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don, who eventually agreed to give the money. Sir James then 
went back to Egypt to superintend the removal, which was entirely 
successful, notwithstanding that in the course of the voyage, a heavy 
gale having come on, the cable which dragged the barge containing 
the obelisk broke, and there was much difficulty in recovering it. 
It finally reached the Thames, and the obelisk now stands on the 
Thames Embankment. 
Another object of public interest which next occupied Sir James 
was a fortification with heavy guns to be erected on Inchkeith, for 
the protection of Leith and Edinburgh against enemy’s ships. He 
was at great trouble to get petitions from the Magistrates of Edin- 
burgh and Leith, and from the towns on the shores of the Firth of 
Forth, to the Government, urging the erection of these defences. 
He at length succeeded, and had the pleasure of seeing the fortifica- 
tions erected and mounted with guns. 
He next engaged in endeavouring to procure a similar protection 
for Greenock and Glasgow, by fortifications at the entrance of the 
Eirth of Clyde. He did not live long enough to see the erection of 
these fortifications, but before he died he knew that his proposal 
had been adopted by Government, and that it only remained to fix 
on the spot where the fortification should be erected. 
Out of respect for the memory of an old personal friend, and a 
Fellow of our Society, I have thought it right to mention these 
details regarding Sir James Alexander, as a tribute due to one who 
did useful work for his country at home, after serving his country as 
a brave soldier abroad. 
These obituary notices of life and work apply to only six of the 
thirteen Fellows who have died during the past year. Had there 
been more time for inquiry, perhaps others might have been found 
also deserving some special notice. 
But even from those few to whom I have been enabled to refer, 
on account of their services to science and to the public interests, 
may I not venture to infer that the prestige of our Society has not 
deteriorated, and that, as the past year has shown an unusual acces- 
sion of new members and a greater amount of business, we may 
hope for a continuance of prosperity and usefulness ? 
