279 
of Edinburgh, Session 1870-71. 
tion at the head of it. Perhaps it was from this cause that he 
was charged with unwillingness to admit and adopt the improve¬ 
ments suggested by others in surgical practice. On the other 
hand, he was quite indifferent about pressing his claims to any 
honorary distinction. Nevertheless, from various public bodies, he 
did receive, unasked for, acknowledgments of his merit; as when 
there was conferred the M.D. degree from the Universities of 
Dublin and of Bonn, the D.C.L. degree from Oxford, and the 
Knighthood of the Dannebrog from the King of Denmark, an 
honour rarely granted to a foreigner. On a General Medical 
Council for the United Kingdom being appointed, he was chosen 
a member of it, to represent the Universities of Edinburgh and 
Aberdeen. For ten years he took a lively interest in its proceed¬ 
ings, and his opinion was always listened to with respect. It was 
probable that Syme would have been elected President of the 
General Medical Council on the retirement of Dr Burrows in 1869, 
but Mr Syme about this time became unwell, and his friends saw 
he would be unable to fulfil the duties of the office. 
After Syme resigned his professorship in July 1869, a move¬ 
ment among his professional brethren, who knew his merits as a 
surgeon, was commenced, for the purpose of raising a testimonial 
which might keep his name before future generations. It was all 
the more striking and gratifying that this movement commenced 
in London, and was warmly supported in America, because indi¬ 
cating the judgment of those who could estimate his services free 
from the influence of local feelings. The testimonial will embrace 
a scholarship to bear Syme’s name of L.100 a year for students of 
surgery in Edinburgh University, and a marble bust of Mr Syme 
for the great hall of the library. The funds for the testimonial 
have been nearly all subscribed. Should there be any deficiency, 
I understand it will be made up by the University Endowment 
Association. 
Besides testimonies from abroad to his professional services, 
several from his countrymen in Scotland, of a very gratifying 
kind, were not wanting. From many provincial associations of 
medical men, there came addresses expressing regret that he should 
have found it necessary to resign his professorship, and conveying 
to him the respect and gratitude of those who had benefited by 
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