298 HILLS : E. G. VARENNE, OF KELVEDON, BOTANIST. 
of the Kelvedon Liberal Association. His public spirit led him 
also, at various times, to take the secretaryship of various other 
local bodies, as the Gas Company and the British School. 
It has been said that Varenne was a churchman, but this is, I 
believe, incorrect. I have been told in Kelvedon that he never 
attended the parish church or other place of worship. Indeed,, 
the people of the town declare with awe that he was “ a perfect 
infidel.” One wonders whether they know what they mean by 
the term ! Whether an infidel or not, he was a singularly public- 
spirited man, an extremely useful member of society, highly 
popular in nearly all quarters, and well remembered to this day. 
My friend, Mr. J. W. Moss, of “ Threshelfords,” and other 
Kelvedon people have told me that Varenne, like many people 
of his type, had an extreme detestation of everything savouring 
of humbug, insincerity, or deceit ; that he was a good reader 
of character ; that he had a very keen sense of humour ; and 
that he was very fond of, and much liked by, children; who,, 
however, were sometimes puzzled to know whether he was 
speaking to them seriously or in jest. 
Varenne was twice married. His first wife was Martha 
Anne Piercey, of Hull, in Yorkshire. When he married her— 
whether before or after settling at Kelvedon—I know not.. 
My uncle tells me she was of French extraction, like Varenne 
himself, and was a strikingly handsome woman, with elegant 
French manners. In Kelvedon, she is still held in special 
remembrance, as having been a lady in every respect. My uncle 
tells me her closing years were marred by the results of a serious- 
carriage accident, which permanently crippled her. She died 
27 October 1877, at the age of 60, and was buried in Kelvedon 
churchyard close to the spot at which her husband was after¬ 
wards buried. Varenne’s second wife was Amynta, widow 
of William Dixon Green, Esquire, of Colchester. She is still 
living at Colchester and has been good enough to assist me 
with notes for this article. There were no children by either 
marriage. 
Toward the close of Varenne’s life (so Mrs. John Crow, of 
Kelvedon, tells me) his mind failed considerably and he began 
to be troubled by loss of memory. Yet, almost to the end, he 
had himself driven round the district (the big black horse being 
long since dead) for the purpose of paying visits to his many ole' 
