Robert Moffat | Page 5

school at Falkirk. This school was for writing and book-keeping,
but such as chose to pay received lessons in astronomy and geography
after school hours. Alexander was one of these, and Robert was
allowed to wait for his brother in the large room while the class was
being conducted. "I felt queer," he tells us "to know what the master
was doing within the circle, and used to look very attentively through
any little slip of an opening under an elbow, while I eagerly listened to
the illustrations given, the master all the while never suspecting that I
was capable of understanding the planetary system. What I could not

understand my brother explained on our way home." In this manner he
picked up some knowledge of astronomy.
At this school the lad continued for six months. It was the last he ever
attended.
When about fourteen, Robert Moffat was apprenticed to a gardener,
named John Robertson, a just but hard man, who lived at Parkhill,
Polmont. The toil was severe and the food scanty. Often in the bitter
cold of a Scottish winter the lads employed were required to commence
work at four o'clock in the morning, and had to hammer their knuckles
against the handles of their spades to try and bring some feeling into
them. Here he remained till the end of 1812.
While thus engaged, he managed to attend an evening class
occasionally, and made an attempt at learning Latin and mensuration.
He also picked up some knowledge of the smith's craft, and acquired
sufficient skill to play a little on the violin. A special craving, which
stood him in good stead in after life, impelled him to learn something
of whatever he came in contact with.
Upon the completion of his apprenticeship, in 1812, he obtained a
situation at Donibristle, a seat of the Earl of Moray at Aberdour. Here,
he delighted his fellow-workers of an evening by his violin
performances, was fond of athletic sports, in which he excelled, and
became an accomplished swimmer, saving the life of one of his
companions, who having got out of his depth was in imminent danger
of drowning.
In this situation he continued about a twelvemonth, and then, being
about sixteen, he found employment as under-gardener to Mr. Leigh, of
High Leigh, in Cheshire. While at Donibristle he had been able to
frequently visit his parents; the time had now come when he must bid
them adieu.
The parting scene between Robert and his mother has been sketched by
his own hand and appeared in the Bible Society's "Gleanings for the
Young." It is described as follows:--

"When we came within sight of the spot where we were to part, perhaps
never again to meet in this world, she said--
"'Now, my Robert, let us stand here for a few minutes, for I wish to ask
one favour of you before we part, and I know you will not refuse to do
what your mother asks.'
"'What is it, mother?' I inquired.
"'Do promise me first that you will do what I am now going to ask, and
I shall tell you.'
"'No, mother, I cannot till you tell me what your wish is.'
"'O Robert, can you think for a moment that I shall ask you, my son, to
do anything that is not right? Do not I love you?'
"'Yes, mother, I know you do; but I do not like to make promises which
I may not be able to fulfil.'
"I kept my eyes fixed on the ground. I was silent, trying to resist the
rising emotion. She sighed deeply. I lifted my eyes and saw the big
tears rolling down the cheeks which were wont to press mine. I was
conquered, and as soon as I could recover speech, I said--
"'O mother! ask what you will and I shall do it.'
"'I only ask you whether you will read a chapter in the Bible every
morning and another every evening?'
"I interrupted by saying, 'Mother, you know I read my Bible.'
"'I know you do, but you do not read it regularly, or as a duty you owe
to God, its Author.' And she added: 'Now I shall return home with a
happy heart, inasmuch as you have promised to read the Scriptures
daily. O Robert, my son, read much in the New Testament. Read much
in the Gospels--the blessed Gospels; then you cannot well go astray. If
you pray, the Lord Himself will teach you.'

"I parted from my beloved mother, now long gone to that mansion
about which she loved to speak. I went on my way, and ere long found
myself among strangers. My charge was an important one for a youth,
and though possessing a muscular frame and a mind full of