Obituary Notices. 45 



to attract his attention, and in his garden were found some 

 of the most recently imported plants. 



The two following Fellows had been omitted last year in 

 the obituary list, but, as I got notice of them from the 

 Secretary only a few days ago, I have been unable to do 

 anything like justice to their memories: — 



Matthew Alexander Eason Wilkinson, M.D. of 

 Edin. in 1838, died at his residence, Greeuhej^s, Man- 

 chester, on July 26, 1878. His death was caused by 

 disease of the heart, accelerated by bronchitis. 



He was born at Manchester, and spent the whole of his 

 professional life in that town, where he was held in the 

 highest respect and esteem. Those who knew him best 

 considered the possession of his friendship as a great 

 privilege, for he had a high sense of professional honour. 

 His philanthropy was free from everything like ostentation, 

 and his whole deportment towards his fellows was marked 

 by peculiar kindness and courtesy, so that their esteem of 

 his high professional ability and attainments deepened into 

 genuine love of the man. He was at one time officially 

 connected with the Deaf and Dumb Institution, and the 

 Ardwick and Ancoats Dispensary ; and was appointed in 

 1844 to the office of Physician to the Eoyal Infirmary, 

 which he held till bis death. The high estimate which 

 the profession had formed of him as a physician, &c., was 

 expressed by his being called upon to fill tlie presidential 

 chair of the British Medical Association. In this post of 

 honour he had acquitted himself to the satisfaction of all, 

 having proved himself most diligent, faithful, energetic, 

 and judicious, in forwarding the interests of the Association ; 

 and there was little more than a week to pass ere lie would 

 have resigned the chair to his successor, when the sad 

 event occurred to which I have referred. 



His address prepared for that occasion, but which, alas ! 

 was read by other than his own lips, proves the fine and 

 noble estimate which he had formed regarding the true 

 dignity of the medical profession ; for, after referring 

 reproachfully to the influence of private interests en- 

 gendering pitiable jealousies, to the unworthy ambition of 



