On the 14th April 1899, General Wauchope had conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws by the University of Edinburgh. The spring graduation ceremonial in which arts, science, and law degrees are conferred, is generally of an interesting character, but on this occasion it was more than usually imposing. This was owing in some measure to its being performed in the recently opened M'Ewan Hall, an adjunct of the University, and the handsomest hall in the city; but more especially from the fact that like honorary degrees were to be conferred at the same time on Lord Wolseley, the Marquis of Dufferin, and other distinguished men. It was a magnificent spectacle, and the large audience which crowded the spacious hall at an early hour in the forenoon cordially greeted the General as he ascended the rostrum to receive the degree from his father-in-law, Sir William Muir, who as vice-chancellor presided on the occasion. In formally presenting him to the Senatus, Professor Sir Ludovic Grant took occasion to say: 'It is a fortunate coincidence that a graduation ceremonial which is honoured with the presence of the Commander-in-Chief, should also {165} include among its distinguished guests one who is so noble an embodiment of all that is best and bravest in the British Army, as is to be found in General Wauchope. Here in Scotland his name is a household word, synonymous with high courage and devotion to duty. It were superfluous to recall the occasions on which their gallant commander has led the Black Watch to victory, or to rehearse the long tale of all his exploits and all but mortal wounds. But it is not in his capacity as a soldier only that he does with his might that which his right hand finds to do. There is not a miner in the village of Niddrie who will not testify to the watchful guardianship which he exercises over his people. He has thrown himself with characteristic zest into public affairs, and we all know that the battle of the warrior is not the only form of contest in which he has shown himself a dauntless foeman. The University rejoices to inscribe the name of so gallant and public-spirited a soldier on her roll of honorary graduates in law.' That General Wauchope had not only won his spurs but his doctor's hood in fair fight goes without saying. His military services could not refuse him the former; and it says much for the discrimination of the great Scottish University that it should have discerned in one whose scholastic education was of the smallest, and who certainly had not the benefit of a university training, a fitting subject for so great an honour as it conferred. But the Senatus recognised this fact, that his life all through had been an educational training, equal at least to all the learning of the schools. A life of hard experience well utilised has often achieved great results, as in Wauchope's case it did.