Notices of the Life of Frofessor Wtlson, 185 



Royal Scottisli Society of Arts, and for some time editor of its 

 *' Transactions." 



A growing holiness, sweetness, and patience, bad been marked- 

 ly visible in Dr. Wilson of late years. In times of sickness and 

 dangerous illness, there was ever a serene calmness and cheerful- 

 ness, that seemed greatly to aid recovery. His patient endurance 

 of suffering was remarkable. Patience wrought experience, and 

 experience hope — even that hope which maketh not ashamed. 

 He was always ready for his great change. About six months 

 ago, when saying good bye on a morning visit to a friend, he said, 

 " I am trying to live every day, so that I may be ready to go on 

 an hour's notice." To another he used the remarkable expression, 

 " I am resigned to live." 



His feeble health at the commencement of the Session 1859 

 was ill calculated to fit him for the arduous duties he had under- 

 taken, and there seemed to be in his own mind a feeling that he 

 was not likely to survive long. 



In the last few days of his life his serenity was more obvious 

 than at any previous time. So well was it known that, living or 

 dying, he was the Lord's, that the anxieties of a death-bed season 

 were as much lightened as is possible in this life. His death was 

 more like a child going to sleep than anything else. 



He commenced his lectures in November 1859 with high pros- 

 pects of success. His introductory lecture was characterised by 

 his usual felicitous illustrations, and the class-room was crowded 

 to the door. 



His last illness began from exposure to cold and wet in a ma- 

 nufactory in the west, on the morning of Friday, 4th November. 

 He had gone there to acquaint himself with the particulars of a 

 Court of Session case relating to the dyeing mauve-coloured silk. 

 On the morning of Friday, 18th November, he complained of a 

 pain in his side, but he treated it as a pleurodynic attack, and 

 went to lecture as usual. He was, however, much exhausted ; 

 and in spite of this he continued to write letters, receive visitors 

 and make business calls, and he even ventured to give a second, 

 lecture in the afternoon. This seemed to prostrate him complete- 

 ly, and he had to apologise to the class for taking a seat in place 

 of standing during the lecture as usual. When he reached home 

 he was scarcely able to get up stairs to bed, from whence he never 

 rose. 



