14 Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. [sess. 
I wish to allude to only two of the previous Presidents of the 
Society. 
I need not say that when I mention the name of Sir Walter 
Scott, I am not presumptuous enough to make any remarks about 
him at any time or anywhere, but especially here, and on Scottish 
ground. I merely desire to state to you an interesting circumstance 
which is perhaps new to most of you, and which does not appear 
in that interesting Journal which has been so ably edited and pub- 
lished by Mr David Douglas of this city. It is that the Council 
has recently made a valuable addition to the Society’s collection of 
manuscripts by securing a holograph letter of Sir Walter’s, in 
which ho tenders his resignation of the Presidency of the Society. 
It appears that in the latter part of the year 1830, Sir Walter, 
with the view of residing constantly at Abbotsford, contemplated 
renouncing all associations which would detain him in Edinburgh. 
In a letter to his friend, Mr James Skene, dated Abbotsford, 18th 
September 1830, he says : — 
“ It is time to think what is to be done about the Eoyal Society, 
as the time of my retirement draws nigh, Qnd I am determined at 
whatever loss not to drag out the last sands of my life in that 
sand cart of a place the Parliament House. This is, however, a 
subject for future consideration, as I have not breathed a syllable 
about resigning the Chair to anyone, but it must soon follow as 
matter of course.” 
On the 18th of the following month he wrote the letter to which 
I have referred as having now come into the possession of the 
Society. It is as follows : — 
“ I have the honour to acquaint you for the information of the 
Eoyal Society, its Council, and Members, that being conscious of the 
entire want of that scientific knowledge which would be the most 
fit qualification for supporting f the honour of their body, I have 
hitherto endeavoured to show my sense of the distinguished honour 
of President to which their pleasure has raised me by regular atten- 
dance upon the meetings of the Society and duties of the office. 
As I am now retired from Edinburgh to live almost entirely at this 
place, which must necessarily prevent my discharging the efficient 
duty of President of the Society, and prevent almost entirely my 
