“Although much later than my feelings dictated, you
will, I am sure, excuse a few lines to express to you how truly I have
sympathised with you, on the loss of your excellent father and my old and highly valued friend. Not because I
conceive that I can say any thing to relieve what I well know you must feel on
the occasion, but because it is a satisfaction to my own mind to express to one
so dear to him the sincere and affectionate attachment I entertained for him,
and the gratitude I owe to him for the advantages derived from his friendship
and society at an early period of my life. My long acquaintance with him is
indeed connected with the most pleasing recollections. From having accompanied
him to his little botanical garden in the vicinity of Warrington, I first
imbibed a relish for these pursuits; and I well remember that on his
recommendation I first was led to the perusal of the modern writers of Latin
poetry—occupations which have since afforded me an inexhaustible source of
pleasure. To this I might
| LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSCOE. | 301 |
“In the sincere sorrow that must attend the loss of such a man, it is, however, delightful to recollect how much of his spirit yet remains. Whether we regard him in a scientific or a literary light, we still find him in his best disciples, his own children, to whom the world will now look for a continuation of those labours which have hitherto been so eminently successful. That you, my dear friend, will not disappoint us, you have already given us sufficient earnest; and I think I know you too well, to doubt of your perseverance. It is true the reign of Charles, compared with that of James, is like a serious history compared with a course of fantastic adventures; but you have shown that you are capable of just reflection on the gravest subjects, and that the most important concerns of states are not less within the scope of your powers than the lighter touches of lively and interesting anecdote.”
