The Sun.
London, England, 1862-03-06 00:00:00

THE LATE MR. G. R. LUKE.

The name of George Rankine Luke, student and
tutor of Christchurch, whose death, from the up-
setting of a boat on the Isis, is recorded in our im-
pression of to-day, is probably little known in Eng-
land. There are many more persons in Scotland
who will hear of the event with a deep and mourn.
ful interest. They will remember the youthful
Dux" of the Edinburgh Academy laden with
prizes, their own contemporary, or the friend and
contemporary of their sons,—the distinguished
student of Glasgow University, the Dean Ireland's
scholar, prizeman, and classman at Oxford, whose
course they have followed by report in later life;
afterwards the able and devoted college tutor, who
at the age of 25 has been taken from the scene of
his labours. One who was acquainted with him
and believes that he can write of him without the
exaggeration of friendship, is desirous that his noble
and simple character should not pass away
altogether unknown to the public. He was certainly
one of the most remarkable students who ever came
up to Oxford. He won all the principal University
distinctions, but his extreme modesty and retiring
disposition might have prevented a casual observer
from seeing that there was far more in him than is
necessarily implied in any number of academical
decorations. A scholar in the best sense of tha
word, he united with scholarship great intellectual
force, which could not have failed to raise him to.
eminence. During the last two years he had been
quietly growing in reputation, and was exercising a
great and beneficent influence in the University by
devoted and unremitting attention to his pupils.
The secret of this influence, which was exerted over
his contemporaries as well as his pupils, lay in the
uncommon energy and intensity of his character,
which blended with a singular affectionateness. No
one could have to do with him without feeling his
power. He was remarkably free from weakness. The
orotchets and pedantries and gossip of University
life had no existence for him. Whatever he was
about he went straight to the point, and could
always be trusted for acting consistently with him-
self. Though instinctively a lover of truth, he was
never led from his practical duties by vague specu-
lation. The supposed theological difficulties of Ox-
ford passed through his mind, hut certainly left no
hurtful impression on his strong and innocent na-
ture. A few days ago he had said to a friend that
he was not afraid to die at any moment. Nor was
such a feeling, combined with such a life, in any
degree a presumptuous one. Though not originally
a member of Christ Church, no man was ever more
enthusiastically attached to his college. He was
thoroughly impressed with the greatness of the
institution to which he belonged, and he de-
sired to make the great name a reality.
He was fond of talking of his favourite
pupils, and of the promising " material" which
ho found among them. Some of the Westminster
students, especially, had a strong hold upon his
affections ; he often commended them as doing hon-
our to the place of their education. It is nearly
two years ago that Christ Church, after some inter-
mission, was represented in the Moderation Class
list by five first-class men. Without detracting from
the merit of others, it will be generally admitted
that this unusual distinction was, in a great mea-
sure, due to Mr Luke's extraordinary industry. He
understood perfectly the secret of success, as a col-
lege tutor. The secret is chiefly devotion to the
work, and consideration for the characters of young
men. No young man is really hostile to one who
is labouring, evening as well as morning, wholly
for his good—who troubles him only about the
"weightier matters"—who knows how to sympa-
thise with his better mind—who can venture to
associate with him, without formality or restraint.
To men like Mr. Luke the difficulties of maintain-
ing authority in a college absolutely disappear.
The feelings with which the young are capable of
regarding such a man, and the true estimate they
form of him are indeed surprising. He was of
humble though respectable origin, himself a gen-
tleman by nature, superior to ail vulgar thoughts
he was full of tender care and interest about the
members of his family. It is not too much to say
that he was absolutely regardless of money, and of
his own advancement in life. No advantage to
himself would have pleased him half as much as
the success of his pupils and his college in the uni.
versity. The only personal object was the desire
to help others. No one would do more for a friend
or think less about it. His work is left unfinished,
and has lo be continued by others. Those who come
after him will find that their only chance of raising
the great aristocratic seminary with which he was
connected to its rightful position in public estima-
tion, is the performance of services like his, with
the same untiring energy, the same regardlessness
of self. In the fulfilment of such a duty to the Uni-
versity and to the nation, the lives of many good or
even great men will not be spent in vain.