Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/50

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46
THE HARVEIAN ORATION.

regard and affection of his professional brethren." Matthew Baillie delivered the Harveian Oration more than a century ago, when he was thirty-seven years of age, but is not known to have published it. To this illustrious physician the College is indebted, not only for his substantial benefactions, but also for the high standard of professional life and personal character which he has set before us. In 1878 Dr. Edward Lambert, a Fellow, bequeathed to the College the sum of £1,000 for the advancement of Medical Sciences, and particularly for adding to the library works of literary merit. As the legacy was not paid until 1883, the sum actually received amounted to considerably more, owing to accumulation of interest.

I must not omit to call attention to the recent bequest of the late Mrs. Begley, the widow of a former Fellow of this College, who lived to an advanced age, and was an interesting personality, whom many of us must remember as a frequent attendant at the Comitia. The bequest is the more acceptable on account of the terms in which it is expressed. Mrs. Begley bequeathed to the Royal College of Physicians certain specific articles free from duty "to show my admiration of the faculty and gratitude to some of its Members during my widowhood"; and by a codicil to her will further bequeathed a legacy of £500 free of duty, which I need scarcely say is most acceptable.