l62 APPOINTMENT TO THE 'BEAGLE.' .ETAT. 22. 



his character as to his kindness of heart ; and, 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 : 

 and to all he showed the same 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 no way disheartened, but only determined to be 

 more accurate the next tim.e. 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 inter-communication, did the same good in 

 Cambridge, in a very pleasant manner, as the Scientific So- 

 cieties do in London. At these parties many of the most 

 distinguished members of the University occasionally attend- 

 ed ; 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 stimu- 

 lated their mental activity and ambition. Two or three times 

 in each session he took excursions with his botanical class ; 

 either a long walk to the habitat of some rare plant, or in a 

 barge down the river to the fens, or in coaches to some 

 more distant place, as to Gamlingay, to see the wild lily of 

 the valley, and to catch on the heath the rare natter-jack. 

 These excursions have left a delightful impression on my 

 mind. He was, on such occasions, in as good spirits as a 

 boy, and laughed as heartily as a boy at the misadventures 



