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kinds of science and learning; had cultivated with special care 
various departments of theology and philosophy ; was intimately 
conversant with Biblical studies ; was widely read in classical and 
modern literature ; and was an excellent Latinist, Hellenist, and 
Hebraist. His mastery over the classical tongues as poetical media 
is amply attested by the collection of Greek and Latin verses which 
he printed privately and dedicated to his brethren of the Hellenic 
Society. His attainments as a Hebraist he had many opportunities 
of applying. He delighted in good English poetry, and was the 
author of a considerable number of very meritorious English 
hymns. 
The amount of literary work which Dr Alexander performed 
must be regarded as marvellous, when it is considered with what 
diligence and success he discharged the many duties of his ministry 
and professorship. Yet none of his writings bear the marks of 
hasty and inadequate preparation. The briefest articles from his 
pen in Kitto are carefully executed. That he achieved so much as 
an author was doubtless due largely to strength and readiness of 
memory, clearness and vigour of thought, and facility of accurate 
and appropriate expression, but it was due as largely to his self- 
denying and methodical employment of his time. In this respect 
few can ever have surpassed him. At the commencement of his 
ministry he formed the resolution never to have what people called 
“ a spare hour,’ 5 but to lay out his work every day so as to know 
each hour exactly what to do ; and to this resolution he steadily 
adhered to the close of his life. 
From the time that he listened to Chalmers in St Andrews, philo- 
sophy, and especially moral philosophy, had strong attractions for him. 
How high was his estimate of philosophy and his ideal of the 
philosopher may be best learned from his eloquent and elaborate 
address to the Philosophical Society of the University of Edinburgh 
on his election as president in 1875. The most adequate measure 
of his philosophical ability is, however, the treatise on Moral 
Philosophy in the Encydopcedia Britannica. It presents us with a 
clearly defined, well-arranged, skilfully rounded system of ethical 
science. If not exhibiting much originality, it displays extensive 
learning and careful and independent reflection. It fully entitles its 
author to an honourable place among Scottish moral philosophers. 
