94 HlStORT of the SOCIETT. 



of fcience and the converfation of his friends, unlefs when he 

 travelled from home on fome excurfion, from which he never 

 failed to return furniflied with new materials for geological in- 

 veftigation. 



To his friends his converfation was ineftimable ; as great 

 talents, the moft perfedl candour, and the utmofl fimplicity 

 of charadter and manners, all united to ftamp a value upon 

 it. He had, indeed, that genuine fimplicity, originating in the 

 ab fence of all felfifhnefs and vanity, by which a man lofes fight 

 of himfelf altogether, and neither conceals what is, nor affecfls 

 what is not. This fimplicity pervaded his whole condudl ; 

 while his manner, which was peculiar, but highly pleafing, dif- 

 played a degree of vivacity, hardly ever to be found among men 

 of profound and abflra(5t fpeculation. His great livelinefs, added 

 to this aptnefs to lofe fight of himfelf, would fometimes lead 

 him into little excentricities, that formed an amufing contrail: 

 with the graver habits of a philofophiciife. 



Though extreme fimplicity of manner does not unfrequently 

 impart a degree of feeblenefs to the expreffion of thought, 

 the contrary was true of Dr Hutton. His converfation was 

 exti'emely animated and forcible, and, whether ferious or gay, 

 full of ingenious and original obfervation. Great informa- 

 tion, and an excellent memory, fupplied an inexhauftible fund 

 of illuftration, always happily introduced, and in which, when 

 the fubjed; admitted of it, the witty and the ludicrous never 

 failed to occupy a confiderable place. — But it is impoflible by 

 words to convey any idea of the effed^ of his converfation, and of 

 the impreflion made by fo much philofophy, gaiety and humour, 

 accompanied by a manner at once fo animated and fo fimple. 

 Things are made known only by comparifon, and that which is 

 unique admits of no defcription. 



The whole exterior of Dr Hotton was calculated to heighten 

 the efFedl: which his converfation produced. His figure was 



flender 



