individuals seem to have felt a sense of irreparable _loss_. Very many
have the idea that there are few others with his gifts who would respond
in the same way to their demand for sympathy and help; for Sir Andrew's
interest in each patient was real. There was an attractive force about
him, difficult to describe, and which only those who knew him could
understand, for he was nothing if not original. It is impossible in this
brief sketch to give an adequate portrait of a great personality and to
tell the story of his life's work. I shall but try to mention some of
his distinctive qualities and characteristics, illustrated by a few
facts. Two or three real incidents sometimes give a better idea of a
man's character than pages of generalities.

[Illustration: THE GRAVE IN ESSENDON CHURCHYARD.
_From a Photo. by Mavor & Meredith._]

Sir Andrew was born at Aberdeen in October, 1826. His father died when
he was seven years old, and his mother at his birth. To the end of his
life he regretted never having known a mother's love. His childhood,
spent with two uncles, does not seem to have been very happy, and he had
no brother or sister. He was educated at Aberdeen and Edinburgh, and at
the former place took his degree.

As a young man he gained first medals in anatomy, physiology, chemistry,
botany, materia medica, surgery, pathology, and practice of physic.

At twenty-two, in very delicate health, he entered the Royal Navy as
assistant-surgeon, and was appointed to the hospital at Haslar. His
subsequent medical career is pretty generally known. He obtained almost
every possible honour, culminating in the Presidency of the College of
Physicians for the lengthy term of six years.