40 PETER GUTHRIE TAIT 



among the others we find eminent engineers and scientists, distinguished 

 educationists, successful physicians, and vigorous self-denying clergymen. 



Tait's constant companion through the weary months of illness was 

 J. L. Low's Record of the life and golfing triumphs of Frederick Guthrie 

 Tait. This finely written memoir gives a perfect picture of the generous 

 hearted athletic Freddie, and traces with a genial literary touch his rise 

 into the front ranks of golfers, among whom to this day his prowess is of 

 undying interest. As Tait read and re-read the story of Freddie's peaceful 

 victories he would live over again the happy rejoicings as medal was added to 

 medal, or a new " record " was established, or another championship won. 



As the summer of 1901 wore on there was no evidence of returning 

 strength. In the hope that the change might be beneficial Sir John Murray 

 offered his old Friend the use of his house and garden near Granton. Tait 

 was greatly touched not only by the thoughtful care which prompted the 

 act of kindness, but also by the loving solicitude with which Sir John gave 

 all directions for his comfort and welfare. There in the secluded quiet of 

 the garden of Challenger Lodge, carefully shielded from aught that might 

 distract or weary, he passed through the last days of his pilgrimage. At 

 first everything promised well. 



On July 2 Tait felt able to return to his quaternion studies and covered 

 a sheet of foolscap with brief notes of investigations in the theory of the 

 linear vector function. This he handed to his eldest son, with the request 

 to keep it carefully 1 . But it was the last effort of the keen vigorous mind. 



Two days later on Thursday, July 4, 1901, the once strong life passed 

 peacefully away. 



There was cause for lamentation. Edinburgh had lost a son who had 

 early brought fame to one of her oldest schools, and who had for forty 

 years added to the renown of her University. Always strenuous, always 

 devoted, always striving to extend our knowledge of the mysterious universe 

 in which we live, full of interest in all that was best in humanity, and with 

 a true reverence for the highest ideals of the Christ-like life, Peter Guthrie 

 Tait had finished his appointed task. 



On July 6 a large and representative company of Edinburgh citizens 

 and University graduates assembled for the last sacred rites in St John's 

 Episcopal Church, the Rev. Canon Cowley Brown and the Rev. H. S. Reid, 



1 The notes were afterwards published in facsimile by the Royal Society of Edinburgh, with a 

 commentary in which I indicated their relation to his other papers on the same subject. 



