Had he possessed a fair amount of education,
and an assortment of scientific instruments and books, the world
would have heard more about him. Should you ever find yourself,"
my correspondent concludes, "in his neighbourhood, and have a few
hours to spare, you would have no reason to regret the time spent
in his company." I could not, however, arrange to pay the
proposed visit to Largo; but I found that I could, without
inconvenience, visit another astronomer in the neighbourhood of
Dunkeld.
In January 1879 I received a letter from Sheriff Barclay, of
Perth, to the following effect: "Knowing the deep interest you
take in genius and merit in humble ranks, I beg to state to you
an extraordinary case. John Robertson is a railway porter at
Coupar Angus station. From early youth he has made the heavens
his study. Night after night he looks above, and from his small
earnings he has provided himself with a telescope which cost him
about 30L. He sends notices of his observations to the
scientific journals, under the modest initials of 'J.R.' He is a
great favourite with the public; and it is said that he has made
some observations in celestial phenomena not before noticed. It
does occur to me that he should have a wider field for his
favourite study. In connection with an observatory, his services
would be invaluable."
Nearly five years had elapsed since the receipt of this letter,
and I had done nothing to put myself in communication with the
Coupar Angus astronomer.
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