13 
of Edinburgh, Session 1869-70. 
of a century, with the utmost honour to himself and the University 
to which he belonged. It is creditable to both parties, and more 
especially so to Sir David Brewster, that the contest which thus 
terminated did not dissolve their friendship, or prevent their 
cordial co-operation in everything that could promote the interests 
of science. 
For a long series of summers Professor Forbes resorted to Swit- 
zerland and to other districts of alpine scenery in Europe, and thus 
matured those profound and important views which he promulgated 
on geological and other questions — in particular, on the subject of 
glaciers. It is quite unnecessary, and would he very presumptuous 
on my part, to attempt any account or criticism of his works or 
researches, and indeed everything that could be desired has in this 
respect, so far as geology is concerned, been excellently done by our 
friend Mr G-eikie, in the minute and kindly memoir of Principal 
Forbes which he lately read to the (Geological Society. Appended to 
that memoir will be found a correct and complete list, as I believe, of 
Principal Forbes’ scientific writings, and the catalogue of our own 
library will supply similar information. I may shortly say, that 
Principal Forbes was an ardent geologist — that from an early period 
he had been imbued with the enthusiasm for that branch of science 
which prevailed among scientific men in Edinburgh in the first 
quarter of the present century, and that he earnestly desired 
to see a school of geology fully revived and established among us. 
Principal Forbes, it is somewhat singular to observe, had on the 
motion of Dr Brewster been admitted a member of the Boyal 
Society before he had attained his twenty-first year. The Keith 
Prize was twice awarded to him by the Council. In 1846, on the 
death of Sir John Bobison, he was appointed to the office of 
Secretary of this Society, and for about twenty years thereafter he 
discharged the duties of the appointment with the most efficient 
assiduity and the most conscientious diligence. His desire to 
maintain the usefulness and the dignity of the Society, and to 
preserve its ranks and its discussions free from anything that was 
unworthy of a scientific body, and the pains that he took in pro- 
curing and preparing for publication the compositions which con- 
stitute its “ Transactions,” and on which its character and reputa- 
tion will in a great measure permanently depend, were beyond all 
