6 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
that his place is now filled by a son who is every way worthy to 
succeed him. 
I shall note here some dates of the principal incidents of Dr 
Begbie’s professional life, and add also from the “ Edinburgh 
Medical Journal ” some account of his last illness. 
Dr Begbie graduated in medicine in 1821 in the University of 
Edinburgh. In 1822 he was elected Fellow of the College of 
Surgeons, and at this time entered on the duties of private medical 
practice. In 1847, having become much engaged in consulting 
practice, he joined the College of Physicians as a Fellow. Of that 
College he was President in 1854-56, and discharged the duties of 
the office with ability, dignity, and grace. For a few years after 
the institution of the office, he acted as one of the Examiners in 
Medicine in the University. During 1850-52 he was President 
of the Medico-Chirurgical Soeiety. For several years he was 
Physician in Ordinary to the Queen in Scotland. 
The illness which led to his death began in the end of 1868 
from exposure to cold, which gave rise to an attack of pneumonia. 
This was got under, but he returned too soon to his duties, and 
again became ill from some long journeys which he made. It 
was then seen that his health was seriously impaired. He suffered 
much from breathlessness, and the action of the heart became em- 
barrassed. A change of air and scene was tried without success, and 
on his returning home his symptoms became more violent, and his 
strength declined. The immediate cause of his death was pulmon- 
ary congestion. But he remained conscious and collected to the 
last, enduring much suffering with great patience, and looking for- 
ward to his end without fear and with a well-founded religious 
confidence. He died on the 26th of August 1869. 
William Brand, another of our departed members, was born 
in 1807, in the parish of Peterhead, and received his early educa- 
tion in that parish. After serving an apprenticeship in Peterhead 
with the respectable gentlemen who were factors for the Merchant 
Maiden Hospital of Edinburgh in that place, he came to this city, 
about the year 1829, and served a second apprenticeship with 
Messrs Scott, Findlay, and Balderston, W.S., of which firm, after 
himself entering as a Writer to the Signet, he became a partner. 
