Robert Smith Candlish

candlish

Letter to Alexander Whyte.

This was about 1872 when Whyte was his junior colleague. Whyte had been sent on a "long holiday" by Candlish, to recover from his exertions in deputising for his senior, during Candlish's ill-health and infirmity. This turned out to be a fishing holiday, and brought the following kindly letter from Dr. Candlish.

"He had the encouragement of the following charming letter from his senior colleague" says the biographer -
"EDINBURGH, September 28, 1872.

"My DEAR PISCATOR, - It liketh me well to find by palpable, edible proof that thy right hand hath not lost its cunning, nor thy heart its loving loyalty in the gentle craft. The fish have proved right savoury and delicious. Perge Puer! Go on and prosper. And if thou usest vermicular or other living and sentient bait, see that thou dealest tenderly with whatever animal thou impalest on thy hook, and remember the counsel of thy great master in the art, make the process easy and pleasant for, the creature thou usest for thy sport and handle him as though thou lovest him."

"We got home well and safely yesterday afternoon and are none the worse of our journey and our exposure to the very sad weather we have had to encounter during the past week. I hope you won’t spoil your holiday by working. Rather get more fish. I trust the weather will improve for you.
Write me a line, but don’t let me see you till the 13th October.
Yours very truly, ROBT. S. CANDLISH."

LIFE OF ALEXANDER WHYTE, by G.F.Barbour.