PRESIDENTS OF THE SOCIETY. 497 



considered a good likeness. The artist was Mr Colvin Smith, 

 Edinburgh. The inscription is, ' The most Noble John, 

 5th Duke of Argyll, K.G., original President of the High- 

 land Society of Scotland, grateful for whose patriotic aid 

 and liberal donation the Society dedicates to his memory 

 this mark of respect and regard." 



By the original regulations, and the Society's Charter, 

 the election of President, as well as that of the other office- 

 bearers of the Society, is declared to be annual. The Duke 

 of Argyll, from his influence and great patriotic zeal, hav- 

 ing warmly supported the views and objects of the Society, 

 both at its original formation and till his death, the Society 

 continued His Grace in the office of President by an annual 

 re-election. On the death of the Duke of Argyll, the 

 Society resolved that the President should not continue in 

 office for a longer period than four years, and this regu- 

 lation has now been in force for a period of more than 

 seventy years. 



2nd President, 1 806- 1 8 11 . 



John, fourth Duke of Athole, K.T., was elected Presi- 

 dent on the 30th June 1806, and served till the 8th 

 of January 1811. He was born 30th June 1755, and died 

 29th September 1830. 



His Grace on every occasion where the Society's inter- 

 ests were concerned exerted his influence to forward its 

 views, and always attended the meetings of the Society 

 when matters of consequence were under consideration. 

 He succeeded to his estates in 1774, and during his life- 

 time planted 15,573 imperial acres, chiefly larch, which 

 consumed 27,431,600 plants. Among the numerous culti- 

 vators of woods in Britain, says a writer in the Society's 

 Transactions, none has hitherto held a higher rank than 

 the late Duke of Athole, whose name must henceforth 

 occupy a conspicuous place in the list of those who have 

 eminently benefited their country. 



yd President, 181 1- 181 5. 

 James, third Duke of Montrose, K.G., was elected on 



2 I 



