improvement of the town, not only succeeded, but given
satisfaction, I was vexed to see the council run away with such a
speculative vagary. No doubt, the popular fantasy anent education and
academies, had quite as muckle to do in the matter as Mr Plan's fozey
rhetoric, but what availed that to me, at seeing a reasonable undertaking
reviled and set aside, and grievous debts about to be laid on the
community for a bubble as unsubstantial as that of the Ayr Bank. Besides,
it was giving the upper hand in the council to Mr Plan, to which, as a
new man, he had no right. I said but little, for I saw it would be of no
use; I, however, took a canny opportunity of remarking to old Mr
Dinledoup, the English teacher, that this castle-building scheme of an
academy would cause great changes probably in the masters; and as, no
doubt, it would oblige us to adopt the new methods of teaching, I would
like to have a private inkling of what salary he would expect on being
superannuated.

The worthy man was hale and hearty, not exceeding three score and seven,
and had never dreamt of being superannuated. He was, besides, a prideful
body, and, like all of his calling, thought not a little of himself. The
surprise, therefore, with which he heard me was just wonderful. For a
space of time he stood still and uttered nothing; then he took his snuff-
box out of the flap pocket of his waistcoat, where he usually carried it,
and, giving three distinct and very comical raps, drew his mouth into a
purse. "Mr Pawkie," at last he said; "Mr Pawkie, there will be news in
the world before I consent to be superannuated."

This was what I expected, and I replied, "Then, why do not you and Mr
Scudmyloof, of the grammar school, represent to the magistrates that the
present school-house may, with a small repair, serve for many years." And
so I sowed an effectual seed of opposition to Mr Plan, in a quarter he
never dreamt of; the two dominies, in the dread of undergoing some
transmogrification, laid their heads together, and went round among the
parents of the children, and decried the academy project, and the cess
that the cost of it would bring upon the town; by which a public opinion
was begotten and brought to a bearing, that the magistrates could not
resist; so the old school-house was repaired, and Mr Plan's scheme, as
well as the other, given up. In this, it is true, if I had not the
satisfaction to get a dyke to the backside of my property, I