1 6 Biographical Sketch 



Here is a little criticism which shows that 

 patronage was not closing his eyes. " I saw 

 Professor Jameson yesterday. He told the 

 porter of the Museum that I was to be ad- 

 mitted whenever I chose. It would take a 

 lifetime to master its contents. The professor 

 invited me to his closing lecture. He is a 

 rather dry lecturer, and hesitates a good deal, 

 but is clear and most instructive neverthe- 

 less." 



" I have been engaged for two days on 

 Donovan's ' British Shells,' in copying the 

 figures. It is a capital work, and I am 

 studying it very hard ; also other works on 

 various subjects, especially Mathematics, and 

 different branches of Natural History, but 

 Botany continues, and I think will to the end 

 of the chapter, to be my favourite." 



Yet in the middle of all his " learned talk " 

 regarding great men and their works, we find 

 a very boyish letter to the brother who was 

 his chum and loyal admirer. 



" Are you attending to our garden ? I 

 shall send a hoe by first opportunity, but do 

 not let it run over with weeds. What is poor 

 Ninsey" (the dog) " doing ? and our foals, and 

 Charlie and Bernard, and all the rest of the 



