The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1895-03-28
A GREAT MAN DEAD


Prof John Stuart Blackie died a.
Edinburgh oD March 2. He passed
away peaceful v He babe farewell
to his family the previous evening,
saying he was perfectly certain that
his end was approaching.
John Stuart Blackie, professor OF
Greek in the University of Edin-
burgh, son OF n banker in Aberdeen,
was born at Glasgow, in July, 1909,
was educated at Aberdeen aud Edin.
burgh. During two years passed in
Gottingen and Berlin and at Rome
he devoted himself to the study Of
German, italian and classical philo.
logy. He was prolific writer on
abstruse subjects, contributing fire.
quently to the leading magazines.
In 1S4l he was appointed to the
newly formed chair OF Latin Litera-
ture in Mariscbal College, Aberdeen,
This post he held for eleven years.
Among other notable writings was a
metrical translation of "Escbylus,"
which led to his appointment, in
1862, to the Greek chair in the
University OF Edinburgh. This was
followed by several other important
works. Professor Blackie was very
active as popular lecturer, and
made himself somewhat conspicuous
as an advocate OF Scottish national.
ity. In the discussions which pre-
coded the passing of the Reform Act
OF 1867 he took a great interest and
supported the principles Of the Bri-
fish constitution against the advo.
Gates OF American democracy in a
public debate with Ernest Jones,
the well-known Chartist. Professor
Blackie's argument on Democracy"
on this occasion, was published and
went through six editions in fort
night.
His name is closely connected
with the movement which resulted
in the abolition of the Test Act, re-.
curing the professors of the Scot.
fish universities to be members OF
the established Church. In 1870 he
put forth volume OF "War Songs
Of the Germans" with historical
sketches, in which he advocated the
cause OF the Germans against France
with great energy and decision.
Professor Blackie also appeared as
q lecturer in the Royal Institution,
London, where he combated the
views OF Mr.. John Stuart Mill in
moral philosophy, of Mr.. Grote in
his estimate OF the Greek sophists,
and OF Max Muller, in his allegoricsl
Interpretation OF ancient myths.
Professor Blackie crowned his con-
tributions towards a proper estimate
OF Scottish Celts by the foundation
OF a Celtic chair in the University OF
Edinburgh, for which, by four years
considerable exertioD, he collected a
sum OF fl2,0OO sterling. He resign
ed the chair OF Greek in the Univer-
sity OF Edinburgh in 1882.
An American gentleman who paid
DR.. Blackie a visit within q recent
period, gave the following descrip-
ton OF the personal appearance OF
the famous old Scotchman: "An
erect figure, not tall, but above the
medium height. White hair falling
about his neck. The blusst blue
eyes ! ever saw, with q keen, merry
expression in their searching depths
Eyes that have never used glasses
despite their owners eighty -four
years. A face alternating between
ruddy and pale tints like a mixture
OF heather, red and white. A pleas
ant speech, with a quaint twist oil
Glasgow in the accent. Quaint, un
conventional, honest manners, al
the more elegant by means OF thei
very simplicity. The wisest, merries
child OF nature conceivable, will
the added gravity OF a sage OF al
the nations. The brain Of scholar
the heart OF little lad, and 20,