XXX MEMOIRS OF THE 
studious not to give offence. Truth was his delight ; and 
he imagined all must willingly bow before her shrine. He 
may be said to be the founder of the only national work on 
English Botany ; for though he did not live, or rather was 
not encouraged enough, to accomplish what would have 
justly entitled him to that character ; yet he has opened 
the road of glorious renown to some one, who will here- 
after achieve what he has commenced. The fault in not 
succeeding cannot be imputed to him, but in the times: 
‘ Magnis, tamen excidat ausis.’ He was, however, the 
precursor of the glorious lights of the present day; for he 
paved the way for the full reception of their labours. He 
impressed on the public a taste for the Science of Botany, 
although not then sufficient to maintain all his own works. 
He promoted, therefore, even his own contemporary rivals. 
His garden was the only public thing of the sort in England; 
which evinces his ardent endeavours for the science. All 
his works were original: the contrivance of them sprang 
entirely from his own mind. His sacrifice of a lucrative 
profession may be blamed by some; but he apologized for 
this, in the bias implanted by Providence, for wise reasons, 
in different minds ; and there is no lack of persons carry- 
ing on this honourable art. His attention to the Grasses, 
his publication on the Sea Kale, with his several works, 
evince a patriotic spirit ever glowing in his breast. He 
looked beyond this scene ; for in none of these but he like- 
wise recalls us to that power and goodness whence all 
things proceed. His person was rather short, and thick- 
built; his dress was uncommonly neat; his face was full 
and ruddy, and bespoke beneficence: health, at one pe- 
riod, glowed in his cheek. He possessed a politeness, 
intermixed with some formality; the approaches to him, 
therefore were easy, but obligated not to be too free; but 
where he saw a desire of learning, he was the first to follow 
the student, and point out to him instruction. 
