404 Memoir of William Maclure. 



which occasionally expresses itself in a startling sentiment ; 

 but however we may differ from him on various questions, it 

 must be conceded that his views of financial operations 

 were remarkably correct, inasmuch as he predicted the 

 existing pecuniary embarrassments of this country, at the 

 very time when the great mass of observers looked forward 

 to accumulating wealth and unexampled prosperity. 



Let it not* be supposed that Mr. Maclure's benevolent 

 efforts were restricted to those extended schemes of useful- 

 ness to which we have so often adverted. Far, very far 

 from it. His individual and more private benefactions, 

 were such as became his affluent resources, influenced by a 

 generous spirit. He habitually extended his patronage to 

 genius, and his cordial support to those plans which, in his 

 view, were adapted to the common interests of humanity. 

 There are few cabinets of Natural History in our country, 

 public or private, that have not been augmented from his 

 stores ; and several scientific publications of an expensive 

 character, have been sustained to completion by his instru- 

 mentality. While in Europe he purchased the copper-plate 

 illustrations of some important works both in Science and 

 Art, with the intention of having them republished at home 

 in a cheaper form, in order to render them accessible to all 

 classes of learners. Among these works was Michaux's 

 Sylva, which is now going through the press in conformity 

 to his wishes. 



He was singularly mild and unostentatious in his manner ; 

 and though a man of strong feelings, he seldom allowed his 

 temper to triumph over his judgment. Cautious in his in- 

 timacies, and firm in his friendships, time and circumstance 

 in no degree weakened the affections of his earlier years. 

 Though affable and communicative, Mr. Maclure was very 

 much of an isolated man during the last thirty years of his 

 life ; partly owing to a naturally retiring disposition, partly 

 to the peculiarity of some of his opinions, in respect to which, 



