xvii-xviii 



MEMOIRS OF THE 



which always secured an increase, and proves the 

 practical value of science. 



He had the felicity of having his company courted 

 by all the illustrious botanists of the day, as the Rev. 

 Dr. Hales, the celebrated author of "Vegetable Sta- 

 tics;" the Rev. Dr. Col In Milne, author of a "Phi- 

 losophical and Systematic Dictionary," a work that 

 is in the hands of every botanist, which has gone 

 through four editions; the illustrious Dr. Pother- 

 gill, the great patron of Botany ; Miller, author 

 of a " Botanical Dictionary," being the very first 

 work of its kind; Professor Mautyn, author of 

 " Letters on Botany," and editor of anew edition of 

 Millers " Dictionary," which, from the additions 

 made, may be almost styled his ow T n ; Dr. Wither- 

 ing, author of a " New Arrangement of British 

 Plants," a work which has considerably advanced 

 the Science of Botany; and the celebrated John 

 Hunter, a great lover of natural history. 



The Marchioness of Rockingham was exceed- 

 ingly fond of plants, and Mr. Lee used to dine once 

 every week at Hillingdon, with this amiable lady ; 

 and the Marquis always gave him a hearty welcome, 

 with a hospitality becoming a nobleman. In short, 

 he was esteemed and courted by a numerous circle 

 of the first people; and he lived to the very ad- 

 vanced age of eighty. With patient resignation he 

 met the expected summons, July 1795, and was 

 universally regretted by great and poor. 



To sum up the character of Lee, he was an an- 

 dent enthusiast in the pursuit of natural science; 



