176 



NATURE 



{Dec. 20, 1888 



all consider as a life-like one — by Collier, to the College 

 in which he laboured so faithfully and so successfully 

 for nearly forty years. The first appointment of Dr. 

 Williamson dates, as you, sir, are aware, from the year 

 1848, when, following Fownes, he was, as Professor of 

 Practical Chemistry, placed in charge of the first teaching 

 scientific laboratory established in England, and in a few 

 years afterwards, on the resignation of Graham, he as- 

 sumed the responsibilities of the two Chairs of Chemistry. 

 A favourite pupil of Liebig's, Williamson had at Giessen 

 imbibed the scientific spirit of that great master, and had, 

 at the early age of nineteen, published his first original 

 investigation. Afterwards carrving on his studies in Paris, 

 and becoming intimate with Laurent and Gerhardt, he 

 brought to London the best traditions of the French as 

 well as of the German schools of chemistry, uniting in 

 his person the attributes of both. Entering upon his 

 duties in this College with the enthusiasm for his science 

 characteristic of his nature, was it to be wondered at that 

 he should have imparted to the young men who were for- 

 tunate enough to come under his influence some sparks 

 of that fire which burnt so brightly in his own breast ? 

 I well remember the vivid interest, the keen appreciation, 

 with which all those who studied in the Birkbeck Labora- 

 tory at that now distant time followed step by step the 

 unfolding of his views on etherification, and on the con- 

 stitution of salts, which may be truly said to have laid the 

 foundations of modern organic chemistry. All those of 

 his pupils who then made up their minds to devote their 

 lives to chemistry, whether in the walks of the pure 

 science or in those of its applications, must willingly 

 own that much of the success which they may have met 

 with in after years is due to his teaching and example ; 

 and admit that in the receptive period of a man's life the 

 influence exerted upon them by a teacher whose years 

 were not far removed from their own, of high aims and 

 of ardent temperament, could not fail to be inspiring. 

 This is not the occasion to inquire into the position which 

 Williamson holds as one of the great chemists of our 

 time and country. Rather is it our object now to express 

 the feelings of gratitude and, if I may be allowed to say 

 so, of affection, which we, who have been his pupils 

 and are his friends, as well as those of us who 

 can only claim the latter but perhaps no less intimate 

 relationship, entertain towards him ; to assure him that 

 we look back upon the times spent in the laboratory 

 with him as some of the pleasantest as well as some of 

 the most fruitful of our lives. And both pupils and friends 

 here join to show their appreciation of his labours and of 

 his character, and to acknowledge the debt w4iich they 

 and their science owe to him. This portrait, sir, of our 

 friend and master, finds a fitting resting-place within the 

 walls of the College in which his working years were spent. 

 It will remain as a memorial of a teacher, an investigator, 

 and a colleague, whose main interest was to uphold and 

 increase the renown of University College as a centre of 

 intellectual progress, and of one whose character, both as 

 a man and as a chemist, future generations, like our own, 

 will delight to honour. It is now my pleasing duty to 

 unveil the portrait, and to ask you, sir, as the President 

 of this College, to accept it on behalf of the subscribers. 



The portrait was then exposed to view. 



The President said : — In the name of and on behalf of 

 the Council and members of this College, I accept with 

 gratitude this admirable likeness of our dear colleague 

 and friend. Dr. Williamson.' Sir Henry Roscoe has truly 

 said that this is not the place to dilate on Dr. William- 

 son's great scientific merits, and the great claims which 

 he has as a scientific man to any honour that could be 

 bestowed upon him. I shall not venture on this subject, 

 but I may say this : that looking at Dr. Williamson's career, 

 as I can do, for the last forty years (thirty years of which 

 he has been connected with this College), there never 

 was a man more loval to this institution, and more de- 



voted to its best interests, than Dr. Williamson. The 

 business of a Professor here is not only to teach, 

 but to take part in the management of the College, which, 

 as you know, devolves individually and collectively upon 

 them. It is in the meetings of the Council and the 

 Senate that the devotion of the Professors to the interests 

 of the College is shown quite as much as in the teaching 

 of classes. The College could not be worked without the 

 business aptitude of the professorial staff ; and in this duty 

 of management none showed more zeal, loyalty, and de- 

 votion, during thirty years, than Dr. Williamson. We as a 

 governing body must feel deeply indebted to him for the 

 interest which he has shown in the welfare of this institu- 

 tion. But I should not be doing my duty if I were not 

 to couple with his name that of his wife. Mrs. Williamson 

 was as devoted as her husband, and did very much to 

 raise the character of the School. She showed the greatest 

 interest and enthusiasm in all the work which as a woman 

 she was able to perform, and to bring about harmony 

 within the walls of this institution. Mrs. Williamson worked 

 side by side with her husband with unwearied devotion 

 in, as 1 have already said, the best interests of University 

 College. Ladies and gentlemen, I can only add in my 

 own name, and in the name of this institution, the hope 

 that Dr. Williamson and Mrs. Williamson will be followed 

 with all health and happiness in their comparative retire- 

 ment from further active work. 



Sir Frederick Abel said : — Allow me to move a vote of 

 thanks to the President of the College for his kindness in 

 beingthe mouthpiece of many old friends in expressing as 

 he has done the high respect and great affection entertamed 

 for Dr. Williamson by all his old colleagues. I desire to 

 add that it is a great pleasure to me to be able to assist 

 at this ceremony ; and I, for one, am highly gratified 

 at the life-like portrait presented to the College and 

 accepted by you, sir, as President, on its behalf. 



Dr. T. Anderson seconded the vote of thanks proposed 

 by Sir Frederick Abel. 



The President briefly aclmowledged the compHment 

 which had been paid him. 



Dr. Williamson (who was received with cheers) said : — 

 " I believe, sir, that the reward which upon the whole is 

 most satisfactory (and which perhaps I may call the 

 highest) which can be given to the man who has en- 

 deavoured to do his duty, is the expression of approbation 

 from men of high authority on the subject-matter on 

 which he has worked. The compliments which have 

 been paid to me to-day have been enhanced greatly by 

 some words which Sir Henry Roscoe let fall, and which 

 could not have come with greater weight from anyone 

 than from my old friend. It is to me a proud feeling — 

 one which gives me great satisfaction — that in the decline 

 of my life, and the end of my career, I should, from 

 such a man — a man of such high character and 

 position — have received so cordial and friendly 

 an expression of approbation and personal esteem. I 

 must ask leave, sir, to thank the Council, and you as 

 their head, for the honour which you have done me in 

 allowing my portrait to be placed within these walls ; for 

 although I have been associated with other colleagues, 

 and have performed duties of other kinds, there is no 

 place that I have felt it so great an honour to be con- 

 nected with as University College. Here I have been 

 associated with many men who have made noble self- 

 sacrificing efforts in the best interests of this institution. 

 I look back with pride on my connection with my col- 

 leagues of this College, though I have often bitterly 

 regretted that my intercourse with the students has not 

 been more personal. Sometimes a man comes up to me, 

 shakes me by the hand, and calls me by my name, and I 

 am obliged, to my shame, to confess that I do not know 

 his name, which I am obliged to ask, and then I find he 

 was an old student who knew me perfectly, remembered 

 my lecturing in a long dark room, in which I was visible 



