Obituary Notice of Dr. 0. R. Tate. 335 



In 1850, he entered the Edinburgh University as a student 

 of Medicine, and when there was always regular and studious. 

 His proficiency in the literary department favourably im- 

 pressed the different professors whom he attended. In the 

 Medical classes he took the gold medal for botany in 1853, 

 and was for some time " dresser " to Professor Syme, and 

 also to Dr. Dunsmure. He passed successfully his examina- 

 tion for surgeon's degree in 1855, and was then fully 

 prepared for the examination for M.D. ; but being only 

 nineteen, he was under age. A letter written at that 

 period, by one well acquainted with him, congratulates his 

 father upon the honourable position in which his son was 

 placed, on his passing his examination as a surgeon : " It is 

 no more than what I expected, from the many opportunities 

 I had, both privately and practically, of estimating the ex- 

 tent and soundness of his views. His upright character has 

 always elicited my warmest admiration, and I am confident 

 he will be as much respected for his moral worth, as I trust 

 he will be for his professional." Dr. Johnston also ex- 

 pressed his conviction that he was destined to an honour- 

 able career : " There is no doubt of the well-doing of your 

 son. He has the right look, and feeling, and talent — and 

 he cannot go wrong." 



Fortunately at the time of his attaining the surgeon's 

 degree, there was a vacancy in the office of house-surgeon 

 to the Alnwick Infirmary, for which he applied ; and was 

 successful in getting the appointment, remaining in it until 

 1858. When thus engaged, becoming of full age, he went 

 to Edinburgh for the degree of M.D. His leaving the 

 Infirmary was very much regretted. He had gained the 

 respect and esteem of all classes, and more especially the 

 patients, who greatly felt his loss. As a parting testimonial 

 they presented him with a gold watch on his departure to 

 enter the army. This he did in 1858, as assistant-surgeon 

 in the Royal Artillery. In this capacity he was moved 

 about to many different stations, both in England and Ire- 

 land ; but he was never in any active service. He was in Hong 

 Kong two years, having gone out with his brigade in 1862. 

 His letters and diaries describing Chinese scenery, manners, 

 and customs, are interesting. He also studied the botan}^ of 

 Hong Kong, and made a collection of plants in the province 

 of Shantung, of which the botany is almost unknown. 

 These are contained in the national collection at Kew, and 



