18 Biogi'aphkal Memoir of the late Henry Kukl. 



watch might waken him every morning at four, by pulling at 

 the door, in such a manner, however, as not to disturb the rest 

 of the family. A man possessed of so much genius and assidui- 

 ty could not therefore fail to acquire a vast stock of knowledge. 

 Nor was his knowledge confined to natural history alone, but 

 also extended to political history, both ancient and modern. 

 He was also so well versed in geography and all other attain- 

 ments requisite in a well educated man, that, even at the time 

 when he came to Groningen, the most accomplished student, on 

 hearing him converse on general subjects of literature, acknow- 

 ledged with one voice, that, in the course of their studies, they 

 had met with no young person equal to him. And to this ge- 

 nius and this industry were added an ardent mind, which 

 prompted him to great undertakings, a constancy which sus- 

 tained his efforts, and a devotion to science which made him 

 prefer it to all other objects. 



It has already been observed, that natural history was his fa- 

 vourite pursuit; and there are none or at least very few ex- 

 amples, in any other department of science, in which so much 

 keen investigation is displayed, so many dangers so fearlessly 

 confronted, and so many privations borne with fortitude, as we 

 see evinced in the character and conduct of the disciples of na- 

 ture. 



All these essential good qualities were combined in Kuhl. 

 Besides the other virtues with which he was adorned, he pos- 

 sessed a remarkable moderation in regard to food. On his jour- 

 neys he required nothing more to allay hunger and thirst than 

 dry bread with water and milk, provided he could attain the 

 object to which all his labours were directed, — the extension of 

 his knowledge. To accomplish this he left his father, his coun- 

 try, and friends ; in its pursuit exposing himself to the dangers 

 to which a long sea voyage, change of climate, untrodden paths, 

 savage men and wild animals exposed him ; and all these he un- 

 derwent without the prospect of any great reward, at least with- 

 out the hope that these labours would be repaid by greater ad- 

 vantages than his accomplishments and celebrity had already ac- 

 quired for him in Europe. Certain it is, that it was neither 

 by the hope of riches, the most general stimulus to exertion, nor 

 the honourable and truly royal liberality with which he was 



