THOMAS HOPKIRK OF DALBETH. 25^ 



Now, on the occasion of publication, I wish to add 

 a few words of explanation and acknowledgment. 



The accompanying portrait has been executed 

 from an oil-painting, which I am assured is a good 

 likeness of Hopkirk. The cost of its production in 

 permanent photographic form has been defrayed by 

 a few gentlemen to whom our best thanks are due, 

 as they are also to Mr. William Goodwin for his 

 care and trouble in securing a good negative of the 

 original. 



I beg, farther, to thank all who have in any way 

 assisted me in arriving at facts, and it is pleasant 

 for me to reflect on the cordial and ready response 

 which met every enquiry I made. My indebtedness 

 to Dr. Hopkirk's daughter. Miss Christian G. Hopkirk 

 of Belfast, and to his nephew, Mr. Laurence Hill, 

 C.E., of this city, demands special acknowledgment. 



The reward of all who have thus aided me will 

 I trust be like my own — a sense of satisfaction in 

 having done something towards the memory of 

 one who in his day did good work both as a citizen 

 and as a naturalist. 



