PRINCIPAL GARDENERS—JOHN MACKAY. 29 
blow.” He lingered till the 14th of April 1802, when he expired 
in the midst of his afflicted relatives.} 
Thus fell, in the prime of life, a young man who bid fair, had he 
lived, to have reached the very summit of eminence in his 
profession. He possessed an acute and penetrating genius, a 
good taste, and a thirst for the knowledge of nature, that led him 
to pursue his studies with the greatest eagerness and ardour. 
He discharged his professional duties with unremitting assiduity; 
and often did he rob himself of his nightly rest in acknowledging 
the communications of his numerous botanical correspondents. 
He was honoured with the acquaintance, friendship, and esteem 
of many men of science, literati, and persons of distinction about 
Edinburgh. Col. Brodie of Brodie, M.P. for Morayshire (a 
gentleman distinguished for attachment to botany) was his 
constant friend and patron.? 
* “A plain stone has been erected to the memory of John Mackay, with a 
very classical inscription from the pen of Mr. Candlish, by far the best 
Latinist here, and whose sudden death, by apoplexy, a few days ago still- 
overwhelms me with astonishment, he being a dear friend. 
“ Mr. J. T. Mackay, Dublin, was here and is gone to Ireland a short time 
ago. He stayed chiefly with me, and I am happy to say that in knowledge, 
taste, and modesty he is likely to rival his brother. 
“Please mention if this come to hand, and also how I can send you a 
printed copy of the inscription above mentioned : ‘Sacrum | memorize | 
Johannis Mackay, | Qui, | xviii® Calend. Maii, | anno post Christum 
natum M.DCCC.II®, | viginti novem annos natus, | diem defletus obiit 
supremum ; | mortalitate quidem expleta, | at nondim multifere naturz 
nc Ae: studio: | Quique, | vivus, | ut ingenii bonitate, sud modestia, 
rumque suavitate, | erat amicis unicé carus; | sic hortensis flore 
deliciolas, | et rurigenam prolem, { tam indefesso pernoscendi ardore, | 
uam rara discernendi Sree oe peritia, | sages Herbariisque 
pete Posuit | Frater | J. T. Mackay, | M.DCCC. 
Smi vresp. Linn. Soc.: Dr. Neill to Sir J. E. Smith, oth May, 1806. 
I retin not discovered where this stone was erected or where Mackay was 
buried. The Registers of Greyfriars, St. Cuthberts, Canongate, and Calton 
give no information.—/. B. B. 
2 **A Mr. John Mackay at Messrs. Dickson’s & Co., Seeds and Nursery 
Men Edinr., travel’d through a great part of the North and West of Scot- 
land in search of Plants, and found a great many not noticed by Lightfoot; 
of these I have sent a list to Mr. Sowerby, along with some specimens of the 
Eriocaulon decangulare—he wishes for some in seed, I have desired Mr. 
Mackay if he has any in that state, to send them, along with some for you, 
and am persuaded he will chearfully send you specimens of any or all he 
