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1885.]
Sir Alexander Grant.
143

fore, is due to him. In Scottish universities and Scottish schools, the principle of individualism has had a too exclusive predominance. Each teacher and each professor was supposed to fight for his own hand, and to be the jealous guardian of the interests and the claims of his own subject. The aim of the Principal was that, while individual interests and susceptibilities should have their due place, all should act harmoniously together for the good of the whole. Whether this feeling will be permanent and practically operative remains to be seen. In the changes which await the universities, especially in the adjustment of the due balance between rival studies, his moderating influence will be sorely missed. It is impossible that any one else can, before these changes come, gain so absolutely the confidence of all his colleagues as he did, by the faithful discharge of all his duties during sixteen years. That confidence was not given merely to his administrative ability and power of mind, but was the result of a conviction, which grew stronger and stronger every year, that in the performance of all his public duties, he was not actuated by any thought of self, by any desire of popularity, or even by that "last infirmity" of strong natures – the love of power – but solely by the love of his University, and his care for its welfare.

The limits of this article do not admit of any criticism of his various writings beyond what has been already indicated. One word, however, may be allowed on his latest writing, which was not given to the world till after his death. In his last Address future generations of students and professors will see, better even than in his more elaborate works, the true image of the man. They will there find the ripe fruit of all his early culture, and of all his mature experience. He was one of those to whom the fine line of Horace, full as so much of his later writing is of wise reflection, and true human feeling,

"Lenior et melior fis accedente senecta,"

was peculiarly applicable. As he grew in power, he grew also in gentleness. Those, too, who knew him in the freshness of his youthful vigour, and the charm of his youthful enthusiasm, will feel as they read that Address, that at no time of his career was his heart greater and more true, his intellect more powerful, his whole view of life more pure and elevated, than at the time when he was so suddenly and unexpectedly taken away.