184 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
shells in the blue clay, the waste waterway, where leaves and twigs 
became “petrifactions,” the lively brook where mimic fleets could be 
navigated and dams constructed—these and many other objects of 
interest were there, and with the guidance and encouragement of an 
ever-ready father, the boy’s inborn love of nature was daily stimulated 
and increased. 
At ten years of age Dawson entered the Montreal High School, 
remaining there for one year and taking a high place in his classes. 
Subsequently, however, owing to ill-health, his education was carried 
on for the most part under tutors; and while this system, no doubt, 
cut him off from some advantages, it gave him on the other hand 
wider opportunities for pursuing and mastering subjects which had 
special attractions for him. Surrounded by books, chemical appar- 
atus, paints and pencils, the days were never too long, and photo- 
graphy, book-binding, painting magic lantern slides, and even cheese- 
making, afforded him fascinating occupation and amusement. One 
who knew him well at that time says: “He seemed to absorb know- 
ledge rather than to study, and every new fact or idea acquired was 
at once put into its place and proper relations in his orderly mind. 
He was always cheerful, amusing and popular, other boys flocking 
around him and invariably submitting to his unconscious leadership.” 
At the age of eighteen, Dawson entered McGill College as a par- 
tial student, attending lectures on English, Chemistry, Geology, &c., 
during the session of 1868-9. The summer of 1869 was spent at 
Gaspé and much time devoted to dredging for foraminifera, which with 
material from other sources formed the basis of his first scientific paper, 
published in the Canadian Naturalist in 1870, and in the Annals and 
Magazine of Natural History of the following year. While a student 
at McGill he wrote a poem on Jacques Cartier which, while but a boyish 
cffort was thought very well of by his instructors and gave evidence of 
his keen love of nature and poetic instinct. The view from the sum- 
mit of Mount Royal, whither Cartier was conducted by the red men of 
Hochelaga, is thus described: 
“Far on the western river lay, 
Like molten gold, the dying day. 
Far to the east the waters glide 
Till lost in twilight’s swelling tide; 
While all around, on either hand, 
Spread the broad, silent, tree-clad land; 
And in the distance far and blue 
Long swelling mountains close the view.” 
In 1870 Dawson went to London and entered the Royal School of 
Mines, at that time on Jermyn street. He was fond of the sea, and on 
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