XTII.] THE CLOSE. 440 



character and motives which constitute what we call 

 tact, both disposed and enabled him so to recognize and 

 adapt himself and his words to the feelings of those 

 about him, that it was impossible for him to neglect 

 the very faintest nuance of kindly consideration and 

 forbearance. 



' It was a serious loss to me when he left this neigh- 

 bourhood; but I had, in subsequent years, by visits 

 with which he and his charming wife favoured me, and 

 by visits which I had the privilege of paying to his hos- 

 pitable home, as well as in frequent correspondence, 

 abundant opportunities of ripening my knowledge of him 

 and of his never-failing virtues and attractions. It 

 would be presumptuous in me to attempt the portraiture 

 of such a mind and character ; but were I asked to state 

 in one or two words my sense of them, I should say that 

 intellectually Principal Forbes was distinguished by 

 comprehensiveness of details, accuracy of memory, clear- 

 ness of insight, and strength of judgment ; and that in 

 the emotional part of his nature he was pure, high- 

 minded, gentle, and affectionate. 



' But those who knew him as intimately as did the 

 writer of this scanty memorandum, will feel that no 

 Is, however multiplied or carefully considered, could 

 afford an adequate idea of that which inspired in their 

 hearts so deep a reverence and so warm an affection, and 

 remembrance of which will never allow them to 

 ;ase from deploring that so much genius, knowledge, 

 and wisdom could not have been longer vouchsafed to 

 the world of science, nor an embodiment of so much 

 goodness and benevolence and love to his family and 

 friends.' 



BISHOP FORBES' Letter. 



'DUNDEE, 1872. 



'You ask me to put on paper anything that occurs 

 to me regarding the interior life nf \\\\ jj-iftrd kinsman. 

 I feel the greatest difficulty in doin<r s <>, from the obvious 

 reason that the intercourse of a sick man \\ith \\\\\\\ 



the ancient <Vltie < 'hun-h lrautifully des.-ril ,! a8"hifl 



