BRITISH RUBI. II5 
as leader of the choir and director of the Doncaster Musical Society, 
two objects in which he took the deepest interest. 
Just when he seemed to be more comfortably settled than he 
had been for many years, his health began to cause anxiety to his 
nearest friends; outwardly there was little difference, but those who 
knew him well could see important changes impending. At this 
time, the end of July 1894, he, in company with his wife, took a trip 
to Paris. Before he started he had doubts as to the wisdom of taking 
such a journey, but he had so much enjoyed a similar holiday in the 
previous year that, though conscious of his weakness, he was wishful 
to repeat it. The return voyage was a very rough one, and 
Mr. Kirk, who was abnormally stout, suffered very much from sea- 
sickness, so much so, indeed, that a few days after his arrival at 
home he was compelled to take to his bed. Although he slightly 
tallied, he never made any real progress towards recovery; and, 
despite skilful medical aid and the unremitting care and attention 
a most devoted wife, he ultimately passed away on October 31st, 
1894, deeply mourned and regretted by all who knew him. His 
funeral took place on November and, and was attended by a vast 
concourse of his fellow-townsmen, who had assembled to show their 
great respect for one who had done so much to entertain and 
instruct them. 
Few men in Doncaster were better known than he, and few will 
be more missed ; his splendid capacity for work and _ his genial good 
nature and obliging manner made him a general favourite, and it is 
much to be deplored that the career of so useful a man should have 
been cut short in its very prime. Mr. Kirk leaves a widow but no 
children. Since his death a number of friends and admirers, more 
Phan those who were associated with him in musical or 
ientific pursuits, have raised a fund for the purpose of erecting 
a memorial to him in the splendid church with which he was so long 
associated, and which he loved so well. 
Doncaster, March 6th, ee M. H. STILEs. 
: NOTES AND NEWS. 
Before this reaches the eye of the reader, the Messrs. Linton, Moyle Rogers, 
and Maiky will have issued be their subscribers the 4th Fascicle of ‘Specimens 
of British Rubi.’ Over too n ee and yg a ge arenes yh on gous ia 
these four parts. Most, of co south 
consider, How is it that the ge lien Tay Casaneade d, and Nor th on r Lake 
Lancashire brambles have not had an equal amount of attention paid to them as 
those of n he country is quite teresting, th 
l in almost overpoweri Perhaps time will bring the man or 
m changes of opinion, but this workmanlike attempt to fix the 
e ll as chan 
nomenclature of one of the most ge t genera will undoubtedly help the Pow 
on by providing authentic specimens. 
April 1895. 
