10 The American Geologist. July, looo 
by an over-indulgent father to destroy the valuable things 
which he cannot appreciate, or which his own misconduct has 
rendered it necessary for him to apply to purposes not intended 
by the Maker either of man or of the lower things which he 
misuses. Surely it is the same indulgent Father, who causes 
His sun to shine on the evil and the good, and who provides 
a Saviour for the unworthy and the disobedient, though He is 
also a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, and will not 
prevent the penalties of law whether physical or moral from 
falling on the reckless and impenitent. There is surely a latent 
gospel in nature, which has always been proclaimed in it, 
though often to heedless ears, and which required the infinite 
knowledge and love of Jesus to interpret it clearly to us. No 
doubt this gospel like that of Christianity itself, is turned into 
gall and bitterness by modern pessimistic advocates of the 
mere struggle for existence; but to rightly constituted minds, 
Christ's interpretation is better, as it is also more happy and 
hopeful.'" 
For a period of twenty-two years I was acquainted with 
Sir William Dawson. He had just completed twenty-two 
years at McGill, when I entered that University. Who could 
forget those precious evenings and hours spent in Sir William 
and Lady Dawson's company, both at home in the University 
hall, in the museum or geological labratory? Those evenings 
especially were of a nature calculated to elevate and inspire. 
With microscopes, specimens and books, with illustrations of 
natural history objects, and a thousand and one objects of 
beauty and interest in nature he sought to plant thoughts in 
the minds of his disciples, and interest them, or assist in de- 
veloping their faculties of observation and comparison — those 
two great media of exact knowledge of science. 
In the classroom as a teacher. Sir William had few equals. 
From the time he entered the university and punctually to the 
minute, he captivated the attention of his hearers by his won- 
derful flow of beautiful, descriptive language, coupled with 
the particularly happy faculty of graphically and accurately 
representing upon the blackboard in colored chalk, the various 
structures and illustrations in natural history, whether in bot- 
any, geolog}^ zoology, or palaeontology. It is currently re- 
ported that there are not less than ten persons now employed 
