FRANCIS WJLLUGHBY. 119 



for a moment on the character of one who, 

 sooner than violate his conscience by the 

 momentary act of signing his name to a declara- 

 tion, chose rather to encounter the comparative 

 poverty and dependence in which he lived and 

 died. 



So far from being influenced by worldly 

 expectations from Mr Willughby's family, Mr 

 Ray, at the time of the publication of the English 

 edition of the Ornithology, had, as will shortly 

 be stated, owing to domestic changes, removed 

 from beneath their roof, and was no longer 

 occupied in the superintendence of Mr Wil- 

 lughby's children. 



On the whole, whatever praise may be due to 

 Mr Ray's integrity and regard to religion as a 

 man, public spirit as a member of society, 

 fidelity and affection as a friend, (but for 

 which qualities, Mr Wiliughby's principal wri- 

 tings might have lain neglected, and his real 

 merit as the inventor of his systems have been 

 more successfully questioned) ; yet his anxiety to 

 disclaim honours to which he had no just pre- 

 tensions, must be considered as one of the 

 greatest beauties in his character, for unless the 

 whole of the existing evidence attendant on the 

 question be doubted, and which it cannot be 

 unless at the expense of depreciating, in some 

 respects, the character of some of the best and 

 wisest of men, the judgment of a writer already 

 quoted must be received, " that it is our duty to 

 say, that the amiable and gentle Ray, whatever 



