18 MEMOIK OP THE LIFE OF JOHN HANCOCK, 



of the Eay Society proclaims the proficiency of the latter, and 

 the drawings of birds in the Museura that of the former. 



John's power of enduring fatigue was of signal service in ob- 

 taining his coveted specimens. The only interruption to his 

 ornithological pursuits was in 1860, when he began to undertake 

 temporarily, for some friends who appreciated his taste, the 

 profession of landscape-gardening. His sketches of birds now 

 in the upper west corridor of the Museum show how remarkably 

 accurate were his observations and execution. His conversations 

 with his friends told how intimately he was acquainted with 

 the characters and habits of his bird favourites, for he could 

 describe and imitate their motions and sounds so vividly, by 

 feature, voice, and posture, as to be most instructive and at the 

 same time amusing, whilst he convinced his auditors of the 

 naturalness of his pantomime. There can be little doubt that 

 he was the foremost man in his peculiar pursuit in England. 

 It may be said truly of him that he was a genius in ornithology 

 — potentially in childhood, actually in manhood. It may be 

 long before Newcastle " shall look upon his like again." 



John Hancock, as every one who knew him can testify, was a 

 kind, quiet, unassuming, straightforward and virtuous character; 

 fond of children, though never married ; always glad to impart 

 to students, or any one interested in his favourite pursuit, what- 

 ever he could out of his stores of knowledge, anxious to draw 

 on the young to the rich beauties of E'atural History, and to 

 incite them to observe accurately for themselves. Many middle- 

 aged persons, even those of distinction in other walks of life, 

 owe much happiness to his teaching. He was indeed a centre 

 from which radiated a pure love of Nature to all around. 



In illustration of the above I am allowed to quote the follow- 

 ing passage from a letter recently received from Admiral H. C. 

 St. John. "John Hancock was a great friend of my father's, 

 and a frequent visitor to our house in Scotland. His influence 

 with children was very marked — a strange trait in his character 

 considering the unmarried life he led. No doubt his kind and 

 gentle disposition was the cause of young hearts being drawn 

 to him. During his stay with us in Morayshire he taught us 



