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Morrison but on the dissolution of 1847, his health being much impaired he finally retired.

On 17 May 1836 Morrison made an able speech on moving a resolution urging the periodical revision of tolls and charges levied on railroads and other public works. In 1845 he moved similar resolutions, and again in March 1846, when he finally succeeded in obtaining a select committee for the better promoting and securing of the interests of the public in railway acts. His draft report, not altogether adopted, was drawn with great skill, and many of its principles have been adopted in subsequent legislation.

Though an entirely self-educated man, Morrison possessed considerable literary tastes, which were exercised in theformation of a large library. He was likewise a lover of art and made a large collection of pictures of the old masters, Italian and Dutch, together with many fine examples of the English school. Dr Waagen, in his ‘Treasures of Art in Great Britain’ (supplement, pp. 105-113 300-12), enumerates thirty pictures of Morrison in his house in Harley Street as of the highest value. The pictures at Morrison's seat at Basildon Park, Berkshire, Waagen also describes as a ‘collection of a very high class.’

Morrison died at Basildon Park on 30 Oct. 1857, possessed of property in England valued at between three and four millions, besides large investments in the United States. By his marriage to Mary Anne, daughter of Joseph Todd, he had, with other issue, four sons, Charles (b. 1817), of Basildon Park and Islay; Alfred (b. 1821) of Fonthill, Hindon, Wiltshire; Frank (b. 1823) of Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent, and Strathraich, Garve, Rossshire; and Walter (b. 1836), formerly M.P., of Malham Tarn, Settle, Yorkshire ( County Fam. 1893, p. 733). The second son, Alfred, is known as an enthusiastic collector of autograph letters and engraved portraits.

Morrison published: 1. ‘Rail Roads. Speech in the House of Commons,’ &c., 8vo, London 1836. 2. ‘Observations illustrative of the defects of the English System of Railway Legislation,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1846. 3. ‘The Influence of English Railway Legislation on Trade and Industry,’ &c., 8vo, London, 1848.

 MORRISON, RICHARD (1767–1849), architect, born in 1767, was son of John Morrison of Middleton, co. Cork, an architect of scientific attainments. Originally intended for the church, he was eventually placed as pupil with James Gandon [q. v.] the architect, in Dublin. He obtained through his godfather, the Earl of Shannon, a post in the ordnance department at Dublin; but this he abandoned, when he entered into full practice as an architect. Having resided for some time at Clonmel, he removed about 1800 to Dublin and settled at Bray. Morrison had very extensive public and private practice in Ireland. Among his public works were alterations to the cathedral at Cashel, the court-house and gaol at Galway, court-houses at Carlow, Clonmel, Roscommon, Wexford, and elsewhere, and the Roman catholic cathedral at Dublin. He built or altered very many mansions of the nobility and gentry in Ireland, and was knighted by the lord-lieutenant, Earl de Grey, in 1841. He died at Bray on 31 Oct. 1849, and was buried in the Mount Jerome cemetery, Dublin. He was president of the Institute of Architects of Ireland. In 1793 he published a volume of ‘Designs.’

(1794–1838), architect, son of the above, was born at Clonmel on 22 April 1794. In 1821 he made an extensive tour on the continent, and on his return assisted his father in many of his works. He also had a large public and private practice in Ireland. His health, however, broke down, and after a second visit to the continent he died in his father's house at Bray on 16 Oct. 1838, and was buried in the Mount Jerome cemetery. He was a member of the Royal Irish Academy.

 MORRISON, RICHARD JAMES (1795–1874), inventor and astrologer, known chiefly by his pseudonym of ‘Zadkiel,’ was born 15 June 1795, being son of Richard Caleb Morrison, who for twenty-seven years was a gentleman pensioner under George III. His grandfather, Richard Morrison, was a captain in the service of the East India Company. Richard James entered the royal navy in 1806 as a first-class volunteer on board the Spartan, and saw much boat service in the Adriatic. He also, on 3 May 1810, shared in a brilliant and single handed victory, gained by the Spartan in the Bay of Naples over a Franco-Neapolitan squadron. He continued in the same ship till December 1810, and was subsequently, between August 1811 and July 1815, employed as master's mate in the Elizabeth and the Myrtle, on the North Sea,