i 7 2 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



the plant-studies of his pupils. The fame of his success went abroad, 

 and he was- solicited to lecture in many places, and to assist in organ- 

 izing the botanical work in various schools and colleges. Like Fara- 

 day, he was invited by Prince Albert to lecture to the royal children, 

 whom he interested in the same way that he had done the pupils of 

 his Hitcham classes. 



Other points of great interest in Prof. Henslow's career and char- 

 acter we should be glad to dwell upon, but our sketch is already over- 

 done. Sufficient, however, has been said to show how science may 

 increase the usefulness of a clergyman, and prepare the way for his 

 higher work and that higher work was not neglected by Prof. Hens- 

 low. He not only labored hard and perseveringly for the temporal 

 good of his parishioners, but he discharged toward them with fidelity 

 the duties of a Christian minister. In the twenty-four years of his 

 residence at Hitcham there was a period of twelve years when he was 

 not absent from the parish on a single Sunday. The secret of so much 

 varied work was a strong constitution, unremitting industry, and strict 

 method in the disposal of his time. But the strongest constitutions 

 have their limits, and a false security tends to their being often 

 overpassed. Prof. Henslow was under a constant strain, and the ill- 

 ness that terminated his life was probably brought on by his " inces- 

 sant mental and manual labor." He passed away May 14, 1861, and 

 his loss was deeply felt in the world of science, in his university, and 

 in the parish to which he had devoted so much of his unselfish life. 







THE STUDY OF SOCIOLOGY. 



By HEEBEET SPENCEE. 



XI. The Political Pias. 



EVERY day brings events which, showing the politician what the 

 events of the next day are likely to be, serve also as materials 

 for the student of Social Science. Passing occurrences may have their 

 special meanings sought, as by the many, or may have their general 

 meanings sought, as by the few. Scarcely a journal can be read, that 

 does not supply a fact which, beyond the proximate implication seized 

 by the party-tactician, has an ultimate implication of value to the 

 sociologist. Thus d propos of political bias, I am, while writing, fur- 

 nished by an Irish paper with an extreme instance. Speaking of the 

 late Ministerial defeat, the JNation says: 



"Mr. Gladstone and his administration are hurled from power, and the ini- 

 quitous attempt to sow broadcast the seed of irreligion and infidelity in Ireland 

 has recoiled with the impact of a thunder-bolt upon its authors. The men who 



