46 
repayment of what he had paid. After a lengthened cor- 
respondence the matter was referred to Professor Sedgwick, 
who settled it by writing the following letter, which by its 
tact and conciliatory language proved quite effectual : 
Norwich, June 25, 1849. 
My Dear Sir, 
I am extremely sorry that you have appealed to me about 
the disposal of poor Mr. Gibson’s insects, especially as T am at this 
moment confined to my bed by illness. It pains me to write 
while propped up in bed, as I feel so much lassitude that I cannot 
long attend to anything. Surely no blame, in the first instance, 
attaches to the Rev. Mr. . You are bound to accept his 
statement without any reserve, viz., " That he was not desirous of 
obtaining the insects, but having been applied to, and thinking that 
purchasing them might be a little benefit to Gibson’s family, he did 
so, giving the amount that was required.” I am truly sorry that 
you have not written to the Rev. Mr. with a little more caution, 
for he has, not unnaturally, taken offence at an expression in your 
letter of June 4th. The case is a very plain one, he and you are 
both anxious for the benefit of poor Gibson’s family. He appears 
not to have had any idea of the value of the collection, and if he 
resolve to keep it he would not surely object to the valuation of 
some good entomologist. Between the amount of such a valuation 
and the sums he has already advanced he would not, I should 
think hesitate to pay the difference to Mr. Gibson’s family. If 
this plan be not adopted I think the value of the collection should 
be ascertained in the way you propose, by public auction at Man- 
chester, or by any method that promises to raise the largest 
sum for the widow and children. I must, in conclusion, say that 
I do not by any means approve of the plan of making up to the 
family for the loss of the insects by occasional acts of pecuniary 
help. They, appear to have parted with the collection under the 
pressure of dire necessity, and this should not be turned against 
them. I write with pain and labour, and fear I hardly make my- 
self understood. 
Very truly yours, 
A. SEDGWICK. 
E. W. Binney, Manchester. 
