other lads were amusing themselves at the theatre, or
kicking their heels about the street, or hanging about the
auction-rooms in front of the college, John Dickson stuck hard to his
books. He also availed himself of other advantages connected with his
situation. The tutor of the family in which he was employed was John
Barclay, afterwards the celebrated anatomist, whose valuable museum
was bequeathed to the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, on
condition that they would build a hall, and form a more extended
collection, which has been fulfilled. At this time, Dr Barclay had
commenced his private lectures on anatomy, which soon became popular;
and John made himself so useful in the arrangement of the classroom,
that the doctor was induced to encourage him to attend the lectures,
and assist in preparing the demonstrations. Thus Dickson spent many
winters, at once attendant and pupil, returning to the country in
summer in his old capacity. By degrees, he completed his medical
education, obtaining gratis-tickets from the professors--a favour
sometimes extended to deserving students, and of which he was well
worthy. Dr Barclay once gave a good lesson to those who apply for such
gratuitous favours for others. He was asked by a certain bookseller to
give a perpetual gratis-ticket for his class to a student then
standing in the shop, who could ill afford to pay the four-guinea fee.
'Most certainly,' said the doctor; 'I can never refuse in such a case.
By the by, Mr ----, I want a few books; will you look them out for me
now?' and the doctor enumerated several standard medical works, which
were produced with great alacrity. He then selected four guineas'
worth from among them, and handed them over to the astonished student,
along with a lecture-ticket, saying: 'Of course, Mr ---- intended
giving you the same value in books which I do in this ticket!' The
bookseller, although a notoriously parsimonious character, had not a
word to say. Dr Barclay took great pride in collecting a library, and
invented the following device as a mark for his books: His initials
were engraved in the centre of an oval, at the top was the sun, with
the motto--'I weary not;' below, was a mountain, with 'I am firm;' and
surrounding all, 'Excel if you can.'

These graphic mottos became the guiding-stars of John Dickson's
career: he wearied not, nor wavered in whatever pursuit he engaged;
and it was to this indomitable industry that he owed his succ