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many an idea that served me well in after life。 Indeed； I may say； after a long experience； that there is no class of men whose company I more delight in than that of artists。 Their innate and highly…cultivated power of observation； not only as regards the ever…varying aspects of nature； but also as regards the quaint； droll； and humorous varieties of character； concur in rendering their conversation most delightful。 I look back on these walks as among the brightest points in my existence。 I have been led to digress on this subject。 Although more correctly belonging to my father's life； yet it is so amalgamated with my own that it almost forms part of it； and it is difficult for me to separate the one from the other。
And then there were the pleasant evenings at home。 When the day's work was over； friends looked in to have a fireside cracksometimes scientific men； sometimes artists； often both。 They were all made welcome。 There was no formality about their visits。 Had they been formal； there would have been comparatively little pleasure。 The visitor came in with his 〃Good e'en〃； and seated himself。 The family went on with their work as before。 The girls were usually busy with their needles； and others with pen and pencil。 My father would go on with the artistic work he had in hand； for his industry was incessant。 He would model a castle or a tree； or proceed with some proposed improvement of the streets or approaches of the rapidly expanding city。 Among the most agreeable visitors were Professor Leslie； James Jardine； C。E。； and Dr。 Brewster。 Their conversation was specially interesting。 They brought up the last new thing in science； in discovery； in history； or in campaigning； for the war was then raging throughout Europe。
The artists were a most welcome addition to the family group。 Many a time did they set the table in a roar with their quaint and droll delineations of character。 These unostentatious gatherings of friends about our fireside were a delightful social institution。 The remembrance of them lights up my recollection of the happiest period of a generally happy life。 Could I have been able to set forth the brightness and cheerfulness of these happy evenings at my father's house； I am fain to think that my description might have been well worth reading。 But all the record of them that remains is a most cherished recollection of their genial tone and harmony； which makes me think that； although in these days of rapid transit over earth and ocean； and surrounded as we are with the results of applied scientific knowledge； we are not a bit more happy than when all the vaunted triumphs of science and so…called education were in embryo。
The supper usually followed； for my father would not allow his visitors to go away supperless。 The meal did not amount to much。 Rizard or Finnan harddies； or a dish of oysters； with a glass of Edinburgh ale； and a rummer of toddy； concluded these friendly evenings。 The cry of 〃Caller Aou〃 was constantly heard in the streets below of an evening。 When the letter r was in the name of the month； the supply of oysters was abundant。 The freshest oysters； of the most glorious quality； were to be had at 2s。 6d。 the hundred！ And what could be more refreshing food for my father's guests？ These unostentatious and inexpensive gatherings of friends were a most delightful social institution among the best middle…class people of Edinburgh some sixty or seventy years ago。 What they are now I cannot tell。 But I fear they have disappeared in the more showy and costly tastes that have sprung up in the progress of what is called 〃modern society。〃
No part of my father's character was more admirable than his utter unselfishness。 He denied himself many things； that he might give the greater pleasure to his wife and children。 He would scarcely take part in any enjoyment； unless they could have their fair share of it。 In all this he was faithfully followed by my mother。 The admirable example of well…sustained industry that was always before her； sustained her in her efforts for the good of her family。 She was intelligently interested in all that related to her husband's business and interests； as well as in his recreative enjoyments。 The household affairs were under her skilful guidance。 She conducted them with economy； and yet with generous liberality； free from the least taint of ostentation or extravagance。 The home fireside was a scene of cheerfulness。 And most of our family have been blest with this sunny gift。 Indeed； a merrier family circle I have never seen。 There were twelve persons round the table to be provided for； besides two servants。 This required； on my mother's part； a great deal of management； as every housekeeper will know。 Yet everything was provided and paid for within the year's income。
The family result of my father and mother's happy marriage was four sons and seven daughters。 Patrick； the eldest； was born in 1787。 He was called after my father's dear and constant friend； Patrick Miller of Dalswinton。 I will speak by and by of his artistic reputation。 Then followed a long succession of daughters Jane； the eldest'； was born in 1788； Barbara 1790； Margaret in 1791； Elizabeth in 1793； Anne in 1798； Charlotte in 1804。 Then came a succession of three sonsAlexander； George；and James。 There followed another daughter； Mary； but as she only lived for about eighteen months； I remained the youngest of the family。
My sisters all possessed； in a greater or less degree； an innate love of art； and by their diligent application they acquired the practice of painting landscape in oils。 My father's admirable system and method of teaching rendered them expert in making accurate sketches from nature； which； as will afterwards be seen； they turned to good account。 My eldest sister； Jane； was in all respects a most estimable character； and a great help to my mother in the upbringing of the children。 Jane was full of sound common sense； her judgment seemed to be beyond her years。 Because of this the younger members of the family jokingly nicknamed her 〃Old Solid〃！Even my father consulted her in every case of importance in reference to domestic and financial affairs。 I had the great good fortune； when a child； to be placed under her special protection； and I have reason to be thankful for the affectionate care which she took of me during the first six years of my life。
Besides their early education in art； my mother was equally earnest in her desire to give her daughters a thorough practical knowledge in every department and detail of household management。 When they had attained a suitable age they were in succession put in charge of all the household duties for two weeks at a time。 The keys were given over to them； together with the household books； and at the end of their time their books were balanced to a farthing。 They were then passed on to the next in succession。 One of the most important branches of female educationthe management of the domestic affairs of a family； the superintendence of the cooking so as to avoid waste of food； the regularity of the meals； and the general cleaning up of the rooms was thus thoroughly attained in its best and most