parents are, for their sons. They gave him a University education, and
afterwards apprenticed him to the law. He became, and is still, a
prosperous lawyer in Glasgow.

Then came J. B., a young lawyer too, who blossomed into the pleasant and
important position of Senior Deputy Town Clerk of the City of Glasgow.
He, too, had sprung from the great middle class. Well versed in
classical lore he was a delightful companion. He had travelled much and
benefited by his travels; was a sociable being, exceedingly good-natured,
and peered through spectacles as thick as pebbles, being very
short-sighted, and without his glasses would scarcely recognise you a
yard off. Yet he could see into the heart of things as well as most men,
for he was a shrewd Scotchman, and had a pawky humour. If he possessed a
fault it was a love for a game of cards. We played _nap_ in those days,
and when a game was on it was hard to get him to bed. He has gone over
to the majority now. His sudden death a year ago came as a great blow to
his family and a large circle of friends. Next to G. G., as intimate
friends, came H. H. and F. K. They were in the company's service though
not in the railway proper, but connected with the management of the hotel
department. Of foreign birth, sons of a nation with whom we are now,
alas! at war, they were youths of fine education, disposition and
refinement, and I became greatly attached to each. H. H. preceded and F.
K. followed me to Ireland, where he (F. K.) still resides, honoured and
respected, as he deserves to be. He and I, throughout the years, have
been and are the closest of friends. Once, not very long ago, in a grave
crisis of my life, when death seemed near, he stood by me with the
devotion of a brother. My auctioneer friend (G. F.) was, perhaps, the
most interesting man of our circle; certainly he possessed more humour
than the rest of us put together. Fond of literature, with a talent for
writing, he was a regular contributor to the Glasgow Punch, _The Bailie_.