'404 Biography : — John Templeton, Esq, 



worthy of being placed in company with that eminent naturalist. Every 

 one present will at once perceive that 1 refer to the late John Templeton, 

 a man devoted, like Linnaeus, to every branch of natural history, and whose 

 enthusiastic attachment to it continued to the end of his life. The biography 

 of a retired man of science, like a deceased friend, seldom presents much 

 that is interesting to the world at large, especially when he has not come 

 much forward as an author ; but those who have known and respected him 

 will take pleasure in such details as may make them more acquainted with 

 him, or may recall him to their recollection j and, in particular, you, who 

 are engaged in the same pursuit, will be gratified by even an imperfect 

 account of his exertions, of his discoveries, and of the treasures he has left 

 behind him. Whilst, in compliance with your wish, I have undertaken to 

 pay this tribute of respect, I must regret that it was not undertaken by 

 some one who had been longer and more intimately acquainted with him, 

 and who could, therefore, have done more justice to the subject. The 

 readiness, however, with which sources of information have been laid open 

 to me by the family, have, I hope, enabled me to fulfil your desire better 

 than I could have expected ; and I have myself derived considerable pleasure 

 in the employment; whilst the character, as well as the talent and in- 

 formation, of our departed friend, has risen greatly in my opinion, as I 

 have become more acquainted with him. 



Mr. Templeton was born in Belfast, in the year 1766. His father resided 

 there, and at his country house in Malone, near this town, where tlie family 

 have been settled since the early part of the 1 7th century, and where he 

 himself constantly lived since his father's death. To this place he gave the 

 name of Crann-more, i. e. the Great tree, in honour of the very fine chest- 

 nut trees which are in front of the house, and which were probably planted 

 in the 1 7th century, though there is no record respecting them. It had been 

 previously called Orange Grove. His very delicate state of health, when a 

 boy, was probably the cause of his attention being early turned to natural 

 history. When unable to partake of active amusements, he took great 

 delight in a book of natural history, containing pictures of birds, fishes, &c. ; 

 which pictures he used to copy, and with which, and the descriptions, he 

 used to compare the various birds which his friends, knowing the pleasure 

 it gave him, procured and sent him. That habit of discrimination, which 

 natural history is well calculated to form, was thus early acquired. His 

 earliest education he received at the school of Mr. Manson, a name yet 

 respected in this neighbourhood. As he grew up he became attached to 

 fowling and fishing, but gave up the former on witnessing the sufferings 

 of a wounded bird, and was ever afterwards remarkable for his kind attention 

 to every part of the animal creation. In this he set an excellent example 

 to naturalists, for he always contrived to gratify his curiosity without pain 

 to the subject of it, and would, at any time, have lost the opportunity of 

 acquiring knowledge, rather than be the cause of suffering to a living crea- 

 ture. When circumstances justified the deprivation of life, he considered 

 how it might take place with the least pain. Benevolence to men and 

 brutes was, indeed, a striking feature in his character ; and those who, on 

 many subjects, differed from him in opinion, could not but have approved 

 the motive by which he was ever actuated, — a desire to promote the hap- 

 piness of his fellow-creatures. From various passages in his writings I select 

 one, in proof of ray assertion. " It is often," says he, " within the power 

 of man to exercise a portion of benevolence ; and while philanthropy con- 

 fines kindness to our own species, the divine attribute of benevolence 

 extends to every living creature, and calls to us to alleviate their sufferings. 

 While snow covers the earth, and frost binds up the waters, the feeling 

 heart must pity the distress, and strive to give comfort and sustenance to 

 the winged inhabitants of the air, whose lively motions interest, and whose 

 music adds a charm to the rural scene. Many, driven from their native 



