APPENDIX /. 355 



was the largest sitting-room on the lower floor of his house, and 

 was his workshop. Shelves surrounded the walls, filled with 

 books ready for reference on each branch of his many literary 

 studies; a large glass-fronted bookcase stood against the wall, 

 opposite to the chair in which he sat always, during the winter, 

 with his back to the fire, at a large table covered with books, 

 papers, and implements. On his Itft hand, close to the window, 

 was a long narrow table, upon which were shallow aquaria of 

 various sizes, round, long, and square ; one with three tall glass 

 sides and a slate at the back to keep out the strong light from 

 the window looking south-east — the first sea-anemone tank made 

 for private use. These tanks were all filled with salt water, which, 

 being kept mechanically in agitation, did not need frequent re- 

 newal, but strict attention to take out the dying animals. The 

 clearness of the water was aided by seaweeds of brilliant hues. 

 Into these tanks he brought the sea-anemones, small fish, and 

 divers curious things, whose habits he closely watched, and whose 

 forms he examined and drew faithfully. 



He was an accomplished and most delicate draughtsman. His 

 rapid eye would discover the various and minutest characteristics, 

 and then classify them, ready to write their future history in his 

 attractive manner. Some of his books he lent us to read, which 

 formed an interesting topic of conversation during his increasingly 

 frequent visits to the Cottage. 



Mr. Gosse's most intimate friend at this time was Dr. J. E. 

 Gladstone, cousin of the late Premier, who was the clerg\-man of 

 the Furrough Cross Church, a free church built a few years before 

 by Sir Culling Eardley Smith and others, in consequence of the 

 very High Church doctrines then held in the parish of St. Mary- 

 church. Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Gosse together instituted Bible 

 readings, at which many intelligent Christians from Torquay and Sl 

 Marychurch met to read and have conversation over the Word of 

 God. These were held at Sandhurst once a week, and continued, 

 with but few intermissions, until my husband's last illness. 



He manifested the same eager and enthusiastic spirit in his 

 study of Divine things, as in his scientific pursuits. He studied 

 the Bible as he would study a science. He must know what each 

 separate portion was about, who the inspired writer was, what he 

 was wishing to say, and for what purpose it was written ; also how it 



