lvi Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
handle public questions. And, indeed, by many who knew but 
little of him from the scientific side, he will be long remembered as 
an example of chivalrous integrity, and for his consistent and often 
fiery protests against all that was unworthy and base. 
As a striking instance of the clearness of a strong mind amid the 
final prostration of the body, I may quote the dying reply — instinct 
with more than the old Roman’s dignity, while resting on a higher 
faith — which he dictated in Latin to the French Academie des 
Inscriptions et Belles Lettres, which had just made him a Corre- 
sponding Member. 
“ Reddo gratias, illustrissimi domini, ob honores tanto nimios 
quanto immeritos. Mihi robora deficiunt, vita collabitur, accipiatis 
voluntatem pro facto. Cum corde pleno et gratissimo moriturus 
vos, illustrissimi domini, saluto. — Yule.” 
The following sympathetic commentary on these words appeared 
in the Academy of March 29, 1890, over the signature “D. M.” : — 
“ Moriturus vos salutoA 
Breathes his last the dying scholar — 
Tireless student, brilliant writer ; 
He “salutes his age,” and journeys 
To the undiscovered country. 
There await him with warm welcome 
All the heroes of old story — 
The Venetians, the Ca Polo, 
Marco, Nicolo, Mappeo, 
Odoric of Pordenone, 
Ibn Batuta, Marignolli, 
Benedict de Goes — “ Seeking 
Lost Cathay and finding heaven.” 
Many more whose lives he cherished, 
With the piety of learning ; 
Fading records, buried pages, 
Failing lights and fires forgotten, 
By his energy recovered, 
By his eloquence rekindled. 
“ Moriturus vos saluto .” 
Breathes his last the dying scholar, 
And the far-off ages answer : 
“ Immortales te salutant .” 
He died at his residence in London on the 30th December 1890. 
