1858. HIS DECISION PROVES SATISFACTORY. 325 



likeable by Councillors on all sides telling me that I might 

 have saved them all this trouble by not withdrawing. 

 However, one does for a friend what one would not do for 

 one's-self." 



His tone in writing to friends is almost apologetic, so 

 urgent were they that he should stand. The zeal of one 

 Councillor amused him not a little, who replied to an 

 objection on the score of health, "I would give him the 

 Chair though I knew he should die the week after." To 

 Dr. Cairns, whose counsel and sympathy had been precious 

 in those weeks of anxiety, he writes : 



" I left the matter in the hands of God, and my prayer 

 for light has been answered. I am quite satisfied that 

 I have arrived at the wisest conclusion, and am very thank- 

 ful to be rid of suspense and serenely at work again. . . . 

 It costs an effort to give up an honourable office for which 

 one's life had been a training, and which came within reach 

 in so honourable a way. But I do not repine in the least. 

 On the other hand, I am very grateful for the unlooked-for 

 kindness and respect shown me, and bend my knees in 

 thankfulness to God for His abounding mercies." 



During what remained of his life, he became ever more 

 satisfied as to the decision then made, and an increase of 

 his salary, as Director of the Industrial Museum, was ex- 

 pressive, so far, of a consciousness of his value. This was 

 his last struggle with worldly ambition, and out of it he 

 came so visibly purified, that his growing gentleness and 

 patience were subjects of remark amongst those who most 

 dearly loved him. 



The summer session was wound up by an address given 

 at a conversazione of the College of Physicians, Edinburgh. 

 A few days at St. Andrews followed, when, at the request of 



