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1901-02

As the record later on will show, the Chancellor was
quite successful in the interesting task committed to him,
and the corner stone was "well and truly laid" by their
Royal Highnesses, 15th Oct, 1901. More than that, the
Prince and Princess kindly visited the Principal who was
lying ill in the General Hospital, expressing their warm
sympathy with him, in his suffering, and conferring
upon him, by command of the King, the honour of the
Companionship of St. Michael and St. George. The Principal
dutifully remarked that when health was better he
hoped to be able to return their gracious call.

The Board and Staff and all the friends of Queen's were
much concerned about the state of the Principal's health,
and steps were taken to relieve him of his lectures in the
Theological Faculty. His son, Mr. W. L. Grant (later Principal
Grant of Upper Canada College) was appointed secretary to
his father during his illness. Nothing was omitted by the
Authorities and Staff to show the Principal their unqualified
admiration of him, both as man and Principal and their
solicitude from his restoration to health and strength.
Nor were the students less concerned about the health of
their devoted friend "Geordie".

During those years, Departments that used to be manned
single-handed, were divided. The student tide was rising
rapidly, and the Staff must be increased to meet the
requirements of growing classes and additional studies.

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