160 



to show the estimation in which Dr. Gibson was held. "The 

 period of your sojourn at Conistone has been characterized by so 

 much usefulness in your professional capacity, and by such un- 

 wearied attention towards your poorer patients — miners and others 

 suffering from accidents or sickness — united too with so much 

 kindness and courtesy to all, that we deeply feel the loss we sustain 

 by your leaving us. Be assured that you will bear with you our 

 warmest wishes for your prosperity and happiness ; and we trust 

 that the accompanying tokens, purchased with the spontaneous 

 subscriptions of the great body of the inhabitants, many of them 

 of the very poorest — will speak for us, and testify of our grateful 

 esteem, and sometimes remind you of your sojourn amongst us." 



Dr. Gibson left Coniston for Hawkshead, where he resided and 

 practised for between two and three years. His practice at 

 Hawkshead did not succeed as he had anticipated, and for a time 

 he appears to have been uncertain where to go to. After having 

 thought of various schemes, he eventually fixed upon Bebington, 

 in Cheshire, for practice, and there he spent the remainder of his 

 life. While there he still pursued his literary labours, and was 

 honorary curator of the Lancashire and Cheshire Historical 

 Society, to whose Transactions he contributed interesting papers 

 upon antiquities and other subjects of local interest, " The Last 

 Popular Risings in the Lake Country," being the title of one which 

 I have read. He seems while there to have been much respected 

 by all classes. In his latter years he became very infirm. He 

 died June 12th, 1874, and a monument of polished light Shap 

 granite, eight feet high, was raised over his grave in Bebington 

 churchyard. It bears the following inscription : — "In Memory of 

 Alexander Craig Gibson, M.R.C.S. and F.S.A., whose writings in 

 the Cumberland dialect, whether in poetry or prose, are the most 

 succcessful embodiments of the modes of thought and speech of his 

 native county. He was born at Harrington, 17th March, 1813, 

 and died at Bebington, June 12th, 1874; where by his genial and 

 benevolent nature, he gained a position as high in the regard of 

 all classes, as his genius had won for him in his own department 

 of literature." 



