Fine Feeding for Fourpence. 77 



exceedingly kind. Knowing his circumstances, she 

 made every penny go as far as she could, though 

 indeed there was not much to decide on. His food, 

 although abundant, was of the plainest kind. Markets 

 at that time were in his favour. Potatoes were being 

 retailed at sixpence a peck, a measure which contained 

 two stone and a half, or, in, other words, thirty-five 

 pounds' weight. Buttermilk was a penny per Scotch 

 pint, equivalent to two quarts English measure. Butter 

 was ninepence a pound. Oatmeal was about the same 

 price as it is now, from two shillings to two shillings 

 and fourpence a stone. Tea was not included in his 

 dietary, nor butcher's meat of any kind ; and, during 

 all his time at college, the cost of his food never 

 exceeded two and sixpence a week. To modern 

 notions this might seem pretty near the starvation 

 point ; but Mr. Robertson says it was not so. He 

 had always as much as he coyld take, and it kept him 

 in robust health. 



At this time cholera first made its appearance in 

 Glasgow. Medical students were offered a guinea a 

 week to assist in attending upon patients. To a 

 young man whose resources were so small as David's 

 were such a sum was a great consideration. He 

 offered his services, and was accepted. But there 

 was one reason which made him hesitate about using 

 the opportunity, namely, the risk he would bring 

 upon the family with whom he lodged. He ac- 

 quainted his landlady with what he proposed to do 

 and suggested that it would be better for him first to 

 look for lodgings where the risk would be less. His 

 friend Mrs. Malcomson saw the danger for her own 



