1886-87.] Dr James Gilchrist. 5 



discourse, he was compelled to consult Dr Alison, who 

 ordered him to the country, and to cease from all study. 

 He followed out these orders for some time, but idleness was 

 irksome to his active mind, and the necessity of looking 

 out for some means of supporting himself led him to resolve 

 to apply himself to the study of medicine, which resolution 

 he was enabled to carry out. 



It was at the Botany class in 1846 that I first met him ; 

 no more diligent and interested student could be found. 

 His powers of close observation and love of nature had here 

 free scope, and over hill and dale, in wood and field, he 

 eagerly followed the footsteps of his beloved and devoted 

 professor, and at the end of the session his energy and pro- 

 ficiency were rewarded by his carrying off the first prize for 

 monthly competitions and examinations by means of written 

 questions and answers, without any aid from books or notes. 

 In 1847 he was alike successful in carrying off the first prize 

 in the senior division. 



In 1848 he had rendered valuable services to my 

 brother in connection with his class, for on a gift presented 

 to him there is the following inscription : — " To Mr James 

 Gilchrist, as a small mark of esteem and gratitude for 

 services rendered. Botanic Gardens, July 22, 1848." 



In all his classes he displayed the same earnest and 

 constant attention, and when the final examinations came 

 round he passed them all, and took his degree of M.D. in 

 1850. His anxieties about his means of support were soon to 

 be ended. Dr Browne was at that time in the zenith of his 

 renown as the medical superintendent of the Crichton Eoyal 

 Institution, Dumfries, and as a vacancy had occurred in the 

 office of assistant, he was desirous of securing the services of 

 a thoroughly qualified graduate. He applied to his relative 

 Professor Balfour, who strongly recommended Dr Gilchrist, 

 and he then sought the opinion of one of Gilchrist's fellow 

 students, who spoke of him as a man of high principle, 

 strictly conscientious, modest and retiring in his bearing, 

 but thoroughly competent, and one who would as faithfully 

 as efficiently discharge the duties devolving on him. Dr 

 Gilchrist was appointed, and fulfilled the expectations 

 regarding him, as is evidenced by the testimony of one who 

 was intimately associated with him for two years in the 



