SKETCH OF LIFE AND WORK 45 



memory being his eminence as a scientist, especially in 

 ornithology ; the attractiveness of his lectures, with his 

 happy mode of illustration ; his readiness to undertake 

 any work, however arduous, in the interest of his science 

 or his class, and his specially kind consideration of his 

 students. 



In the words of the member of his class last men- 

 tioned, " his interest in the habits of his students was 

 remarkable. If he saw a good student careless he would 

 remonstrate with him privately ; while earnest atten- 

 tion gained his favour. With his rapid power of obser- 

 vation he could detect even a temporary lapse from 

 diligence. His lectures were carefully written out, 

 and he dictated an epitome of them once a week. 

 Now and then he gave out a subject for an essay, say 

 ' The Sparrow,' and he indicated a preference for a 

 paper bearing on its habits and life on the street and on 

 the wing. As an examiner he was patient, tender, and 

 gentle, unwilling to say an angry word. He would 

 rather help out the hesitating student ; but it was 

 easy to see that carelessness was an abomination to 

 him." 



There appears to have been much in MacGillivray's 

 considerate and kindly manner towards his students 

 which strikingly accords with Dr. Barclay's treatment 

 of him as his pupil. The two young men were evi- 

 dently much alike in the essential features of their 

 character, and in all probability the influence of the 

 kind friend and dutiful teacher left an impress on 

 MacGillivray's mind which time never effaced, and 



