492 Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
many things in Gunning’s life : Chalmers the leader of theological 
thought and action; Christison the distinguished physician, well 
known as a man of high attainments, not only in medicine but in 
sciences outside of his personal profession. The influence of this 
acquaintanceship was the strengthening of those desires and 
ambitions which characterised and gave direction to Gunning’s 
earnest efforts as indicated in the list of his benefactions. In 
making this statement I wish simply to show that Gunning 
admired both because he found in each elements with which he 
was in deep sympathy, and which would be helpful to himself in 
carrying out aspects of work which he loved and early began to 
take a lively interest in. In Mr Macdonald’s communication a 
striking contrast is suggested without any break : — “ Dr Gunning’s 
interest,” he says, “ in Home Missions was aroused by Dr Chalmers, 
and he was one of the first elders ordained in the West Port, and 
Dr Gunning was created a Grand Dignitary of the Empire of Brazil 
by the Emperor Dom Pedro II., and this carried with it the right 
to be addressed as ‘ His Excellency.’ The Emperor, a short time 
before his own expulsion from Brazil, wrote a holograph letter to 
the Queen asking that Dr Gunning should be authorised to use the 
rank in this country. The Queen granted this request, and Dr 
Gunning had a letter from Lord Salisbury intimating the fact.” 
The mission work was a great success, and His Excellency lived 
to take a leading part in laying the memorial stone of the present 
West Port Church, which has a congregation almost as large as the 
largest in Edinburgh. 
Reference has been made to Sir Robert Christison as a friend 
of His Excellency, and helpful to him in trying to influence the 
Church in other than purely religious work. Chalmers had seen 
good opportunities for ministers benefiting society if, to their 
theological acquirements and teaching, they brought to their work 
the knowledge of one or more branches of physical or of natural 
science. In 1843 he had given great prominence to his views on 
this matter : — “ We hold,” he wrote, “ a natural science class in 
connection with theology to be most desirable as a component part 
of our system of theological education.” In this quotation I keep 
clear of seeming to discuss the question on the merits. I only 
wish to indicate the lines of public thought which led Dr Gunning 
