DAVID MURRAY, M.A., B.Sc., PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERATION.

I

T is with feelings of the profoundest sorrow that we have to record the death of Mr David Murray, M.A., B.Sc., the highly-accomplished and much-esteemed Rector of Kilmarnock Academy, and President of the Burns Federation. The sad event came as a great shock to the community and to the Burns clubs everywhere. During the first few days of his illness there was no reason to anticipate anything of a serious nature, but alarming symptoms thereafter manifested themselves, and finally it was found that he was suffering from an acute attack of enteric fever. In spite of all that medical skill could do, his strength gradually failed, and the end came on Thursday evening, the fifth day of December, 1907.

Deceased was a native of Kilmarnock, being a son of Mr John Murray, of Messrs Glenfield & Kennedy, Ltd. He received his early education at Kilmarnock Academy, where his teachers recognised in him a lad of exceptional promise, and his subsequent career fully justified their expectations. In the examination for entrance to Glasgow University he stood seventeenth on the list of distinguished students. During his University course he was a strenuous worker, and the success which attended his efforts may be to some extent judged by the fact that his honours included the Browne Bursary; first prize in senior Greek class; Lorimer scholarship in Mathematics; third prize in Middle Mathematics; sixth on the first-class list of Senior Mathematics; first prize in English Literature; second prize in voluntary work of English Literature class; first prize in Natural Philosophy; first prize in Practical Physics; Metcalfe scholarship in Mathematics and Natural Philosophy; the medal and first-class certificate in Geology; second in first-class Chemis

try; and first prize in Astronomy; besides the degrees of Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science. At the close of his University curriculum, on the recommendation of Sir William Thomson (the late Lord Kelvin), of whom he was a favourite pupil, he was offered but declined the appointment of Professor of Physics in M'Gill College, Montreal. Mr Murray subsequently took three summer courses at the Royal School of Mines, South Kensington, in Chemistry, Heat, and Light respectively, and obtained firstclass certificates for the practical work done in each. A summer session at Cambridge under the University Extension Classes (Oxford and Cambridge) gave him experience of laboratory work in Chemistry and Electricity. His training in Science and scientific method was therefore quite exceptional, and in pursuance of a desire for all-round efficiency, in addition to private studies he occasionally resided abroad, where he strengthened his knowledge of French and German Literature. His first appointment was that of Assistant Mathematical Master in Greenock Academy, and shortly afterwards he transferred his services to Dunfermline High School, where he filled the position of Assistant Science and Mathematical Master. In 1886 he returned to Kilmarnock, and for ten years he was Mathematical Master in the Academy under Dr Dickie. His labours in this department were attended with excellent results, his practical work in the class-room being exceedingly effective, and many of the pupils who passed through his hands gave admirable proof of the good foundations which he had laid by their subsequent University successes. When the Rectorship of the Academy became vacant through the retiral of Dr Dickie, in September, 1904, Mr Murray was appointed to the highest position in the service of the Board. The wisdom of this appointment was more than justified by results. The Academy has been thoroughly equipped in accordance with the most recent educational developments, and the past year's reports of H.M. Inspectors are considered the most satisfactory that have ever been received. Alike as teacher, disciplinarian, and organiser, Mr Murray was remarkably successful, and he has undoubtedly left an impress for good on many of the rising generation.

Outside of his own profession Mr Murray took an active and useful part in public affairs-most notably perhaps in connection with the Glenfield Ramblers' Society, whose prosperity has been in large measure due to his untiring exertions. In the early days

of its existence, when the membership was small, and when the services of lecturers were not so easily obtainable as now, Mr Murray was a tower of strength to the Ramblers, not only by giving them of the best he had himself to bestow, but in enlisting the help of others as lecturers or guides in rambles to places of interest. He was an honorary President of the Society and for a time he acted as their correspondent, in which capacity he contri

buted to the newspapers many interesting articles on the Ramblers' outings. Mr Murray evinced a keen interest in the Public Library. He was a warm supporter of the movement for the adoption of the Public Libraries Act, and was for several years one of the ratepayers' representatives to the committee. He rendered invaluable assistance in arranging and classifying the splendid geological collection of the late Mr James Thomson, F.G.S., as also the unique collection of curios of the late Dr Hunter-Selkirk, of Braidwood, when these treasures were gifted to the community for the enrichment of the Museum in the Dick Institute. Mr Murray was an ardent admirer of the National Bard and a keen student of his works. He was a past President of the Kilmarnock Burns Club, and the members still remember the brilliant address he delivered from the chair.. He took a prominent part in the affairs of the Burns Federation, and about fourteen months ago, after the death of Provost Mackay, he was chosen by the Executive to fill the position of President, an appointment which at the recent annual meeting in Sunderland was unanimously confirmed. In this connection Mr Murray warmly interested himself in the movement, initiated some years ago by the late Dr Freeland, of Glasgow, for the foundation of a Chair of Scottish Literature in Glasgow University, and, along with Mr D. M'Naught, Kilmaurs, and Mr Thomas Amos, M.A., he visited numerous Burns Clubs throughout the country with the view of advancing that scheme and securing financial support on its behalf. He also rendered similar service in aid of the fund for the preservation of the Auld Brig of Ayr. A local society of an unostentatious but very useful nature in which Mr Murray showed considerable interest was the Old Holm Callans' Benevolent Society. For a time he was its President, and the philanthropic work which it carried on in the lower part of the town had his practical and hearty support. The Fine Art Institute, the Art Club, and kindred societies also received the patronage and encouragement of the deceased. He was a respected member of the King Street U.F. Church, and was for a period the preses of the congregation.

Of Mr Murray personally it is not easy to write without

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seeming to use the language of exaggeration. He was our close personal friend, and a few weeks before his death it was our privilege to accompany him on a Presidential visit to the Tam o' Shanter and Rosebery Clubs of Glasgow, as well as the Federation meeting at Sunderland, on which occasions his eloquent pleadings on behalf of the Chair of Scottish History left the deepest impression on all who heard him. He was big-brained, big-hearted, and big-souled. Notwithstanding his exceptional intellectual gifts and attainments, he was modest and unassuming to a degree, while he was no less characterised by courtesy and geniality of manner. There was. indeed, a magnetic charm about him which made him one of the most loveable of men. an extensive knowledge of the best literature, was richly endowed with natural gifts, and possessed a rare capacity for fluent and eloquent expression. That he should have been cut off just when he seemed to have reached the zenith of his powers, and when a long career of usefulness appeared to lie before him, is one of those mysteries of Providence which the human mind finds itself unable to solve, but which must be accepted with sorrowful submission. There is the consolation that is to be found in many years' fruitful labour, in the legacy of a strongly stimulating example, and in a memory of high character and achievement which will be warmly cherished by all who came under his influence. His death is an irreparable loss to the Federation, in whose affairs he took the most consuming interest. Mr Murray was forty-seven years of age and unmarried.

The funeral took place on Monday, 9th December, and was attended by representatives of the Federation from Glasgow and elsewhere, the School Board of Kilmarnock, the senior pupils of the Academy, and the various societies and learned bodies with which the deceased was connected. The shops were closed along the route, and the cortege was a most imposing one. No parallel

to it has been witnessed in Kilmarnock since the death of Provost Mackay.