Biographical Sketch of Sir H. S. Meysey Thompson^ Bart. 519 



advanced by the author are far from warranting the reference 

 of the mycelium to the genus Pcj'onospora. But the relation 

 pointed out by the author between the disease in the trefoil and 

 that in the potato deserves careful investigation, especially as 

 Mr. Jenkins informs me that agricultural observations have been 

 made in England which seem to support it. — The TeaxslATOE.j 



XXI. — Sir Harry Stephen Meysey Tltompson, Bart. A Bio- 

 graphical Sketch by Eael Cathcart. 



Biography is well described as history teaching by example ; and 

 it may be that a most instructive branch of literature has been 

 too much neglected in the pages of this Journal. Replete with 

 grand records of practice, and enlightened by the achievements 

 of science, there is in it little of purely human interest — little 

 that appeals directly to man as man. " ' Tis pity, and pity 'tis, 

 'tis true." 



" For duty done oft spreads the seeds 

 In kindred breasts of kindred deeds." 



A biographv, the history of an individual mind, to be perfect 

 should probably answer justly and satisfactorily the essential 

 question — What manner of man was this ? But be that which 

 we have written as it may, all men will agree that the journals 

 and records of the Royal Agricultural Society of England would 

 indeed be incomplete without some sufficient memoir of the late 

 Sir Harry Stephen jNIeysey Thompson, better known to the 

 agricultural world as ^Ir. Thompson, of Kirby Hall, in 1 ork- 

 shire. Could we possibly apply an exact mechanical rule to 

 the estimate of his services, their continuity, multiplied by the 

 weight of his practical ability, would certainly produce a highly 

 startling result. A Founder of the Society ; as a Member of 

 Council he fostered it in infancy ; tended its promising youth ; 

 and its giant growth throughout has been sensibly promoted by 

 Mr. Thompson's continuous, devoted, and invaluable services. 



A certain coldness of manner, and seeming chill reserve 

 appeared to dull the warmth of a tender heart, and a disposition 

 not disinclined to a sense of genial humour. Nay, even some, 

 who little knew the man, misconstrued unobtrusive modesty, and 

 fancied that they detected a savour of haughtiness. There must 

 have been rare qualities of mind to enable him, notwithstand- 

 ing marked drawbacks of manner, to achieve, as a practical man 

 of business, a singular success. Of the two great English Agricul- 

 tural Societies he was a ruling spirit. Under his guidance the 



