Ixii Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinhitrgh. 
Perhaps the most striking instance of his resolution and his 
fearless mettle occurred on the occasion of the great fire already 
referred to. The total destruction of buildings so costly, so 
convenient, and so handsome, would have paralysed most men ; 
but Thomas iN’elson was not thus easily dismayed. On the day 
following the night of the fire, and while it was still smouldering, 
he took possession of the desk of the present writer in an adjoining 
house in Hope Park Terrace, and sent off thence telegrams and 
letters to England, France, and America, ordering new printing 
presses and other machines. At the same time, he arranged with 
architects and builders for the erection of a series of brick sheds 
on his own ground at St Leonard’s, for the reception of these 
machines, which sheds formed the nucleus of the new Parkside 
AVorks. He also made arrangements with the leading printers in 
Edinburgh for the immediate production of new stock from the 
stereotype plates which had fortunately been saved. That the 
business, in spite of the fire, was carried on with scarcely an 
appreciable break, was due entirely to his enterprise and resource, 
which scarcely fell short of being heroic. So true is it that “ In 
the reproof of chance lies the true proof of men.” 
Thomas Nelson was very little of a public man. He was a keen 
politician, but he seldom appeared on political platforms • and 
though a staunch Free Churchman, ho avoided Church Courts. He 
knew that his strength lay in his business, and he wisely confined 
himself to that ; but that did not prevent him from taking a deep 
and earnest interest in public affairs, or in religious, scientific, and 
educational movements. With such movements he frequently 
showed his sympathy in the form of handsome subscriptions, as in 
the case of the erection of the new Royal Infirmary, and of the new 
University buildings. He was a remarkable member of a remarkable 
family, which has done much to enhance the fame of Edinburgh in 
connection with its most characteristic industry, and to which 
Edinburgh, and indeed Scotland, is indebted for signal examples of 
personal worth of public spirit, and of patriotism. 
