68 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



CHAPTER VII. 

 COLLEGE TEACHING DYER'S WORK ILLNESS. 



IN the year 1830, Robertson's wish to better his 

 position led him to make what would be thought 

 almost anywhere but in Scotland a surprising change 

 in his manner of life. About this time two of his 

 old playmates had entered college at Glasgow as 

 divinity students. David, who till now had been a 

 farm labourer, began to think that he might succeed 

 in the medical profession, and consulted some of his 

 friends about it. Of all, however, to whom he men- 

 tioned the project, not one gave him the least en- 

 couragement, but the reverse. He was too old. He 

 was twenty-four. He would have to attend college 

 for seven years. He had not the means to carry him 

 through. It is little wonder that sober-minded friends 

 should have discouraged what must have seemed so 

 rash an enterprise, for it is not every razor that will 

 cut through a whetstone, however boldly handled. 

 David himself had some serious doubts as to the 

 prudence of the step. Yet it appeared to him that, 

 if he remained at his present work, by the end of 

 seven years he would in all likelihood have made no 

 advance, whereas if he could struggle through the 



