284 OBITUARY. 



notice of The Naturalist, on account of the liberal manner in which, by his purse 

 and influence, he encouraged, science, especially Natural History. I believe it is 

 owing chiefly, if not entirely, to his zeal, that the town of Walden is possessed 

 of so many valuable institutions, which alike reflect credit on their founders and 

 those who support them. In connection with the name of Mr. Gibson I can 

 but introduce to your readers some of the institutions above alluded to, and I do 

 so as the spread and advancement of Natural History has ever been a prominent 

 feature in them. And first of the Agricultural Society, which has now been 

 established four or five years, and is in a very prosperous condition ; its success 

 has been beyond the anticipation of its founders, and Agriculture has already 

 been considerably raised in the neighbourhood through its means.* The 

 Horticultural is also a flourishing society, and of much earlier date than the last ; 

 by the encouragement it has given to the cultivation of the garden allotments so 

 extensively (and, I believe, originally) adopted in this parish, it has succeeded 

 in giving a new aspect to the poorer population. Both these societies have libra- 

 ries, in which will be found some of our best works in every department of 1 

 Natural History. The Society for Mental Improvement, is one in which the late 

 Mr. Gibson took great interest, regularly attending its meetings ; taking part in 

 the discussions, and delivering occasionally a lecture to its members. It was 

 after attending one of these meetings that he was attacked with the fatal 

 stroke which so speedily and painfully removed him from the midst of his friends. 

 But the institution which I believe is most indebted to Mr. Gibson, and which 

 I look upon with the most interest, and consider the highest honour of the town, 

 is its Natural History Society. In connection with this society, by the exertions 

 of five or six individuals, a museum has been formed that would do credit to any 

 town in the kingdom. By the industry of the Curators, and the liberality of 

 Mr. Gibson, some of the rarest objects in Zoology have been placed there, and 

 the collection especially of British birds and that of British and Foreign insects, 

 is very excellent. I hope soon to be able to furnish your readers with a more 

 full account of the rise and present state of this museum. In the mean time it 

 is to be hoped that the example of Mr. Gibson will not be lost upon your more 

 wealthy readers, seeing how much it is in their power to promote the diffusion 

 of science, and by this means to increase the happiness and welfare of the great 

 mass of mankind. — E. L. 



* This Society, in conjunction with the Entomological Society of London, lately offered a prize 

 for the best essay on the Turnip-fly, as announced by Mr. Westwood, p. J40. The statement of 

 Mr. Lankestkr (p. 10G), relative to the amount of the prize, is probably a mistake. — Ed. 



