Crustacea—_Praniza
Edwardii_—The Anceus—Edward’s letter to Mr.
Bate—Entomostraca—Parasites from short Sun-fish—Present
of a Microscope—A possible Sub-curatorship—Edward
disappointed—Freemasonry among naturalists—Rev.
A. M. Norman—Fish parasites—_Mysis spinifera_—New
species discovered—_Vibilia borealis_—Observation of
_Eurydice pulchra_—Edward’s difficulties—Nest building
crustacea—New Shrimps and Parasites—The Zoologists in
ecstasies—The “_Sessile-eyed Crustacea_” published—Mr.
Bate’s eulogiums on Edward’s discoveries—New Crustacea
found by Edward in the Moray Firth 297-323

CHAPTER XVI.

DISCOVERIES AMONGST ZOOPHYTES, MOLLUSCS, AND FISHES.

Edward brings home Zoophytes to observe—The Star-fish—The
Brittle Stars—A six legged Starfish—Rosy-feather
Star—The great Sea-cucumber—Dead Man’s Paps—The
Ascidians—Want of observers—New Ascidian sent to Mr.
Alder—Drummond’s Echiodon—Mr. Couch of Polperro—The
Wrasses—A jumping Wrasse—A new Midge—_Couchia
Thompsoni_—Colonel Montague—Montague’s Midge—Midges in
Moray Firth—Edward’s Midge (_Couchia Edwardii_)—Other
new fishes—Difficulties with the Museum—Edward elected
Associate of the Linnean Society—Other societies elect
him member—The “prophet without honour in his own
country” 324-349

CHAPTER XVII.

ANTIQUITIES—KITCHEN-MIDDENS.

Edward’s illness—Studies galvanism—Curator of Banff
Museum—Practises Photography—Antiquities of Banff—The
old Town Cross—The Drinking Fountain—The Kjökken
Mödding at Boyndie—Early population, Lapps or
Fins—Shelly-bush—Investigates the shell mounds at
Boyndie—Loch of Spynie—Contents of the shell-mounds—The
Stone period—The Old Bone—Conjectures about it—The
old bone condemned—Sir Roderick Murchison—The bone,
part of the _Plesiosaurus dolichodeiras_—Banff
Museum 350-372

CHAPTER XVIII.