296 
Dr. Smith's Biographical Memoirs 
worsted manufacture, during the equally unchristian and unwise 
persecutions of the bloody Philip II. Such an innocent luxury, 
and so pure a taste, were not unworthy of minds which had 
turned, with disgust, from the tyranny and foul corruption of 
their native country. Truth, virtuous liberty, and disinterested 
science, are congenial, and flourish under the influence of similar 
circumstances. 
The great Sir Thomas Browne, well known by his various 
learned writings, who died here in 1682, appears not to have 
neglected botany. The Saholafruticosa was first observed by him 
on the Norfolk coast. It does not, however, appear that sys- 
tematic botany was particularly studied in Norwich till towards 
the latter end of the 18th century. There was indeed a set of 
botanists, very distinct from the florists, though, like them, 
mostly in humble life, who amused themselves in herborizing in 
the country, and who referred, their discoveries to the names and 
descriptions of old English authors, particularly Gerarde and 
Parkinson, sometimes, perhaps, to Hay. Some of these are still 
in being, and a Society, founded many years ago, now exists. But 
the numbers of these, properly called botanists, have always been 
very inconsiderable compared with the cultivators of fine flowers, 
who among the journeymen weavers, and other persons employed 
in 1he manufacture, are veiy numerous, and 1 believe very suc- 
cessful. The long intercourse between this county and Holland 
has been favourable to their pursuit. 
The oldest name I have been able to discover amons; the bota- 
nists is that of Mr. Wilson, a tailor, who made frequent journeys 
to London about the years 1738 and 1740. Part of his Herbarium, 
very scientifically named, has fallen into my hands. From thence it 
appears that he collected and dried many plants from the Physic 
Garden at Chelsea, and from Gray's nursery at Fulham. Among 
his 
