1839-40. ILLUSTRIOUS BRETHREN. 229 



discipline exercised towards any deflections from right conduct 

 and the " true philosophy." Edinburgh was the head-quarters, 

 but its realm was the world, without distinction of rank or 

 nation. Before long, branches were formed in many parts, on 

 each member the duty devolving of kindness, to the utmost 

 extent of his power, to every wearer of the roseate band. 



To George Wilson it was a great pleasure to be one of this 

 fraternity. He was proposed for admission by his friend Samuel 

 Brown, and his qualifications stand on the minutes of the Society 

 thus : " Distinguished as a chemist in the higher ranks of 

 chemistry, distinguished himself highly at the British Associa- 

 tion 1839, expresses a desire to enter, and is known to under- 

 stand the principles." On these grounds was he welcomed as 

 an Associate, receiving before long the coveted Triangle. The 

 maximum as to numbers seems to have approached one hundred ; 

 and of the youthful band composing this union, the greater 

 number have amply fulfilled the purposes to which they were 

 pledged. Sufficient proof of this may be found in the fact, that 

 six of them have been chosen to fill chairs in the University in 

 which they were students. Professors Goodsir, Bennett, Blackie, 

 Edward Forbes, Lyon Playfair, and George Wilson, need no one 

 to claim merit for them ; while elsewhere the brethren have not 

 less distinguished themselves. Amongst them we find the names 

 of Professor Day, St. Andrews ; Professor Eamsay of the 

 Geological Survey ; Dr. Nicholas Tyacke of Chichester ; the 

 Eev. Joseph Goodsir, and his brother Henry Goodsir, who went 

 out as Naturalist in the fatal Arctic Expedition under Sir John 

 Franklin ; Dr. Giraud, professor of Botany and Chemistry in 

 Bombay ; Dr. John Percy, London ; Dr. Falconer of Bath ; Dr. 

 Stanger, of the Niger Expedition in 1841 ; Dr. Wright of 

 Birmingham ; Dr. Embleton of Newcastle ; Dr. Samuel Brown ; 

 and Professor Daniel Wilson, Toronto. In such a union of 

 genius, wit, and fancy, each adding to the general store by con- 

 tributions from his special science, it may readily be supposed 

 how iron would sharpen iron, and love beget love ; while the 

 discoveries in science, and the aims of each one, would rouse all 

 to vigour in their various departments. Their social enjoyments 

 were also pleasant features of the union. Some of the brethren 



