55 



The few hours which Sir James Smith's kindness induced him to 

 devote to me, though he was ready prepared to set off on a journey 

 to join his Smithia, (a lady of rare talents,) passed away hke a 

 moment of time J just as the sweetest periods of life seem to fleet 

 upon the swiftest wings. I have rarely beheld a more noble coun- 

 tenance ; one indicative of such candour, simplicity and kindness, 

 united with so much clearness of intellect, as that of Sir J. E. Smith ; 

 and the expression of his features will never be obliterated from my 

 memor}'. 



Sir James obtained for my son and myself admittance to the noble 

 hospital at Norwich ; after which we quitted this romantic and 

 prettily situated city, and proceeded by way of Newmarket to Cam- 

 bridge- The coach, like all those which carry the mail in England, 

 went at too rapid a rate, and the day closed too early, to allow of our 

 making many observations on the Flora of the somewhat barren 

 country which lies betw^een Norwich and Newmarket. We only 

 noticed, from the road, some beautiful country seats, and a planta- 

 tion of Pinus sylvestris, which, hke the other tribes of Fir, is a rarity 

 On the plains of England, not being a native of this country. 



We hired a postchaise from Newmarket to Cambridge, which is 

 situated in a rather bleak neighbourhood. I shall describe the 

 University in some other place, and only give a few words to the 

 Botanic Garden, which, as far as such an establishment can be 



i 



known by a Catalogue, is already known on the continent by the 

 third edition which the deceased Donnand Pursh, together with Mr. 

 Lindley, pubhshed in 1823. I had hoped here to meet my late 

 friend Dr. E. D. Clarke, Professor of Mineralogy, who once spent 



^ with me at Landshut, on his return from Egypt, and had 

 invited me in return to see him and his Garden at Cambridge. He 

 knew not that he was askino- me to come and see his effigy, w^hen he 

 gave me the invitation j— the marble bust which the University has 

 placed to his honour in the library, is all that was left of my friend. 

 I was told that Dr. Clarke's death was occasioned by the irritation 

 that an insect gave rise to, and which was drawn into his nostril by 

 smelling of a flower. 



ery 



ground, and there are from five to six tliousand species of plants^ the 



