Sn memoriam. 
JOHN HANDLEY (1836-1910) 
(PLATE I.). 
ONE of the great advantages of a visit to the charming district 
of Sedbergh, whether as an individual, or collectively as a 
Society, has been the presence of John Handley. Amongst 
many others, the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union and its members 
are particularly indebted to him. He had a great fund of 
local anecdote, a keen sense of humour, and a remarkably 
thorough knowledge of the natural history features of his 
district. In future, our visits to Sedbergh will not have quite 
the same interest ; the evenings will seem much longer; we 
shall miss a true guide, philosopher and friend. John Handley 
is dead. The fells and the fields will know him no more; and 
we, in common with everybody in Sedbergh, and for miles 
around, shall find it difficult, if not impossible, to get anyone 
to take his place. 
On our excursions he has always taken a leading part ; 
the botanists particularly having greatly benefitted from his 
acquaintance with the flora of his neighbourhood. The pages 
of ‘ The Naturalist,’ too, have been enriched by his pen. In 
1898 he published a ‘ Catalogue of Plants growing in the Sed- 
bergh District. including the Lune Basin, from Middleton to 
Tebay.’ This contained 48 pages, and has been the companion 
of every botanist visiting the district. Mr. Handley did not 
shew everybody where the rare plants grew, as some ‘ col- 
lectors’ found out to their sorrow! In his list also we learn that 
“the exact habitat of many flowers is not given from the fear 
of extermination.’ 
John Handley was also a leading authority on sheep- 
farming, and organised and commenced the ‘ Flock-Book ’ of 
the Wensleydale blue-faced sheep. He took a keen interest 
in public affairs. He was a Poor Law Guardian since 1871 ; 
a Charity Trustee since the foundation of that body ; Chair- 
man of the District Council ; Chairman of the District Educa- 
tion Committee, and a Justice of the Peace. He was also a 
member of tue Society of Friends, and ‘a mainstay of Quakerism 
in the valleys of north-west Yorkshire.’ Of him ‘F. G. P.’ 
in ‘ The Sedbergian,’ writes :— 
‘ The flowers in summer hue had all nigh gone, 
The wind had stripped the leaves from hedge and tree, 
When he, who knew them all and loved each one, 
Put out to sea.’ 
Igll jan. t. 
