.^Hx V^. .0^, \^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k // "^ €r. ^3 ^^ Q; 1.0 I.I 11.25 u HA nr 1^ mil 2.0 2 2 i.8 JA mil 1.6 ^^ iV iV ^ „ ^ \\ ^ear his name ; but he also took part in nearly all the Subscriptions for general and special ^ purposes in the University from 1856 downwards. "^ Mr. Kedpath was married on October IGth, 1847, to Miss Grace Wood, the daughter of a gentleman of Manchester, England, noted among his fellow-citizens as an eminent promoter of philanthropic objects, Mrs. Kedpath survives her husband, and is his executrix, not merely in the legal sense, but as one wisely and loyally desirous to carr}' out liis wishes, and herself deeply interested in the educational and benevolent enterprises of her deceased husband. In evidence of this, she contributed to his last great gift of the new Library-building the two large and elaborate stained glass windows containing portraits of illustrious men in literature, science and art, which adorn the public reading-room. In his connection with the University, as a member of its Governing Board, to which he was appointed in 1804, end of which at tlie time of his death he was the senior member, Mr. Kedpath was invaluable. He regularly attended the meetings, was always interested in the questions under discussion, and ready to give aid, advice and influence in favour of every measure of imprcvement. In the midst of ^ 8 IN MEMORIAM many other avocations, he was always alive to its interests, and was constantly contributing to its advancement in many quiet and thoughtful ways. He was also a friend on whom every officer of the University could reckoii, as kind and helpful in any difficulty or emergency; and he possessed that breadth of view which enabled him to make allowance for the failings of weaker men. One instance of his continued and painstaking liberality was the contribution from year to year of rare and valuable books on English history, selected for him by competent experts, until that Department of the University Library has become noted for its completeness and tiie treasures which it contains. After his removal to England, in 1880, he c jntinued to take the same lively interest in the University, a,s was evidenced by his great benefactions after that date. He also kept up a regular correspondence with the Principal and others respecting its affairs, and acted in its behalf whenever necessary. In this respect his presence in England was often of the greatest service, and many members of the University cherish a grateful remembrance of the kindness and hospitality with which he received them in the old Manor House of Chiselhurst, whicli was his Englisli liome. He acquired this property in 1880 as a permanent English residence, and took great pleasure in restoring and improving the house and grounds, till it became an ideal English country house of tlie olden type. The place was not only quaint and beautiful in itself, but was full of historic associations. It had been the home of Joan, the " Fair Maid of Kent," the wife of the Black Prince, and was successively in the possession of the Duke of Somerset, of AVarwick the " King-maker," and of the Duke of Clarence: and, reverting to the crown in the reign of Henry YIIL, was granted by Queen Elizabeth as a suburban PETER REDPATH 9 residence to her great statesman, Sir Francis "Walsingham, where she is said to have sometimes visited liim. In Mr. liedpath's possession it has opened its hospitable doors to many noted men of our own time. To a man of his tastes it afforded the pleasures of country life and of literary leisure, with ready access to London and all its advantages as well as facilities for extending hospitality to old Canadian friends whom business or pleasure brought to the Metropolis. Mr. liedpath's life in England was not altogether one of repose. He engaged in serious legal studies, and became a member of the Middle Temple. He was on the London Board of the Bank of Montreal. He was a member of the Council of the Canadian Institute, took much interest in the question of Imperial Federation, and represented the North- West Terri- tories on the Board of the lioyal Imperial Institute. Mr. Iledpath visited Canada frecpiently after his removal to England, the last time being in the autunni of 1893, when he was accompanied by Mrs. lledpath. After a tour in the North- West, they returned to Montreal to be present at the opening of the Xew Library in October. He was at that time apparently in good health and spirits, appeared to enjoy the society of his old friends, and superintended with the greatest interest the completion of the beautiful new buUding which he had presented to the Lhiiversity, and the planning of whicli had occupied much of his thougb.t in the two previous years. After his return to England, no intimation of any serious illness }uad reached Montreal, when, on the 