126 



In one other point of view might our President be contem- 

 plated, but it is unnecessary. He could be spoken of as the gen- 

 tleman and the Christian, as one whose character impressed the 

 respect, which his manners associated with affection ; as one whose 

 gentleness, urbanity, and good feeling converted every one that 

 approached him into a friend, and rendered the intercouse of official 

 duty a privilege and a pleasure. Our President's manners were bene- 

 volent, because his mind was essentially so ; because he anticipated 

 and provided for the feelings of every one with whom he had inter- 

 course both on great and small subjects ; because, incapable of feel- 

 ing jealousy or envy, he was always desirous of bringing every indi- 

 vidual fully and entirely forward, and as there never was one who 

 lived more for others and less for himself, so there never has been one 

 who manifested such a characteristic more decidedly in his manner 

 and deportment. But it is unnecessary to proceed — ^more would on 

 this topic be unnecessary to those who in public and in private have 

 witnessed or have experienced the influence I have mentioned; and 

 enough has been said, however feebly, to meet in some degree the 

 wishes of the Academy, its sense of justice, of gratitude, and of 

 affection ; that one who shared so materially in the first triumphs of 

 abstract science in this country should not pass off the stage unno- 

 ticed and unlamented in this room, dedicated to the pursuit of that 

 science and that literature which he loved, — that one with whom 

 every advance of science in Ireland will by impartial posterity be 

 associated, should from us, his contemporaries, receive some meed 

 of his renown, and that while our kindred institution, the Univer- 

 sity, is endeavouring to connect his name imperishably with the 

 exertions and the rewards of the aspirants after scientific fame, we 

 who enjoyed his intercourse and can claim his latest recollections, 

 should add too our mourning tribute of applause to hang upon his 

 bier. 



