181 Account of the late Mr» 
Hie catalogue of this Museum, from the 
Dublin Society, that he might be ap¬ 
prised of the number and kind of petri¬ 
factions in that celebrated collection of 
fossils. 
Mr. Gumming wished Mr. Martin to 
be in Cambridge in June or July, that 
he might have an opportunity of intro¬ 
ducing him, and rendering him other 
services on his arrival; but, just as the 
time arrived, viz. on the Slst of May, 
1810, Mr. Martin breathed his last. His 
health had been gradually declining from 
Christmas, yet Mr. Cox, the medical 
gentleman who attended him in his 
last illness, is of opinion he might have 
lived for some time, had he not been at¬ 
tacked by a new complaint, a lumbago, 
so severe as to induce delirium and ter¬ 
minate bis existence in a few days. The 
delirium was preceded by an uncom¬ 
monly vivid imagination, and such a ra¬ 
pid succession of ideas, that he could not 
refrain from repeatedly expressing his 
astonishment. 
Mr. Martin was below the middle 
size, of a slender form and delicate ap¬ 
pearance, even in his best health. In 
Ills manners he was unalfected and diffi¬ 
dent ; so modest indeed, that, unless he 
had been initiated as an actor in his 
childhood, it is scarcely conceivable he 
would ever have ventured upon the 
stage. His life was marked by none of 
the eccentricities and adventures which 
so generally characterise the gens de 
theatre. His moral character was irre¬ 
proachable. In all the relations of a 
son, a husband, and a father, Ins conduct 
was truly amiable and exemplary. All 
his hours were devoted to the entertain- 
xnent or instruction of tlie public. As 
a comedian, he excelled in the repre¬ 
sentation of foppish characters. As a 
teacher, he rendered himself particularly 
acceptable to his pupils, by his mild and 
unassuming behaviour. As a naturalist, 
an author, and an artist, he has acquired 
^ con-iderahle portion of celebrity, al¬ 
though he labouied under many disad¬ 
vantages. In addition to what has been 
already stated of his diligence and in¬ 
dustry, it may be proper to observe 
here, that he availed himself of every 
opportunity of making his attainments 
profitable. He made drawings and en¬ 
graved plates, which were not required 
for his own publications. He gave lec¬ 
tures on the solar microscope, in the 
towns which he visited as an actor; and 
he made collections of Derbyshire fos¬ 
sils for sale. His exertions, however, 
though carried to an extent decidedly iu« 
William Martin^ 665 
jurious to, his health, unfortunately were 
so little productive, that he left his 
family, consisting of a widow in a very 
delicate state of health, six children, and 
an aged mother, almost entirely unpro¬ 
vided for. The little money, his inge¬ 
nuity and industry had enabled him to 
save, had all been expended in his pub¬ 
lications, and a considerable demand 
from one of his printers still remained 
unsatisfied. 
Touched by the distressed situation of 
this unfortunate family, some benevolent 
gentlemen, who respected Mr. Martin’s 
character, raised a subscription in the 
town and vicinity of Macclesfield, to 
meet their present exigencies. A sub¬ 
scription was also opened at Manchester 
and Blackburn. Several gentlemen, 
distinguished for their rank and science, 
with vvhom he had the honour to corre¬ 
spond, liav^ made presents to his widow. 
Amongst these may be enumerated Sir 
Joseph Banks, Mr, Lambert, Mr. Hos- 
coe, &c. &c. To the eldest son, the 
Rev. Dr. Davies, with his wonted ge¬ 
nerosity, is giving his board and tuition. 
The eldest daughter has been received 
into Mrs. Rowe’s school, on much lower 
than the usual terms for board'; and the 
ladies of Macclesfield have very cJiari- 
tably formed a purse for defraying the 
expenses of her education. His vvidow 
has been appointed librarian to the Sub¬ 
scription Library; but, as the salary is 
small, and the duties of the office inter¬ 
fere much with her employment in co¬ 
louring the plates of the Petrificata Der» 
biensia, this situation, at present, is not 
very advantageous to her. The sale of 
her late husband’s works, though con«. 
fessedly of great merit, proceeds but 
slowly, and it is doubtful whether they 
will ever repay the price of publication. 
They are written on subjects not ge¬ 
nerally interesting, and but few copies 
of either of them liave been printed. 
By bringing before the public tin's 
view of the merits of the late Mr. Martin, 
and of the indigent situation in which hi§ 
family has been left, it is hoped that some 
further advantages may, be derived ; that 
contributions will be obtained; and the 
sale of his works be promoted. Should 
this appeal prove unsuccessful, it is to 
be feared that the cause of science may 
suffer. 
N.B, Messrs. White and Cochrane, book¬ 
sellers, in Fleet-street, London, have very 
kindly undertaken to receive the subscriptions 
of the benevole.nt, in behalf of this unfor'» 
tunate family. 
tracts 
