of several Norwich Botanists. 299 



Hudson, transcribed synonyms very copiously without seeing the 

 original books; but that practice has been universal among local 

 botanists till very lately, and, however disgraceful now, was much 

 more excusable when Mr. Rose wrote. The principal part of his 

 work is highly valuable, full of solid information, and not super- 

 seded by any other English publication. 



I can never forget the kind assistance I received from this 

 worthy man, when, having always had a passion for plants, I be- 

 came desirous, at the age of 18, of studying botany as a science. 

 The only book I could then procure was Berkenhout, Hudson's 

 Flora having become extreme!}' scarce. I received Berkenhout on 

 the 9th of January 1778, and on the 11th began, with infinite de- 

 light, to examine the Ulex europ<Eiis, the only plant then in flower. 

 I then first comprehended the nature of systematic arrangement 

 and the Linnaean principles, little aware that at that instant the 

 world was losing the great genius who was to be my future guide, 

 for Linnaeus died in the night of January 11th 1778. With Ber- 

 kenhout and a parcel of wild flowers in my hands, I had often 

 recourse to Mr. Rose during the ensuing summer. But, alas! in 

 the following year a gutta serena deprived him of his sight. This 

 affliction, so peculiarly severe to a naturalist, he bore with exem- 

 plary patience; for though with the loss of his external visual or- 

 gans he lost his darling amusement, none could ever derive more 

 consolation than himself from looking within. During the few re- 

 maining years of Mr. Rose's life, his delight was to assist young 

 people in their classical or botanical studies, and he was always 

 attended by some one or other eager to profit of his conversation. 

 He had long formed the plan of a popular work on the uses of 

 plants ; and though unable to execute his intention altogether 

 himself, he suggested the scheme to Mr. Charles Bryant, brother 

 to the gentleman above mentioned, an excellent and industrious 



2q2 practical 



