David James Hamilton. 



v 



Under the influence of this bereavement and the progress of his malady, 

 Hamilton's condition became steadily worse ; he recognised the impossibility 

 of recovery and resigned his Chair ; five months later, in the spring of 1909, 

 death terminated his suffering. 



As we have endeavoured to summarise the work of a lifetime, it is fitting 

 that we should glance for a moment at the outstanding characteristics 

 of the man who accomplished it. Hamilton possessed a strongly defined 

 individuality, intense and ardent, firm in upholding a conviction, direct and 

 enthusiastic in supporting it. Finesse, compromise, and ambiguity were 

 alike foreign to his nature ; if he was frank and outspoken he was incapable 

 of harbouring feelings of bitterness or resentment towards others who held 

 different views. To his intimate friends there was a perennial freshness 

 and geniality in the relationship : his keen sense of humour, interpreted by 

 the expressive grey eyes and the musical infectious laugh, added to the 

 charm of his company. Beyond his work he had wide interests and deep 

 sources of pleasure : he loved nature and keenly appreciated the artistic, 

 whether in form or colour. On several occasions he lectured on artistic 

 themes, architecture included, always exhibiting a fine enthusiasm for work 

 which he recognised as harmonious and genuine. In music he was a 

 connoisseur and was himself possessed of a melodious voice. 



Hamilton was a member of many learned societies and bodies ; his 

 election to the Fellowship of the Eo} 7 al Society in 1908 and his laureation 

 as LL.l). by his Alma Mater soon after, were tokens of appreciation which 

 caused him peculiar gratification. Had lie lived to the spring graduation of 

 the current year he would have received a similar recognition from the 

 University in which he had served with much distinction throughout a period 

 of twenty-six years. 



Hamilton was twice married : his first wife died seventeen years ago ; 

 his second, a daughter of Mr. John Wilson, of Falkirk, predeceased him by 

 a few months. 



• J. T. C. 



