424 JOHN DUNCAN, WEAVER AND BOTANIST. 



plants and books. I pointed out that " he then lived 

 widowed, simple-minded, independent, pious, and happy, 

 but, in absolute poverty, at last obliged to accept a 

 pauper's dole ; " and concluded with an appeal to the 

 scientific and generous to help, at such a season, "with 

 their superfluities, which to him would be abundance, to 

 lift him above such pain and shame heavy on an in- 

 dependent, sensitive heart before he should pass away 

 for ever, and we should be only able, instead of bread, to 

 give him a stone." 



The response was immediate and generous, subscriptions 

 being spontaneously sent from all parts of the empire, 

 including India. These gifts were still further increased 

 after I gave an account of him in Nature, on the 2Oth of 

 January. That scientific serial at once took up the case 

 in the warmest way, solicited subscriptions, and, besides 

 numerous sums sent direct, collected through its own office 

 above 70. 



Many of the chief journals also advocated the cause 

 in the strongest terms. Amongst many others, the Times 

 referred to him as "a remarkable Scotchman, whose 

 knowledge of Botany was scientifically thorough and 

 wonderfully wide ; " and to his need of seeking parish relief, 

 through sheer decay, as " peculiarly galling to one who had 

 hitherto led so independent a life." The Pall Mall Gazette 

 spoke of him as one who was " as remarkable in many 

 respects for his devotion to the study of nature as either 

 Edwards or Dick ; " and as " a hard-working, spare-living 

 man, who had denied himself every luxury save that of study- 

 ing Botany ; " and said that " to the appeal there ought to 

 be a prompt and generous response." The Glasgow Evening 



