350 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. XI. 



afford of seeing men you have long known by report, and 

 wish to know better. ... I spent a very happy and in- 

 structive week, and came back a lowlier man. These meet- 

 ings ought to make one humble. I hope they made me so." 

 At the Red Lion dinner Professor Blackie caused astonish- 

 ment otherwise than by his song, in coming from one end 

 of the long room to the other in order to enfold George 

 Wilson in a loving embrace. 



On returning to town, the difficulties to which he had 

 been looking forward, in making preparations for the winter, 

 came in full force. The number of visits to lawyers and 

 others, and the necessary worry kept up till the very day 

 his lectures began, were very wearing out, and a poor 

 preparation for the labour and excitement inseparable from 

 an opening session, of which he had said long before, " At 

 the beginning of our session I have always more to remem- 

 ber than I can call to mind. ... Its constant high-pressure 

 work has left me with great weariness both of soul and 

 body." 



Where he was to deliver his lectures remained an un- 

 solved problem till near the close of October. By the kind- 

 ness of Professor Donaldson, however, the use of the room 

 he had occupied in the University, and which he was quit- 

 ting for the new Music-Room in Park Place, was obtained. 

 So little time was left, that only by constant importunity 

 and much labour was it got ready in time, the introductory 

 lecture being delivered with wet walls, and with carpenters' 

 shavings on the floor. 



To his life-long friend Professor Christison he was under 

 even greater obligations, as his laboratory within the Uni- 

 versity walls was given up by him to Dr. Wilson for the 

 winter. Here was a circle completed : the youthful chemist 

 who in that very laboratory first obtained familiarity with 



