_Professor Macgillivray._--The mention by W. (Vol. viii., p. 467.) of this
lamented naturalist's posthumous work, descriptive of the _Natural History
of Balmoral_, and of its intended publication by Prince Albert, induces me
to hope that you will give insertion to the following extract from
Professor Macgillivray's _History of the Molluscous Animals of
Aberdeenshire_, &c., as showing the character of the man, and the spirit in
which he prosecuted his researches.
"The labour required for such an investigation cannot be at all
appreciated by those who have not directed their energies towards such
an object. The rocky coasts and sandy beaches of the sea, the valleys
and hills of the interior, the pastures, mossy banks, thickets, woods,
rocks, ruins, walls, ditches, pools, canals, rills, and rivers, were
all to be assiduously searched. No collections of mollusca made in the
district were known to me, nor do any of our libraries contain the
works necessary to be consulted, although that of King's College
supplies some of great value. In a situation so remote from the great
centres of civilisation, the solution of doubts is often difficult of
attainment, and there is always a risk of describing as new what may
already have been entered into the long catalogue of known objects. But
the pleasure of continually adding to one's knowledge, the sympathy of
friends, the invigorating influence of the many ramblings required, the
delight of aiding others in the same pursuits, and many other
circumstances, amply suffice to carry one through greater difficulties
than those alluded to, even should the sneers of the {585}
ignorantly-wise, or the frowns of the pompously-grave, be directed
toward the unconscious wight, who, immersed in mud, gropes with the
keenness of a money-gatherer, for the to them insignificant objects,
which have exercised the wisdom and the providence of the glorious
Creator."--Preface, p. 10.