28 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
behalf of Church Extension. He remained Vicar and Archdeacon 
for the last thirty years of his life. When he came into the dis- 
trict there were three parishes ; before the close of his career, he 
had been the means of forming in it twenty-three parishes. 
Whenever Mr Sinclair found it necessary to carry any important 
measure in later years, he seems to have acted on a hint given to 
him by the late Dr Chalmers, on the last occasion, as he says, that 
he saw this great and good man. This was in the year 1843. He 
had been telling the Doctor of w r hat he was doing for the support 
and extension of the Church of England National Schools, and 
in particular, how' he had received promises of support from 
hundreds of influential people, including members of the Cabinet 
and of both Houses of Parliament. Dr Chalmers, he says, “heard 
me patiently for some time, and then replied, ‘ Mr Sinclair, I per- 
ceive you are an enthusiast; your National Society must, under 
G-od, depend upon the nation for support, and not on Cabinets or 
Parliaments.’ ” 
After this conversation, very little is said by Mr Sinclair in his 
autobiography about applications by him to influential individuals; 
whilst a good deal is said about the public meetings which he 
resorted to when he wanted to raise money, or to influence public 
opinion. He never spoke from the platform himself; for after leav- 
ing the University, he lost the fluency of speech, which he says, he 
had acquired there ; but he had great tact in arranging meetings 
and providing speakers who were likely to be listened to. 
Several amusing stories of this kind are told in his little book. 
One may be mentioned. Mr Thackeray had recently come to 
reside in Kensington, and Mr Sinclair thought his name would be 
a powerful attraction. Mr Sinclair called upon him. Thackeray 
was unwell, and in his bedroom. Mr Sinclair having sent up his 
card, Thackeray came down stairs, when Mr Sinclair explained his 
object. Thackeray at once declined, saying he had never in his 
life made a speech in public, and that he only wrote for the public; 
and besides he was too ill to leave the house. Mr Sinclair said 
that he would not insist on a speech, but that it w r as very difficult 
to get up a meeting in Kensington, and that if Mr Thackeray would 
only allow his najne to be printed in the handbills, he would not 
insist on his saying much, and would have the speaking done by 
