MEMOIR 



WILLIAM MACLURE, Es* 



The most pleasing province of Biography is that 

 which commemorates the sway of the affections. 

 These, however variously expressed, tend to the dif- 

 fusion of Religion, of Virtue and of Knowledge, and 

 consequently of Happiness. He who feeds the hun- 

 gry, or soothes the sorrowful, or encourages merit, or 

 disseminates truth, justly claims the respect and gra- 

 titude of the age in which he lives, and consecrates 

 his name in the hosom of posterity. The benefac- 

 tions of a liberal mind not only do good of them- 

 selves, but incite the same spirit in others; for who 

 can behold the happy results of useful and benevolent 

 enterprise, and not feel the godlike impulse to parti- 

 cipate in and extend them? 



The study of Natural History in this country, 

 though late in attracting general attention, has ex- 

 panded with surprising rapidity. Thirty years ago 

 all our naturalists were embraced in a few cultivators 



