collection, and left nothing behind but the bare pins, with a few
scattered legs, wings, and bodies, sticking amongst them. Most men would
have been so disgusted with this miserable end to so much labour, that
they would have given up moth hunting for ever. But Edward was made of
different stuff. He went to work again as zealously as ever, and in four
years more, he had got most of the beetles, flies, and chafers as
carefully collected as before.

By the year 1845, Edward had gathered together about two thousand
specimens of beasts, birds, and insects found in the neighbourhood of
his own town of Banff. He made the cases to hold them himself, and did
it so neatly that, in the case of his shells, each kind had even a
separate little compartment all of its own. And now he unfortunately
began to think of making money by exhibiting his small museum. If only
he could get a few pounds to help him in buying books, materials,
perhaps even a microscope, to help him in prosecuting his scientific
work, what a magnificent thing that would be for him! Filled with this
grand idea, he took a room in the Trades Hall at Banff, and exhibited
his collection during a local fair. A good many people came to see it,
and the Banff paper congratulated the poor shoemaker on his energy in
gathering together such a museum of curiosities "without aid, and under
discouraging circumstances which few would have successfully
encountered." He was so far lucky in this first venture that he covered
his expenses and was able even to put away a little money for future
needs. Encouraged by this small triumph, the unwearied naturalist set to
work during the next year, and added several new attractions to his
little show. At the succeeding fair he again exhibited, and made still
mere money out of his speculation. Unhappily, the petty success thus
secured led him to hope he might do even better by moving his collection
to Aberdeen.