6 SIR WILLIAM RAMSAY 



many generations been connected with the trade of dyers. . . . 

 Mrs. Eamsay was a woman of strongly marked character, uniting 

 a firmness of purpose with a gentleness and sweetness of nature 

 that gave her remarkable influence over all who came in contact 

 with her. Clever and wise she had had her natural powers 

 quickened and trained by an excellent education. She was 

 beloved by the young for whom her face used to light up with 

 a cordial welcome. In the esteem and affection of her sons she 

 ever held the foremost place. Her husband died in 1827, and 

 her circumstances became thereafter somewhat straitened, but 

 her cheery spirit and unrufHed temper enabled her to keep a 

 happy, though modest home for her children. She survived till 

 the year 1858. The children of this marriage were four in 

 number Eliza, born in 1810, William in 1811, Andrew Crombie 

 in 1814, and John in 1816." 



The eldest son of this family, William, was the father 

 of Sir William Ramsay. Without such striking gifts as 

 his father, brother (Andrew Crombie), or his famous 

 son, William Ramsay was a man of scientific tastes and 

 culture and of a most lovable character. At the time 

 of his father's death this boy of sixteen virtually con- 

 stituted himself the head of the family and accepted 

 the responsibility of this post. In the natural course 

 of events he would have been taken into the chemical 

 works and, in time, would have succeeded his father as 

 partner. He was offered a place as assistant under 

 Thomas Graham at the Mechanic's Institute in Glasgow, 

 but the well-known shipbuilder Robert Napier, a friend 

 of his father's, having invited him to become an appren- 

 tice under him, this was regarded as offering a better 

 prospect for the future. Here he remained five years. 



