Title: Robert Louis Stevenson
Year: 1915 (1910s)
Authors: Cruse, Amy, 1870-1951
Subjects: Stevenson, Robert Louis, 1850-1894
Publisher: London : George G. Harrap
Contributing Library: University of Connecticut Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation

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umas. In Edinburgh he joined the Specula-tive Society—of which Sir Walter Scott in his youthhad been a distinguished member—and grew veryenthusiastic over its proceedings. He was twiceelected one of the presidents of the Society, and heread various essays at the meetings of its members. Still, in spite of all these alleviations, the burdenof uncongenial work and thwarted ambition becameheavier and heavier. For three and a half years hemanaged to bear it ; then, in desperation, he con-fessed to his father during a dreadful evening walk the repugnance he felt to becoming an engineer, andhis irresistible attraction to literature. His father,who, doubtless, was not altogether unprepared forsuch a declaration, received it with calm and gravekindness. He was keenly disappointed, especially asLouis had, a few days before, read a paper on A NewForm of Intermittent Light before the Scottish Societyof Arts, and had been highly commended for thepromise that it showed. Thomas Stevenson had 44
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4> b/)OJ ■*-•■*->O O co *->r.C CO CO Preparing for a Profession perhaps allowed himself to hope that his sons interestin the calling of his fathers was awakening ; if so, hedid not let his disappointment bring any bitternessinto the discussion which now became necessaryconcerning Louis future plans. He agreed that theengineering should be given up, but he did not con-sider it wise that the young man should devote him-self entirely to literature. He stipulated, therefore,that Louis should take up the profession of Law. If,after his examinations were passed, he found thisuncongenial, the time would not have been wasted, forthe course of study would be of considerable valueto him in his work as an author ; while, if he failed inliterature, there would always be his profession tofall back upon. To this arrangement Louis, with agreat lightening of heart, agreed. The worst was now over, and things began to mend.Other causes besides the change of occupation wereworking to brin

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