Merchiston Castle School, 1855-58

,ohn Gibson
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to make everyone happy, and to make the school a
home.
Educational methods and ideas differ much now as
compared with those of fifty years ago, but during the
period he was headmaster Mr. Gibson was abreast of
the times, and education at Merchiston was much the
same as at the Edinburgh Academy, which was then
looked upon as the foremost school in Scotland. There
were regular courses in chemistry, natural history, and
geology, and the Saturday afternoon excursions were
one of the features of the school. The worship of
athletics had not then set in, and football, as now
played, was unknown, but there was plenty of football
of a kind, and games of all kinds were played with
vigour. Mr. Gibson took unwearied interest in them;
he spared no pains or money in providing facilities, and
was always ready to grant an extra half-holiday when
lessons were being well done and there was a tempting
afternoon.
Mrs. Gibson was a most charming and delightful
woman, endowed with a perfect temper, a sunny dis-
position, and a sweet soft voice. With much dignity,
she was a mother to each boy, always ready to advise,
to help, and to sympathise. She was the friend of
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