AN OVERLOOKED IRISH BOTANIST 177 



of place." At the time of writing — his letter is dated " Christus 

 natus est 1798 " — he had just made the acquaintance of Templeton 

 (1766-1825), who was "in town for a few days: he is an alert, 

 active botanist ; knows everything at sight. We went together to 

 a friend's about ten miles off at the sea-side ; it came on a storm, 

 and so tremendous a surf it was impossible to walk on the beach. 

 He picked up a Chlora perfoliata withered, but with ripe seed ; it 

 don't grow in this country ; it seemed as much joy as a good prize 

 in the lottery." This letter is not printed in full : the postscript 

 contains this critical note : — "The pocket Synopsis by Symons I 

 am not pleas'd with — I have too much respect for Linneus to 

 admit of the frequent innovations. It is most absurd that a book 

 for the pocket should be on heavy thick paper. I begin to dislike 

 mightily your wove papers and hot press. After your Flora comes 

 out, a right portable pocket companion would be a prodigious 

 convenience and comfort. Both Mr. Davies and I condemn this 

 Symons, but w^e found it of use for want of a better." The 

 suggestion here conveyed was carried out by Smith by the 

 publication of his Compendium in 1800. 



In 1799 Caldwell again visited Smith at Norwich and made 

 the acquaintance of Mrs. Smith, with whom he afterwards corre- 

 sponded. Writing to Smith on August 30th of this year, he refers 

 pleasantly to his visit : " With what pleasure I recollect the quiet 

 studious hours in your library ! It put me in mind of college days: 

 young men then frequently study together. It is not in every- 

 one's company now, that I can read with attention ; but you never 

 were a discomposure, nor I flatter myself was I to you ; I was 

 sometimes impelled by curiosity to ask a question, but I believe 

 not too often." This year he botanized at St. Vincent's Eocks, 

 but could not find Arabis stricta. 



Passing by various letters which contain nothing of special 

 interest, although they testify to Caldwell's increased knowledge 

 of his favourite subject, we come to that of 25 March, 1801. In 

 this he says that his " botanic study has been much interrupted " 

 but is now resumed. ''Flora Britannica is my constant com- 

 panion : verbal description can scarcely be conceived more clear 

 or satisfactory ; and I fancy, when the spring is more advanced, it 

 will be a delightful guide through the fields." In a subsequent 

 letter (Feb. 3, 1802) he says he had been " obliged to stay 

 in town the whole summer " and that his botany was therefore 

 confined to his garden. " I was, however, part of May at Lord 

 Besborough's in the county of Kilkenny. I found the little speci- 

 men inclosed, on rocks, at a place called Owning ; it is, I think, 

 the Myosotis /3 the [M. versicolor'] : the flowers were yellow, 

 singularly curled like a crosier. The leaves are hirsute as well as 

 in a, but the blossom really yellow. The crosier form is perhaps 

 accidental. The Buhus IdcBus was also there." 



It is interesting to note that Orchis latifolia was, in those 

 days as later, a puzzle to field botanists ; Caldwell's reference to 

 the scent is also interesting — his remarks apply equally to 0. 

 mascida. " I shall be glad to know," he says, " if you ever 



