520 
would fairly write what was wanted, without pre- 
meditation or doubt about its plan, as he would have 
_ written a letter. 
These are proofs of the correct and energetic 
mind he was endued with;—he loved repose, his 
bodily constitution required it; but his mental vi- 
gour, when occasion called forth exertion, disco- 
vered a power beyond what he appeared to possess. 
It may not become the present writer to speak of 
Sir James’s style as she is inclined to do, but the 
Prefaces to his works always seemed to her happily 
expressed, and the Dedications appropriate. That 
to his Exotic Botany is one of the best among 
the latter, and shows the truth of the poet’s obser- 
vation, 
“« Affection lights a brighter flame 
Than ever blaz’d by art.” 
She is even tempted to apply to him the eulogy he 
bestowed on Sir William Jones, “who honoured the 
science of botany with its cultivation, and like every 
thing else he touched, refined, elevated and eluci- 
dated it. No man was ever more truly sensible of 
the charms of this innocent and elegant pursuit; 
and whenever he adverted to it, all the luminous 
illustrations of learning, and Bes the magic graces 
of poetry flowed from his pen.” 
The following passage from a letter of Mr. Ros- 
coe’s, dated the 6th of January 1805, by no means 
falls shortin expression of those sentiments of esteem 
which are found in the Dedication of this work to 
that accomplished and learned historian, naturalist, 
and poet. 
