284 
OBITUARY. 
notice of The Naturalist , on account of the liberal manner in which, by his purse 
and influence, he encouraged science, especially Natural History. I believe it is 
owing chiefly, if not entirely, to his zeal, that the town of Walden is possessed 
of so many valuable institutions, which alike reflect credit on their founders and 
those who support them. In connection with the name of Mr. Gibson I can 
hut introduce to your readers some of the institutions above alluded to, and I do 
so as the spread and advancement of Natural History has ever been a prominent 
feature in them. And first of the Agricultural Society, which has now been 
established four or five years, and is in a very prosperous condition; its success 
has been beyond the anticipation of its founders, and Agriculture has already 
been considerably raised in the neighbourhood through its means.* The 
Horticultural is also a flourishing society, and of much earlier date than the last ; 
by the encouragement it has given to the cultivation of the garden allotments so 
extensively (and, I believe, originally) adopted in this parish, it has succeeded 
in giving a new aspect to the poorer population. Both these societies have libra¬ 
ries, in which will be found some of our best works in every department of 
Natural History. The Society for Mental Improvement is one in which the late 
Mr. Gibson took great interest, regularly attending its meetings; taking part in 
the discussions, and delivering occasionally a lecture to its members. It was 
after attending one of these meetings that he was attacked with the fatal 
stroke which so speedily and painfully removed him from the midst of his friends. 
But the institution which I believe is most indebted to Mr. Gibson, and which 
I look upon with the most interest, and consider the highest honour of the town, 
is its Natural History Society. In connection with this society, by the exertions 
of five or six individuals, a museum has been formed that would do credit to any 
town in the kingdom. By the industry of the Curators, and the liberality of 
Mr. Gibson, some of the rarest objects in Zoology have been placed there, and 
the collection especially of British birds and that of British and Foreign insects, 
is very excellent. I hope soon to be able to furnish your readers with a more 
full account of the rise and present state of this museum. In the mean time it 
is to be hoped that the example of Mr. Gibson will not be lost upon your more 
Wealthy readers, seeing how much it is in their power to promote the diffusion 
of science, and by this means to increase the happiness and welfare of the great 
mass of mankind.—E. L. 
* This Society, in conjunction with the Entomological Society of London, lately offered a prize 
for the best essay on the Turnip-fly, as announced by Mr. Westwood, p, 140. The statement of 
Mr. Lankester (p. 10G), relative to the amount of the prize, is probably a mistake, —Ed. 
