52 REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 



also the highest assurance of capacit}^ for the conduct of the 

 most difficult administrative duties. 



With this but inadequate retrospect of what he did, let us 

 turn for a moment to what he was. In the first place, he was 

 what the poet justly designates as the " noblest work of God," 

 an honest man. Beyond the wisdom of the philosophers and 

 the classical lore of the universities, he had that pui'e and better 

 teaching, an educated conscience. And to this unerring tribunal 

 he submitted the conduct of his life. And thus it was that 

 the observance of the golden rule brought him no burden, but 

 was a pai't of his existence. He esteemed his friend as he 

 esteemed himself. In the language of the Greek philosopher, 

 his friend was "another I." 



It has been said that great men are without ostentation and 

 selfish pride. If this be a mark of greatness, Mr. Wilson's 

 gentleness and simplicity of character gave him the highest 

 place among the truly great. It is said, and said with truth, 

 that kindness is the only key with which the casket of the 

 human heart can be opened. Mr. Wilson had no enemies, 

 and his kindness and lovable character explain the fact. 



Tennyson was right when he said, 



'Tis only noble to be good. 



Kind hearts are more than coronets, 



And simple faith than Norman blood. 



The Board adopted the following resolutions. 



Whereas the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Insti- 

 tution is called upon to mourn the death, on October 17, 

 1900, of William Lyne Wilson, a member of the board from 

 1881 to 1888 and from 1898, and a member of its executive 

 committee: 



Be it resolved, That the Regents place upon record the 

 expression of their sense of loss in the passing away of a col- 

 league, the simplicity and integrity of whose life gave to the 

 country a statesman of the first rank and to the people a noble 

 example. To the Institution he brought the twofold qualities 

 of the man of afiairs and the man of learning, while his atten- 

 tion to his duties was unremitting, even in sickness, and his 

 counsel was always most wise and helpf id. As a college presi- 

 dent, as a leader in Congress, he was conspicuous for his 

 fidelity to the highest ideals. In his death the country has 

 lost a distinguished citizen, the Institution a wise counselor, 

 and the members of the board a colleague and friend, whose 

 especially lovable nature won the hearts of all with whom he 

 came in contact. 



Resolved, That this resolution be entered as a part of the 

 journal of the board and a copy transmitted to Mrs. Wilson. 



Respectfully submitted. 



S. P. Langley, 

 Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. 



