88 II IS Tort of the societt. 



aux Jlpes, which reached him in the courfe of that winter, and 

 became the lad ftudy of one eminent geologift, as they were the 

 laft work of another. On Saturday the 26th of March he fuf- 

 fered a good deal of pain ; but, neverthelefs, employed himfelf 

 in writing, and particularly in noting down his remarks on 

 fome attempts which were then making towards a new minera- 

 logical nomenclature. In the evening he was feized with a flii- 

 vering, and his uneafinefs continuing to increafe, he fent for his 

 friend IVIr Russel, who attended him as his furgeon. Before 

 he could pofTibly arrive, all medical affiftance was in vain : Dr 

 HuTTON had jufl flrength left to ftretch out his hand to him,, 

 and immediately expired. 



Dr HuTTON poflefTed, in an eminent degree, the talents, the 

 acquirements, and the temper, which entitle a man to the name 

 of a philofopher. The direcTlion of his ftudies, though in fome 

 refpeds irregxilar and uncommon, had been highly favourable 

 to the developement of his natural powers, efpecially of that 

 quick peneti-ation, and that originality of thought, which ftrong- 

 ]y marked his intellecflual charadler. From his firfl: outfet in 

 fclence, he had purfued the track of experiment and obfervation, 

 and it was not till after being long exercifed in this fchool, that 

 he entered on the field of general and abflracfl fpeculation. He 

 combined accordingly, through his whole life, the powers of an 

 accurate obferver, and of a fagacious theorift, and was as cau- 

 tious and patient in the former charadler, as he was bold and 

 rapid in the latter. 



Long and continued pradice had increafed his powers of 

 obfervation to a high degree of perfedion ; fo that, in difcrimi- 

 nating mineral fubftances, and in feizing the affinities or dif- 

 ferences 



