THE ANALYST, NOVEMBER, 1884. 6; Ir, very loviizg remembrance of GEORGE WILLIAM WIGNER, F.I.C., P.C.S. (eldest son of ths .Rev. J. T. Vigner), of Tickham Boa6, Broclcley, 8.Z.? who, just niae rizortths after hi8 loved Wgo's decease, and after zoeeh of severe sufering, peacs- ficl'ly passed away, October 17, 1884, aged 42 year$." SUCH were the words of the card announcing to the public analysts of Great Britttin the sad news of the decease of the first President of our Society who has died during the term of offioe. When an old connection is thus rudely severed and a literary and official union of years is terniinated, it is a sad and difficult task to sit down and announce the bare fact without attempting to make our readers familiar with the sincere private relations and many virtues of the departed one as a husband, a father, a chemist, and a friend, but such matters must be sup- pressed when performing a public duty, and me will, therefore, only speak of the deceased in his official capacity.To the buxiness talents and organising power of George William Wigner the Society of Public Analysts owes its existence, for it was his devoted zeal and personal labour that carried the young babe safely through the perils of infancy and the temptations of adolescence ; and when, having safely brought it to years of discretion, ho resigned the Secretaryship and accepted the Presidency, all hoped that he would remain with us to see the fruits of his work in bringing together the public analysts in permanent bonds of unity, and of encouraging and fostering through this Journal a new branch of science even now in its infancy. But it very often happens that the cup of happiness is dashed unexpectedly from om lips, and just at the moment when many of the leading spirits of our Society mere venti- lating among tltemselves the idea of marking his untiring zeal by offering him the exceptional honour of an additional year of Presidency, he is gone, and me are left to bow to the decision, and to reflect that he is, after all, perhaps, in a happier state than those still remaining amidst the trials and sorrows of life I The funeral took plye at Brockley Cemetery on the 22nd inst.where a number of public analysts reverently assisted the relatives in laying their respected friend to rest, surrounded by one of the largest assemblies that we have ever soen at a private interment. As we took our last lingering look on that solemn occasion, the words of the poet Gray came before our minds, and in shadowing forth our present painful task we felt that we should : - '' No farther seek his merits to disclose, Or draw his frailties from their dread abode. Where they dike in trembling hopes repose The bosom of his Father and his God."