200 REV. GEORGE CLARK IRVING, M.A. 



THE REV. GEORGE CLARK IRVING, M.A. 



We have to record the recent death, under peculiarly sudden and painful cir- 

 cumstances, of an old and highly esteemed member of the Canadian Institute. 

 The Rev. George Clark Irving, M.A., a distinguished graduate of the Univer- 

 sity of Cambridge, was selected to fill the Chair of Mathematics and Natural 

 Philosophy, on the establishment of Trinity College, Toronto ; and, at an early 

 period after his arrival in the province, he began to take an active interest in 

 the affairs of the Canadian Institute. For years he was a member of its coun- 

 cil, and one of the editing committee of this journal. By his affability and 

 courtesy he won the good-will of all with whom he was thus brought in con- 

 tact ; and, at a period when such questions as the abolition of Clergy Reserves, 

 and the rights and privileges properly assignable to Provincial and Denomina- 

 tional Colleges, tended to intensify the bitterness of political and sectarian jea- 

 lousies, and to impede cordial co-operation even within the peaceful arena of 

 literary and scientific research. Professor Irving stood aloof from all narrow- 

 minded display of party-spirit, and w£ts esteemed no less for his conciliatory 

 and courteous frankness in his intercourse with men of all parties, than for the 

 firmness with which he maintained his own opinions on every fitting occasion. 

 In 1857, Professor Irving resigned his Chair in Trinity College, and returned to 

 England ; but, after a comparatively brief interval, the high estimation in which 

 he was held by the Council of the College was evinced by his being invited Jby 

 that body to resume the duties of the professorship, along with others of a still 

 more onerous and responsible nature, connected with the oversight of the resi- 

 dent students. 



The return of Professor Irving to Toronto was welcomed by many friends, 

 and by none more so than by his old colleagues in the Canadian Institute ; but 

 his active connection with the Educational and Literary Institutions of Toronto 

 was speedily terminated by his promotion to the Principalship of the Collegiate 

 School of Bishop's College, Leimoxville, rendered vacant by the election of his 

 predecessor to the See of Quebec. In his new sphere, Mr. Irving's pleasing 

 manners, and high acquirements, added to the reputation of the College ; and 

 its last session terminated amid the most gratifying evidences of the success of 

 the department under his charge. 



He had accepted the invitation of Bishop Williams to spend part of the long 

 vacation with him, at Riviere du Loup ; and, while still his guest, was drowned 

 while bathing there, on the 15th of August last. The painful circumstances 

 attending this melancholy event were intensified by the presence of Mrs. Irving, 

 who witnessed the fatal occurrence, and vainly exerted herself to save her hus- 

 band's life. Chief Justice Meredith, Mr. Brydges, and others, then resident at 

 Riviere du Loup, hastened to the spot on learning the painful news, and every 

 means was resorted to with the view of restoring animation, but in vain. Mr. 

 Irving was in ill health, and is supposed to have been seized with a fit while in 

 the water. As he was no swimmer, he was quite within his depth ; and, but 

 for some sudden, disabling cause, he could readily have reached the shore. He 

 was only in his 38th year, and was fondly believed to have many happy and 

 useful years before him, when thus suddenly cut off in the prime of life, amid 

 ^he affectionate regrets of a numerous circle of pupils and friends. 



