Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa | Page 7

of his future distinction; but his mother,
after hearing with much pride of her offspring's early achievements,
had to lament his untimely fate; consoled, however, by the recollection
of his unblemished character, and virtuous conduct, and by the thought
of the legacy of fame which he had bequeathed, not to his family alone,
but to his country.
With a solicitude for the education of his children, then by no means
common among the Scottish farmers, Mr. Park hired a tutor to
superintend their education, being anxious not to leave them to such
chance instruction as they might receive before they were of a proper
age for going to school; thus shewing that he was alive to the advantage
of early habits of application and study. The boyhood of Mungo Park
was not distinguished by any marks of peculiar talent, though he
appears, when sent to Selkirk school, to have paid more than an
average share of attention to his studies. Of a thoughtful and reserved
disposition, he seldom took a share in the mirthful sports of his
school-fellows. He was fond of reading and solitude, often wandering
for hours among the hills, and along the banks of his native Yarrow.
The legends of border chivalry, many of which still lingered in the
district, had not been poured into an unwilling ear; they made a strong
impression upon his imagination, and probably contributed, in no
inconsiderable degree, to fire his spirit, and excite that love of
adventure which so strongly marked his future life. Moreover,
occasional gleams of ambition broke forth from amid his quiet
thoughtfulness, which shewed, that beneath a cold exterior there lurked

a mind of no ordinary cast. This constitutional reserve made him select
in his choice of friends, but with those to whom he granted the
privilege of intimacy, he was all confidence and frankness.
The limited cost of an education for the Church of Scotland renders it
an object of ambition to many in the middle ranks of life; and the
parents of Mungo Park, judging that his peculiar disposition fitted him
for the ministry, were anxious that he should enter upon the initiatory
course of education. Park, however, manifested a decided repugnance
to this choice, and resolved upon qualifying himself for the medical
profession. Accordingly, at the age of fifteen, he was bound apprentice
to Mr. Thomas Anderson, a respectable surgeon in Selkirk, with whom
he remained for the space of three years, during which, at leisure hours,
he continued to prosecute his classical studies, and also acquired a
knowledge of the elementary principles of mathematics. Mr.
Anderson's practice, which was pretty extensive, enabled him to obtain
a considerable acquaintance of the rudiments of his profession, and
formed a suitable preparation for his academical studies. In the year
1789, he removed to Edinburgh, and attended the usual course of
lectures for three successive sessions. Though a persevering and
attentive student, he does not seem to have manifested much love for
the healing art. Botany was his favourite study, which he pursued with
much ardour during the summer months. And, fortunately, his
brother-in-law, Mr. James Dickson, who published an elaborate work
on the Cryptogamic plants, was well calculated to aid him in this
pursuit. This meritorious individual had in early life removed to
London, and for some time followed the humble occupation of a
working gardener. Having distinguished himself by a diligent and
zealous discharge of the duties of his calling, he attracted the notice of
Sir Joseph Banks, who, ever anxious to reward merit, generously
opened to him his library. Of this privilege Mr. Dickson availed
himself so successfully, that he soon distinguished himself as a botanist,
and enlarged materially the boundaries of the science. But, with rare
prudence, he still carried on his original business as a seeds man, while
he lived on terms of intimacy and friendship with many of the most
distinguished literary characters of his time.
With Mr. Dickson young Park made a summer ramble through the
Highlands, principally for the sake of adding to his botanical treasures,

and, under under the guidance of his relative, pursued enthusiastically
his favourite science. After Park had completed his medical studies, Mr
Dickson advised him to go to London, in search of professional
employment, in the expectation of advancing his prospects, through the
interest of his scientific acquaintance. Nor was he disappointed in this
hope, for, through Sir Joseph Banks's recommendation, he obtained the
appointment of assistant surgeon to the Worcester East Indiaman. He
sailed in February 1792; and after a voyage to Bencoolen, in the island
of Sumatra, returned to England in the following year. No incident of
importance occurred during this voyage, but Mr. Park made some
collections in botany and natural history, which were submitted to the
Linnaean Society, and an account of