BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. 
249 
natural phenomena in different parts of the world enabled him to 
enter with renewed pleasure into the less active study of the physico- 
mathematical sciences. He established an astronomical and meteoro- 
logical observatory, and in connection with the latter published a 
few years ago a complete work on the Meteorology of Halifax, which 
will continue to be a model for all such local observations. Practical 
Botany also engaged his attention, and his gardens were distinguished 
throughout the neighbourhood for the rich variety of their contents, 
especially in rare plants and exotics, of which he was justly proud. 
His favourite studies were astronomy, geology, electricity, and light, 
and in connection with the latter he was identified with the early 
progress of photography ; also with the discovery by the Rev. J. B. 
Reade, F.R.S., of the method of taking portraits, first upon leather 
and afterwards upon paper, instead of silver plates or glass, and also 
the chemical means of giving permanence to such images. He was 
specially interested in the progress of microscopy, and was himself 
a skilful observer and an adept at those manipulations which are 
necessary in the preparation of objects for examination. He was also 
extremely fond of music, and was a skilful performer on the violin- 
cello. Indeed, he seemed able to turn his hands to any pursuit, and 
such was the aptitude which he possessed for grasping the general 
principles upon which any practical operation depended, that he 
speedily was enabled to do with proficiency work which required 
under ordinary circumstances years of patient labour and practice. 
As must be expected, he was also identified with those movements 
which had for their object the spread of scientific knowledge, and in 
connection with the local Literaiy and Philosophical Society, of 
which he was one of the founders, and for many years President, he 
lectured on more than occasion on various scientific subjects, as well 
as enriched the museum with many choice objects of natural history 
collected during his travels. He was also connected with the 
Mechanics' Institution during its early years, and was active as a 
Magistrate, being for many years Chairman of the County Bench at 
Halifax, and a Deputy-Lieutenant for the West Riding. In later 
years a stroke of paralysis which compelled his retirement into private 
life only made him appreciate more his beautiful gardens, until a 
w 
