Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 7.djvu/282

264 to intellectual pursuits, so commonly remarked in those who attain to scientific eminence. Before his twelfth year, we find the boy already collecting and cataloguing the curious and beautiful things scattered along the shores of his native island, and even boldly venturing, without other guidance or encouragement than such as were afforded by the vigour and hopefulness of a fresh and youthful mind, amidst the mazes and difficulties of a science then in its infancy,—that Geology to whose advance it was his destiny in after life so essentially to contribute. And the fine healthy audacity with which, in these childish days, he undertook to compile a Manual of British Natural History in all its branches, and carried out his project, according to his means and powers, is worthy of note, and might have led a judge of human nature to prophecy well of his future.

The complexion of this future, however, was for a time doubtful. The tendencies of Edward Forbes's mind were always as strong towards art as towards science; and, in very early life, the former appear to have been the stronger, for we find him taking up his residence in London as an Art-student, under the guidance of the late Mr. Sasse. These labours in the studio were not of very long duration; but, short as they were, the development which they gave to a naturally great power of drawing, and the critical eye for form which they conferred, proved of essential importance to the future Naturalist and Professor. Again, the readiness with which Forbes's rich and overflowing humour embodied itself in sketches, vignettes, and caricatures,—a facility which lent no small charm to many of his published works, and has left many a pleasant memorial among his friends—must be regarded as not a little due to this early training.

However, the scientific tendency of Edward Forbes's mind appears to have been too strong to allow of any lasting or exclusive attachment to other pursuits; and in 1830 he left London and Art, to commence, as a student of medicine, the curriculum of the University of Edinburgh. It is hardly probable that he ever seriously looked forward to the practice of physic as a profession; for, although a diligent attendant upon the prescribed courses, he never presented himself for his degree. But even if it were so, his inborn genius, fostered by the teachings of a Jameson and a Graham, soon diverted