LIFE OF THE AUTHOR. 133 



I have been thus minute in describing Waterton's death, partly 

 oecause of the deep impression it made upon me, and partly because 

 it was a characteristic conclusion to his simple, manly, pious life. 

 He had many points of resemblance to his ancestor, Sir Thomas 

 More, and there was a striking likeness in the consideration for 

 others, the faith in religion, the quiet humour, and absence of fear, 

 which distinguished the last hours of both. And the reason was the 

 same ; they both lived each day as if they were to die at its close. 

 " I know what risks I run in exposing myself to dangers," wrote 

 Waterton to Charles Edmonstone, December 18, 1826, "and on 

 this account, I settle all my accounts every week, and if I were to die 

 to-day, my executors would literally not have five minutes trouble." 

 He strove to settle his far greater account at midnight and early 

 morning in the chapel, and doubtless at many intervals besides, 

 which were known only to himself. His entire life was a preparation 

 for death, and when death came, he had been long familiar with it. 



While Waterton lived, I had a warm affection for him, which has 

 deepened with increasing knowledge and experience. In estimating 

 his character and attainments, I shall endeavour to be guided by 

 facts, and not by private partiality. As a man of science he has 

 never, in my opinion, obtained his rightful place. Two circumstances 

 conspired to keep down his credit. He provoked many enemies by 

 his advocacy of truth and exposure of error, and learned writers 

 assumed that his books must be superficial because they were 

 popular. None can deny that scientific works are usually dull j but 

 it does not follow that dulness is an attribute of science. The 

 interest, on the contrary, which Waterton imparted to his writings, 

 was based on the depth of his knowledge. The attention he paid to 

 anatomy is apparent in his description of the sloth and the ant-eater, 

 and is conspicuously exemplified in the living form he gave to the 

 specimens in his collection. He was an unwearied outdoor observer, 

 as well as a diligent dissector ; for the structure of animals is adapted 

 to their functions, and those who are ignorant of the functions can- 

 not rightly appreciate the structure. Animal economy is the key to 

 comparative anatomy. His clear perception of the necessity of 

 uniting departments which were commonly pursued separately, 

 entitles him to take rank with the founders of a school. His inv 



