fVarjoichhhr, ' '"^ ^7 



many of which are already familiar to the public, through the 

 medium of the vahiable Illustrations of Entomology now in 

 progress of publication by Mr. Stephens ; and eventually 

 succeeded in bringing together and preserving upwards of 

 five thousand species of British insects, which are now scienti- 

 fically arranged in cases, and which were thrown open to 

 public inspection, gratuitously, for the space of five years. 

 During this period, his collection of insects was inspected by 

 most of the ladies and gentlemen in the neighbourhood who 

 had formed an attachment to similar pursuits ; by great num- 

 bers of visiters from distant parts of the united kingdom; and 

 by noblemen and foreigners who had accidentally learned that 

 so very extensive a collection existed, in the possession of an 

 individual at that time living in the most complete seclusion^ 

 and entirely out of the reach of public notice. 



At this period of his career, Mr. Weaver had to obtain thei^ 

 means of gratifying his thirst of knowledge, such as the 

 expenses of travelling, and the cost of his cases and glass, by 

 the most indefatigable and unwearied industry, at the occu-^ 

 pation to which he, like many other men of genius, had first 

 of all been reared. This circumstance ought on no account 

 to be overlooked, in giving a description of the gradual pro- 

 gress of such an undertaking as the one at present under 

 consideration, because it shows that the mind will overcome 

 the greatest obstacles whenever they stand in the way of its 

 eflPorts to achieve a noble and praiseworthy purpose. Splendid 

 talents, indeed, more frequently emerge from humble dwell- 

 ings, and progress through the trammels of some opposite 

 sedentary employment, than they are found to discover 

 themselves in what might be deemed their true an4 legitimate 

 nursery. On this account, they have a demand upon the 

 fostering care of the more fortunate, and possess a peculiar 

 claim upon those who, having a love of the same pursuits, 

 have yet been spared the pains attending them, and left at 

 liberty to acquire the means of greater ease and comfort. 



Having received many of these flattering marks of attention, 

 and promises of extensive patronage, if his efforts were ex- 

 tended to other branches of science, Mr. Weaver next 

 engaged premises in New Street, with a view of forming a 

 museum of natural history. During his residence here, his 

 attention was directed to ornithology, with so much success, 

 that he preserved about two hundred species of British birds 

 (nearly a complete collection), and afterwards made con- 

 siderable progress towards a perfect collection of foreign birds, 

 ^s he had previously done of foreign insects. 



Finding at length that his cases accumulated Upon him so 



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