322 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. XI. 



burgh University. He mourned the loss of one so amiable 

 and so accomplished, but did not consider his own pro- 

 spects affected by it. So passed a day or two, in uncon- 

 sciousness of the stir on his behalf in town, from which, at 

 last, came a kind friend urgently to insist on his appearing 

 as a candidate for the Chair. The result we shall give as 

 much as possible in his own words. 



7. 



" MY DEAR DANIEL, The enclosed [a letter to the 

 patrons as candidate] will startle you as much as it does 

 myself. I left Edinburgh three weeks ago, anticipating 

 nothing but a long rest. In my absence Dr. Gregory died 

 very unexpectedly. He had long been poorly, and had 

 scarcely lectured this winter, but no one thought him near 

 death. I had no thought of trying for this Chair, but with- 

 out waiting for my consent, such a troop of friends, including 

 Councillors, have taken up my case that, nolens volens, 

 I am in the field. I look at the matter very composedly. 

 For purely personal reasons, I should rather remain as I 

 am j for others I could change. I shall cheerfully abide 

 the issue. The suspense is very, very unwelcome, but must 

 be borne. As yet I scarcely feel that I am a candidate." 



"May 14. 



" Many thanks for your 1 good wishes in reference to the 

 Chemistry Chair. A perfect phalanx of friends has gathered 

 around me, and shown me an amount of kindness enough 

 to make proud, and at the same time humble, any man. 

 But as yet I can say nothing of prospects. Meanwhile, 

 don't stop collecting for the Museum. We must make it 

 and keep it famous, whatever happens." 



1 Mr. Godfrey Wedgwood. 



