628 president's address. 



near Sydney tliougli Dr. Woolls bail not succeeded in finding it. It was also 

 through Dr. Woolls, probably, that Miss Atkinson came to know W. S. Macleay. 

 There are many references to her in Dr. Woolls' two books; as there are also to 

 the Misses Seott, as well as a chapter in one of them on "The Botany of Ash 

 Island." 



The writer of the Obituary Notice of Mr. W. S. Macleay, which appeared 

 in the Sydney Morning Herald, probably the Rev. W. B. Clarke, says that he 

 was the life and soul of the Museum. But I have no information about his a.sso- 

 ciation with the Australian Museum, which will enable me to add to what is 

 given in Etheridge's article. "The Australian Museum : Fragments of its Early 

 History," namely — "Eor twenty years or more, that eminent Natiu-alist, William 

 Sharp Macleay, gave his best energies to the welfare of the Institution. Com- 

 mitteeman from 1841 to 1853. Elective Trustee from 1853 onwards, ill-health 

 compelled him to resign in January 1862. The Board presented him with an ad- 

 dress," a copy of which is given (Records of the Australian Museum. Vol. .xii., 

 No. 12, p. 394, 1919]. But we have some interesting relics of his connection 

 with the Museum. These include his father's copy of the now rare "Catalogue 

 of the Specimens of Natural History and Miscellaneous Curiosities deposited in 

 the Australian Museum." compiled by the Secretary, George Bennett, F.L.S., 

 and published in 1837. This was apparently an official copy, as it is inscribed, 

 not in his own handwriting, "Alex. McLeay, Es(|." It was subsequently corrected, 

 supplemented, and brought up to date, in so far as it relates to mammals and 

 birds, by W. S. Macleay, the alterations and additions being in his handwriting. 

 Charles Coxen, of Yarrundi, donor of many specimens recorded in the Catalogue, 

 wa.s .John Gould's brother-in-law. Other relics are three letters about scientific 

 or Museum matters from three successive officei-s, S . R . Pittard, G . F . Angas, 

 and G. Krefft, the first and last Curators, and the second. Secretary for some time. 



Of W. S. Maeleay's declining days, Lowe's biographer says — "In 1865 

 occurred two events which, although hardly unexpected, were in their different 

 ways and degrees a source of sorrow to Robert Lowe. These were the death of 

 his much-valued Australian friend. William Sbarpe Macleay. and tliat of his great 

 political chief, Lord Palmerston. Lowe had kept up an intermittent corrcsjtond- 

 euce with Macleay ever since he left Sydney, but latterly it had become painfully 

 evident to him that the quaint old philosopher of Elizabeth Bay was fast de- 

 clining. He had. indeed, received warning from others tliat the death of liis old 

 friend was impending" [Vol. ii.. p. 236]. 



W. S. Maeleay's last letter to Robert Lowe wa.s dated, Elizabeth Bay. 21 

 September, 1864. In this, the writer said, concerning himself — "As to my health, 

 it remains in statu quo; although I think that I am getting on the whole weaker. 

 At times I am quite prostrated, and at times I am again more lively. I never 

 was what you would call a decided beauty: but if you -vreve to see me now, you 

 would not know the ugly, lanky, thin, scraggy, toothless individual who is now 

 writing to assure you that the immaterial part of him remains still the same, 

 and that it has no friends on earth to which it is more attached than to you 

 and your sensible, kind lady. So I suljscribe myself ever. Your most affectionate 

 friend, W. S. Macleay." [Vol. ii.. p. 234] 



Death ended his sufferings on .Tanuary 26tb. 1S65. in his seventy-third year. 

 An obituary notice appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald of 30th January. 



