Obituary— Rev. Eugh Mitchell, M.A., LL.D. 575 



It is sad to feel that lie has left unaccomplished several tasks 

 which he had planned, and which he was peculiarly well fitted 

 to perform ; but, nevertheless, he leaves behind him a substantial 

 record of good work done. It is far sadder to think of the loss of 

 a most kindly, amiable nature— of a true friend, whose readiness 

 in helping others too often stood in the way of the fulfilment of 

 his own desires. H. B. Woodward. 



REV. HUGH MITCHELL, M.A., LL.D. 



BoBN June 22nd, 1822. Died November 10th, 1894. 



Hugh Mitchell was born on 22nd June, 1822, at Aberdeen, where 

 his father held a situation in an ironwork. The son, after attending 

 a private English school, proceeded to the City Grammar School, 

 and afterwards went through the curriculum of Marischal College 

 and University. He was always a diligent student, and graduated 

 Master of Arts in 1841. 



Of all the classes he attended none pleased him more than that 

 of Natural Science, then admirably taught by Mr. John Shier, LL.D., 

 a much abler man than the aged Professor for whom he acted as 

 substitute. Hugh gained the second prize, and also distinguished 

 himself highly in the chemical class. In company with the 

 writer of this notice, he subsequently roamed the country for miles 

 round Aberdeen, making Natural History collections. Geology and 

 Mineralogy were his heart's love. 



Having studied for the Christian ministry, he was ordained in 

 1848 to the Free Church of Craig, near the southern shore of the 

 South Esk, in Forfarshire, and not far from Montrose. Many 

 of his congregation were Ferryden fishermen, whom he spiritually 

 benefited and whose affection he retained for the 46 years that 

 he continued in the active discharge of his pastoral duty. He took 

 much interest in the condition of the children, and for more than 

 fifteen years was Chairman of the Craig School Board. Whenever 

 leisure was obtainable, he employed it in prosecuting his scientific 

 researches, but was careful that they should not encroach on his 

 proper duty. Only one slight failure in this respect is remembered. 

 The "Dundee Advertiser" in a long and appreciative notice of 

 Dr. Mitchell, to which the writer has been much indebted in 

 preparing this obituary notice, puts it on record. We give the 

 details, feeling assured that the one solitary lapse will be condoned, if 

 not even regarded with positive favour, by readers of the Geological 

 Magazine. Mr. Mitchell had walked some miles in July, 1857, 

 to baptise a child in a part of Forfarshire, some distance from his 

 ordinary sphere of labour. On arriving, he found that the father 

 had not returned from his work, so, not to lose time, the minister 

 asked the mother to lend him a hammer, and took his way with 

 it to a quarry. He had previously found ichthyic fragments in 

 Canterland Den, but here, at Farnell, on splitting a slab, he laid 

 bare a small, beautifully distinct, and almost perfect fish. He 

 dropped the hammer, forgot all about the baptism (which he per- 

 formed, with an apology, a fortnight later), and hied him home- 

 ward with his treasure. Sir Philip Egerton named it after him, 