1st of February, the news of his sudden and unexpected death, received by cable, fell like a thunder-clap on his many friends. No event, it may be truly said, ever cast a deeper gloom on all connected with the McGill University and the institutions associated with it. For 10 IN MEMORIAM the moment everyone seemed paralyzed, and the only thought seemed to be how it would be possible to express sympathy with the bereaved widow, to take part, by representatives in England, in the obsequies at Chiselhurst, and to engage in a memorial service in Montreal on the 6th of February, the day of the funeral in England. This last tribute, though hastily arranged, was most sincere and impressive. It was held in the reading-room of the New Library, so recently opened in the presence of its now deceased founder. Tlie service was attended by all connected with the University and by many of the leading citizens of Montreal, and, as it proceeded, many moistened eyes testified to the esteem and affection with which ]\Ir. Itedpath was regarded. The following are extracts from the address delivered on the occasion by his friend and former Pastor, Eev. Dr. MacVicar, Principal of tlie I'resbyterian Theological College : — We unite this morning at the same hour in which his funeral service is being conducted at Chiselhurst, England, in a puljlic tril)ute of respect and honour to the memory of ]Mr. Peter Kedpath. He was a man of good ability, sound judgment, refined and elevated taste, and excellent culture — -a lover of literature and art ; and, what is infinitely better, a lover of truth and of the God of Truth. After a long and successful career, having retired from business, he removed to England, and l)oth in this city and the old land was deservedly called to occuj)y many })ositions of trust and responsibility. In business he was uniformly characterized by indefatigable diligence and unswerving integrity. His yea was yea, and his nay, nay. Gentle, amiable and considerate of the opinions and feelings of others, ever ready to take a broad and generous view of their actions, and yet, when purity and principle were concerned, he was as firm as a rock. It was vain for those who had sinister ends to serve to attempt to turn him aside from truth and righteousness. In these respects he furnished a notable pattern, which young men and all others may do well to imitate. As a philanthropist he took rank PETER REDPATII 11 with the foremost in t)iir hind. His benefactions in various forms to McGill University and other public institutions bear witness to his unstinted liberality. He had grace and wisdom given him to administer his large resources in his life-time for tlie good of his fellow men ; and this fact deserves to be emphasized. His last public appearance amongst us was in this very hall, three months ago, in the performance of a crowning act of educational usefulness. But let it not be supposed that all his l^enevolence took visible forms like those just mentioned. He Avas naturally unobtrusive, strongly averse to all ostentatious dis})lay and vulgar advertising of the good he purposed or accomplished. His unreported charities were numerous and wisely distributed. He sought to do his alms before God, and not before men to be seen of them. The Father who seeth in secret alone knoweth in what abundant measure he gave heli) and comfort to others. As a Christian he was devout, conscientious, and consistent. His Christianity was a life and character rather than a demonstrative profession. I had op])ortunities of knowing his views on these matters intimately. For many years he was an exemplary memljer and office-bearer of the Free Church, Cote Street, ncnv Crescent Street Church. He served Avitli me there most faithfully as a deacon during my entire pastorate, and was twice elected as an elder, the duties of which office, through the modest estimate of his own ability, he judged himself unable to undertake. His simple trust in the word and in the Christ of God was the secret of his meek and quiet sjjirit, unfailing generosity and sterling Avorth. And I must add that in all his Christian service and public munificence he was lovingly aided by his partner in life, with whom, in her great bereavement, Ave to-day deeply symi)athiz(?. Finally, in this hour of sorroAv over the removal of one of Montreal's noble benefactors, let us seek, through the mediation of Jesus Christ, the help of His Holy Spirit, that Ave may emulate the example of him Avhose memory Ave honour. Kesoliitions of condolence wei losed by many public bodies with which Mr. Redpath had been connected or to which he had given assistance. The following resolutions of the Cor- poration of the University and of the Faculty of Arts may be given as examples : — 12 IN MExMOUIAM The Corporation of McGill University, on occasion of its first meeting after the lamented decease of Mr. Peter