1 862.] 



HARTLEY INSTITUTION, 



267 



the books and museum, might have to teach and lecture. His 

 friends thought it exactly the post for which he was peculiarly 

 fitted : and, though he only heard of it two days before the 

 time to make application, he at once procured many testi- 

 monials, and applied for the office. In stating his qualifica- 

 tions, he says, " It is easy for me to frame my lectures so as 

 either to give advanced knowledge to educated persons, or to 

 make science plain and interesting to ordinary people. I had 

 much rather be spending my time in teaching the ignorant and 

 advancing those desirous of instruction, than in prosecuting 

 scientific research for the benefit of a learned few." He con- 

 cludes thus: "I have mentioned these things about myself, 

 much against my inclination, because I find myself (for the 

 first time in my life) applying for a situation from those per- 

 sonally unacquainted with me ; and because every hard- 

 working man of mature life ought to know what he is fit for. 

 Of my general character, I must leave others to speak." (It 

 appears from this letter that he was " Corresponding Member 

 of the Academy of Natural Science of Philadelphia," etc.) As 

 the appointment was not made immediately, he was able to 

 add to the number of his testimonials. Of the forty-six which 

 he printed, sixteen were from his former fellow-townsmen in 

 Warrington, including Lord Winmarleigh,* Sir G. Greenall, 

 M.P., and other official men, some of whom were well qualified 

 to judge of his services to science. The Mayor and Corpora- 

 tion of Southampton, with whom the election rested, might see 

 from the report of the Warrington Committee of the Public 

 Library and Museum, appointed by the Town Council, how 

 efficiently he had discharged, without remuneration, the duties 

 that would be required of him. The remaining testimonials 

 were mostly from men eminent in science or literature, in- 

 cluding Professors Sedgwick, Huxley, Williamson, Allman, 

 Busk, etc. They recommended him for his great and accurate 



* Lord Winmarleigh (then Colonel Wilson Patten, M.P.) says, "I 

 have known him for many years, and ... I have seldom met with a man 

 whom I thought so thoroughly in earnest in everything which tends to the 

 improvement of those among whom he lived." 



