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2 Rev. Mr Ramsay's Biographical Notice of 



and to make a few remarks upon the character of his botanical 

 labours, and their general influence in promoting the study of 

 botany in this country. 



To enlarge upon the private character and history of the 

 late president is not our present object ; I may remark, how- 

 ever, of one whom I am proud to have called my friend, that 

 kindness and benevolence were his distinguishing characte- 

 ristics. He seemed to imbibe a pure and amiable spirit from the 

 lovely objects to which he had devoted his study. In cases of 

 misfortune or affliction amongst his friends and relatives, he 

 acted a part of the most unwearied kindness and benevolent 

 sympathy. The same feelings extended to all capable of being 

 their object. I have a very interesting letter from him on the 

 subject of cruelty to animals, and the influence a clergyman 

 might possess with his parishioners in alleviating animal suffer- 

 ings. Those who shared his acquaintance will join me in bear- 

 ing testimony to his kindness of heart, his benevolence of dis- 

 position, and urbanity of manners. To scientific men he ever 

 evinced the greatest liberality in acknowledging their merit, 

 in communicating knowledge, and in affording the use of his 

 valuable library and herbarium. 



Sir James was born in 1759, December 2; he studied in Edin- 

 burgh, where, in 1 780, he gained the gold medal given to the 

 best proficient in botany ; in 1784 he became an author by tran- 

 slating the preface to the " Museum Regis Adolphi Frede-f 

 rid " of Linnaeus ; in 1 786 he travelled on the Continent, and 

 graduated at Leyden ; on his return he published his tour. In 



1788 the Linnaean Society was founded by Sir J. Banks, the 

 late Bishop of Carlisle, and other botanists, partly I believe to 

 remove some jealousy of members of the Royal Society, who 

 thought too much attention was given to natural history. In 

 1810, when the society was incorporated by charter, the presi- 

 dent, Dr Smith, received the honour of knighthood. From 



1789 to 1793 he undertook some works with plates, but which 

 were discontinued for want of encouragement. One great work, 

 however, of this kind was completed, the English Botany^ 

 which gives coloured representations of all the plants of the 

 country then known. It extended from 1790 to 1814, and 

 contained above 2000 figures; the plates by the elder Sowerby, 



