selves. This method has been pursued by Mr. Drummond in his 'Mosses of Scotland,' and in his inestimable work of the American Mosses.' "Once, and only once, I had the pleasure of a personal interview with Mr. Hobson. It is sixteen years ago. He came to me at the Inn, in Manchester, bringing with him many of his new discoveries, and I scarcely knew which most to admire in him, his accurate knowledge of every plant he had investigated, or the extreme diffidence and modesty he displayed in communicating that knowledge. He had then in the examination of mosses only a common pocket lens to make use of; and I had the satisfaction of giving him my Ellis' aquatic microscope by Jones, which had been my companion for many years, and which was the very last I ever employed. "I have every reason to believe that this instrument opened to him new wonders in the vegetable creation, and contributed not a little to his very accurate knowledge of the minute cryptogamic vegetables. "If you propose raising a subscription in the Botanical and Horticultural Society of Manches ter, with the view of purchasing Mr. Hobson's collection of plants, for the use of that society, I shall be happy if you will set my name down for £5. and if you will let me know when the purchase is made, I will immediately remit the money. I am, sir, your obedient servant, "Mr. John Hampson, Manchester." W. J. HOOKER." The Herbarium of Hobson is secured to the gardens of the Manchester Botanical and Horticultural Society. The manuscript of his "Musci Britannici" is a precious deposit in the library, and his Insects form a part of the valuable museum of the Manchester Mechanics' Institution, in the welfare of both which societies he felt a very warm interest, and the usefulness and importance of which, his own privations enabled him properly to estimate. I have reason to believe that the highest wages Hobson ever received, were not more than forty shillings per week; and, that for many years they did not reach half that sum, yet he always kept himself out of debt; and, by the innocence of his habits and pursuits, secured to himself a portion of real happiness, which is not often exceeded. In his anxious exertions to support his large family, he afforded a most valuable example of integrity, punctuality, and diligence in the service of his employers, and made himself many friends. He had very early in life satisfied himself, that in no way could he so agreeably or so safely recruit himself after labour, as in the quiet study of Natural History; and this impression, added to his fondness for the science, occasioned a degree of perseverance which has seldom been equalled. The intricate and delicate investigations he was constantly carrying on, afforded him most delightful proofs of the perfect benevolence, as well as wisdom of the Deity, and, no doubt, contributed very much to that placid benignity of character which so eminently distinguished this amiable man. is By his surviving friends Hobson's memory warmly cherished, and they have additional satisfaction in the assura ce that it is embalmed for future times, not only in his own beautiful work, but in the writings of some of the most distinguished Botanists which this country has produced. With an enlightened community, such as that by which we are surrounded, it was impossible that Hobson's example should be lost; and many proofs might be furnished of the excellent effect it has already had in leading others, similiarly circumstanced, to seek for relaxation and enjoyment in the same inexhaustible resources. We may, therefore, fairly hope, that the day is not far distant, when this great Metropolis of Commerce will not be more distinguished for the opportunities it holds out, to all classes, for advancement in knowledge and virtue, than for the number of its inhabitants, that, availing themselves of these inestimable privileges, afford to the world, in the superiority of their characters and acquirements, the most encouraging proofs of the value of these institutions to the comfort and happiness of society. CYCLOPIAN, PELASGIC, AND ETRUSCAN REMAINS, OR REMARKS ON THE MURAL ARCHITECTURE OF REMOTE AGES. BY WILLIAM RATHBONE GREG, Esq. (Read February 20, 1838.) "There is given Unto the things of earth, which time hath bent, A spirit's feeling;-and where he hath leant His hand, but broke his scythe, there is a power And magic in the ruined battlement, For which the palace of the present hour Must yield its pomp, and wait till ages are its dower." There are two kinds of topics for research;— that which, though it has the past for its subject, has the future for its object and its end; and that which relates to so remote and dim a portion of the past, that it cannot, by any possibility, be |