We were, most of us,
friends of each other, met often, and the variety of our pursuits gave
zest and interest to our intercourse. First amongst these friends ranked
G. G., one of the young lawyers, or _writers_, as they are called in
Scotland. He was my closest friend. We have not met for many years, but
the friendship remains unweakened; for there are things that Time the
destroyer is powerless to injure. Like myself, G. G. comes of the middle
class. His parents, like mine, were by no means affluent, but they were
Scotch and held education in veneration, and were ambitious, as Scottish
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.
Pages:
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146