296 Dr. Smith's Biographical Memoirs 



worsted manufacture, during the equally unchristian and unwise 

 persecutions of the bloody Philip II. Such an innocent luxury, 

 and so pure a taste, were not unworthy of minds which had 

 turned, with disgust, from the tyranny and foul corruption of 

 their native country. Truth, virtuous liberty, and disinterested 

 science, are congenial, and flourish under the influence of similar 

 circumstances. 



The great Sir Thomas Browne, well known by his various 

 learned writings, who died here in 1682, appears not to have 

 neglected botany. The Sakolu fruticosa was first observed by him 

 on the Norfolk coast. It does not, however, appear that sys- 

 tematic botany was particularly studied in Norwich till towards 

 the latter end of the 18th century. There was indeed a set of 

 botanists, very distinct from the florists, though, like them, 

 mostly in humble life, who amused themselves in herborizing in 

 the country, and who referred their discoveries to the names and 

 descriptions of old English authors, particularly Gerard e and 

 Parkinson, sometimes, perhaps, to Ray. Some of these are still 

 in being, and a Society, founded many years ago, now exists. But 

 the numbers of these, properly called botanists, have always been 

 very inconsiderable compared with the cultivators of fine flowers, 

 who among the journeymen weavers, and other persons employed 

 in ihe manufacture, are very numerous, and I believe very suc- 

 cessful. The long intercourse between this county and Holland 

 has been favourable to their pursuit. 



. The oldest name I have been able to discover araons the bota- 

 nists is that of Mr. Wilson, a tailor, who made frequent journeys 

 to London about the years 1738 and 1740. Part of his Herbarium, 

 very scientifically named, has fallen into my hands. Prom thence it 

 appears that he collected and dried many plants from the Physic 

 Garden at Chelsea, and from Gray's nursery at Pulham. Among 



his 



