48 
THE LATE MR. LOUDON. 
That any man who has yielded up the best energies of his life to the advancement of an 
important science, and the promotion of the public welfare through his laborious writings, should 
close his days under the pressure of pecuniary engagements, and leave his family burdened with 
such embarrassments, is, though too commonly the case, an exceedingly lamentable circumstance. 
And every friend to humanity must regret that Mr. Loudon should have gone to his grave beneath 
a weight so truly depressing. 
But other thoughts than those which busy themselves with the deceased, will arise in most 
minds of a healthy tone. And when we heard of the calamity which had befallen Mr. Loudon’s 
household, and the uncertain tenure of what literary property remained to him, we at once issued 
a circular to solicit those who could appreciate real worth, and who were not possessed of Mr. 
Loudon’s valuable publications, to purchase such of them as they could make most available, in 
order to relieve the rest from the obligations which had been incurred upon them. 
We have now to tender our personal thanks to those who have already liberally responded to 
that request. At the same time, we trust that a far larger body of subscribers will yet come 
forward ; and, while they pay this tribute of respect to the departed author, enrich themselves 
with works which are identified with the history of gardening, and embody the highest known 
principles, practices, and facts, in relation to the art. 
Lest, however, such a means of contribution should prove inadequate to rescue the copyright 
of Mr. Loudon’s works from their present liabilities, it was arranged among his friends that a 
public meeting should be held at the Horticultural Society’s Rooms, Regent Street, London, to 
consider and devise the fittest plans for further aiding his bereaved wife and daughter. That 
meeting took place on Saturday, the 17th of February, and was well attended by the friends of 
horticulture generally. The numbers present, and the whole of the proceedings, convey a vivid 
testimony of the esteem in which Mr. Loudon and his works are generally held, and the equal 
esteem and sympathy accorded to Mrs. Loudon. 
A committee was also formed on this occasion, and resolutions passed to carry into the fullest 
possible effect the objects set forth in our circulars ; and there appears every prospect, not only 
of defraying the amount due upon some of Mr. Loudon’s works, but also of respectably main- 
taining his family. 
It was likewise resolved that subscriptions be received from any who further desire to testify 
their sense of Mr. Loudon’s merits, and assist in accomplishing the intentions of his friends, but 
who may happen to have the principal part of his works. The names of such parties will be 
published in the Gardeners ’ Chronicle , along with those who purchase the works ; the subscription 
for the books being transmitted to Mrs. Loudon, Bayswater, and the other contributions to the 
Treasurer, J. Cook, Esq., 40, Mincing Lane, London. 
To those who are acquainted with Mr. Loudon’s character or productions, or with the 
excellent works of his talented wife, it will be needless that we make any additional plea. The 
cause of so eminent a gardening author, and that of all connected with horticulture, are one ; and 
they who feel this will want no other inducement to be liberal. But there is a large portion of 
our readers who move in the higher ranks of society ; and we must appeal to their benevolence, 
or rather to that honourable patronage of useful exertion which so nobly distinguishes the aristo- 
cracy of this country. Many a garden which Mr. Loudon has never visited has been immensely 
improved through the influence of his works ; and many a table enriched with previously unknown 
or additionally refined luxuries through the same medium. 
Yet, after all that might be said, we should prefer leaving the matter to the spontaneous con- 
tributions of a community, which, however tardy it may occasionally be in lending its friendly aid 
to preserve living worth from penury, is always munificent in doing honour to the memory of its 
humblest benefactors, and conferring substantial tokens of its appreciation on their kindred. 
