LECTURE I. 13 



the extent of his knowledge iand views at 

 that time; which was more than 20 years 

 prior to the publication of Professor Cuvier's 

 lectures. On his recovery from this severe 

 illness, his time was however occupied in 

 increasing his knowledge, and not in re- 

 cording what he had obtained ; and his 

 catalogue no longer seemed the important 

 object his illness had made it appear. Con- 

 siderations, deducible from the imperfect 

 state in which he left his Museum, probably 

 influenced his last act ; for he would not 

 suffer it to be sold unless altogether ; doubt- 

 less anticipating, that when it was examined 

 as a whole, his designs and his labours 

 would be fully appreciated. In the pursuit 

 of knowledge, he relinquished that of 

 wealth, so that he left his family no other 

 legacy than his Museum ; which, after the 

 lapse of several years, was bought by Par- 

 liament, and given to this college. Mr. 

 Hunter's Museum has thus become our 

 Museum ; and I trust that every member of 

 this college will feel that interest in it, 

 which is commonly felt for things apper- 

 taining to ourselves. Belonging to a com- 



