12 
NATURE NOTES. 
“ Darwinism,” and his writings on matters connected therewith 
showed a certain narrowness and want of appreciation of the 
position of those who differed from him. He did not sufficiently 
realise, as it seems to us, that many who held views diametrically 
opposed to his own were as zealous as he was for the advancement 
of truth ; and the natural and quite justifiable irritation which he 
displayed in regard to some of the more popular exponents of 
Darwinism rendered him a little oblivious of the great impetus 
which Darwin gave to the studies to which Mr. Morris was so 
devoted. The present Editor of this magazine incurred his dis- 
pleasure by refusing to allow the re-opening of a closed discussion 
on matters evolutionary ; but his annoyance was short-lived, and 
he remained a contributor to our pages. The last anecdote from 
his pen (Nature Notes, 1892) was one of a faithful dog ; and 
Mr. Abram records that his life may be said to have ended in 
loving a dog. 
“When the rector lay awaiting the stroke of death, Laddie, a Scots collie, who 
was in the room, went up to his master and nosed his head into the frail old hand. 
The naturalist caressed the head of the collie ever so gently, and Laddie kept it 
lying upon the coverlet, quite still. Then the naturalist closed his eyes and sank 
into other stillness than this of the dog’s.” 
We may conclude this brief notice with a paragraph from the 
sympathetic notice published in the Westminster Gazette, on the 
occasion of i\Ir. IMorris’s death. 
“ The motto which Mr. Morris inscribed on the title-page of his splendid work 
on moths formed the key to his whole life-work. Much as he delighted in study- 
ing natural history, he esteemed that science mainly for its living testimony to the 
existence of an all-wise Creator : — ‘ The works of the Lord are great, sought out 
of all them that have pleasure therein.’ Many of the sermons which he preached 
in the little village church were pointed and illustrated by references to facts with 
which his zoological studies had made him familiar. Neither can it be doubted 
that his writings have contributed powerfully to the greater interest which is now 
taken in birds and beasts and insects by educated people generally, and that in- 
creased tenderness in their treatment of dumb animals which is being successfully 
inculcated in children. From his tree-shaded study at Nunburnholme Mr. Morris 
preached the gospel of kindness to every living creature, to a congregation spread 
all over the world ; and his discourses will long survive the warm heart and active 
intellect that prompted them.” 
Some of ]\Ir. Morris’s friends have been anxious to establish 
some memorial of him, and it is proposed that this should take 
the form of completing the restoration of Nunburnholme Church, 
a work which was partly carried out by IMr. Alorris during his 
lifetime. For this purpose the sum of at least £2,50 ''’ill be 
needed. Those wishing to contribute should address the Rev. 
M. C. F. Morris, Nunburnholme, Hayton, Yorkshire. 
