SlJi JAMES V. SIArPSON. 143 



children, " wee Jamie," deepened these impressions, and for a 

 Ume he continued to address religious meetings. But he still 

 continued to work with the old earnestness, and his archaeologi- 

 cal studies were as dear to him as ever. In 1866 the Queen 

 conferred a baronetcy upon him. This was the signal for con- 

 gratulations from all quarters, and the Lancet, in commenting 

 upon it, said : " The conferring of this distinction must give, 

 we think, universal satisfaction. Sir James has long been fore- 

 most in his department of practice, and his name is associated 

 with the discovery of that invaluable boon to suffering humanity 

 — chloroform. This alone would entitle him to the honour he 

 has received. Sir James Y. Simpson is distinguished as an 

 obstetric practitioner, as a physiologist, as an operator, and as 

 a pathologist of great research and originality. His reputation 

 is European, and the honour is fully deserved." The death of 

 his eldest son. Dr. David James Simpson, shortly after receiving 

 this honour, cast a gloom over No. 52 Queen Street. The death 

 of a daughter, Jessie, at the early age of seventeen, was a new 

 stroke to him. " Standing by her cofiin," says his biographer, 

 *' he was able, as when he knelt by those of Jamie and of Davie, 

 to say, 'Even so, Father; not my will, hut Thine be done;' 

 and to hear Christ's very voice, ' What I do thou knowest not 

 now, but thou shalt know hereafter.' " But his work, the true 

 antidote for sorrow, was entered into as heartily as before. In 

 1866 he received the degree of Doctor of Civil Law from the 

 University of Oxford. 



During the years 1866-67 he was busier than ever with his 

 archseological studies. When any discovery of consequence 

 was made in any part of the country, the result was pretty sure 

 to be communicated to him. He published his own most 

 important contribution to the science of this subject under the 



