40 MEMOIR OF BE. HAMVEY 



my studies I must rest contented. How many illustrious men 

 never bad half of my opportunity ! After all, what is science ? 

 what is knowledge ? Vanity. I often laugh at my folly, but 

 'tis comfortable to find one's follies less contemptible than those 

 of one's neighbours. 



Apropos of the love of knowledge, thy reason for not attending 

 Professor Davy's lectures appears odd. Surely the pleasure of 

 gaining something, however little, even with the probability of 

 never learning any more, ought to be a sufficient inducement. 

 Tastes might have been awakened in those few hours which 

 would have altered the whole tenour of thy life. What straws 

 govern us ! Good-bye, and be a better boy in future. 



To Robert Ball, Esq. 



May 24th, 1834. 

 Are you still for Connemara ? Pleasant weather this for 

 bog-hopping. I cannot go. I am tied to the desk. Am I right 

 in reading that Taylor, Scouler, and Mackay are to be of the 

 party, or have you only consulted those worthies? Certes 

 Scouler, whatever he may know of the north-west coast of 

 America, can know but little of that of Ireland ; but he would 

 be a right excellent addition to your party. 



Pray take with you some bibulous paper, some white and 

 some boards, and gather algae at Arran. You will surely find 

 something good. Pay most attention to the red kinds, which on 

 that limestone shore with its western longitude ought to be very 

 fine. I wish I could be there with you. I long to be poking 

 at them. Take notes of localities along the coast, and pay 

 attention to the matter of quarters, which would be welcome 

 information if I should ever have time to take a trip there. 

 Note also the places where the sea-coast is limestone, and where 

 slate or trap. This knowledge is of vast importance to the 

 algologist, for though the roots of sea-weeds appear less designed 

 lor furnishing nutriment than those of other plants, yet there is 

 a wide difference in species on different kinds of rock. 



I rejoice to hear that Miss B. has turned a questioner of 

 authors' accuracy. Tis the best possible sign of confirmed 

 madness. She is surely bit. Urge her to work hard this 

 summer, for I want some new things for Mackay 's " Flora." 



