Linnean Society. 581 
ably distinguished. He was a generous patron of science and art; 
and one of those who stood prominently forward in giving that 
grateful reception to the distinguished leaders in one of the Arctic 
expeditions. It may be remembered that Sir J. Franklin and Dr. 
Richardson, and, I believe, Capt. Back, were hailed on their arrival at 
New York by the mayor and principal citizens of the city, and that 
they were conveyed to the confines of Canada free of expense, 
cheered by the sympathies of all around them,—one of those evi- 
dences which the heart affords of the cordiality and respect existing 
between America and England, whatever some writers may say of 
the contrary. Dr. Hosack published the life of his friend Gen. 
Clinton, and was the author of various papers on the medical and 
other branches of science. 
«I feel that this is not the place for doing full justice to the me- 
mory of Mr. Smith, for I am not aware that he particularly directed 
his attention to any branch of natural history ; but as the early, stre- 
nuous, and constant advocate of civil and religious liberty he is en- 
titled to the respect and admiration of all those who believe in the 
capacities of human nature for a progressive advancement in intel- 
lectual and moral power. It is well known that Mr. Smith was re- 
turned M.P. for Sudbury and Norwich for nearly half a century, and 
that towards the close of the last century, and up to a compara- 
tively late period of his life, he was one of what originally was com- 
paratively a small band, who, when liberal sentiments were obnoxious 
to a degree which I believe it to be impossible for us at the present 
time to conceive of, pleaded for the rights of humanity, when those 
rights were denied not only to the enslaved African, but to a large 
portion of the people of this country, especially to the conscientious 
Dissenter, who was at one time looked upon as hardly a loyal subject 
of therealm. To those who, in watching the changes which human 
institutions undergo in the progress of time, are convinced that a 
chastened and enlightened spirit of liberty, as it has become more 
and more developed, has in all times given additional dignity to hu- 
man nature, by enabling it to put forth those inherent energies, all- 
instructive of good, which, like the branches of the oak, acquire a 
hardy vigour and nobler growth as they are free to extend themselves 
in the liberal light and air of heaven,—to such an observer of the 
eventful period of the last half-century the name of Mr. Smith must 
often recur as one of the most unquestionable benefactors of man- 
kind. If not distinguished by any of the splendour of genius, or as 
standing prominently forward in the first ranks of public life, he was 
more honourably distinguished by the inflexible integrity of his 
character, the uniform liberality and consistency of his opinions, 
and the unobtrusive virtues of his private life,—characteristics which, 
if they failto give the widest and loudest development of fame, are 
yet sure of the truest and most lasting. Mr. Smith attained to an 
advanced period of life, and survived to see many of the great and 
benevolent objects which he advocated finally accomplished ; and 
I should say, that of the larger award of charity and justice which 
has been rendered to the Dissenters of this country, of which 
Mr. Smith was one, nota little of it may be said to have been owing 
