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profitable account. A tightly-strung mind, capable of working out 
scientific truths, is hardly able to sustain the rough shocks which 
it meets with in the commercial world. Mr Stirling found his 
patents, successful as they were in some respects, a constant source 
of annoyance, under which his sensitive frame gave way. Others 
profited : he suffered. Sic vos nonvobis. 
The names o the other ordinary members deceased are, — Sir 
David Hunter Blair, Bart. ; James M. Hog, Esq. of Newliston ; 
William Murray, Esq. of Monkland ; John Sligo, Esq. of Carmyle ; 
Dr John W. Watson ; and William Wood, Esq.* 
Of foreign members, we have lost M. Yon Hammer the Orien- 
talist, and Muller the Physiologist. 
Little remains to be added to complete the past year’s history of 
the Society. The papers read at our ordinary meetings have pre- 
sented the usual diversity of subject ; embracing Mathematics, 
Physics, Chemistry, Natural History, and Archeeology. Nor am I 
aware that their value has been below the average ; but, from the 
circumstance that several of the most important papers were incom- 
plete, combined with the fact that shorter papers are now more 
generally condensed into our Proceedings than was the case formerly, 
the annual addition to our Transactions this year 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 last- 
ing value. I ought to add, that Mr Stewart has been selected by 
the Council to take charge of the reduction and printing of the 
“Makerstoun Magnetical and Meteorological Observations,” at the 
joint expense of Sir Thomas Brisbane our President, and of the 
Society, with which work he is progressing rapidly and satisfactorily. 
Having thus briefly touched on the occurrences which make up the 
history of the Society during the past year, I will venture on a few 
general remarks. 
I have no fear that the principles which should regulate such 
associations as this are likely to be much misunderstood or widely 
* Whilst I write, there reaches me intelligence of the death of two other 
ordinary members — Lord Haddington and Mr Alexander Adie, both at an 
advanced age. 
