of several Norwich Botanists, 299 
Hudson, transcribed synonyms very copiously without seeing the 
original books; but that practice has been universal among local 
botanists till very lately, and, however disgraceful now, was much 
more excusable when Mr. Rose wrote. The principal part of his 
work is highly valuable, full of solid information, and not super- 
seded by any other English publication. 
I can never forget the kind assistance I received from this 
worthy man, when, having always had a passion for plants, I be- 
came desirous, at the age of 18, of studying botany as a science. 
The only book I could then procure was Berkenhout, Hudson's 
Flora having become extremely scarce. I received Berkenhout on 
the 9th of January 1778, and on the 11th began, with infinite de- 
light, to examine the Ulex europaus, the only plant then in tiowcr. 
I then first comprehended the nature of systematic arrangement 
and the Linmean principles, little aware that at that instant the 
world was losing the great genius who was to be my future guide, 
for Linnaeus died in the night of January 11th 1778. AVith Ber- 
kenhout and a parcel of wild flowers in my hands, I had often 
recourse to Mr. Rose during the ensuing summer. But, alas! in 
the following year a gutta serena deprived him of his sight. This 
affliction, so peculiarly severe to a naturalist, he bore with exem- 
plary patience; for though with the loss of his external visual or- 
gans he lost his darling amusement, none could ever derive more 
consolation than himself from looking within. Dunn" the feu re- 
maining } r ears of Mr. Rose's life, his delight was to assist young 
people in their classical or botanical studies, and he was always 
attended by some one or other eager to profit of his conversation. 
He had long formed the plan of a popular work on the uses of 
plants; and though unable to execute his intention altogether 
himself, he suggested the scheme to Mr. Charles Bryant, brother 
to the gentleman above mentioned, an excellent and industrious 
2q2 practical 
