Laird  was  a  man  of  studious  habits  through  life,  well
learned,  especially  inclined  to  biblical  criticism,  and
well  qualified  for  it.  Even  to  the  last  days  of  bis
life,  his  supreme  delight  was  the  study  of  the  sacred
Scriptures  in  the  original  tongues.  When  his  eyes
had  become  dimmed,  so  that  he  could  no  longer  read
with  the  subdueil  light  of  his  room,  he  would  stand
out  of  doors  in  the  sun,  its  light  blazing  full  on  the
page  of  the  Hebrew  Bible  spread  before  him,  while
with  quivering  finger  he  essayed  to  follow  the  words
of  the  Holy  Book.
