of Edinburgh, Session 1884-85. 
353 
of History in Elphinstone College. Subsequently he was promoted 
to be Vice-Chancellor of Elgin College, Bombay, which last position 
he held for four years, till 1868, when he was chosen to be Prin- 
cipal of Edinburgh University. 
In all these positions Sir Alexander threw himself earnestly and 
enthusiastically into the work which these positions implied, and at 
the same time by his genial spirit he gained the hearty co-operation 
of all with whom he came in contact. To the academic interests of 
the students of our University he especially devoted himself, not 
only by opening almost every winter session with an address full of 
encouragement and good advice, but by aiding them in organising 
for themselves a Representative Council and a Students’ Union. 
The immense efforts made by Sir Alexander Grant during the 
last year of his life, to celebrate suitably the Tercentenary of our 
University, were probably the cause of the failure of health which 
supervened when these labours were over. The compilation and 
publication during the previous winter of two volumes on the 
History of the University ; the arrangements for bringing to Edin- 
burgh in the spring of 1884, from all parts of the world, men of 
academic renown, and the organisation necessary for providing suit- 
able hospitality to these distinguished strangers ; whilst these things 
acted as a stimulus at the time, they left Sir Alexander, when the 
celebration was over, in a state of prostration, from which, notwith- 
standing a holiday taken during the summer in Derbyshire, he 
never recovered. 
I might say much more, especially in reference to what our 
distinguished associate did for the extension of our University 
Buildings. But this is not the opportunity, nor am I the person, 
to enlarge on this subject. I have no doubt there will be laid 
before us, by some one of our number (who known better than I do 
his character, and his deeds of usefulness), a fuller and better 
biographical account than I can venture on. 
It was only a becoming tribute of general esteem and respect, 
that the civic authorities of Edinburgh resolved that there should be 
a public funeral. It was attended not only by all the professors 
and students of our University, but by representatives from every 
scientific and literary society in Edinburgh. 
The next deceased Fellow whose name I mention, is the Rev. 
