[ADAMS] IN MEMORIAM--SIR JOHN WILLIAM DAWSON 13 
dealt with the relations of historical geology to the Mosaic account 
of the Creation. In others he considered the relation of the evolutionary 
hypothesis to religious thought. 
Sir William was a Presbyterian of the old school and strongly 
opposed to all theories of the evolution of man from brute ancestors, 
nor would he allow anything more than a very moderate antiquity for 
the species. 
The study of geology, too, he would have emancipated from ‘“ that 
materialistic infidelity which, by robbing nature of the spiritual element 
and of its presiding divinity makes science dry, barren, and repulsive, 
and diminishes its educational value.” . 
These works on the relations of science and religion, while they 
undoubtedly met a popular need, have but a transitory value, and they 
are not the works by which Sir Wilham Dawson will be remembered. 
His reputation is founded on the great contributions to our permanent 
stock of knowledge which he has made, and which are embodied in his 
works on pure science, representing achievements of which any man 
might well be proud. 
The proper continuance at McGill University of work in the 
science to which he devoted his life has been ensured by the establish- 
ment of a second chair in geology, to be known as the Dawson Chair, 
which shortly after his death was endowed in his memory by Sir 
William Macdonald. 
He always valued most highly our connection with the mother 
country, and often insisted upon its importance in his addresses. “We 
should keep constantly in view,” he said in a lecture on the Duties of 
Educated Young Men in British America, delivered as far back as 1863, 
“the links of connection which bind us to the great British Empire, 
and strengthen them as far as may be in our power. It is no small thing to 
be members of an organization the most stable and powerful in the world, 
and, at the same time, that which allows the greatest amount of liberty. 
Independently of all national prejudices, or patriotic feelings, or differ- 
ence of origin, we cannot be too thankful for the privileges we thus 
enjoy; and if we can desire anything further in this respect, it seems to 
me that it should be sought, in endeavouring more completely and 
closely to unite all the members of the Empire in one great colonial 
and imperial council, having its seat in the metropolis of the Empire, 
and binding together all its scattered parts in closer union with one 
another, and with our common head.” 
Sir William was a man of quiet geniality, gentle and courtly in 
manner, but decided in opinion and firm in action. The pre-eminent 

