Preface

Although scarcely claimingto be a contribution to what is commonly called religious biography, it is hoped that there is room for a volume which tries to delineate, however imperfectly, a Christian gentleman, and which shews how honourably and usefully an accomplished mind may fill up a life of leisure. It may possibly strike some readers that the style is neither so solemn nor so stately as befits a tribute to departed worth. If so. our apology must be, that the book is neither an elegy nor a funeral oration. It is an attempt to reproduce, as nearly as possible in its own tone, a life which is now continued and ennobled elsewhere, and of which the aspect, as it met our eye, was very bright and cheerful and beneficent.

Many of Mr. Wilson’s friends have helped us in this effort, and for valuable information we tender our best acknowledgments to His Grace the Duke of Argyll, and the Lady Emma Campbell; to the Hon. B. F. Primrose; to Sir John M’Neill; to P. S. Selby, Esq., Dr R. K. Greville, Professor Balfour, Adam White, Esq., and D. Crole, Esq.; to John Russell, Esq., Treasurer of the Royal Society of Edinburgh; to Adam Black, Esq., M. P., to John

Murray, Esq., John Blackwood, Esq., and W. P. Kennedy, Esq. Besides all the assistance derived from hia own beautiful and comprehensive sketch of Mr. Wilson’s character, we are under great obligations to Professor George Wilson for his personal communications; and we would especially commemorate the kindness of Sir William Jardine, who placed at our disposal a collection of seventy-two letters, which scientific readers will only regret that we have not used more freely. Nor can we forbear to add,*that the book owes its existence and its best materials to the affectionate zeal with which the compiler has been aided by the members of Mr. Wilson’s family.

48 Euston Square, London,
April, 16, 1859.