INTRODUCTION. Ixxv 



' " In 1814, Mr. Montagu and myself, together Avith Mr. 

 C. Prideaux, visited Mr. Cranch, for the purpose of seeing 

 his museum. We were all astonished at the niasnitude 

 of his collection of shells, Crustacea, insects, birds. Sec. 

 collected entirely by himself, and still more so with the 

 accuracy of their classification, and with the remarks made 

 by this self-educated and zealous individual. He con- 

 versed on all subjects connected with natural history, with 

 modesty, but at the same time, with that confidence which 

 is the result of knowledge. Quite deliohted Avith havinor 

 made his acquaintance, I left him Avith a resolution to cul- 

 tivate a correspondence Avith him on the subject of our fa- 

 A'ourite pursuits. On the following morning, I received a 

 note from him, offering me any specimens that might be 

 Avanting, and that he could supply, to my collection. 



" Soon after this meeting, I was appointed to the British 

 Museum, Avhen Mr. Cranch applied to me to endeavour 

 to obtain for him some situation in that institution, which 

 would enable him to cultivate the study of natural history 

 on a more extended scale ; but as no vacanc}^ existed, and 

 as I found his demands for employment come Avithin the 

 limits of my pocket, I proposed that he should undertake 

 to investigate the coasts of Devon and Cornw^all, for ma- 

 rine productions ; and eventually to make a tour of Great 

 Britain, Avith the same vicAv; at the same time, I promised 

 to recommend him to the first situation that misht occur, 

 to enable him to attain the object of his ambition. 



" On receiving my letter he immediately discharged his 

 journeymen, and converted his manufactory of boots and 

 shoes into apartments for the reception and preservation 

 of such objects of natural history as his daily excursions 



