262 HEROES OF SCIENCE. 



it for buildings. The project, which looked well at 

 first, failed utterly by the unexpected deficiency of 

 the stone, on whose good quality the whole success 

 depended. The abandonment of this cherished 

 scheme was followed by the compulsory sale of the 

 still more cherished property, a load of debt re- 

 mained to be discharged, and the miserable effects 

 fell heavily on others besides himself. But there 

 were not wanting persons of station, knowledge, 

 and humanity, who, esteeming Mr. Smith and ad- 

 miring his solitary and ceaseless industry, exerted 

 themselves to save him from the sad fate which 

 seemed to await him. 



Such things are common in the lives of men, but 

 they arc not often encountered by so resolved and 

 patient a spirit as that of Mr. Smith. One who 

 saw the struggle may boldly say this, because there 

 can be no other motive for mentioning private and 

 personal griefs but to show forth the character of 

 the mind which could firmly bear and overcome 

 them. As a mean of reducing his difficulties he 

 proposed to sell that geological collection which 

 had been so much prized, and through the as- 

 sistance of some friends a communication was 

 opened with the Treasury. Two gentlemen being 

 deputed to examine the collection, reported favour- 

 ably, and their lordships were pleased to authorize 

 the purchase, in order that the specimens might be 

 fitted up in the British Museum. There was also 

 some defined notion of engaging Mr. Smith's ser- 

 vices at the museum to take charge of and explain 



