320 HISTORY OF THE ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN. 
In 1826 he was the recipient of a compliment from the Tsar, 
the nature of which the following letter! explains :— 
London, 16-28 January 1826. 
“The Russian Ambassador having considered it his duty to inform 
his Court of the readiness with which Mr. McNab ae to Dr. 
Fischer the means of fulfilling the commission with w e had 
been entrusted in this country in the year 1824 velatine Hs the 
a of Bacio for the Imperial Botanic Garden at St. Peters- 
the contributions so obligingly made in order to 
enrich he Rrofessoi’s collection for that Seah ieee has been 
directed to transmit to Mr. McNab a diamond ring which his late 
Sovereign—the Emperor Alexander, of glorious memory, had been 
pleased to destine for him, asa testimony of His Imperial Majesty’s 
particular satisfaction.” 
Hardy and active, William McNab appears throughout his long 
service in Edinburgh to have been able, with but little interrup- 
tion from illness, to fulfil his duties in the Royal Botanic Garden, 
and this notwithstanding the handicap of an affection of his 
voice which an asthmatic attack had inflicted upon him, and to 
which reference has already been made (see page 315). For 
more than twelve months previous to his death he suffered from 
lameness, the result of an accident, and during the latter part of 
this period he was assisted in carrying on the work of the Garden 
by his youngest son Thomas.? 
1 Printed by permission of Miss McNab from the original official document in the 
possession of Mr. William McNab, Montreal. 
® As the following letter tells: — 
Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh, 
oth January, 1849. 
I have had the pleasure of being acquainted with Mr. Thomas McNab for some time 
during which I have had many opportunities of observing his excellent acquirements 
and the zeal and ability with which he discharged the duties committed to him. 
a period of ten months he assisted his father in the Botanic Garden here, and for 
some months before his father’s death he had the principal charge of the practical 
arrangements, and he acquitted himself entirely to my satisfaction. He gave me very 
able assistance during my course of lectures last summer, and he prosecuted the study 
of Botany with assiduity and success. 
He has devoted his attention in a particular manner to Agriculture. While in the 
service of the Assam company he enjoyed opportunities of observing the cultivation 
of plants in India. 
He possesses regular business habits, and his deportment has been at all times 
respectful and pleasing. 
From all I know of his talents, his scientific information, his knowledge in business 
and his moral conduct, I consider him well qualified for the office of Factor for which 
he has announced himself as a candidate. 
(Sgd.) J. H. Batrovr, M.D., 
Professor of Medicine and Botany 
in the University of Edinr. 
By permission om Miss McNab from the original pis now in the possession of Mr 
William McNab, Montreal, 
