INTRODUCTION. Ixxv 
** In 1814, Mr. Montagu and myself, together with Mr. 
C. Prideaux, visited Mr. Cranch, for the purpose of seeing 
his museum. We were all astonished at the magnitude 
of his collection of shells, crustacea, insects, birds, &c. 
collected entirely by himself, and still more so with the 
accuracy of their classification, and with the remarks made 
by this self-educated and zealous individual. He con- 
versed on all subjects connected with natural history, with 
modesty, but at the same time, with that confidence which 
is the result of knowledge. Quite delighted with having 
made his acquaintance, I left him with a resolution to cul- 
tivate a correspondence with him on the subject of our fa- 
vourite pursuits. On the following morning, I received a 
note from him, offering me any specimens that might be 
wanting, and that he could supply, to my collection. 
«Soon after this meeting, I was appointed to the British 
Museum, when Mr. Cranch applied to me to endeavour 
to obtain for him some situation in that institution, which 
would enable him to cultivate the study of natural history 
on a more extended scale ; but as no vacancy existed, and 
as I found his demands for employment come within the 
limits of my pocket, I proposed that he should undertake 
to investigate the coasts of Devon and Cornwall, for ma- 
rine productions ; and eventually to make a tour of Great 
Britain, with the same view ; at the same time, I promised 
to recommend him to the first situation that might occur, 
to enable him to attain the object of his ambition. 
«On receiving my letter he immediately discharged his 
journeymen, and converted his manufactory of boots and 
shoes into apartments for the reception and preservation 
of such objects of natural history as his daily excursions 
