403 



a joy around him, springing from the pure sympa- 

 thy he felt for those he knew to be his friends. 



Absolutely free from the vanity of display, he 

 sought rather to relax his overwrought mind in the 

 company of such as cast aside their wisdom for a 

 while, or in the presence of the young and inno- 

 cent to study nature in another form. 



As a naturalist he had a benevolent delight in 

 infancy itself, and interpreted the mute language of 

 smiles and struggles, the rudiments of expression 

 and intelligence which met his own, and gave him 

 the happy sensation of looking upon beauty and 

 innocence in creatures destined to act a part in a 

 new existence, claiming compassion and direction, 

 and as the fairest semblance of the kingdom of 

 heaven. 



This temperament has been obvious to notice in 

 the foregoing letters. However different the pro- 

 fession, age, character, or situation, of those who 

 corresponded with him, we perceive that each ad- 

 dresses him as a friend upon whose fidelity he can 

 rely ; — upon various occasions we have observed 

 these men of science appealing to the heart of their 

 friend for sympathy in distress, or participation of 

 prosperity, as if he were the intimate and sole depo- 

 sitory of their affections and confidence. 



Towards the young and friendless especially these 

 feelings were directed ; and in every instance it may 

 with truth be asserted that Sir James was no re- 

 pecter of persons, but quite unbiassed by the station, 

 whether high or low, of the individual towards whom 

 his kindly feelings were attracted. As might be 



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