198 



His last and favourire pursuit was the study of 

 Botany, which he originally began under the confine- 

 ment of a severe and lingering disorder ; which, with 

 most minds, would have proved a disqualification 

 from any application. It constituted the principal 

 amusement pi his leisure hours. In the arrangements 

 of LiN$fJ^us he discovered system, truth, and 

 science, which never failed to captivate and engage 

 his attention ; and from the proofs which he has 

 exhibited of his progress in Botany, we may conclude 

 that he would have extended the discoveries in that 

 science. The last composition which he read in this 

 Society, was a description of select Indian plants ; and 

 I hope his Executors will allow us to fulfil his inten- 

 tion of publishing it in a number of our Researches. 



It cannot be deemed useless or. superfluous to en- 

 quire, by what arts or method he was enabled to at- 

 tain to a degree of knowledge, almost universal, and 

 appaiently beyond the powers of man, during a life 

 little exceeding forty-seven years. 



The faculties of his mind, by nature vigorous, 

 were improved by constant exercise ; and his memory, 

 by habitual' practice, had acquired a capacity of re- 

 taining whatever had once been impressed upon it. 

 To an unextinguished ardour for universal know- 

 ledge, he joined a perseverance in the pursuit of it, 

 which subdued all obstacles ; his studies began with 

 the dawji, and* during the intermissions of profes- 

 sional duties, were continued throughout the day : 

 reflection and meditation strengthened and confirmed 

 what industry and investigation had accumulated. 

 I fixed principle with him a from which he 



never 



