466 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
his feelings, as well as from the religious emotions which lie carried 
into scientific investigations, was better prepared to be early 
removed from this temporary scene, seeing that such was the lot 
appointed for him. The loss of such a youth, who was doing so 
well, and promising so much more to be still done, must be a 
great affliction to all who knew him, and a very grievous one to 
those most nearly connected with him ; but of such characters it 
is the privilege of survivors to speak, as good men have often done, 
that the memory of the departed is a treasure that cannot be out- 
weighed even by present blessings. 
APPENDIX. 
Letter referred to on page 463, from Mrs Brewster Macpherson, 
found in Mr Deas’s repositories, dated Allerley, Monday, February 
10th, 1868. 
“ You will. I know, be intensely anxious to hear of dear, dear 
papa. Sir James Simpson says he cannot live over the night. We 
got a train straight on to Melrose on Saturday, so- I gave my 
note to a porter to post for me. I hope you got it. We found Sir 
David much stronger and better than I had expected, so much so 
that I could not believe he was dying He slept all that night, 
and up to twelve on Sunday. I could not believe he was dying, 
then he sank very rapidly. His perfect trust in the love of G-od, 
and in the finished righteousness of the Saviour, is wonderful. He 
has no wish to live — no fear of death — absolutely none. His faith 
is pure and childlike. His mind is perfectly clear. He expressed 
a wish twice to me that you should finish a paper which he had 
begun on Soap-bubbles, and read it for him at the Royal Society. 
He expressed the same wish to Sir James Simpson last night, and 
he has left a paper for you with instructions about it. Lady 
Brewster wrote at his request on Friday. He has spoken of you 
repeatedly to me with such kindness. Oh ! Frank, it was awfully 
solemn all yesterday, and how much more so to-day — one of the 
great lights of the world going out.” 
