400 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. X. 



CHAPTEE X. 



THE SCOTTISH INDUSTRIAL MUSEUM, AND THE CHAIR 

 OF' TECHNOLOGY. 



"I doubt ray body 



Will hardly serve me through : while I have laboured 

 It has decayed ; and now that I demand 

 Its best assistance, it will crumble fast." 



PARACELSUS. 



THE Session of 1854-55 was begun with gloomy anticipations 

 as to health. " My lungs are not what they should be ; and the 

 only thing that could do them good, rest, I cannot get. I have 

 large classes this winter, and must do all I can for them. I 

 leave the issue in the hands of God, for I cannot help myself, 

 nor does any outlet appear." Intelligence received then of the 

 death of several relatives and much- loved friends, fell heavily 

 on him, when less able physically to bear the shock. Amongst 

 these was Professor Edward Forbes, who but a few months 

 before had entered on the duties of the Natural History Chair 

 in the Edinburgh University. His welcome by his old student 

 friends was of the warmest, and unbounded hopes of the new 

 career opening to him, and to the University through him, filled 

 the hearts of all. In the summer of 1854 he gave a short course 

 of lectures, and was entering upon his first winter session, when 

 a few days of suffering carried him off. On the 24th of Novem- 

 ber, George writes to his brother : " I have very sad news to 

 communicate. Edward Forbes died last Saturday, after a short 

 and painful illness, and I can convey to you no adequate idea of 



