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THE LATE MR. BARCLAY. 
In the recent death of Robert Barclay, Esq. of Buryhill, 
Botany and Horticulture have lost a powerful friend and 
patron. Extensively engaged, from an early period of life, 
in commercial transactions, on so vast a scale, that his name 
ranks among the most eminent of those “merchants who 
are the honourable of the earth,” he yet found time to devote 
to the pursuit of science. His taste for gardening first 
displayed itself in 1781, when he went to reside at Clapham; 
and it was the means of his becoming acquainted with the 
late Mr. Aiton, Sir Jas. E. Smith, Sir Joseph Banks, Mr. 
Curtis, and the most zealous Botanists of that day. Mr. 
Barclay strenuously advised the latter to the publication of 
the Botanical Magazine, and foretold the great success it 
. would experience from the British public. dM 
_ But it was in 1805, when he removed to Buryhill, 
soon afterwards retired from the active engagements of 
business, which he confided to his eldest son, the present 
Mr. Barclay, that the subject of this brief notice devoted 
himself warmly to the cultivation and patronage of science, 
particularly those branches of it which were connected with 
Agriculture and Botany. The place of his residence may 
be reckoned as possessing more natural beauties than almost 
any spot in this highly-favoured island, and under his skilful 
direction, it was still further improved by all that art could 
accomplish. In agriculture, Mr. Barclay felt considerable 
interest, and was always ready to try any experiments which 
_ might lead to useful results. But in his garden he took the 
greatest delight. A long range of houses, which already 
existed on Mr. Barclay's coming to occupy the place, were 
kept up as a green-house and conservatory; and to them 
were judiciously added hot-houses, upon the most approved 
principles, wherein were cultivated, with a success that does 
Mr. Cameron, the gardener, no less than his employer, the 
