PREFACE. 



THE following Memoir has been undertaken at the urgent 

 solicitation of friends. Dreading the temptations to partial 

 and therefore untruthful representation, to which relatives are 

 exposed in attempting to portray the character of the objects 

 of their love, I at first resolutely declined to be the Biographer 

 of my brother. It was only when one to whom the public 

 instinctively looked with hope, the Eev. Dr. Cairns, expressed 

 reluctantly, but decisively, his inability to undertake the sacred 

 task, that my scruples were overcome; and the result is now 

 before the reader. 



While an honest and earnest attempt has been made through- 

 out after truthful simplicity of narration, all expression of 

 personal opinion has been as far as possible avoided. In fact, 

 the mass of letters at my disposal has made the Life in great 

 part an autobiography. 



I have to acknowledge, with much gratitude, assistance re- 

 ceived from the scientific friends whose names appear as contri- 

 butors to the volume, and also the great kindness with which 

 they and others have placed letters and private papers freely at 

 my service. 



To my brother, Dr. Daniel Wilson, 1 am indebted for hearty 

 co-operation and assistance. The proof-sheets have been sub- 



