1855. DIKEUTOIi OF MUSEUM. 409 



part, lie goes on to say, " All this was last April, and then the 

 thing slumbered. . . . After Edward Forbes's death, my health 

 was objected to by some one, and I gave up the slightest hope 

 of the thing, so that the appointment took me wholly by sur- 

 prise." Inquiries on the part of Government as to who was the 

 person most likely to be acceptable to the general public as 

 Director of the Museum had but one reply, and thus the ap 

 pointment was made. Coming at a time when his health was 

 more than usually uncertain, Dr. Wilson, before accepting it, 

 consulted his medical friends as to his physical ability to fulfil 

 the duties of the directorship, and only did so on their assuring 

 him that his health might in all probability be better than pre- 

 viously, and that it need form no barrier to his undertaking the 

 duties of the post offered him, which seemed to give promise of 

 greater rest, and to call for less exertion. To Dr. Gladstone he 

 writes of it, " Besides the organization and control of a museum 

 of applied chemistry, it includes what is equivalent to a lecture- 

 ship on Technology. The attractions in the new appointment 

 are not less of responsibility, concern, and care, but less drudg- 

 ery in mere elementary teaching, and no night lectures. You, 

 I am sure, will wish me God- speed, and ask our Lord and 

 Master's blessing on a great Educational Scheme, which will 

 either be a great boon or evil to us, but, please God, only and 

 largely the former." 



As in a few months the new duties became more clearly de- 

 nned, we shall defer allusions to them. The following letter, 

 addressed in May to a scientific friend, gives glimpses at the 

 mainspring of his life : 



" This last year has been very full of calamities in the circle 

 of my friends, and of trials of flesh and spirit to myself, as it has 

 been to you. I gather from your letter, as I trust I can say for 

 myself, that the national disasters and sufferings of our country- 

 men, and the state of Europe and the world, and God's dealings 

 with ourselves, have not passed like the winged wind over our 

 heads, and left no mark behind. 



" Amidst much thoughtlessness and forgetfulness of God, and 

 many sins which exact their own punishment, and many which 

 seem, far too light to me, though in God's eye they are not light, 



