of Edinburgh, Session 1870-71. 265 
this was a necessary study. But it was no longer necessary for the mass of 
the people. 
“ It was said that Latin and Greek were the best training. This he thought 
a great error; for the faculty called into exercise was chiefly memory. The 
power of observation required in science and art was called little into play, 
and the reasoning power of the mind became stunted and deformed ;—to such 
a degree, indeed, that the students were ignorant even of their own ignor¬ 
ance.” 
In like manner, in his address to the Society of Antiquaries, he 
took the opportunity of undervaluing classical education, by such 
declarations as these :— 
“ Archaeology has gained for us a clearer and nearer insight into every-day 
Roman life and habits, than all that classic literature supplies. Archaeology, 
by its study of the old works of art belonging to Greece, has shown that a 
livelier and more familiar knowledge of that classic land is to be derived 
from the contemplation of its remaining statues, sculptures, gems, models, 
and coins, than by any amount of school-grinding at Greek words and Greek 
quantities.” 
It is the more surprising that such views as these should have 
been put forth, considering the frequent and good use to which 
Professor Simpson put his own classical information. In his papers 
on u Roman Medical Stamps and “ Was the Roman Army pro¬ 
vided ivith Medical Officers? ” he was able to give information, not 
only interesting, but instructive and useful, both papers displaying 
an extensive and intimate acquaintance wdtli Greek and Roman 
authors. In his work on Anaesthetics, he devotes two chapters to 
obviate the theological objections taken to their employment to 
lessen the pains of child-bearing, and in these chapters discusses 
the true meaning of the Hebrew text of certain scriptural passages. 
I have hitherto spoken of Simpson chiefly as regards his 
professional knowledge and his varied scientific and intellectual 
attainments. But it would be wuong in me to pass over unnoticed 
other features of his life and character quite as remarkable. He 
was a man of strong emotions. It of course depended on the ex¬ 
citing cause, how these influenced him. When attacked pro¬ 
fessionally or otherwise ;—or when, after he had set his heart and 
hand to the attainment of some object, lie found himself opposed, 
lie was like a war-horse in a battle-field. His impetuosity some¬ 
times carried him too far, brought him upon dangerous ground, 
and caused him to resort to means for accomplishing his ends 
