CIV PHOCEEDINGS OF THE 



port by him for the British Association in 1836 included a gene- 

 ral survey of the subject of mineral waters. 



Dr. Daubeny was one of tlie original promoters of the British 

 Association ; and it was mainly at his instigation that the Asso- 

 ciation was invited to hold its second meeting, in 1832, in the aca- 

 demic shades of Oxford. In 1856 he filled the Chair of President 

 of the Association at its meeting in Cheltenham — a fitting honour 

 to him in his native county, and amidst his numerous friends, " who 

 caused a medal to be struck in his honour" on the occasion. 



His gentle and amiable disposition and kind demeanour en- 

 deared him to all who came within his sphere ; and the loss of such 

 a man, " prudent and generous, cheerful and sympathetic, pursu- 

 ing no private ends, calm ai^id jarring creeds and contending par- 

 ties," will long be felt. 



The Sev. James Hamilton, D.D., was bom on the 27'th No- 

 vember 1814, at Paisley. His father was the Eev. Dr. William 

 Hamilton, parish minister of Strathblane, in Stirlingshire. His 

 early life was spent in the manse of Strathblane. His father (who, 

 besides being an able divine, was fond of science) took delight in 

 directing and developing the tastes for science and other studies, 

 which at a very early period showed themselves in his son. After 

 acquiring his preliminary education at Strathblane, he proceeded 

 to the University of Glasgow ; and, in addition to the literary and 

 philosophical curriculum required of every prospective student of 

 Theology, he attended the classes for Botany, Chemistry, Natural 

 History, and others more strictly medical. Botany was his fa- 

 vourite science ; and, during the long summer holiday which se- 

 parated the College sessions, he had many rambles among the 

 Highland hills in search of plants. Dr. J. D. Hooker was some- 

 times his companion in these rambles ; and the two then formed 

 the resolution to visit Palestine together, and explore its natural 

 productions — a resolution Dr. Hamilton often regretted he had 

 not been able to carry out. His theological studies were prose- 

 cuted under Chalmers and others at Edinburgh University. In 

 due course he entered the Church. His first sphere of active duty 

 was at Abernyte, in Perthshire, where he was assistant minister. 

 He was at this time an active member of the Edinburgh Botanical 

 Society. In 1839 he was ordained to the cliargo of a congregation 

 in Edinburgh, where, however, he remained scarcely two years ; for 

 in July 1841 he removed to London to succeed Edward Irving, and 



