IN MEMORIAM — DAVID ROBERTSON. 26 



" All had advised me, as before stated, not to enter the medical 

 profession, and all now advised me to abide by it. But my 

 determination was fixed, and nothing would now induce me to 

 become a medical man. 



"I had set mj mind on having a small shop in the same line 

 as that in which my betrothed was already employed. She could 

 manage it, and I would continue in my present employment, which 

 would now have all my time, and I should have more wages, 

 which would enable me to keep the house, leaving the profits of 

 the shop to pay rent and improve stock. A shop and upper fl.at for 

 dwelling-bouse were taken on the west side of Jail Square, at a 

 rent of twenty-five pounds a year. I was free of debt, but my 

 whole stock of cash was only seven pounds, to marry, to furnish 

 my house, and stock my shop. Still I did not despair. I had 

 had a good lesson in economy, and I had no pride to sustain, and 

 I had confidence in our combined eneraries." 



The resolution at which he had thus arrived was speedily carried 

 into effect. His slender capital was expended in stocking the shop 

 with a cheap and useful class of earthenware goods, while during 

 his spare time he painted and lettered the outside of the shop. 

 The household furniture was supplied by Miss Douglas's friends. 

 Everything being now arranged, the marriage took place in the 

 year 1837. 



Even in his less prosperous days, Mr. Robertson had always 

 acted on the principle of keeping free from debt, and this principle 

 was consistently followed throughout his business life. Early in the 

 morning he attended at the potteries and selected the goods 

 required for the shop. As novelties were occasionally asked for, 

 these were judiciously added to the stock. Trade handbills were 

 produced by him with the aid of a small printing-press lent to him 

 bv his father-in-law ; these were distributed over the south side 

 of the city, and led to a great increase in business. His wife's 

 sister, Miss Grace Douglas, had married Mr. Daniel M'Dougall, 

 and she and her husband had taken over Mr. Douglas's china and 

 c earthenware shop in Jail Square, next door to the Kobertsons' 

 f: establishment. A friendly rivalry was carried on for some time, 

 but at length the houses were united under the firm of Hobertson 

 (k M'Dougall. Soon after this union was effected, Mr, Hobertson 

 paid his first visit to the Staffordshire potteries, with the view of 



