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was succeeded by Dr. Octavius Yates, and Mr. Donald McLean
M.D., L.R.C.S.E. was elected Professor of the Institute of Medicine.
The Principal Dr. Leitch, who had been for sometime previous
by subject to severe attacks of heart disease, died in May 1864, and
on the 31st of that Month, the following Minute was passed at
a numerously attended meeting of the Trustees of the University:
"The Board desire on this, the first opportunity of their
assembling since the decease of the late lamented Principal, to
express their sense of the great loss which that melancholy event
has occasioned to this Institution and to the cause of higher
education, in the advancement of which he took so deep an
interest."
"Endowed with a vigorous intellect, and possessing
rare powers of scientific investigation, with a mind well
stored with varied and valuable acquirements, a bright
prospect of usefulness in the important position of Principal
of Queen's College seemed opened to him."
"During the brief period of his connection with that
Institution he had done much to extend its usefulness and pro-
mote its interests. Under him the pursuit of scientific and
religious knowledge received an impulse which, it is hoped,
may not cease to be felt until the high aims of him

1863-64

[handwritten note of "441"]