MEMOIR OF THE LATE DR THOMAS CHARLES HOPE. 433 



or commencing ulceration of the cornea. The daily use of a weak solution of 

 nitrate of silver gradually removed the disease ; but, after some months, it recurred 

 in a less violent degree, and again yielded to the same remedy. 



In 1838, on completing the fiftieth year of his career as a Professor of 

 Chemistry, Dr Hope was invited to a public dinner by a numerous body of his 

 former pupils. The meeting was attended by many philosophers from a distance, 

 as well as by a great number of the inhabitants of Edinburgh. It was on this 

 gratifying occasion that he stated, among other causes of thankfulness, that he 

 never had been for a single day, either as a student or as a teacher, detained from 

 the duties of his class. 



Dr Hope had continued his lectures in the University until the conclusion of 

 the winter session in 1843. It was observed, that his voice was feeble, and 

 although his experiments were, as usual, neatly performed and successful, that 

 he had lost something of his wonted energy. Increasing debility induced him, in 

 the autumn of that year, however, to resign his Professorship, rather unexpectedly, 

 a short time before the commencement of the session of 1843-44 ; so that the 

 Patrons had not sufficient time to deliberate on the choice of a successor in this 

 important Chair. In the mean time, it was very necessary for the interest of the 

 University, that a course of chemistry should be there delivered as usual. I was 

 then in England ; but, at the earnest request of the Senatus Academicus and the 

 Patrons, after some hesitation, I undertook the duty, and taught the chemical 

 class during the session of 1843-44. I know that Dr Hope also was gratified by 

 my undertaking the task. He not only freely gave me the use of his manuscript 

 lectures, which were fairly and fully written out, and of his whole apparatus, 

 but relinquished, in my favour, that portion of the emoluments of the class which 

 had been secured to him as an annual retiring allowance, by the terms of his 

 resignation. 



It is but justice to Dr Hope to state, that I found his lectures far more nearly 

 written up to the advanced state of chemistry at that period, than I had been led 

 to expect ; and although it was necessary to make various alterations and additions, 

 especially in the disquisitions on organic chemistry, these alterations and additions 

 were less extensive than I had anticipated. Whether he had employed the interval 

 between his last course and mine in improving his manuscript, I cannot teU ; but 

 the fact I have mentioned ought to be recorded. During that winter I had much 

 intercourse with Dr Hope. He was pleased to express a strong interest in my 

 exertions, and said, that he had frequently enquired from others how I carried 

 on the duties of the chemical class. 



In the end of 1843 and beginning of 1844, he seemed rather more vigorous 

 than in the preceding autumn ; but as the spring advanced, his strength began very 

 visibly to fail, and he spoke of his gradual decay with firmness and resignation. 



