316 IMPROVEMENTS IN THURSO. CHAP. xix. 



His sister offered to send him money and clothing. 

 Kobert refused the help. " Things have not come so far 

 as that yet," he said. " If they had, I should need a 

 strait jacket. To those who have to struggle by their 

 labour for a living, the prescription of coddling and nurs- 

 ing is about the worst treatment imaginable. It is neither 

 good nor profitable in any way. When any man or 

 woman consents to receive such things as you spoke of, 

 and for such a purpose, then adieu to all self-dependence 

 and self-respect. Then, ten to one, the individual would 

 become degraded and useless. You have no idea how 

 injurious it is, both to soul and body, to wear next 

 your skin what one never toiled for. Besides, your 

 income is little enough for yourself." 



And yet Thurso was improving. Many new in- 

 habitants were added to the town, but very few of 

 them came to Dick's counter for bread. Pavement- 

 cutting had superseded herring-fishing. Many new 

 flag quarries had been opened out, and those who had 

 fished for herrings now cut flags for pavement. Many 

 of the old Highland cottars, who had been driven from 

 their homes, also resorted to Thurso for the same pur- 

 pose. 



" In fact," said Dick, " the flag-trade here is every- 

 thing ; * and the town increases from day to day, chiefly 

 by additions from the surrounding country. The 



* When the author was in Thurso he was introduced by name to an 

 eminent flag-cutter. " You will know this gentleman by his works ? " 

 "Ay; where are they? I never heard o' them." "I mean his 

 literary works." " Ou, is that it?" Thus flags, not books, rule tha 

 Thurso world. 