Redpath, one of the Governors of this University and one of its leading benefactors, desires to place on record its deep and gratefid sense of the Ijenefits conferred by Mr. Redpath on the cause of higher education in Canada, not only by his liberal l)enef actions, but by his earnest, wise and practical interest in all that concerned the welfare of this Universitv. In addition to many other acts of liberality, the Corporation recalls his large contributions, extended throughout many years, towards the formation in the University Library of a complete collection of Standard Works and original Records on the subject of English History, and his crowning gifts in the endowment of the Chair of ^fathematics, and the erection and equipment of the ]Museum and Lil)rary Buildings which bear his name, together with the contribution of funds for their maintenance. In connection with these benefactions, the Corporation hails with satisfaction the effort now being made by friends and admirers of ^Ir. Redpath in England and Canada to provide a suital)le monument to Ije placed in the Library, and desires to commend to the favour- able consideration of the Board of Governors the proposal of the Museum Committee that a memorial tablet be placed in the ^luseum, and that a special number of the j\[useum ^lemoirs be prepared, giving the history of this department since the announcement of the benefaction in 1880, with a biographical sketch of Mr. Redpath. That the expression of the sincere sympathy of the University be conveyed to Mrs. Redpath and to the other relatives of the deceased in this country and in England. The members of the Faculty of Arts of ^IcGill College, meeting on the day when the mournful intelligence has arrived of the death of their common friend and benefactor, Mr. Peter Redpath, and remembering his many munificent, wise and thoughful gifts to thi= I^niversity, and especially to this Faculty, more particularly the Chair of Mathematics, with the costly INluseum and the Library which bear his name, desire to express their high appreciation of the qualities of intellect and of heart which led him to set so high a PETER REDPATII 13 value on sound learning, both in literature and in science, and by which he was prompted, in so many conspicuous ways and with such princely liberality and untiring zeal, to promote the full equipment and efficiency of this Faculty. His efforts in the cause of Higher Education have won a name and place for him among the benefactors, not of this University only, but of his country at large, and have brought him lasting and well-deserved renown. The members of the Faculty further desire to give expression to their heartfelt sorrow and sympathy Avith her Avho has for so many years been his partner in life and the true helpmate and sympathizer with him in his many and varied acts of beneficence for the good of his fellow citizens and of Uii nkind. To the members of the family of the deceased residing in Canada the Faculty respectfully desire to tender their condolence in the loss they have sustained. Many literary and scientific periodicals and leading organs of public opinion in Great Britain and the Colonies noticed his large scientific and educational benefactions and endowments, and paid deserved tribute to his memory. The following from the London Times may be quoted in illustration : — Besides great business aptitude, Mr. Redpath was a man of high culture and wide sympathies. Thus he was President of the General Hospital of Montreal, and took an active interest in the McGill College and University there, which owes so much to the munificence of individual Canadians. In 1880 Mr. Redpath built, at his sole expense, a nniseum in connection with the University, intended as a place of deposit and study of specimens in geology, mineralogy, palffiontology, zoology, botany and archaeology. The foundation stone of this ])uilding, a striking architectural ornament to the University, was laid by the Marquis of Lome, when Govi-rnor-General, and was then described by the Principal, Sir William Dawson, as one of the largest and most generous gifts ever made to the University or to the cause of education in Canada. More recently JNIr. Redpath made a still more considerable addition to the University buildings in a spacious and handsome Library, for the use of undergraduates in the Faculties of Arts, Applied Science, IVEedicine and Law, which was opened at Montreal on October 31st, 1893, amid great rejoicings, in 14 IN MEMOKIAM the presence of the Governor-General, tlio Earl of Aberdeen, Lady Aberdeen, and a large gathering of representative Canadians. Mr. and Mrs. Kedpath were present on this occasion, and Lord Aberdeen made graceful allusion to the chief gift, as well us to that of some fine stained windows, part of the decorations of the hall, by Mrs. Redpiith. Not contented with providing the