At the close of this, his first winter session, the new professor took a party of students on a long geological excursion to the Border district, his old hunting-ground. During the course of the excursion, which lasted several days, the party visited Buchtrig, whether wholly from geological or partly from sentimental reasons does not appear. Some fine tramps were taken over the hills, and the fact that the leader had himself worked out the geology of the district must have added much zest to the excursion. In May the first summer class in geology was held, this being one of Prof. James Geikie’s innovations. It was well attended, twenty-six students taking part, and consisted of both indoor work and excursions. After this year this summer course became a part of the regular routine, and while it was a great improvement from the point of view of teaching, it naturally still further diminished the professor’s spare time, and placed him at a disadvantage, so far as independent work was concerned, with his colleagues of the Arts Faculty who then had only a short winter session. The summer holiday was spent at Largo in Fife, and the summer was clouded by the death of Prof. Geikie’s father, who passed away at the age of seventy-three, having seen both his geologist sons established in positions of importance. The work of the following session, 1883-1884, proved easier than the first, “but just yet the Chair is not a ‘bed of roses.’ It takes up more time than I had reckoned for.” [Illustration: [_From an etching by Mr William Hole, A.R.S.A._ A STUDY OF PROF. GEIKIE IN 1884.] Spring brought two distractions, the Tercentenary celebrations of Edinburgh University, and preparations for a visit to Canada and the United States in connection with the British Association meeting at Montreal. Of the former Prof. Geikie soon wearied, and voiced his weariness, and perhaps some remains of resentment in regard to those winter nights spent--fruitlessly from his point of view--in “getting-up” uncongenial subjects, in a series of verses. These at the time were shown only to privileged friends, but may be quoted here now for the sake of those who can see a joke, even if it is partly at their own expense. They make it clear that the author was not yet wholly reconciled to academic life. TO MY ALMA MATER ON THE COMPLETION OF HER 300TH YEAR 1. Hail stately pile! hail treasure-house of lore! Dear nurse of many a wit and many a bore! What mingled thoughts have we in this late time, Reviewing all the glories of thy prime! 2. Three hundred years ago thou hadst thy birth, And now thy name is known o’er all the earth: In making ropes of sand once great thy skill-- Thy fame is now the scalpel and the pill. 3. O Alma Mater, ’neath thy learned shade, How many a plot against mankind is laid! And ghouls in hundreds every year stalk forth, To testify to all what thou art worth! 4.