567 
We now find him at tlio ago of twenty-live, and have no 
account of any natural history observations which he had made. 
Ten years later he was in the full tide of scientific work, carrying 
on considerable correspondence. There are few records of this 
interval. I am unable to say at what period his attention was 
first systematically given to the study of Natural History. 
Indeed most probably it was a gradual process of self-education, 
the outcome of his efforts to learn as much as he could about the 
miscellaneous objects then, and often even now, known under the 
name of “ curiosities.” 
One of the puzzles he first endeavoured to solve was a mass of 
flint containing Ananclnjtes , which he had noticed on a cottage 
mantel-piece, where it was kept, well black-leaded, as an ornament. 
And ono of the books which first excited his attention, and 
perhaps directed it to antiquarian and geological studies, was 
Vcrstegan’s ‘ Institution of Decayed Intelligence, in Antiquities 
concerning the most noble and renowned English nation,’ a 
curious work, of which the first edition was published in 1G05, 
and in which the former connection between England and Eranco 
was then advocated. 
Not only did he use every opportunity, restricted though he 
must have been, of adding to his stock of knowledge, but at this 
period he himself taught in both evening and Sunday schools, and 
was thereby brought into contact with Joseph John Gurney, who 
throughout his life, proved a true friend to him. 
In the Norwich Union Eire Office he was employed until lb 20, 
the time of an election, when party spirit indirectly exercised a 
beneficial influence over his future course of life. It Avas at this 
troubled period that the clerks AA r cre told they would be required 
to vote for the Tory candidate ; and having stated that he had 
always voted with the Whigs, he was informed that he had better 
look out for some other berth. Flushed and excited he took up 
his hat. and Avalking out, stumbled against Simon Martin, then a 
partner in Gurneys’ Bank, who told him he avos the very man 
he Avanted to see, and begged for the promise of his vote. 
Having learnt Avhat had just occurred, Mr. Martin requested his 
* Richard Ilanbury Gurney, of Keswick, and William Smith, of 
London, avcic then elected Members of Parliament. 
s s 2 
