Such apprentices would work long hours and learned how to master the special knives, including the classic half-moon-shaped round knife.

This term was often applied to typhus, transmitted by lice and common in London in the 18th century, the symptoms of which are red spots over the arms, back, and chest; attention deficit, progressing to delirium; and gangrenous sores and the associated smell of putrid or rotting flesh.

Being engaged in business till late that evening, I set out next morning to see him, and had three or four medical gentlemen of my acquaintance, to one or other of whom I might apply for advice, provided it should be necessary.

But when I went to Mr Barber's, to my great astonishment and heartfelt grief, I found that my young friend had, on Saturday, bid an everlasting farewell to all sublunary things".

Whilst at Mount Oliphant[15] or Lochlea Farm Robert wrote a story, The Marriage of Robin Redbreast and the Wren, for his young siblings.

[18] A plaque on the Marks & Spencer's department store in Argyle Street records that George Durie's Black Bull Inn once stood on the site and this was where they probably would have stayed the night.

[21] William in 1789 whilst at Longtown, wrote to Robert : "As I am now in a manner only entering the world, I begin this our correspondence with a view of being a gainer by your advice ...

I know not how it happened, but you were more shy of your counsel than I could have wished, the time I stayed with you: whether it was because you thought it would disgust me to have my faults freely told while I was dependent on you, or whether it was because you saw that, by my indolent disposition, your instructions would have no effect, I cannot determine ..."[8] In another letter to Robert, William wrote regarding his move to London: "I have hitherto withstood the temptation to those vices to which young fellows of my station and time of life are so much addicted, yet I do not know if my virtue will be able to withstand the more powerful temptations of the metropolis; yet, through God's assistance and your instructions, I hope to weather the storm".

[22] Once working in London, William wrote "There are swarms of fresh hands just come over from the country that the town is quite overstocked, and except one is a particularly good workman (which you know I am not, nor, I am afraid, ever will be) it will be hard to get a place".

He gives news of the family, expresses pleasure that William intends living within his means and finishes with an observation and more advice "You are at the time of life when those habitudes are begun which are to mark the character of the future Man.

[26] On 10 February 1790 Robert wrote to William as he was leaving Newcastle for London, giving him advice on city life, something he had not personally experienced.

He again offers William financial support should he need it and ends by saying that"I shall not see you beat, while you fight like a Man"[27] On 7 June 1790 in a brief note Robert he advises "That whether, doing, suffering, or forebearing, You may do miracles by persevering".

[28] On 10 February 1790, Robert wrote from Ellisland Farm, counselling William of the dangers he faced in London, especially "that universal vice, Bad Women".

[12] On 30 July 1790 Robert wrote to Frances saying of William's death ".. a fine, worthy, young fellow; and while my bossom laboured with the anguish consequent on the distressing intelligence .