FRANCIS WJLLUGHBY. 
119 
for a moment on the character of one who, 
sooner than violate his conscience by the 
momentary act of signing his name to a declara- 
tion, chose rather to encounter the comparative 
poverty and dependence in which he lived and 
died. 
So far from being influenced by worldly 
expectations from Mr Willughby’s family, Mr 
ltay, at the time of the publication of the English 
edition of the Ornithology, had, as will shortly 
be stated, owing to domestic changes, removed 
from beneath their roof, and was no longer 
occupied in the superintendence of Mr Wil- 
lughby’s children. 
On the whole, whatever praise may be due to 
Mr Hay’s integrity and regard to religion as a 
man, public spirit as a member of society, 
fidelity and affection as a friend, (but for 
which qualities, Mr Wilhjghby’s principal wri- 
tings might have lain neglected, and his real 
merit as the inventor of his systems have been 
more successfully questioned) ; yet his anxiety to 
disclaim honours to which he had no just pre- 
tensions, must be considered as one of the 
greatest beauties in his character, for unless the 
whole of the existing evidence attendant on the 
question be doubted, and which it cannot be 
unless at the expense of depreciating, in some 
respects, the character of some of the best and 
wisest of men, the judgment of a writer already 
quoted must be received, “ that it is our duty to 
say, that the amiable and gentle Kay, whatever 
