Charles Michie[2] had written to professor [sic] Davidson[3] at the instance of several people in Aberdeen pressing him to stand for the chair. He refuses of course as Mr Michie expected and concludes as follows. —
“As to a first rate man I am in a
position to point one out to you if you do not already know of him. It is true
he is only a student at present, but ere the vacancy has to be filled up he may
be licensed. The church I am quite sure has no such man in her ranks. And the
danger is that if he is not put into such a place the Church may lose his
services altogether, for I do not know that the pulpit will turn out to be the
sphere for which he is well adapted. And I do not have no doubt[4] that his capacities
will soon be recognised and his services solicited if not by us by others wiser
than we.[5] Of course, I refer to W. R. Smith. I think I said all this to you when I was in
Aberdeen. I am sure I said it to others. And I have said it to many since then.
No doubt Smith’s appointment would be an innovation. But there is a limit to
routine. I need not say more. Let me hear if you have time how things are
moving.”
Won’t you ask Prof. Robertson for a Testimonial.[6]
[1] CUL ADD 7449 D171 MS. The note is dated but unsigned and the handwriting cannot be identified with certainty. The writer of this interesting but anonymous memo is unknown.
[2] Michie is a common Aberdeen name but Charles may have been one of the family of Michies to whom WRS was related, his paternal grandmother, Mary Michie (1784–1866) having married WPS’s father, Gilbert Smith in 1808.
[3] Professor A. B. Davidson.
[4] In beginning a new page at this point, the writer has inadvertently repeated himself.
[5] An obvious reference to Tait and Thomson’s desire that he should not be lost to science.
[6] An afterthought written with fresh ink in a different hand, that of WPS. The reference plainly is to George Croom Robertson with whom WRS was already well acquainted.