funds (which did not fall far short of £75,000) for the erection of the Museum and Library, Mr. Redpath devoted much time and study in examining similar structures in England and abroad, with a view to secure the best designs and most convenient equipment for the latter. As a result of his carefully- thought-out plans, the library, for its size (it will hold some L30,000 volumes), affords ])y its arrangements for readers and the housing of books an accommodation hardly equalled in any other such institu- tion. For some years past Mr. Redpath, though a frequent visitor to Canada, has settled in England, where he became a member of the Middle Temple, was elected on the London Board of the Bank of Montreal (of which his father had been a director), and busied himself in helping to furnish the new museum and library in Montreal by frequent contributions of specimens and books purchased in Europe. He also took much interest in the Royal Colonial Institute, serving on the council of that body, and was memljer of the governing body of the Royal Imperial Institute, being sj)ecially appointed to represent the North-West Territories of the Dominion. His death, which took place at his residence, the ]\Ianor House, Chiselhuvst, in his 73rd year, Avill be deplored on both sides of the Atlantic by a wide circle of friends, to whom his genial manners, high sense of honour, and active, unobtrusive benevolence had greatly endeared him. The Canadian Gazette of London gives the following testi- mony to his career and to the estimation in which he was held by his countrymen : — His memory will be chiefly cherished by reason of his broad and liberal sym})athy with the cause of higher education. Though not a resident of Canada for many years past, he never forgot that it was in Canada that his wealth had been acquired, and so long as the name of McGill L^niversity survives, Canadians will need no other monument to the wisely -planned nuniilicence of Peter Redpath. As PETER REDPATII 15 and not a was the ther As far back as 1871 lie devoted 820,000 to the foundation of a chair of Natural Philosophy,'*'' and promised an annual subscription of 8400 for ten years in aid of the Faculty of Ai^plied Science. Nine years later, following in the footsteps of his friend Sir Donald Smith, he marked the semi-jul)ilee of Sir William Dawson's principalship by announcing his intention to erect a costly and capacious museum l)uilding on the college grounds, wherein the large geological collections of the Principal, and the collections of Dr. P. P. Carpenter, Dr. Holmes, M and others, might be fittingly housed. In September of that year the foundation stone was laid by the Governor-General, Lord Lome, and at the close of 1881 the handsome dressed limestone building, which still remains the finest of its kind in Canada, was completed, at a cost of a])out $140,000, besides a large annual sum for the cost of maintenance for ten years. Subsequently, however, Mr. Redpath made an even more sub- stantial gift to Canada's foremost University, in the form of a new university liljrary. The proceedings at the opening of this library on the last day of October will be fresh in the memory of our readers. The Governor-General was present in his capacity as ofllcial Visitor of the College, accompanied by Lady Aberdeen ; and the large gathering, representative of all classes of the community, which then aisembled, little thought that they were taking part in the last ])ublic act of one of the most faithful of McCxill's benefactors. Both Mr. and Mrs. Redpath were present, and the Governor- General, when receiving a beautifully-wrought gold key, the presentation of which symbolized the transfer of the building to the University, made graceful reference to the enlightened and generous public spirit which had ever signalized the attitude of the leaders of Montreal commerce, and Mr. Redpath chief among them, towards the cause of higher education. " Many years of a successful and upright career, and of much public usefulness, have," said Lord Aberdeen, " rendered the worth and name of Mr. Peter Redpath so familiar that it is unnecessary, nor would it in liis presence be acceptable to himself, to dilate upon his claims to public esteem and good-will." These remarks fittingly describe the appreciation in which Mr. Redpath was held in all parts of Canada. His Excellency also spoke of the * Subsequently, by permission of Mr. Redpath, transferred to the subject of Mathematics. 16 IN MEMOKIAM share Mrs. Rcdpath luul in the presentation of that day, for the beautiful staininl glass windows at each end of the lil)rary were her gift. This was tlie last public appearance of Mr. 