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criticism to antiquarian research, to free this branch of knowledge 
from the reproach of mere “ curiosity hunting,” and to give to 
Scotland a school of Archaeology as thoroughly in the lines of true 
science as her school of Geology was held to he. This might he 
very fully illustrated by a criticism of his special contributions to 
this branch of study, such as the papers on “ Roman Remains found 
near the Village of Newstead,” or his “ Notes on Melrose Abbey,” 
or his “ Notices of the Ancient Cattle of Scotland,” or his “ Notice 
of the Remains of the Reindeer found in Scotland.” The last 
named is a peculiarly able and exhaustive paper. It is crowded 
with facts, which supply abundant material for trustworthy general- 
isations as to the climate and the inhabitants of the localities where 
the remains occurred. 
In January 1883, Dr Smith began to suffer from the growth of a 
tumour in the upper jaw, which in a few weeks assumed a malignant 
form. But, both in the intense pain of the early stages of the 
disease, and in the rapid waste of the affected parts in the later ones, 
it was great satisfaction to his friends to see how calmly and bravely 
the Christian hope, which had long been his, enabled him to bear 
his sore affliction. He died on the evening of the 17th of August 
1883. 
Sir John MNeill. By Professor Duns, D.D. 
The Right Honourable Sir John M‘Neill, G.C.B., third son of 
John M‘Neill, Esq. of Colonsay and Oronsay, was born at Oronsaj 
House, Argyllshire, August 12, 1795. He studied at the Universities 
of St Andrews and Edinburgh. Having graduated in medicine in 
1815, he proceeded to India as an army surgeon. Four years later 
he was attached to the H.E.I.C.’s mission to Persia, — first in a 
medical and afterwards in a diplomatic capacity. His linguistic 
attainments, apt business habits, natural shrewdness, literary 
acquirements, and wide knowledge of Eastern affairs led to his 
appointment as assistant Envoy at Teheran in 1831. In 1834 he 
became secretary of the Embassy, and in 1836 he was appointed 
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Court 
i 
