116 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
Looking back upon the career of our muck esteemed fellow, we 
have first to remark the characteristic caution with which he 
abstained from entering upon any active or responsible sphere of 
exertion till he had attained his twenty-eighth year, and the care with 
which he prepared himself by long continued literary and scientific 
study in this and other countries for the duties of his after life. 
In his work as a scientific investigator and systematic writer, 
there is everywhere apparent a scrupulous accuracy and full know- 
ledge of his subject, a clearness of statement and appropriateness of 
language, a critical acumen and soundness of judgment which have 
given high and lasting value to his productions. 
In the administration of the affairs of the various public bodies 
with which he was connected, Dr Sharpey’s wide range of knowledge, 
his unbiassed judgment and strict impartiality, while they gave 
weight to his opinions and suggestions, contributed in a remarkable 
degree to the efficiency and usefulness of his services. 
It was however especially as a teacher that the influence of Dr 
Sharpey’s superior mental qualities was most conspicuous. Devoting 
himself with the utmost diligence and care to the perfecting of his 
public instructions, he was uniformly listened to with the closest 
attention, and regarded as the highest authority in his department ; 
and the effect of his teaching was further enhanced by the feeling 
of friendly attachment, amounting almost to filial affection and 
reverence, which was inspired in the minds of his pupils by his 
uniform kindness, justice, and candour. 
In private life, while Dr Sharpey was universally admired for 
the extent and accuracy of his acquirements and respected for the 
soundness of his judgment, he was not less esteemed and beloved 
for the gentleness of his disposition, the kindness of his heart, and 
the geniality of his nature. His powers of memory, naturally good, 
were carefully cultivated by the systematic turn of his mind, and 
strengthened by exercise. His friends remember with delight the 
readiness Avith which in the course of conversation he could call up 
a desiderated quotation, or supply a fact on some doubtful point in 
history, philosophy, or science, or tell humourously some anecdote 
which was equally apposite and amusing. He had not a single 
enemy, and he numbered among his friends all those Avho ever had 
the advantage of being in his society. 
