372 THE LATE MR. GRIFFITH. 
the duties of Botanical Professor in the Medical College; 
but having on the return of Dr. Wallich from the Cape, 
resumed his place at Malacca, he was there seized with 
disease of the liver, and died at the early age of thirty-four, 
having already acquired a distinguished reputation,—having, 
in every capacity wherein he served the government re- 
ceived its approbation and its thanks; and having given 
a promise of such further services to botanical science as 
few have had either the opportunity or the talent of afford- 
ing. Inall his varied and extensive journeys, his courage 
and his energy never failed him; whether in the jungles 4 
of Assam, or the hills of Affghanistan, he still pursued : 
his researches, undeterred by danger, either of disease 
or of violence; and if disabled, as he was more than once 
by fever and debility, his first convalescence found him ever 
ready for fresh exertions. He had thus, by the application 
of extraordinary powers of observation, and in researches 
extending through the vast regions which have been enu- 
merated, formed large and valuable collections, and brought 
together thaterials for a great botanical work; and he looked 
with impatience to a period of repose for compiling a Scien- 
tific Flora of India, when he sunk under his last fatal illness. 
Perhaps no more impressive picture of the energy of this 
extraordinary man, and of his devotion to his favourite 
science, can be given than that which may be drawn from 
the following extracts from a letter dictated by him on his , 
death-bed, and addressed to Dr. M‘Clelland :— 
“I write this by deputy, being seriously ill of hepatitis; 
the attack has been very severe, and the treatment neces- 
sarily active, so that I am reduced to an extreme state of — a 
weakness. Although my adviser does not despair, still the — . 
issue is doubtful, and under this impression I commence à | 
few lines to you on business. 
^ Mrs. Griffith (supposing the result of this illness to be 
fatal to me) will bring up with her all the collections at 
Malacca, and they being added to those at the export ware 
