Robert Louis Stevenson: A Record, an Estimate, and a Memorial

gave token of his character. As soon as he could read, he was keen for books, and, before very long, had read all the story-books he could lay hands on; and, when t

young mind-Alison Cunningham, who, in his juvenile lingo, became "Cumy," and who not only was never forgotten, bu

mother, my

of my in

s inscribed to her by th

rom her boy

e, 18th J

fter one of the Stevenson lighthouses. His first volume, An Inland

ever have been written. Many a long night you sat up with me when I was ill. I wish I could hope, by way of return,

Auth

. What she and his mother taught took effect and abode with h

is point is fully gone into, it will probably be found that his mother and nurse in childhood, and his wife and step

and many others, of the deep and lasting effect a good and earnest woman, of whom the world may never hear, may have had upon a youngster of whom all the world shall hear. When Mr Kelman says that "the religious element in Stevenson was not a thing of late growth, but an integral part and v

ine name" is found in Stevenson's writings, but there is something in such confessions

onely and sick and out of heart. Well, I still hope; I still believe; I still see the

he Pentland Rising-a pamphlet in size and a piece of fine work-which was duly published, is now scarce, and fetches a high price. He had made himself thoroughly familiar with all the odd old corners of Edinburgh-John Knox's haunts and so on, all which he has turned to account in essays, descriptions and in stories-especially in Catriona. When a mere youth at school, as he tells us himself, he had little or no desire to carry off prizes and do just as other boys did; he was always wishing to observe,

re than a dozen times. When the session was ended he went up to try for a certificate from Fleeming Jenkin. "No, no, Mr Stevenson," said the Professor; "I might give it in a doubtful case, but yours is not doubtful: you have not kept my classes." And the most characteristic thing-honourable to both men-is to come; for this was the beginning of a friendship which grew and strengthened and is finally celebrated in the younger man's sketch of the elder. He learned from Professor Fleeming Jenkin, perhaps unconsciously, more of

the circumstances of its appearance-the more that, while it imaginatively and finely commemorated these days of truan

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sitting dist

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oted city o