Grampian Club > Leaves from my autography

LEAVES FROM MY AUTOBIOGRAPHY. 27
way alone. Had he found a patron w lio could ap-
preciate his learning or his legal acumen, and at
the same time would superintend his finances, he
had certainly attained fortune and fame. In Scot-
land, on his return, he obtained immediate and con-
genial employment. He was appointed ministerial
assistant at Dunnichen, and employed as leader writer
to the Dundee, Perth, and Cupar Advertiser, a weekly
journal lately established at Dundee. In 1804, on
the recommendation of his cousin-german, the Rev.
Dr James Playfair, Principal of the United College
of St Andrews, he was presented to the ministerial
charge of Dunino, Fifeshire ; he was ordained to his
office in May 1805. In many respects my father's
clerical appointment was suited to his tastes. His
parochial manse was situated within fom- miles of
St Andrews, with its valuable university library. His
parish duties were not laborious — his parishioners, of
all ages, not exceeding two hundred souls. He con-
tinued a diligent student, while his intelligence and
learning gained him many friends. His old preceptor
Dr John Hunter frequented his society, as did his
learned, but somewhat indolent son, Dr James, the
Professor of Logic. Dr John Lee, afterwards Prin-
cipal of the College of Edinburgh, was a welcome
visitor, not more on account of his marvellous scholar-
ship than his pleasant honhommie. Dr Henry David
Hill, the Greek Professor at St Andrews, and Dr
James Brown, Professor of Natural Philosophy at