126 
In one other point of view might our President be contem- 
plated, but it is unnecessary. He could be spoken of as the gen- 
tleman and the Christian, as one whose character impressed the 
respect, which his manners associated with affection ; as one whose 
gentleness, urbanity, and good feeling converted every one that 
approached him into a friend, and rendered the intercouse of official 
duty a privilegeand a pleasure. Our President’s manners were bene- 
volent, because his mind was essentially so; because he anticipated 
and provided for the feelings of every one with whom he had inter- 
course both on great and small subjects; because, incapable of feel- 
ing jealousy or envy, he was always desirous of bringing every indi- 
vidual fully and entirely forward, and as there never was one who 
lived more for others and less for himself, so there never has been one 
who manifested such a characteristic more decidedly in his manner 
and deportment. But it is unnecessary to proceed—more would on 
this topic be unnecessary to those who in public and in private have 
witnessed or have experienced the influence I have mentioned; and 
enough has been said, however feebly, to meet in some degree the 
wishes of the Academy, its sense of justice, of gratitude, and of 
affection ; that one who shared so materially in the first triumphs of 
abstract science in this country should not pass off the stage unno- 
ticed and unlamented in this room, dedicated to the pursuit of that 
science and that literature which he loved,—that one with whom 
every advance of science in Ireland will by impartial posterity be 
associated, should from us, his contemporaries, receive some meed 
of his renown, and that while our kindred institution, the Univer- 
sity, is endeavouring to connect his name imperishably with the 
exertions and the rewards of the aspirants after scientific fame, we 
who enjoyed his intercourse and can claim his latest recollections, 
should add too our mourning tribute of applause to hang upon his 
bier. 
