68 The American Geologist. August, looi 
jects of interest were there, and with the gnidance and encour- 
ag"ement of an ever-ready father, tlie hoy's inborn love of na- 
ture was (hiil\- stinudatecl and increased. 
At ten years of age Uawson entered the Montreal High 
School, remaining there for one year, and taking a high place 
in his classes. Subsequently, however, owing to ill-health, 
his education was carried on for the most part under tutors ; 
and wdiile this system no doubt cut him off from some ad- 
vantages, it gave him on the other hand wider opportunities for 
pursuing and mastering subjects which had special attractions 
for him. Surrounded by books, chemical apparatus, paints 
and pencils, the days were never too long, and photography, 
book-binding, painting magic lantern slides, and even cheese- 
making, afforded him fascinating occupation and amusement. 
One who knew him well at that time says : "He seemed to ab- 
sorb knowledge rather than to studv, and every new fact or idea 
acquired was at once put into its place and proper relations in 
his orderly mind. ' He was always cheerful, amusing and 
popular, other boys flocking round him and invariably submit- 
ting to his unconscious leadership." 
At the age of eighteen Dawson entered AIcGill College as 
a partial student, attending lectures on English, chemistry, 
geology, &c., during the session of 1868-9. While a student 
at this time he wrote a poem on Jacques Cartier which, while 
but a boyish effort, was thought very well of by his instructors 
and gave evidence of his keen love of nature and poetic instinct. 
The view from the summit of Mount Royal, whither Cartier 
was conducted by the red men of Plochelag-a, is thus described : 
"Far on the western river lay, 
Like molten gold, the dying day. 
Far to the east the waters glide 
Till lost in twilight's swelling tide; 
While all around, on either hand. 
Spread the broad, silent, tree-clad land ; 
And in the distance far and blue 
Long swelling mountains close the vievv." 
The following year Dawson went to London and entered 
the Royal Sch(X)l of Mines, at that time on Jermyn street. He 
was fond of the sea, and on this occasion made the passage 
in a sailing ship, he and another young man being the only 
oassengers. During the voyage he amused himself making 
