xix 



referred to ; for his mode of using his influence was so unostentatious, and 

 his desire for a recognition of his services so small, that much of what he 

 did is scarcely known ; and the want of specific details in showing how his 

 influence was brought to bear in so many ways is owing to the modesty of 

 his nature. Justice, too, has hardly been done in the foregoing lines to his 

 scientific knowledge and sympathies. In this respect, as in his constant 

 endeavour to promote the wellbeing of his fellowmen, he was so little self- 

 obtrusive that few men knew the extent of his acquirements. He paid, 

 even to within a week of his death, constant attention to scientific progress, 

 and especially to its practical application. Among his notes written but a 

 few weeks before his last illness are details of the composition and mode of 

 action of chloral. It was this union of a scientific spirit with great bene- 

 volence of character which, aided by a large experience abroad and at 

 home, made him so excellent a physician. 



His position at the Court necessarily occupied much of his time and 

 thoughts ; he was unceasing in his attention to the health of the Queen and 

 of her children, and the Royal family owe to him much of that blessing of 

 health which has happily been their lot. He was on most confidential terms 

 with the Prince Consort ; and the Prince found in him a congenial adviser 

 on all points connected with education and science. The Queen's trust in 

 him was early and firmly implanted, and was never impaired, and her 

 sympathy and, we can truly say, affection for him were manifested to the 

 last. 



Sir James Clark retired from private practiee in 18G0, and removed to 

 Bagshot Park, which Her Majesty had lent him for his life. He died 

 there on the 29th of June, 1870, in the eighty-second year of his age, re- 

 taining almost to the last hour of his life a warm interest in all scientific 

 progress, and a heart-felt sympathy with every step which would promote 

 the improvement and happiness of his fellowmen. 



William Allen Miller, Vice-President and Treasurer of the Royal 

 Society, was born at Ipswich, in Suffolk, on the 17th of December, 1817. 

 He was indebted for his early education to his mother, whose memory he 

 cherished with the greatest love and respect, and whose quiet, sagacious 

 nature was reflected in him. Mrs. Miller had a favourite maxim, "Take 

 everything by the smooth handle ; and if a thing has not got a smooth 

 handle, make one!" Dr. Miller was actuated through life by the spirit 

 of this axiom ; and we have known him, when giving advice to a friend who 

 sought it, introduce the remark, " Take it by the smooth handle." 



Miller passed one year in Merchant Taylors' School, and two years at 

 Ackworth, in Yorkshire, in a school belonging to the Society of Friends — 

 the same in which Luke Howard took so great an interest that he purchased 

 the Ackworth Villa estate, and made it his summer residence during some 

 years. Luke Howard's partner, William Allen, F.R.S., the manufacturing 

 chemist, and author, conjointly with Mr. Pcpys, of the well-known researches 



VOL. XIX. C 



