194 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. VIII. 



The work which next proceeded from the pen of "the 

 much-loved biographer," as George Wilson has been called, 

 was as different from its predecessor as two books could well 

 be. This difference, however, existed only in the subjects 

 of memoir, not in the method of treating them. Approach- 

 ing the man in both cases without preconceived notions of 

 what he ought to be, and discovering with fine instinct the 

 springs of action in each, he, with reverential faithfulness 

 and exquisite delicacy, portrayed him as he existed. 



Dr. John Reid, of whose " Life " we now speak, was little 

 known beyond the professional circles in which his physio- 

 logical researches were highly valued, until the later years 

 of his life, " comprising more tragical incidents, and ex- 

 hibiting finer efforts of heroism, than are often to be found 

 in real or invented tragedies," revealed to the world the 

 qualities of heart and mind that made him a wonder to 

 many. Though not an intimate friend, George Wilson 

 enjoyed the pleasure of John Reid's acquaintance, and on 

 his funeral day, when visiting the picturesque churchyard 

 which surrounds the venerable ruins of St. Andrews 

 Cathedral, tender reminiscences shaped themselves into the 

 following lines : 



THE LATE DR. JOHN REID. 



DEATH has at length released thee, 



Thou brave and patient one ! 

 The unutterable pangs are past, 



And all thy work is done. 

 Thou wert a Daily Lesson 



Of Courage, Hope, and Faith ; 

 We wondered at thee living, 



And envy thee thy death. 

 Thou hast gone up to Heaven 



All glad and painless now ; 

 The long- worn look of anguish 



Has left thy noble brow. 



