Britannica." The "Hortus siccus" formed by Mr. Thompson, and now in the Belfast Museum, is of itself an enduring evidence of his industry and research. For many years prior to his death he was in the habit of giving every aid in his power to those who were preparing for publication works on certain departments of either Zoology or Botany. His specimens and his notes were ever freely given for such purposes. There are few authors of such works in these kingdoms who have not gratefully acknowledged their obligations to him; and some distinguished continental naturalists have expressed their thanks for favours of a similar kind. In connexion with his labours it is a natural inquiry, what was the number of his various published papers? where and when did they_appear? what were their subjects? what was the extent of each? It is fortunate that to all these queries a satisfactory reply can be given, for a list in his own hand-writing, found after his death among his MSS., gives the desired information. The list is published in the Appendix to the present volume, and extends to nearly 100 papers, exclusive of "The Natural History of Ireland," which, however, embodied much of the material dispersed throughout his previous writings. Another inquiry naturally arises from a glance over the titles of these publications. Many of them contained notices of species new to the Irish Fauna; some of them species unrecorded as British, and a few of them animals previously undescribed, or, to use his own words, "new to science." The papers embody not only his own observations, but, as has been already stated, those of many individuals in different parts of Ireland with whom he was in correspondence. How many species, it may be asked, was he the means of recording as additions to the Irish Fauna? The total number is between 900 and 1000. It cannot be stated with perfect accuracy, for some species are what are termed "critical," and with regard to some, Mr. Thompson's own views underwent a change. But this does not materially affect the result, and he, therefore, stood in the proud position of having made known nearly a thousand species of animals living in Ireland or on its coasts, whose existence there was previously unrecorded. Our admiration of the assiduous labour by which this was accomplished is enhanced by the consideration that, during the latter portion of his life, it was carried on amid the weakness and suffering attendant on failing health. But the result remains, forming a lasting addition to our stores of knowledge, and a monument to him as a man of science, more imperishable than the "storied urn or animated bust" of the sculptor. Let us now turn from the consideration of Mr. Thompson as a man of science, to those manifestations of his habits of mind, his peculiarities of taste, and his modes of action, which may serve to indicate to those who knew him not, what "manner of man" he was. To a stranger introduced to him when he was attending one of the London Societies, or presiding at one of the meetings in the Museum at Belfast, he would have appeared courteous, but formal, polite, but reserved; willing to listen, and ready to impart information, if required. But a stranger would not suspect that under that cold exterior there lurked a quick perception of the ludicrous, and a truly Irish enjoyment of humour. And none but intimate friends could be aware how deeply the poetic element was interwoven in the tissues of his existence. Shakspeare ever continued his prime favourite; and a volume of extracts from his plays was his constant travelling companion; but Milton, Burns, Byron, Shelley, Moore, Wordsworth, Montgomery, and Tennyson, were all in turn admired, and the peculiar beauties of each justly appreciated. His delight in the Fine Arts has already been noticed, and also his enjoyment of the beautiful or the sublime in natural scenery. To travel with him was to see things in a new aspect, and to derive pleasure from what would, but for him, have been unnoticed. The distant trees became individualized under his glance, and their characteristic foliage made manifest. The flight and peculiar note of every bird were known, so that, if either the flap of a pinion was observed, or a remote call was heard, the species was at once named. The tintings of the hills were pointed out, and the beam of sunlight on the heath or the mountain dwelt on with the delight of an artist. It perhaps belongs to the inherent infirmity of man's nature that the very faculties which, from their nicety, are the source of such refined and elevated pleasures, should also, under other circumstances, give rise to discomfort or annoyance. Such was Mr. Thompson's case. He felt annoyed by matters which other men would have passed by unheeded. Discords of colour pained his eye, as discordant sounds would have grated on his ear. His methodical and business-like habits rendered him a valuable member of any public committee. The same regularity was apparent in all his actions, joined with a constant attention to neatness, and a