In iEi^moriitm 



Sir THOMAS MONOEEiriE, Bart.i 



IT is with feelings of very deep sorrow that I, as editor of this 

 magazine, perform the melancholy duty of recording in its 

 columns the death of one who, nearly from the commencement, 

 was one of its warmest supporters and frequent contributors, and 

 who, I expected — with, as it seemed, no vain expectation — would 

 have continued to have been so for many years to come. 



Sir Thomas Moncreiffe, the eldest son of Sir David Moncreiffe 

 of Moncreiffe — the representative of a very ancient Perthshire 

 family — was born on the 9th of January 1822, and succeeded 

 his father in 1830. He entered the army at an early age, having 

 obtained a commission in the ist Scots Fusilier Guards in 1839, 

 retiring after three years' service. In 1858 Sir Thomas became 

 honorary colonel of the Royal Perthshire Rifles ; and on the 

 death of Sir W. Stirling-Maxwell was appointed Vice-Lieutenant 

 of the county. He was also chairman of the Perthshire Conserv- 

 ative Association — a position occasionally entailing considerable 

 labour, and the duties of which he discharged with his usual tact, 

 ability, and energy. 



About three years ago Sir Thomas Moncreiffe's health began 

 to give way a little, but not to such an extent as to cause serious 

 alarm. During the past summer he suffered from several attacks 

 of illness, but only a week before his death was able to be in 

 Perth and transact business. He died on August 16th, in the 

 57th year of his age, leaving behind him no more popular man 

 in the county of Perth. 



It may be said of the naturalist, as of the poet, that 7iascitur 

 lion fit. The love of nature may be developed and trained ; 

 but unless it already exists, no amount of training will produce 

 it. There are also naturalists and naturalists. Some who think 



^ The excellent portrait (by Mr Henderson of Perth) that accompanies this 

 notice, is presented by the Perthshire Society of Natural Science. 



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