( 355 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



CONCLUSION. 



MR. ROBERTSON is in stature rather below the middle 

 height, broad-shouldered, and still muscular in appear- 

 ance. To the readers of this life it is scarcely neces- 

 sary to say that he has a friendly countenance. It 

 would be a spurious phrenology that could not find 

 in the well-marked character of his head and the lines 

 of his face the outward symbols of benevolence, saga- 

 city, and loyal singleness of heart. Though advancing 

 years have slackened the rapid walk and dulled the 

 sense of hearing, the veteran of eighty-four is still 

 ready to climb the hill, to pull the oar, to heave in 

 the dredge, still ready to observe and to record, still 

 ready to start some thoughtful topic of conversation 

 or to join in the laughter of the light-hearted. 



It seems curious to think of this now venerable man 

 of science as having once been a shepherd boy, scam- 

 pering over the moor on a bare-backed colt, or as a, 

 little lad stripped to his shirt victorious in the foot- 

 race. 



The self-control by which his whole career has 

 been distinguished is well illustrated by a story which 

 he tells of himself when about seventeen years of age. 



