xxxvi 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



tural shows, which have often been described, nor to the prizes 

 given for garden produce, honey, nosegays of wild flowers, and 

 good cultivation, together with the simultaneous amusements pro- 

 vided for all ages in tents on the rectory lawn, the addresses, lec- 

 turets, parting counsels of wisdom, and chorus of ' God save 

 the Queen.' Nor is this the place to go into the details of the 

 ' Wife's Society,' the ' Coal Club,' the ' Medical Club,' '/Chil- 

 dren's Clothiug Club,' ' Loan Fund,' and a number of other 

 successful expedients to encourage the villagers in practices of 

 mutual charity, and, at the same time, habits of self-dependence. 

 All these and much more, have been often detailed in the local 

 papers, and in none better than the Suffolk Chronicle. 



" To the neighbouring towns of Bildeston, Ha dleigh, 1 Ipswich, 

 Bury St. Edmunds, and Sudbury, Professor Henslow most liberally 

 extended his services in diffusing knowledge to^all classes, and by 

 every means in his power. In London he lectured but once, and 

 then to the junior members of the Royal Family y all other invi- 

 tations he refused, on the ground that there was no excuse 

 for scientific destitution in the metropolis, and that he must 

 economise his resources for his own neighbourhood and university. 

 When invited by H.B,.H. the Prince Consort to give a short 

 course of lectures at Buckingham Palace, he gladly did so ; 

 with characteristic modesty attributing the selection of himself to 

 a desire on the part of the Prince to recognize his efforts in school 

 teaching (which would be of the greatest service towards extending 

 his usefulness), rather than as marking his appreciation of Pro- 

 fessor Henslow' s position as a man of science. These lectures 

 were delivered viva voce ; they were in all respects identical with 

 those he was in the habit of giving to his little Hitcham scholars ; 

 and the same simple language and engaging demeanour that had 

 proved irresistible in the village, won over his Royal audience to 

 fixed attention and eager desire for instruction. 



" With the exception of Cambridge, no town owes so deep a debt 

 of gratitude to Professor Henslow as Ipswich, whose unique mu- 

 seum was planned and arranged by him, and made the model of 

 what a local museum should be in a scientific, educational, and 

 popular point of view. He so grouped all natural objects that 

 enough was exhibited to teach, but not so much as to con- 

 fuse ; and the ingenuity, judgment, and science with which he 

 did this for all branches of knowledge, have never been even 

 rivalled. To a certain extent the same services have been rendered 

 to the Cambridge Botanical Museum, where, however, his efforts 



