256 Obituary. 



Died, at Mile End Nursery, on the 5th of January last, Mr. Archibald 

 Thomson, aged 79 years. 



This eminent nurseryman, who was related to the celebrated poet of the 

 same surname, received the rudiments of his horticultural education under 

 his father, in the vicinity of Edinburgh • and afterwards, in England, im- 

 proved himself so much, that he was appointed botanic gardener to the 

 Earl of Bute, at Luton Hoo, in Bedfordshire. In this, at that time, first- 

 rate situation, his abilities as a practical botanist, and his conduct as a man, 

 not only gained for him the approbation and patronage of his noble master, 

 who was a distinguished lover of plants, but also the friendship of Messrs. 

 Gordon and Dermer, seedsmen in Fenchurch Street, and nurserymen at 

 Mile End, near London, by whom he was invited to superintend the latter 

 department of their business • and was admitted a partner in that respect- 

 able firm upwards of 50 years ago. 



The Mile End Nursery was at that time one of the first about London • 

 and it was much extended and improved by Mr. Thomson. The collection 

 of hardy trees and shrubs was unrivalled; and very many of our finest 

 American and other exotics were introduced through, and their cultivation 

 determined in, that nursery. Mi*. Thomson was excessively fond of fine 

 specimens of his various stock ; and, no doubt, had much personal gratifi- 

 cation in their preservation : but he lived to see that, though this was a road 

 to fame, it led not to the reward it merited. Many of these specimens are 

 now on sale, in the possession of his son and successor, and are well worth 

 the attention of collectors who are forming arboretums or public gardens. 

 Magnolia Thomsomdna, amongst other estimable plants, is commemo- 

 rative of Mr. Thomson's skill and assiduity ; and his modes of practice in 

 the propagation and nursery culture of plants will ever remain, as they 

 have long been, the guide of his numerous pupils and brethren in the pro- 

 fession, by whom he was always highly respected. — J. M. 



Died, at Woodhall in Lanarkshire, the seat of W. F. Campbell of Shaw- 

 field, on Monday the 16th of January, Mr. Walter Henderson, aged 73. 

 He had filled the situation of gardener at Woodhall for 47 years, justly 

 esteemed as a first-rate practical and scientific horticulturist, and com- 

 bining with strict integrity of character an amiability of manners which 

 endeared him to all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance • while his 

 unostentatious kindness, and facility in communicating professional inform- 

 ation, will be long remembered with gratitude, not only by a numerous list 

 of gardeners educated under him, but by many in the profession who were 

 withinVeach of benefiting by his friendly instructions and advice. — S. M. G. 



Died, January 25., deeply lamented by his family and a numerous circle 

 of friends, Mr, James Colvill, nurseryman of the King's Road, Chelsea, in 

 his 55th year. 



Died, in London, February 4., the Comtesse des Vandes, who, for many 

 years, was a patroness of practical botany, as may be seen by the numerous 

 plants which have been figured, in the botanical periodicals, from her 

 well-known botanic garden at Bayswater. We regret to learn that the 

 collection is to be sold • as we were in hopes that the count would have 

 retained it, or that some arrangement might be made to keep it up as a 

 subscription botanic garden. 



