PROCEEDINGS FOR 1908 XXV 



gi-eat satisfaction of seeing thesie departments properly manned, and of 

 planning the splendid chemistry and mining building erected for the 

 university by Sir William Macdonald. 



In the course of his long service Dr. Harrington received many 

 tiempting offers of more lucrative posts, but remained faitliful to the 

 work to which he had devoted his life, choosing rather to employ such 

 opportunities for the promotion of those who worked under him. How 

 he served the university may be partly gathered from the resolution 

 passed by the Academic Board at the time of his death. 



" The members of the board rejoicfe that he lived to see his depart- 

 ment splendidly housed and equipped. But they remember that he was 

 one of the early makers of McGill Univfersity; and that for most of his 

 thii-tj^-six years of service, while fulfilling for long periods the duties of 

 tliree chairs, in chemistry, in mineralogy, and in mining, in craanped 

 quarters and with inadequate means, he yet succeeded by devoted per- 

 sonal labour in training many hundreds of men who now fill with credit 

 important posts in Canada and the United States. His deep interest 

 in his old pupils won their lasting confidence, so that they rarely took 

 an important step without seeking his ever-ready counsel; and thus 

 the university was bound by strong ties to the great industries and in- 

 terests of practical life. These he further assisted by many investi- 

 gations which, as he would have wished, w<ere of a character to render 

 unobtrusive but helpful service rather than to catch the eye of the 

 world." 



'' Within the university his aid will be missed on every hand ; — in 

 the Library Committee; especially in the museum, which owes much to 

 his loving care, and is enriched by many collections secured by his efforts 

 and often given out of personal regard for himself; but most of all in 

 the daily conduct of affairs. For behind his gracious amiability was 

 always to be felt a fine sense of honoiir, a high and courageous spirit 

 which could give a fearless expression of opinion without risk of offence. 

 His irresistibUe kindness provoked affection andj channed away vexation 

 and discontent, as surely as his sincere and upright character com- 

 manded respect. And thus he was a bond of union among his colleagues, 

 and a perpetual spring of cheerful eagerness for work done with supreme 

 conscientiousness, regardless of recognition or reward." 



Not less will he be missed at the gatherings of the Eoyal Societ\^ 

 Early elected a Fellow, he was a regular attendant at the meetings and 

 contributor to its proceedings; and more than once filled the presidency 

 of Section III. He was alsoi presidemt of the Niatural History Societv 

 of Montreal, and vice-president of the chemical section of the British 

 Association for the Advancement of Science at the Toronto meeting. 



Dr. Harrington's published work included several important re- 



