Sketch of the Life of Mr* David Douglas, 267 



ARTICLE XKXYlll.— Abridged Shetcli of the life of Mr. 

 David Douglas, Botanist, with a fev: details of his travels 

 and discoveries. 



(^Continued from last Number.) 



On his arrival in London late in autumn, his welcome among 

 his friends was of the warmest and most gratifying description. 

 The exhibition of his discoveries at the meetings of the Horticul- 

 tural Society, and the notices of his new contributions in the 

 various branches of Natural History, in the respective scientific 

 periodicals, raised his name, and soothed his feelings on the steep 

 and thorny ascent to high reputation. In time these flattering 

 sensations, as is usual with ardent dispositions, lost their glow, and 

 he felt that he could not rest on his laurels ; the only benefit reaped 

 from them was an extensive acquaintance and the thorough con- 

 viction in his own mind that his field of duty lay not at home, but 

 amongst the unexplored riches of the soil, in foreign lands. His 

 most attached and valuable friends were of the same opinion. 

 Amongst these might be reckoned Capt., afterwards Col. Sabine, 

 who kindly took Douglas under his own particular instructions 

 and patronage, so that the latter was soon taught the use of 

 astronomical instruments and became a most accurate observer. 



Looking forward with sanguine expectation to a brilliant 

 course now opening up before him, the comforts of home and 

 pleasures of london society were abandoned, and Douglas again 

 embarked for the Columbia, refreshed and strensthened for a still 

 brighter career. During the interval he had benefited greatly by 

 the society of his inestimable friend Hooker, and both Mr. Sabine 

 and his brother Capt. Sabine had shewn him special marks of 

 regard. At the suggestion of the latter the Colonial Ofiice supplied 

 him with an excellent set of instruments of various descriptions, 

 so that the result of his investigations might be rendered important 

 and useful, and his time be profitably occupied. His endowments 

 of disposition and mind fully enabled him to make the most of 

 these advantages and to bring into play the knowledge he had 

 acquired, as opportunities might ofier themselves to him. After 

 an eight month's voyage he again set foot on the shores of the 

 Columbia, where he had many a warm greeting. We were glad 

 to see again amongst us an old friend, with his noble counten- 

 ance, and agreeable hearty manner unchanged, and pleased to 

 find that his stature as a disciple of science had greatly increased. 



