The first story which I shall relate in outline to the readers of this
column was written a quarter of a century ago by Dr. John Brown, of
Edinburgh. A physician with a large practice, he has found time for
literary pursuits, and his occasional essays, collected into two volumes
of _Spare Hours_, have been the delight of a host of thoughtful and
cultivated people. As in the sketches I shall give you now and then I
must study brevity, I hope those who may have time and opportunity will
go from me to the original story-writers, and read for themselves.