CLOSING DAYS. 149 



scene failed at first to restore him ; but the vigour of his 

 constitution slowly reasserted itself ; and the customary 

 visit to Scotland, with the gentle stimulus of varied society 

 and the pleasure of meeting old friends, partly revived 

 his energy. He even insisted on attending the meeting 

 of the British Association at Aberdeen, and took some 

 share in its labours. 



He looked somewhat ill (wrote Professor W. C. Mclntosh, 

 of St. Andrews, a few weeks later), but his great kindness and 

 interest in the proceedings triumphed over physical weakness, 

 so that he was one of the pillars and heads of the meeting. I 

 shall never forget his generous action and kindly words in pro 

 posing thanks lor my address in Section 1). 



He had especial satisfaction in breaking his journey 

 home so as to avail himself of the hospitality of the 

 Bishop of Ripon. His visit to the Palace happened to 

 coincide with an ordination ; he studied the details of the 

 examination (in one department of which his own &quot; Mental 

 Physiology &quot; was prescribed), and showed the same bright 

 and sympathetic interest in intercourse with some of the 

 clergy and candidates which had struck his Boston friends. 

 He had always noted with care the signs of the growth of 

 Liberal opinions both within and without the Established 

 Church. He had gladly embraced occasional opportunities 

 of addressing the London clergy at Sion College on sub 

 jects such as prayer, or evolution, connected with the 

 theory and practice of religion. He was accordingly quite 

 willing to accept an invitation from Canon Fremantle to 

 read a paper before the Christian Conference at its 

 November meeting, on the subject of Miracles. The sug 

 gestion harmonized with the direction which his own 

 thoughts had been recently taking. Biblical study had 

 never lost its charm for him. But a short time before 

 he had read through Dr. A. B. Davidson s Commentary 



