1910-1911.] 



421 



had omitted to take any food supplies, intending to visit the village 

 a mile or so off about mid-day. The work, however, proved so 

 attractive that no move was made till after the sun had set on what 

 happened to be the longest day in the year. With united efforts 

 and much labour the heavy box of specimens was got over the 

 broken ground between the workings and the road high above, 

 but his companion on a trial declared his inability to carry it, and 

 insisted on its being left at the first wayside house to be brought 

 away next day on a car. All persuasions were in vain and Stewart 

 carried the load the entire way to Ballycastle, which was reached 

 about midnight, both naturalists being fairly exhausted." 



In 1904, late in life, came the honour which Stewart valued 

 most, when he was elected Associate of the Linnean Society, an 

 honour which is conferred for merit alone. To use his own words 

 — " It was a red-letter day with me when I was elected A.L.S. 

 That the premier Natural History Association of this country 

 should, without any solicitation on my part, have conferred on me 

 this distinction came as a surprise, and I may say that of all the 

 honours possible to me this is the most prized." 



The members of the Natural History Society and of the Field 

 Club siezed this occasion to present him with an address and 

 purse of 1 20 sovereigns. By the exertions of his friends a grant was 

 also obtained for him from the Royal Bounty Fund, and with these 

 two sums an annuity was purchased. 



His retirement in 1907 was due to advancing years. He 

 took a small house in Springfield Road, at the foot of the Belfast 

 Hills, and lived there with his sister. His death, on 15th June, 

 1910, was the result of an accident. He was crossing Ann Street 

 when he slipped and fell in trying to avoid a passing dray, and 

 only survived a few hours. He was buried in the City 

 Cemetery where a large assemblage, consisting of most of the 

 Naturalists of the North of Ireland gathered to pay their last 

 respects, Rev. Canon Lett and Rev. C. H. Waddell officiating at 

 the graveside. 



