48 HUNTERIAN ORATION. 



produce the good resulting from mild 

 remonstrance and explanation. Yet for 

 this occasional want of temper many, 

 and perfectly exculpatory causes may be 

 stated. 



Mr. Hunteir's life was one of continual 

 exertion, perplexity, and irritation. He 

 was constantly engaged in the search and 

 consideration of new facts. " My mind," 

 said he to me, " is like a bee-hive;" and the ' 

 simile struck me, on account of its cor- 

 rectness. For, in the midst of buz and 

 apparent confusion, there was great order ; 

 regularity of structure ; and abundant food, 

 collected with incessant industry, from the 

 choicest stores of nature. 



, It will be generally admitted, that 

 the want of money would be an adequate 

 cause of perplexity. Yet to Mr?" Hunter, 

 the very means by which the necessary 

 supplies were to be procured proved 

 sources of irritation. The search for 

 money led him from the more congenial 

 pursuit of knowledge. It broke into his 

 arrangements ; distracted his attention ; 