'Redpath, and he had thus the satisfaction of witnessing the completion of this his final act of educational beneficence. In England Mr. Redpath was one of the best-known friends of Canada. No Dominion day dinner or Canadian festival was deemed complete without his genial presence, and though his name seldom figured upon toast lists and the like, he was always one of the foremost to advance any worthy Imperial or Anglo-Canadian move- ment. From its commencement he, together with the late Sir Alex. Gait and Mr. R. R. Dobell, represented Canada upon the general committee of the Imperial Federation League. He took much interest in the Royal Colonial Institute, serving on the council of that body, and he was appointed to represent the North- West Territories upon the governing body of the Imperial Institute. He was, moreover, a member of the London Board of the Bank of Montreal, of which his father had been President, and was upon the directorate of that other well-known Canadian institution, the Canada Company. Thus his thoughts and activities were ever directed to tl:o advancement of the best interests of the country which had given him liirth and prosperity, and his shrewd common sense, kindly geniality, and quiet benevolence will be much missed on this side of the Atlantic. The beautiful oil painting by Sydney Hodges, a gift to the University by citizens of Montreal, in the Hall of the Museum, perpetuates his form and features to successive generations of students and graduates who enjoy the benefits of his bounty, and it is intended to place a memorial tablet in Mexican onyx in the Museum, and a bust, and also a portrait (the gift of the graduates and students), in the Library. These buildings themselves and their valuable and instructive contents will, it is hoped, constitute for ages to come the proper monuments of a man of whom Canada should be proud — a man who, in his life-time, sought neither personal honours nor distinctions, but whose name will go down to posterity as one of the true nobility of the Empire. for the were her , and he this his lends of deemed i seldom of the ti move- ir Alex. general <. much uncil of bh-West te. He Jank of pon the Canada seted to d given kindly side of to the iiseiini, ions of •ounty, 1 onyx of the ildings o 3 will, ments in his IS, but 3 true ■# The Peter Redimtti Museum. The handsome structure erected as a University Museum by Mr. Eedpath is the most prominent paiL of the western extension of the McGill College buildings. It stands on an elevated terrace, immediately west and in advance of the William Molson Hall, and facing the College grounds. Its material is the beautiful gray limestone of the Trenton forma- tion, quarried near Montreal. It is in the Grecian style, and of stately and graceful proportions. Its length is 130 feet and its breadth GG feet, exclusive of slightly projecting transepts at either end. It is planned in such a manner as to give the largest possible amount of well-liglited space within, and, for its size, is one of the best museum-buildings anywhere. It is not intended for a large general collection, but for series of typical specimens for teaching purposes in all departments of Katural Science, and to render these as accessible as possible, both for the use of individual students and for demonstrations- by professors and lecturers to large classes. The basement contains the residence of the janitor and the heating apparatus, which consists of two large daisy furnaces, and hot-water pipes, with a special arrangement of hot-air chambers for ventilation. In the basement are also work- rooms for preparing specimens, lavatories, and store-rooms furnished with cabinets for duplicates and undetermined specimens. 18 IN .MKMOUIAM Tlie first Hoor lias at tlie back a capacious lecture-theatre, seated for 200 students on raised seats, and with space for additional seats when re(iuired, and for the use of lantern a])paratus and screens, and for cases to contain the specimens required for class-room use. It is furnished with shutters for darkeninoard of Governors. When the undertaking was commenced I did not anticipiit(! any such (•eremony as that which has brou<^ht this assembly together to-day. 1 am deeply sensible of the honour conferred by His Excellency the (lovi'rnor-General in consenting to take a part in it, and I desire now, for myself, to thank His Kxcellency for his presence on the occasion. Principal Dawson then addressed the Convocation and s[)ectators as follows : — ]My Loud anu (Jkntf^emen of Convocation, Ladies and (Jentj.e- MEN, — It falls to me to address to you a few explanatory words respecting the munilicent donation to the University which we have met to-day to inaugurate. And iirst, I must return the thanks of the Mcdill University to Mr. Ked])ath for his generous gift, one of the largest ever made to the University or to the cause of education in Canada, standing next in amount to our original endowment, and ranking with tlu> nobh; gift of tlu; lat(5 Mr. Wm. Mitlson in 18(51. It may indeed seem a large amount to be. dcvotcMl to one branch