xii Proceedings of Royal Society of Edinburgh. 
In nearing the end of his academic career I may mention one 
duty for which Swinton was almost uniformly selected by the 
Senatus Academicus, that of presenting the candidates for gradua- 
tion. This was a task difficult and indeed irksome to most, for to 
speak of a number of men in succession without tautology and 
without confusion is not given to all. But Swdnton’s ready inspira- 
tion was always equal to the task. During his time Mr Gladstone 
was elected Lord Rector, and Lord Brougham Chancellor of Edin- 
burgh University in 1860, and he took part as usual in their instal- 
lation. But the happy turns of expression, and the genial spirit in 
which he uniformly performed this task, whether the candidate 
agreed or did not agree with his opinions, were the theme of uni- 
versal admiration, and I never knew him fail. 
1862 was the last year in which he retained his position as pro- 
fessor. The estate of Kimmerghame, with the new house, made 
demands upon his time and presence which he found incompatible 
with continuing his exertions in his class, and consequently thus 
ended his career at the Bar. For the rest he was simply an intelli- 
gent, cultivated, and hardworking country gentleman. But before 
his departure he had the satisfaction of having a tribute paid to him 
by which he was not unnaturally greatly gratified, and which of its 
kind was, if not unprecedented, at least unusual. In view of his 
approaching resignation of his Chair and departure from his resi- 
dence in Edinburgh, a number of his friends invited him to a 
semi-public dinner. Sir William Stirling-Max well of Keir pre- 
sided, and Sir William Gibson-Craig was the croupier. There were 
present men of all opinions and of all political proclivities : several 
judges — including the Lord Justice-General and the Lord Justice- 
Clerk, Lords Curriehill, Ardmillan, Neaves, Jerviswoode, and Ormi- 
dale; Sir Hugh Campbell, Sir David Dundas, Sir John Marjori- 
banks, Mr Campbell of Blythswood, Mr David Mure, M.P., and a 
long list in addition. I have been allowed to consult a little volume 
containing not only the announcement of the dinner and a copy of 
the menu and of the toasts, but a variety of private letters which 
the family received on the subject afterwards, expressive of the 
satisfaction with which the writers had regarded the proceedings of 
the evening. I shall not quote from these, but I had the pleasure 
of being present myself, and I can only say that the tribute was a 