desire to have nothing wasted or uselessly frittered away. He never obtruded his opinions; and no man could be more unwilling to give utterance to a remark that might give pain to another. But when one of those with whom he was really intimate sought his advice, it was given with the utmost candour. He had the rare moral courage to speak not only the truth, but the whole truth, as it appeared to his mind. The sincerity with which he expressed himself on such occasions gave great weight to the sound and excellent opinion which he pronounced. One instance of this may here be mentioned. A friend had been preparing a little Natural History work for publication. The volume was completed, and its author had taken some pains in writing an elaborate preface, explanatory of his views. This was sent to Mr. Thompson for revision, and was returned with some pencil-marks and a brief note:-"I never saw anything of your writing I liked so little." The consequence was that the unfortunate preface was put into the fire, and one shorter and better suited to the character of the work was substituted. His thoughtful consideration was shown in many little touching ways towards those whom he numbered among his friends. The "trivial fond records" that might be furnished from such sources would show the genuine kindness of his nature, even better than things of greater moment. They spring from actions the most unstudied and spontaneous; they originate in the heart rather than in the head. Who would suppose that such a man, in order to give pleasure to the children of a friend, would carefully lay aside each little illustration that catalogues or specimenpages might contain, and then, from time to time, as the envelope in which they were deposited became filled, send them to his friend's residence? Yet such was the simple fact. Mr. Thompson died unmarried, in his forty-seventh year, and was interred in the family burial-ground at Belfast. The members of the Natural History and Philosophical Society, over which he so long presided, determined on erecting a memorial, the nature of which is best explained by some extracts from the circular which was then issued: XXX MEMOIR OF THE LATE WM. THOMPSON, ESQ. "At a special meeting held in the Museum, on the 10th March, 1852, a series of resolutions was unanimously adopted, expressive of the feelings entertained by the members as to the great loss they had sustained by the death of their late president, Wm. Thompson, Esq. A committee was then appointed to consider the most suitable mode of doing honour to his memory. This committee, after careful consideration, reported that the most appropriate memorial of Mr. Thompson would be a separate room to be added to the Museum, and be called the THOMPSON ROOM,' in which should be placed the private collections which he had bequeathed to the Museum. This method of testifying the Society's estimation of Mr. Thompson would have the double advantage of perpetuating his name within the Museum, and of preserving for reference a large portion of those specimens to which he alludes in his writings on the Natural History of Ireland. This report of the committee was unanimously agreed to, and the council were authorized to have it carried into immediate effect." The necessary funds were speedily subscribed, and the " Thompson Room" erected accordingly. A striking likeness of Mr. Thompson appeared in 1849, in the series of scientific portraits, published at the expense of Mr. George Ransome, at that time Honorary Secretary to the Ipswich Museum. By the kind permission of that gentleman, the frontispiece of the present volume has been copied from the former portrait, by the same talented artist by whom the original had been taken. Several of the leading naturalists of the day have at different times marked their estimation of Mr. Thompson's character and labours, by dedicating to him some undescribed species of animal or plant. The touching yet appropriate words employed by Professor Bell, when giving to a small marine animal, taken in Belfast Bay, the name of his departed friend, may form an appropriate conclusion to this little Memoir :-* "I have a melancholy gratification in dedicating this species, by name, to a gentleman who, for many years, was justly considered as the representative of the Zoology of Ireland, and whose acute discrimination and persevering enthusiasm in his favourite pursuit were only equalled by the liberal and unselfish feeling with which he placed his treasures in the hands of his fellow-labourers, whenever he believed the interests of science would be thereby furthered. The specimen from which the above description is taken was placed in my hands, by my lamented friend, only a very few days before his untimely death deprived the science of Ireland of one of its most distinguished ornaments, and society of as kind and true-hearted a man as ever lived.”—p. 373. The species is Pagurus Thompsoni, dredged at 50 fathoms, entrance of Belfast Bay, by Mr. Hyndman. Vide Bell's "History of British Stalk-eyed Crustacea." |