7 
1891 - 92 .] Chairmans Opening Address. 
prematurely taken away, was read to the Society on the 20th 
July last. 
Of the late Professor Campbell Swinton, an admirable biography 
w^as on 6th April last communicated to the Society, by our 
Ex-President Lord MoncreifF, in which we were reminded of the 
great abilities of the deceased, his varied acquirements, his eloquence, 
so often displayed on the occasion of great University ceremonials, 
when he had as Dean of the Faculty of Law to present candidates 
for the degree of LL.D,, a duty in the performance of which he was 
unrivalled, and his earnestness in fulfilling all his duties, whether 
in the University or in the Church, or as a country gentleman. A 
most interesting notice of Mr Swinton, regarding him chiefly from 
his position as a churchman, has appeared in the Edrom Parish 
Magazine, from so competent a pen as that of the Hon. Lord 
Low, with all of which I cordially concur, and which may be 
regarded as an admirable appendix to Lord Moncreiff’s excellent 
biography. I must content myself with referring to those interest- 
ing memoirs, but I may be permitted to say a word for myself on 
the score of old friendship. In Archibald Campbell Swinton I 
always found one whom no difference in opinions, political or 
ecclesiastical, could prevent from giving his personal regard and 
esteem, who gave an ungrudging confidence to his medical advisers, 
and who when shattered by illness and by the severe accident which 
hastened his death, retained the cheery spirit and quiet resignation 
of a Christian gentleman. 
Of Mr Duncan Matthews an elaborate notice by Professor 
MLntosh was read to the Society on 5th January last. There is 
something touching in the remembrance that I had last year to 
record my esteem of his eminent relative. Dr Matthews Duncan, and 
to have now to notice the death of the cousin, and to lament that 
one so young, and animated with such an ardent and disinterested 
love of biological science, should not have lived to continue the 
career on which he had entered with such remarkable success. 
Dr Edward Sang was born in Fife, studied at Edinburgh 
University under Sir John Leslie, and eventually became assistant 
to that eminent Professor. He afterwards held the appointment of 
Professor of Mechanical Philosophy at Constantinople, but returned 
to Edinburgh on the outbreak of the Crimean War. With the 
