146 In Memoriam : H . H. Corbeif. 



consequence, they and their families were in great distress. 

 To aid the fund for their relief, Dr. Corbett gave a recital in 

 the Mansion House. This occupied a whole evening, and was 

 a notable feat of memory. Besides the ordinary smaller 

 pieces, his rendering of a selection from ' The School for 

 Scandal ' was a revelation of elocutionary and dramatic 

 power of which few had dreamed. Another phase of his 

 remarkable mentality was his power of simultaneous, in- 

 dependent ambidexterity ; he had besides a fine artistic sense. 

 He also interested himself in the study of Yorkshire dialect. 



In 1892 he married Jessie, the third daughter of the late 

 S. J. Capper, of Liverpool, a distinguished entomologist, who 

 was for many years President of the Lancashire and Cheshire 

 Entomological Society. Their union was an ideal one. Mrs. 

 Corbett was a help meet for her husband. Together they took 

 their place in the various philanthropic movements of the 

 town, ever ready to assist any cause that commended itself to 

 them, such as, e.g., The Yorkshire Institution for the Deaf 

 and the N.S.P.C.C. Sometimes one partner, sometimes the 

 other, appeared to take the lead, but whichever it might be, 

 the complement would be close behind. Their home became 

 the recognised rendezvous for naturalists, and many pleasant 

 memories remain of the charming life passed within, which 

 visitors have been privileged to share. The enthusiasm which 

 they infused into the work of the Doncaster Scientific Society 

 not only brought about an increased membership, but resulted 

 in a steady and systematic study of the local fauna and flora. 

 Their presence ensured the success of the rambles in the 

 delightful district of which Doncaster is the centre. His 

 gentle forbearing nature and his readiness to impart knowledge 

 made him an attraction to young people who could approach 

 him without uneasiness for help in determining their finds, 

 while his wide knowledge and clear concise methods of 

 exposition made him an agreeable and captivating lecturer. 

 He filled the offices of President and Secretary for several 

 years, and the latter office was also held for a considerable 

 period by Mrs. Corbett. It was mainly due to Dr. Corbett 's 

 persistent advocacy that a municipal museum was established 

 in Doncaster. Beginning with a few cases in one of the 

 rooms of the Guild Hall, it grew until the purchase of Beech- 

 field by the Corporation provided a suitable building for 

 display and future extension. He was the first Curator, and 

 as such, the initial arrangement as well as the acquisition of 

 exhibits fell to his lot. He also took charge during the 

 absence on war service of the present curator. His collection 

 of local Coleoptera is deposited in the Museum. 



In May, iQicS, he suffered an irreparable loss in the death 

 of his wife, which was quickly followed in October of the same 



Naturalist 



