Had he possessed a fair amount of education, and an assortment of scientific instruments and books, the world would have heard more about him.

Should you ever find yourself," my correspondent concludes, "in his neighbourhood, and have a few hours to spare, you would have no reason to regret the time spent in his company." I could not, however, arrange to pay the proposed visit to Largo; but I found that I could, without inconvenience, visit another astronomer in the neighbourhood of Dunkeld.
In January 1879 I received a letter from Sheriff Barclay, of Perth, to the following effect: "Knowing the deep interest you take in genius and merit in humble ranks, I beg to state to you an extraordinary case.
John Robertson is a railway porter at Coupar Angus station.

From early youth he has made the heavens his study.

Night after night he looks above, and from his small earnings he has provided himself with a telescope which cost him about 30L.

He sends notices of his observations to the scientific journals, under the modest initials of 'J.R.' He is a great favourite with the public; and it is said that he has made some observations in celestial phenomena not before noticed.
It does occur to me that he should have a wider field for his favourite study.