26 LIFE OF 



perhaps, even still more to a highly remarkable absence 

 in him of all self-consciousness. One perceived at once 

 that he never thought of his own varied knowledge or 

 clear intellect, but solely on the subject in hand. 

 Another charm, which must have struck every one, was 

 that his manner to old and distinguished persons and to 

 the youngest student was exactly the same : to all he 

 showed the most winning courtesy. He would receive 

 with interest the most trifling observation in any branch 

 of natural history, and however absurd a blunder one 

 might make, he pointed it out so clearly and kindly, that 

 one left him in no way disheartened, but only determined 

 to be more accurate the next time. In short, no man 

 could be better formed to win the entire confidence of 

 the young, and to encourage them in their pursuits. 



" His lectures on botany were universally popular, 

 and as clear as daylight. So popular were they, that 

 several of the older members of the university attended 

 successive courses. Once every week he kept open 

 house in the evening, and all who cared for natural 

 history attended these parties, which, by thus favouring 

 intercommunication, did the same good in Cambridge, 

 in a very pleasant manner, as the scientific societies do 

 in London. At these parties many of the most distin- 

 guished members of the university occasionally attended; 

 and when only a few were present, I have listened to the 

 great men of those days conversing on all sorts of sub- 

 jects, with the most varied and brilliant powers. This 

 was no small advantage to some of the younger men, as 

 it stimulated their mental activity and ambition. Two 

 or three times in each session he took excursions with 



