176 A MEMOIR OF ROBERT ETHERIDGE, F.R.S. 
Bristol Institution, thereby coming into contact with men 
of culture, learned in several branches of physical and 
natural science, who helped him in various ways ; and it is 
evident that he was imbued with a strong desire to ex- 
change the monotony of business life for the more inter- 
esting career of a naturalist. Apart from this guidance 
and encouragement in his youthful days, Etheridge was 
for the most part self-educated, so far as his scientific 
knowledge was concerned.^ 
Bristol at this date (about 1840 to 1850) had become a 
centre of scientific activity. In 1835 there was founded 
The West of England Journal of Science and Literature, 
and although in the course of two years only five numbers 
of the journal were published, the Editor in his address 
to his readers, stated that “ during the last few years the 
tastes and pursuits of a large section of the inhabitants 
have been undergoing a gradual but important change. 
Science and Literature have become more popular, the 
tone of general conversation has improved, and the de- 
mand for instructive and profitable books has propor- 
tionately increased.” The Reading Room of the Bristol 
Philosophical Institution ^ was much frequented, while 
the Museum became too small for the specimens that were 
contributed. The collection had been gathered together 
largely by the instrumentality of J. S. Miller, author of 
A Naturad History of the Crinoidea, or Lily-shaped 
Animals (4to, Bristol, 1821). Miller (originally Muller) 
1 For some of the particulars here given I am indebted to Mrs. 
Etheridge, and also to Dr. John Beddoe, F.R.S., with whom 
Etheridge was connected on his mother’s side, through the Pardoes, 
an old Worcestershire family. 
2 This Institution in Park Street was opened in 1823, but not 
completed until 1825. The new Bristol Museum and Library in 
Queen’s Road, which was completed in 1871, was formed by an 
amalgamation of the old Institution with the Bristol Library 
Society, founded in 1772. See Guide to the Bristol Museum, by the 
late E. B. Tawney, edited by James Dallas. 1883, 
