652 PRESENTATION TO PROFESSOR WILLIAMS. 
and to reap honours, manifold and even nobler than this we give. 
Let the present hour encourage for the future. No man can honestly 
exercise himself in any situation as a dutiful and conscious indi- 
vidual without living to realise that his conduct is appreciated by 
his fellow-men. Such is your position, sir. The warrior well knows 
that the chaplet of victory cannot wreathe his brow until his brain- 
sweat trickles adown his forehead ; e’en too betimes his chaplet has 
a lurking thorn in it, for human life must ever run apace with 
human woe. 
Permit me again to express my sincere wish — and in this I know 
I am joined by all present — that you may long live to occupy your 
exalted position, and that the blessing of health may be long 
extended, both to you and yours. 
Professor Williams, in reply, said, — My Lord Provost and gen- 
tlemen, I feel deeply the kindness exhibited towards me, and I 
accept with unfeigned gratitude the proofs you this moment present 
to me of your attachment and esteem. Your generous liberality and 
kind expressions altogether] unnerve me for the duty of suitably 
acknowledging them, and thanking you as I ought. 
I look upon it as a guarantee that my humble endeavours to 
perform my duties have met with your approbation. Through the 
kind encouragement I have received, principally from students, 
whose interests are always dear to me, I have been enabled in some 
measure to surmount opposing difficulties, and feel highly flattered 
and gratified by this mark of approval of my conduct hitherto. It 
has ever been my humble endeavour to discharge faithfully and 
impartially my onerous duties, and I am glad that the effort is thus 
far so generally appreciated. Your truthful and touching allusion to 
our departed colleagues reminds me of the great loss we have sus- 
tained; it is needless to say no one has felt it more deeply than 
I ; under present circumstances, however, silence is more expressive 
than words ; but I gladly avail myself of this opportunity of pub- 
licly thanking the one who still is with us for the genuine sympathy 
and valuable assistance so generously bestowed and so universally 
appreciated. 
Truly do you anticipate my circumstances regarding my literary 
productions. I did at one time intend to have had a work on hip- 
popathology ready by the conclusion of the session ; but circum- 
stances have arisen which have so distracted my mind, that for 
the present 1 have given up the idea, which must await time for 
its further development. 
But, gentlemen, although I have published no books, still I 
think I can with some satisfaction look upon you, my students, 
as living books, “ to be read and known of all men and I sin- 
cerely hope you may be enabled to prosecute with success the 
noble calling which I hope I have in some measure succeeded 
in teaching you, that your pages may never turn dim, or your 
principles and precepts be forgotten or disregarded. 
Allow me again to thank you for your great kindness, for this 
expression of your gratitude is valuable to me in many ways. It 
