56 FOUNDERS OF OCEANOGRAPHY 



he had an attack of paralysis, and had to give up most of his 

 university work. He resigned his professorship in October, 



1881, and the Directorship of the ' ' Challenger " Commission at 

 the end of that year. He was able, in an invalided condition, 

 to attend the Jubilee Meeting of the British Association at 

 York in August, 1881, and died at Bonsyde on March 10th, 



1882, in his 53rd year. He was a man of handsome presence 

 and genial nature, with great personal charm of manner. 

 His general culture, large fund of information on many 

 subjects, his aptness and humour in conversation all con- 

 tributed to make him a social success in Edinburgh and the 

 beau-ideal of a host in his country home, where he gathered 

 round him a large circle of friends by no means confined to 

 scientific men. 



He had a quaint way of occasionally bringing in old Scots 

 sayings, or snatches of poetry, as for example, when he thought 

 a question unimportant : — 



Twenty peacocks in the air. I wonder how they all got there. 

 I don't know — and I don't care ! 



or — more briefly, when with friends who understood him, 

 simply — '' Twenty Peacocks." 



Judged from the scientific point of view, he probably 

 turned out less original work than might have been expected. 

 He is to be regarded as one of those who promoted science 

 quite as much by his tact, influence and personality as by his 

 own researches. Much that he had planned and begun was 

 never completed, much that he might have done was pre- 

 vented by his stirring life, frequent changes of post, his 

 important administrative work and his numerous social 

 duties. He was inspiring in conversation, kindly in his help 

 and advice to younger workers, sagacious in counsel and 

 highly valued by a wide circle of scientific friends in this 

 country, in America, and on the Continent. 



The important question now to be considered is, how has 

 the " Challenger " expedition, which we owe mainly to the 



