Memoir of the cc Old Bushman" ix 



It is a very valuable list to those who do not read the Swedish 

 language. 



The letters received from Mr. Wheelwright during the past 

 summer, express the pleasure he anticipated from an intended visit 

 to England in the autumn. With the exception of one or two 

 short and flying trips, he had not seen the land of his birth for 

 nearly twenty years 5 and his heart, in his wild northern solitude, 

 warmed with affection towards the good old country where his 

 boyish and happiest days had been passed. How that visit termi- 

 nated we all know too well. It is hardly necessary to dwell upon 

 particulars. A little circumstance occurred, however, prior to his 

 fatal accident, which illustrates forcibly the apparently trifling 

 grounds upon which our life or death depends. Mr. Wheelwright 

 was at The Field office on the afternoon of the 7th of November, 

 and seemed anxious to get down that evening to his brother's at 

 Crowhurst. One of the gentlemen connected with the office 

 pointed out to him that he had three-quarters of an hour to spare, 

 that he might jump into a cab, get round for his luggage, and still 

 be in time for the train. The poor " Old Bushman " hesitated, 

 and, thinking he should not be able to accomplish it, decided to pass 

 the night in London. Next morning, hearing of the arrival of his 

 natural history specimens from Sweden, he resolved to stay until 

 they were unpacked. When on his way to see about this, he slipped 

 down in the street, and a hernia, from which he had suffered for 

 years, thereby became strangulated. In this condition he went to 

 his brother's house, was obliged to submit to the operation for its 

 relief, and sank three days afterwards. 



It is needless to dwell upon the character and literary qualifica- 

 tions of our deceased friend -, all who are familiar with his writings 

 possess the same means of judging. He was less a scientific 

 naturalist than one of those pioneers who, by their adventure and 



