264 



ment to intellectual pursuits, so commonly remarked in those who 

 attain to scientific eminence. Before his twelfth year, we find the boy 

 already collecting and cataloguing the curious and beautiful things 

 scattered along the shores of his native island, and even boldly ven- 

 turing, without other guidance or encouragement than such as were 

 afforded by the vigour and hopefulness of a fresh and youthful 

 mind, amidst the mazes and difficulties of a science then in its 

 infancy, that Geology to whose advance it was his destiny in after 

 life so essentially to contribute. And the fine healthy audacity with 

 which, in these childish days, he undertook to compile a Manual of 

 British Natural History in all its branches, and carried out his pro- 

 ject, according to his means and powers, is worthy of note, and 

 might have led a judge of human nature to prophecy well of his 

 future. 



The complexion of this future, however, was for a time doubtful. 

 The tendencies of Edward Forbes's mind were always as strong 

 towards art as towards science ; and, in very early life, the former 

 appear to have been the stronger, for we find him taking up his 

 residence in London as an Art-student, under the guidance of the 

 late Mr. Sasse. These labours in the studio were not of very long 

 duration ; but, short as they were, the development which they 

 gave to a naturally great power of drawing, and the critical eye for 

 form which they conferred, proved of essential importance to the 

 future Naturalist and Professor. Again, the readiness with which 

 Forbes's rich and overflowing humour embodied itself in sketches, 

 vignettes, and caricatures, a facility which lent no small charm to 

 many of his published works, and has left many a pleasant memorial 

 among his friends must be regarded as not a little due to this 

 early training. 



However, the scientific tendency of Edward Forbes's mind appears 

 to have been too strong to allow of any lasting or exclusive attach- 

 ment to other pursuits; and in 1830 he left London and Art, to 

 commence, as a student of medicine, the curriculum of the University 

 of Edinburgh. It is hardly probable that he ever seriously looked 

 forward to the practice of physic as a profession ; for, although a 

 diligent attendant upon the prescribed courses, he never presented 

 himself for his degree. But even if it were so, his inborn genius, 

 fostered by the teachings of a Jameson and a Graham, soon diverted 



