364 Canadian Record of Science. 



nioting Christian Knowledge, opened his eyes to the fact 

 that he was destined to be a popular author. " The Ocean " 

 showed a great advance in literary style, and was fully illus- 

 trated by the author himself who, without imaginative 

 power, was a correct and minute reproducer of animals 

 and plants. 



Towards the close of 1844, a pleasant break occurred in the 

 monotony of his life. He was sent upon an exploring expedi- 

 tion to Jamaica, a land at that time almost unknown to natu- 

 ralists. The two following years were spent in a careful, 

 thorough investigation of the ornithology of that island. 

 During his stay he made many important contributions to 

 the science of zoology, proving two hundred species of birds 

 to be indigenous to the country, and discovering twenty-four 

 new species of mammalia, reptiles and fishes. His " Natu- 

 ralist's Sojourn in Jamaica " is probably the most delightful 

 of his books. Full of lovely descriptions of the picturesque 

 scenery of the island, it also shows his life there to have been 

 crowded with scientific incident and valuable experiences. 

 A more technical record of his work is found in " The Birds 

 of Jamaica," written shortly after his return to London ; 

 but, though well received by those best qualified to judge of 

 its merits, the book was a financial failure. 



His religious life was always intense and of that stern 

 character which brooks no compromise with the world. 

 About this time, therefore, becoming dissatisfied with 

 Methodism which he considered to have fallen from its for- 

 mer high estate of unworldliness, he connected himself with 

 the " Plymouth Brethren." At these meetings, he frequent- 

 ly met Miss Emily Bowes, whom he married in 1848. She 

 was a woman of mature mind and sober tastes ; of great 

 tact and wisdom, and during the nine years of her married 

 life she did much towards developing the gentler side of her 

 husband's character, rendering him less shy and reserved, 

 more sympathetic and genial. While sharing his religious 

 views, she exercised an influence over him opposed to his 

 naturally stern and fanatical temperament. 



The first year of their married life must have been one 



