586 ANNUAL REPOET SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1916. 



and some fortunate investments he reached what are generally 

 termed "easy circmnstances." The hardships of these early years 

 left their impression on his habits, to some of which he clung with 

 amusing pertinacity long after they seemed to his friends and rela- 

 tives uncalled for. He was fond of social intercourse with intelli- 

 gent people and seemed to enjoy ladies' society, but never married. 



After his youthful expedition to the West Indies he traveled little, 

 and his only visit abroad was to the anniversary celebration of the 

 foundation of Glasgow University, in 1901. He found his recrea- 

 tion chiefly in books, conversation with kindred spirits, and at the 

 meetings of the Literary Society. 



An occurrence which gave great pleasure both to him and his 

 friends was a subscription banquet tendered him at the Cosmos Club, 

 December 13, 1912, on the completion of the seventy-fifth year of his 

 age and the fifty-sixth 'year of publication of his contributions to 

 knowledge. 



On this occasion his many friends improved the opportunity of 

 expressing their estimation of his merits as a man and a scholar and 

 their gratitude for his many kindnesses in granting to any inquirer 

 the benefit of his encyclopedic knowledge and phenomenal memory. 



A paralytic stroke three or four years before his death perma- 

 nently enfeebled him and his remaining days were quiet and un- 

 eventful. 



In September, 1914, he visited his brother, Herbert A. Gill, in the 

 lovely suburbs of Washington and a few days later was confined to 

 his bed. On the morning of the 25th he was apparently mentally 

 clear as usual and inquired about the news, but before noon he passed 

 away suddenly. The interment took place at Oak Hill Cemetery. 



I have to acknowledge my indebtedness to Dr. H. M. Smith, Mr. 

 Herbert A. Gill, Mr. Richard Eathbun, Dr. Marcus Benjamin, Prof. 

 C. H. Eigenmann, and Dr. T. S. Palmer for data furnished by them, 

 either in print or otherwise, and of which I have freely availed 

 myself in the preparation of this memoir. 



