182 Notices of the Life of Professor Wilson. 



clades tbus : — " The sum, you will perceive, of what I have been 

 urging is, that the unconsciousness of the patient secured by 

 anaesthetics, is scarcely less important than the painlessness with 

 which they permit injuries to be inflicted on him." 



Forbes was an older student than Wilson, and had attained 

 eminence as a rising naturalist before their acquaintance began. 

 He was a genius in science who had the wonderful power of 

 attracting followers, and of stimulating to exertion. Forbes' influ- 

 ence told in no small degree on the mind of Wilson, who afterwards 

 undertook to write his Biography. This work occupied his leisure 

 hours ever since the lamented death of his friend ; but we fear 

 that little more than half the task has been completed. In a MS. 

 note-book, the chapters of the Life of Forbes are sketched out 

 thus : — 



1. Isle of Man. 2. Boyhood and School Life. 3. London 

 Artist Life. 4. The University of Edinburgh. 5. The Student 

 Life of E. F. 6. The Sea Naturalist. 7. The Mediterranean 

 Cruise. 8. The London Chair of Botany. 9. The Geological 

 Survey. 10. The Edinburgh Class of Natural History. 11. The 

 Artist and Litterateur. 12. The End. 13. Epilogue. — Of these 

 the first five chapters are ready for the printer, and the sixth seems 

 also to be finished, though not copied out. As the materials have 

 all been accumulated, it is earnestly hoped that the work may be 

 completed by other hands. 



Up to manhood the vigour and elasticity of his health was 

 unusual ; but from the year 1842 to the end of his career, a thorn 

 in the flesh never ceased to buftet him. It was during this illness 

 that his attention was specially directed to matters of eternal mo- 

 ment. The bed of affliction was made to him a blessing. The 

 chastening of the Lord was for his profit. There happened at 

 that time to be a student at the Divinity Hall who became 

 acquainted with Dr. Wilson, and was a constant visitor at his 

 house. This was the present Rev. Dr. Cairns of Berwick. The 

 friendship which sprung up between Dr. Cairns and himself was 

 of the warmest kind, and continued throughout the remainder of 

 life. Their fellowship was cemented by holier ties than any of a 

 mere earthly nature. Dr. Wilson always regarded Dr. Cairns as 

 his spiritual father, whose counsels encouraged him, and whose 

 ministrations at the hour of death helped to cheer his spirit. 

 What he owed to God's discipline during his life was ever grate- 

 fully present to his mind. 



