314 MAJOR-GENERAL SIR WILLIAM GROSSMAN 



In connection with his large interest in the Tweed salmon- 

 fisheries, Sir William took, also, a great interest in the 

 natural history of the Salmon, devoting a good deal of time 

 to the study of statistics relating to that mysterious creature, 

 as he appears in various parts of the globe. But, in fact, 

 almost any local subject of profitable enquiry was sure to 

 command his interest and sympathy. His reading was wide — 

 diffuse rather than scholarly ; and his love of poetry almost 

 equal to his lore of natural scenery. Indeed, I have known 

 him, on more than one occasion, to commit thoughts to 

 writing in that form. All these things, however, occupied but 

 a secondary place in his career, which had been primarily 

 that of a man of action — one who at the time when I knew 

 him might have said with Tennyson's Ulysses, 



" Mach have I seen and known ; cities of men, 

 And manners, climates, councils, governments." 



Indeed, fond as he was of Tweedside and Northumberland, 

 the love and desire of travel never left him. As I have 

 said, it is as a man rather than a savant that he will be 

 remembered by those who knew him. His entirely unassuming 

 though dignified deportment was, in one of his distinguished 

 services, singularly attractive. Whilst to those who had more 

 than a passing acquaintance with him, the genuineness and 

 transparency of his nature, his sense of duty — naturally 

 strong and strengthened by his military training — and most 

 of all the warmth and kindliness of his heart must remain 

 for ever as a cherished recollection. Sir William served as 

 President of the Club for the vear 1890. 



