receptacle of the seed, of the thickness of a man's finger, on which the seeds are beautifully arranged, and imbedded in a tomentose substance.

Frequently do I lament my distance from you; and severely do I feel, on numerous occasions, the loss of your able and friendly advice.

I follow your example, "and comfort myself with the bright spots in my horizon." Above all, I delight to preserve and cultivate those feelings of friendship and affection which have been the charm and happiness of my life, and few of which have returned me so ample a harvest as those on which I am at present employed. Adieu, my dear Friend!

I am most faithfully,

W. ROSCOE.

Sir J. E. Smith to Mr. Roscoe.

My dear Friend,

Norwich, Jan. 8, 1827.

I have received lately your 9th and 10th numbers, and need not tell you with what interest I have looked them over. What a treasure is your plate and account of the original Thalia!

Your intended Matonia is, I presume, distinct from Elettaria, which last name may as well remain, as the French school will doubtless retain it. I should be highly gratified by the perusal of your manuscript materials.

Surely the true Malaguetta Pepper is from Africa, about Sierra Leone, and is the Grains of Paradise.

See Amomum in Rees's Suppl.; also Mellegetta in the body of the work.

1

The plant I mean must be altogether different from what you have lately got from Demerara. Is not the "tomentose substance," in which the seeds your Demerara plant are imbedded, dried pulp? Very truly yours,

of

Having a small corner in a frank allowed me, I cannot refrain from writing a word or two, though I have but little to say, but that I have done my fourth volume of English Flora, except printing the index, and am now getting on with Flora Græca, of which I hope to get towards the conclusion in the course of this winter; so that, whatever happens to me, I shall have done my part of the work.

My eyes are much recovered, so that I find no impediment from them in bright weather: all pain and inflammation are gone. I suffer from rheumatism and great consequent weakness in my legs : my stomach, too, is dyspeptic; but I totter on. Our excellent friend at Holkham is counting upon our visiting him in the spring. Whenever you can go, we will, if possible, meet you.

Yours,

J. E. SMITH.

Mr. Coke to Sir J. E. Smith.

My dear Sir James, Holkham, Oct. 2, 1827. I cannot think of sending you the inclosed letter without accompanying it with one line to say that our friend, in his letter to me, writes in excellent spirits, and holds out hopes of my seeing him in the spring. Pray God his health may be sufficiently restored to enable him to do so, is my sincere wish.

ATE

With our tour into Scotland Lady Anne was delighted: but not being able to leave home so early by a fortnight as we had intended, owing to Lady de Clifford's kind and unexpected visit, we did not go beyond Blair Athol. We visited all the principal manufactories in our way through England,—Manchester, Bolton, &c. &c. In our way to Glasgow I the establishment at Lanark, and returned by Lord Rosebery's, which was by far the most picturesque and beautiful place we visited in Scotland; and upon our return home had the happiness to find our children in perfect health.

saw

The sporting season having now commenced, I have taken the liberty of sending you a little Lady Anne unites with me in all kind remembrances

to yourself and Lady Smith.

Ever, my dear Sir James,

game.

H

Faithfully yours,

THOS. WM. Coke.[/

CHAPTER XIV.

Of the religious, social, and scientific Character of Sir J. E. Smith.

WHEN the religious opinions and principles of a man have been such as to support him through the trials of life and in the hour of death, they form a part of his history deserving our notice this memoir therefore would be imperfect without giving such a statement of Sir James's as may be relied upon for containing the most essential points.

His principles were these,-"That a man can be no Christian, as to faith, who does not judge for himself; nor as to practice, who does not allow others to do so without presuming to censure or to hinder them."

His opinions were formed from the same source whence many, with equal sincerity, derive very different ones. His creed was the New Testament, and he read it as a celebrated divine* recommends; that is," as a man would read a letter from a friend, in the which he doth only seek after what was his friend's mind and meaning, not what he can put upon his words."

He was a firm believer in the divine mission of Jesus Christ; and in maintaining the doctrine of the strict unity of God, as one of the truths our great Master was commissioned to teach, he considered his opinion truly apostolical.

* Whichcot.

"I look up," he says in a letter to a friend, ❝ to one God, and delight in referring all my hopes and wishes to him; I consider the doctrine and example of Christ as the greatest blessing God has given us, and that his character is the most perfect and lovely we ever knew, except that of God himself. This is my religion; I hope it is not unsound.” *

He considered opinions and principles very distinct, though often confounded. The latter he looked upon as very important; the former no otherwise so, than as conducing to good principles,-and he esteemed one virtuous act, one honest determination, to be more worthy in the sight of God than any notion or discovery concerning the essence of that Great Being who is raised far above all human comprehension.

The writer has often heard him observe, that whatever in the sacred writings is not clear to the capacity of the humblest, most unlettered rustic, cannot be essential to salvation; and he was of the same opinion as our immortal Wickliffe, the morningstar of the Reformation, who contended "that wise men should leave that as unimportant which is not plainly expressed in Scripture."

With regard to opinions, he also agreed with the amiable Lindsey, "that Christians have yet to learn the innocency of error, from which none can plead exemption, and to bear with each other in their differing apprehensions concerning the nature of the First Great Cause and Father of all, and the person of Christ, and the manner and date of his deriving his * Letter to Davall, April 25, 1790.