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THE LATE MR. BARCLAY. 



In the recent death of Robert Barclay, Esq. of Buryhill, 

 Botany and Horticulture have lost a powerful friend and 

 patron. Extensively engaged, from an early period of life, 

 in commercial transactions, on so vast a scale, that his name 

 ranks amono; the most eminent of those " merchants who 

 are the honourable of the earth," he yet found time to devote 

 to the pursuit of science. His taste for gardening first 

 displayed itself in 1781, when he went to reside at Clapham; 

 and it was the means of his becoming acquainted with the 

 late Mr. Aiton, Sir Jas. E. Smith, Sir Joseph Banks, Mr. 

 Curtis, and the most zealous Botanists of that day. Mr. 

 Barclay strenuously advised the latter to the publication of 

 the Botanical Magazine, and foretold the great success it 

 would experience from the Biutish public. 



But it was in 1805, when he removed to Buryhill, and 

 soon afterwards retired from the active engagements of 

 business, which he confided to his eldest son, the present 

 Mr. Barclay, that the subject of this brief notice devoted 

 himself warmly to the cultivation and patronage of science, 

 particularly those branches of it which were connected with 

 Agriculture and Botany. The place of his residence may 

 be reckoned as possessing more natural beauties than almost 

 any spot in this liighly-favoui-ed island, and under his skilful 

 direction, it was still further improved by all that art could 

 accomplish. In agriculture, Mr. Barclay felt considerable 

 interest, and was always ready to try any experiments which 

 might lead to useful results. But in his garden he took the 

 greatest delight. A long range of houses, which already 

 existed on Mr. Barclay's coming to occupy the place, were 

 kept up as a green-house and conservatory ; and to them 

 were judiciously added hot-houses, upon the most approved 

 principles, wherein were cultivated, with a success that does 

 Mr. Cameron, the gardener, no less than his employer, the 

 highest credit, the most rare and beautiful productions of 



