Pleasant Memories of a Busy Life. By David Pryde, LL.D.
(Blackwood and Sons.)—Dr. Pryde's "memories" are of Scottish things and persons, collected chiefly in Edinburgh. He was born in Kinghorn, in Fife, made his way more Scotia), Under considerable difficulties (some of them, as, e.g., the dearth of books, he regards as blessings in disguise), and has had good reason to be thankful for his success. Among his early experiences wore those of the Disrup- tion, and they were not wholly agreeable. The electors to a bursary, for which he was both by birth and attainments qualified, refused to give it him because he would not pledge himself—he was only a lad—to become a minister in the Established Church. Another story which he tolls illustrates another view of the question. "I cam oot with my minister," said a workman in his hearing; " noo I ken nae difference o' the preachin', but a hantle difference o' the giein'." The picture of college life is pleasing,—there was much gaiety, and no excess. Di. Pryde's first regular work was on the literary staff of the Encyclopedia Britaainica, but hie life has been, for the most part, given to education. Some of his best stories are connected with this subject. Here is one which .exhibits a town council in the capacity of school governors. A. .candidate for the English mastership in Cupar Academy can- vassed the eleoters. Most of them asked, "What body do you belong to ? " One, the Fiscal, put the question, "Do you take your toddy ?" When the Presbytery examined him—the subject was English language and literature—the questions were, "How many vowels are there?" and "spell hornet." Ecclesiastical matters furnish others. An old lady was asked what she thought of some coloured glass. "It is bonnie," she answered. " Eh ! but I prefer the glees jist as God made it."
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