Memoir of Sir Andrew Smith, Director General of the Medical Department of the British Army / by Alexander Michie.

  • Michie, Alexander.
Date:
[1877]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memoir of Sir Andrew Smith, Director General of the Medical Department of the British Army / by Alexander Michie. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The successful completion of the enterprise was clue in a great degree to the harmony and good will, which prevailed among the principal members of the party ; and to the valuable assistance rendered by the Rev. Messrs Kolbe, Archbell, Allison, and Moffat, especially the last, who, having previously visited Mo- selekatse, had gained his confidence and esteem, and so was in a position to render invaluable service. Dr Smith was also under great obligations to Waterboor, the chief of Griquatown, who was particularly kind and communicative. To Moshesh, the Basutu chief, he was under a deep debt of gratitude, for his kindness and solicitude for the comfort and safety of the party. The most favourable impression was produced on the mind of Dr Smith, by the frank and manly bearing of this chief, and by his great intelligence and liberality of sentiment. On the return of the expedition, a general meeting of the mem- bers of the Association was held at Capetown, Sir John Herschel presiding, when Dr Smith received a most cordial reception, and the warmest thanks were tendered to him and the other mem- bers. It was resolved to place a portion of the collection in the museum at Capetown, and that the remainder should be sent home for exhibition in London, and ultimate sale for the benefit of the funds of the Association.* In 1837, Dr Smith returned to England, was promoted to the rank of surgeon, and stationed at Fort Pitt, Chatham. The suc- ceeding year a representation was made to the Lords of the Treasury by Lord Glenelg, Colonial Secretary, supported by the late Earl of Minto, with a view to obtain a grant to enable the association to publish Dr Smith’s “ Illustrations of the Zoology of South Africa,” at a price within the reach of naturalists of moderate means. The application was favourably responded to by a grant of £1,800, and Dr Smith, in the interest of science, completed the work without any personal pecuniary remuneration whatever. 4 This work is the best evidence of the high position to which he attained as a naturalist. It was his purpose also to have published the “Journal of the Expeditionbut a severe and protracted illness laid him aside from active duties for a con- siderable time ; and for several years his health was unequal to * The collection was exhibited in the Egyptian Hall, London, and attracted much attention, and, when sold, realised a large sum; the Ji/nnoceros Eiitloa (Khinaster Keitloa, Br. Mus. Cat.), with other valuable specimens, being purchased for the British Museum.
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