94 The Naturalist of Cumbrae. 



had distributed presently increased the trade so much 

 that he had never need or time to go out with more. 

 He was now at the potteries every morning, but still 

 laying off his orders just to the amount that he had 

 cash to pay for them. He had resolved on no account 

 to be misled into getting into debt, and kept his 

 resolution surely one of the chief secrets, not for 

 building rapidly a mighty fortune, but for securing 

 temporal happiness and peace of mind. Under this 

 system their business grew, and their regular and 

 prompt payments gained favour that was of much 

 advantage to them. 



His wife's sister, Grace Douglas, having married 

 Mr. Daniel McDougall, she and her husband took 

 over Mr. Douglas's china and earthenware shop in 

 Jail Square next door to them. They forthwith 

 became great rivals, though very friendly ones. The 

 two houses did not follow the custom general in the 

 trade, of giving their orders by letter. The two 

 brothers-in-law went personally to the potteries and 

 carefully selected what they wanted. When particu- 

 lar things were scarce, as was often the case, by being 

 on the spot they were sure of securing a good share, 

 as Robertson had found in his earlier experience. 

 There was a pottery at Cartsdyke, near Greenock, 

 which they both attended once or twice a week. 

 Since it was obvious that in such cases one could 

 very well do the work of both, they thought that it 

 would be a great saving in many ways if the two 

 houses were in partnership. After due consideration 

 this was agreed to, and the firm became Robertson 

 and McDougall. 



