Memow of Dr. James Robson-Scott. By F. Douglas. 2D9 



between the age of twenty three and thirty three ; a somewhat 

 early development, when we remember that most of the really 

 substantial and lasting work in literature and science is done 

 after that age. Towards the close of his life the business appoint- 

 ments which he held in connection with town and country work 

 seem to have mad(i it impossible to devote much time to science. 

 But he never fell short of the description of himself given, when 

 a comparatively young man, on the occasion of receiving a valu- 

 able volume from his town's folk ; He said— " I have always felt, 

 as I think every one must feel in such circumstances, that the 

 pleasure connected with such labours is, in itself, irrespective of 

 any other recognition or reward, far more than an adequate com- 

 pensation for any trouble which their performance may involve. 

 The pleasure which one feels in doing what he concientiously 

 believes to be right, is assuredly one of the highest which a man 

 can enjoy in this state of existence. Convinced of the truth of 

 this, I trust I shall be ever ready, so far as my humble abilities 

 and opportunities admit, to take part in any work which I may 

 consider beneficial, either to the interests of my townsmen or to 

 those of the world at large. " The re-perusal of the papers in 

 meteorology and geology named above, together with the oppor- 

 tunity I have now had of carefully examining the unpublished 

 MSS, also referred to above, have more than confirmed the high 

 estimate I had previously formed of William Stevenson as a 

 scientific worker. 



Memoir of Dr. James Eohson-Scott. 



Db. Robson Scott was the eldest son of Mr John Robson, 

 tenant in Belford on Bowmont Water, and grandson of James 

 Robson, Esq., of Samieston, whose name has long been fami- 

 liar to Border farmers and stockholders as the pioneer in the 

 improvement of the Cheviot breed of sheep. Dr. Scott was born 

 at Belford in 1814, and after a home education entered the 

 literary classes of the Edinburgh University — subsequently he 

 chose medicine as a profession, and after graduating in Edin- 

 burgh in 1836 obtained an appointment in the Medical Service 

 of the East Indian Company at Madras. A.fter serving some 

 time in that presidency, he accompanied his regiment to Singa- 



