34 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
and work in the impetus they have given to younger men, who hung 
about them when living, and fill their places when dead. This feel- 
ing is forced on me very powerfully by one fact which it was my 
duty to state in my former address. It was this. I said — “The annual 
addition to our Transactions this year (1857-8) contains but one 
paper. That paper is by Mr Stewart, and is of unquestionable 
merit. I have great pleasure in learning that Mr Stewart is con- 
tinuing his researches on radiant heat, a branch of experimental 
science which owes so much to members of this Society, and the 
papers on which alone suffice to stamp our Transactions with lasting 
value.” I need not say that the papers to which I referred were, 
for the most part, contributed by one member of the Society, the 
man who had for the previous twenty years of my connection with 
it most conspicuously illustrated in his own person the position which 
he himself lays down, that the vitality of a Society like this is kept 
up by a few ardent workers, whose contributions like the life blood 
trickle through the veins of the Society, and warm and animate its 
remotest members. Forbes was a man pre-eminently constituted to 
be a leader in a Society like this — cold, yet thoroughly affable ; always 
at work, yet always accessible ; keen and resolute in maintaining his 
own claims, yet ever open to the claims of those about him ; and 
above all, straightforward even at the risk of treading on the toes of 
men with whom he might happen to come in contact. Forbes was 
one of two members of the Society whom I had the honour of know- 
ing before I came to Edinburgh. He was introduced to be by 
Dr Whewell, and was ever my fast friend. Though perhaps a 
little out of place in such an address, I cannot resist the inclination, 
in holding up his ardent, hopeful character to the younger members 
of the Society, to read a portion of a letter which I received from 
him on his last return from the Continent to lie down and die. It 
is written in bed and in pencil. He says — 
“I was very glad to hear from you. You will not expect a long 
reply. I am, in fact, very weak, though I made out the journey 
wonderfully, by the help of every luxury and indulgence which 
modern railways and hotels afford. Here on English ground I am 
content for the present to rest and be thankful ; to leave the issue to a 
merciful Providence, in whose goodness and guidance I place my full 
reliance. Of course, I do not look at present to any further movement. 
