MEMOIR OF SIR J. G. DALYELL. . xlvii 



was Preses of the Board of Directors in 18-41. Before us is a portion of 

 a circular, in that year, entitled " Remarks on the state of affairs of the 

 Zoological Gardens, by Sir John Graham Dalyell, Bart., Preses." " Our 

 greatest exertions," he remarks, " must now concentrate in endeavouring 

 to repair our shattered finances." His plan embraced certain propositions, 

 the principal of which were — the increase of income, payment of the credi- 

 tors, and protection of the Directors from loss. Though successful for a 

 time, we believe the Gardens were in a backward state, till recently that 

 they have fallen into the hands of Mr Wood. 



After a life spent in laborious study, and in the exercise of a truly 

 patriotic and charitable activity. Sir John at length fell into infirm health. 

 He had a learned and experienced medical adviser in Professor Lizars, 

 who exhibited the utmost zeal for his patient, and frequently alleviated 

 by his skill the severity of his sufferings. Notwithstanding every care, 

 however, he sunk, in perfect consciousness, on the 7th of June 1851, at- 

 tended by his afflicted friends and domestic servants, the latter of whom 

 he did not fail to requite for theu' long and faithful services. He was in- 

 terred beside his ancestry, in the family vault in the church of Abercorn, 

 Linlithgowshire. * 



The service rendered to literature and science by Sir John Graham 

 Dalyell, Knight and Baronet, can hardly be measured by his publications, 

 numerous and bulky though they are. They bear only a small proportion 

 to the incessant study, research, and investigation which they involved 

 before a single line could be written. His genius aimed steadily at the 

 production of what might add to the knowledge or advantage of the world. 

 Indeed it would he difficult to estimate the character of one so singularly 

 laborious, and so disinterested in his views. Whatever the subject, it was 

 entered upon enthusiastically, and pursued, if not entirely con amove, with 

 the intention, at least, that the result might be beneficial. Sir John car- 

 ried his notions of the useful so far as to discard and despise aU works of 

 fancy and fiction, however excellent. It would be difficult to name another 

 of his age who has contributed so much towards the elucidation' of natural 



* The Binns tenantry and family seat is immediately over the vault. 



