I am scarcely worthy to be called a day labourer in the science.

I am very well known hereabouts, especially to the travelling public; but I must say that they think a great deal more of me than I deserve.
"What made me first devote my attention to the subject of astronomy?
Well, if I can trace it to one thing more than another, it was to some evening lectures delivered by the late Dr.Dick, of Broughty Ferry, to the men employed at the Craigs' Bleachfield Works, near Montrose, where I then worked, about the year 1848.

Dr.Dick was an excellent lecturer, and I listened to him with attention.

His instructions were fully impressed upon our minds by Mr.Cooper, the teacher of the evening school, which I attended.

After giving the young lads employed at the works their lessons in arithmetic, he would come out with us into the night--and it was generally late when we separated--and show us the principal constellations, and the planets above the horizon.