94 HISTORY of the SOCIETY. 



of fcience and the converfation of his friends, unlefs when he 

 travelled from home on fome excurfion, from which he never 

 failed to return furnifhed with new materials for geological in- 

 vestigation. 



To his friends his converfation was ineflimable ; as great 

 talents, the mofl perfect candour, and the utmoft fimplicity 

 of character and manners, all united to {lamp a value upon 

 it. He had, indeed, that genuine fimplicity, originating in the 

 ab fence of all felfifhnefs and vanity, by which a man lofes fight 

 of himfelf altogether, and neither conceals what is, nor affects 

 what is not. This fimplicity pervaded his whole conduct ; 

 while his manner, which was peculiar, but highly pleafing, dif- 

 played a degree of vivacity, hardly ever to be found among men 

 of profound and abflract fpeculation. His great livelinefs, added 

 to this aptnefs to lofe fight of himfelf, would fometimes lead 

 him into little excentridties, that formed an amufing contrail 

 with the graver habits of a philofophic'life. 



Though extreme fimplicity of manner does not unfrequently 

 impart a degree of feeblenefs to the expreflion of thought, 

 the contrary was true of Dr Hutton. His converfation was 

 extremely animated and forcible, and, whether ferious or gay, 

 full of ingenious and original obfervation. Great informa- 

 tion, and an excellent memory, fupplied an inexhauftible fund 

 of illuftration, always happily introduced, and in which, when 

 the fubject admitted of it, the witty and the ludicrous never 

 failed to occupy a confiderable place. — But it is impoffible by 

 words to convey any idea of the effect of his converfation, and of 

 the impreflion made by fo much philofophy, gaiety and humour, 

 accompanied by a manner at once fo animated and fo fimple. 

 Things are made known only by comparifon, and that which is 

 unique admits of no defcription. 



The whole exterior of Dr Hutton was calculated to heighten 

 the effect which his converfation produced. His figure was 



flender 



