480 Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinhurgli. 
Occasional essays and some poetic effusions sliowed his gifts as a 
writer, although his duties as head of the well-known publishing 
firm which his uncle and father had founded, and as editor of 
Chambers’s Journal, left him little leisure for authorship. It has 
been said of him, that “ he had a large heart, benevolent nature, and 
cheerful temperament, and was equally beloved by the workpeople 
in his own establishment, the ‘ caddies ’ on the golfing links, and his 
many friends in his own position of life. Wherever he went he was 
always welcome, for he seemed to carry sunshine with him, and for 
many a day he will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends. ” 
John Wilson, for thirty years Professor of Agriculture in the 
University of Edinburgh, died at the age of 75. He rendered 
important services on many public commissions, and was a member 
of many Societies. He was the author of numerous pamphlets and 
reports, and of a book of recognised value on Our Farm Crops. 
While Secretary to the Senatus he devoted himself with all his 
strength and energy to promote the welfare of the University. It 
was with sincere and universal regret that his colleagues learned in 
1885 his determination to resign his appointments owing to failing 
health. It was with sincere and universal sorrow that they heard 
of his death. A clear strong intelligence, practical sagacity, a truly 
sympathetic nature, a warm kind heart, these were prominent 
characteristics of the late Professor Wilson. 
I have still to refer to one who must be ranked among the muni- 
ficent benefactors of the Society, Mr Pobert Mackay Smith. It is 
well known that he lent valuable aid to promoting such schemes as 
those for the Defence of the Firth of Forth, the Eestoration of St 
Giles’, and the erection of the Hew University Buildings. He was 
a member of the Board of Visitors of the Eoyal Observatory. He 
founded scholarships in the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow. 
He took a warm interest in this Society. When his health failed 
to such a degree that it was unsafe for him to attend our evening 
meetings, he rarely allowed a day to pass without visiting the Society’s 
rooms in the afternoon. Among the many acts of benevolence and 
liberality for which he was distinguished, there has to be recorded 
a reversionary bequest of <£1000 to this Society. 
I have now only to express a hope that the Fellows may meet at 
the commencement of next Session with recruited strength and 
freshened zeal. 
