not larger in proportion to the enormous extent of foreign and colonial possessions, or to the amazing development of trade. During these last ten years, while the agricultural interest has been suffering from lamentable depression, British shipping has been constantly increasing. The commercial navy of Great Britain is larger than that of all the other countries in the world put together. The entries and clearances grew from 133,000,000 tons in 1880 to 164,000,000 tons in 1890. The production of new vessels during the decade exceeded 7 million tons. The tonnage that passed through the Suez Canal in 1880 was 3,000,000. In 1890 it had become nearly 7,000,000, and the proportion of British tonnage was more than 77 per cent. of the whole. Mr. J. Glover, from whom I have borrowed these figures, says that the area of the British Islands could not supply half the present inhabitants at their present rate of consumption, and that we depend upon sea carriage for two thirds of our daily bread.

We may think that there is some danger in this. But it is of the highest importance that we should understand the signs of the times, the position of our country, and the character of our people.

English agriculture may be, as we hope, more prosperous than at present; but it is never likely to be as prosperous as it once was, unless we have a great war like the contest with Napoleon, which may God forbid! The population of our towns is not likely to be attracted to the country, except by some unexpected scientific discovery, such as those which have sent thousands to Durham and Glamorganshire. There must, I suppose, be Legislation, wise or unwise; but we shall do well not to expect too much from the effects of Legislation. For the improvement of the material condition of man we must look to Science and Art. For the elevation of the moral condition of man we must look to Literature, which even the Creator Himself has not disdained to use as an instrument.

Obituary Notices.

COMPILED BY

THE REV. W. HARPLEY, M.A., HON. SECRETARY OF THE ASSOCIATION.

I.

WALTER SOPER GERVIS, M.D., M.R.C.S., F.G.S., was a native of Ashburton, and followed in the footsteps of his father as a medical practitioner, having commenced practice at the age of twenty-three, more than forty years ago, in conjunction with the late Dr. Bean. The partnership was of short duration, and Dr. Gervis practised, with the aid of assistants, among a large majority of the inhabitants of the district until some ten years ago, when the late Dr. Fraser joined him, Dr. Lewis Brown succeeding the latter gentleman less than two years ago. Having been parish doctor, medical officer to the Rational Sick and Burial Association, one of the medical officers of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge of Oddfellows, of which he had for many years been an honorary member, and one of the medical staff of the Cottage Hospital, he will be sorely missed.

In other respects Dr. Gervis was also a most active townsman and prominent member of society, among the many offices he filled being those of church warden, trustee of church and parish lands, trustee and treasurer of many of the principal charities, including Bickham's, a governor of the Grammar School, chairman of the Sanitary Committee, chairman of the Conservative Committee, vice-president of the Constitutional Club, and past president of the Institute, in the establishment of which he took a very active part. Freemasonry he was deeply interested, having been one of the founders of Lodge Ashburton, No. 2,189, filling the office of W.M. in 1889-90; and at the time of his death he was Provincial G.S.D. and M. of the Royal Arch at Newton

In

Abbot. In the raising of the Ashburton Volunteer Corps in 1859, then an independent company, he was very zealous, and he served as surgeon, subsequently becoming surgeon-major of the 5th Administrative Battalion D.V., to which the company was attached. He retired in 1876, but continued to take a lively interest in the welfare of the local volunteers, and from time to time was the donor of valuable prizes. To him the Ashburton Musical Society was much indebted for help in many ways, and he recently filled the office of president.

Dr. Gervis was a Fellow of the Geological Society, and a life member of the British Association, the annual meetings of which he usually attended. He was also a member of the Teign Naturalists' Field Club, of which he was one of the earliest presidents. He joined this Association in 1871, and was a life member. On several occasions he represented the Association as a delegate at the meetings of the British Association, and notably so in 1884, when the latter Association visited Canada. He was also a member of the Council.

Dr. Gervis died at his residence, Ashburton, on the morning of Sunday, January 3rd, 1892, having succumbed, after a brief illness, to an attack of bronchitis and pleurisy. The news of his death was received on all hands with genuine sorrow. He had been a most earnest supporter of any scheme which had for its object the improvement and beautifying of the town and neighbourhood, and in church affairs he was a zealous worker..

II.

HENRY SEPTIMUS GILL, J.P., was born at Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, in the year 1805. He came to Tiverton while a young man, and commenced business as an ironmonger. By energy, enterprise, and unswerving integrity, he won the confidence of the public and achieved commercial success, enabling him to retire from business while in the prime of life. In the Town Council he served with such ability as to be raised to the Civic chair, which he occupied for the year 1865-66. Party feeling in municipal matters at that time ran high in Tiverton, and Mr. Gill was the first Conservative chosen as Mayor for many years. He discharged the duties of his office with marked impartiality and tact. While Mayor he revived the ancient custom of wearing a scarlet robe when acting in his official capacity, and on State occasions.

Mr. Gill was for a long period one of the magistrates for the borough; and for seven years he served as churchwarden of the then undivided parish. He was a member of the Burial Board for many years; and he was on the committee of the Tiverton Infirmary from its commencement. He was also a prominent Freemason, taking high office in the craft.

Mr. Gill's interest in scientific matters was very keen. He made careful and accurate observations of the rainfall in his district, and published returns for many years regularly in the Tiverton Gazette. He was interested in astronomy, possessing some fine telescopes, with which he delighted to watch any passing phenomena. He was a diligent student of archæology and ecclesiastical architecture, and often said he had visited every cathedral in England; and having a very good memory, he liked to talk over their details with anyone similarly interested. Wherever he was temporarily located he made it a rule to visit the old churches, &c., near. He was also fond of botany; he enjoyed long walks in search of wild flowers, and knew all the localities for botanical rarities in the neighbourhood, and most of those in the county. He kept his eightieth birthday by taking a five miles walk in search of a rare wild flower. But his great hobby was the subject of numismatics, on which he possessed a wide and profound knowledge. His interest in old coins never flagged; after he was seventy-five years of age he taught himself enough Swedish to enable him to read a numismatic book in that language that was given to him. He wrote several papers for the Numismatic Chronicle. He began to collect coins while only a boy, and he had a very large and valuable collection of Greek, Roman, and English coins, and 17th century tokens and medals.

Mr. Gill became a member of the Association in 1865, and from that time forward was most active in promoting its well-being. He attended the annual meetings with great regularity, and was rarely absent from any of the meetings of the Council, of which he was also a member. On several occasions he contributed papers. In 1872 he read a paper entitled "A few Remarks on an Ancient British Coin found on Northernhay, Exeter," and also "Devonshire Tokens issued in the Seventeenth Century"; in 1873, 1876, and 1878 the latter subject was again treated of by him under Parts ii, iii., and iv.; in 1878 he also read a paper "On Silver Regal Monies Coined in Devonshire Mints.'

Despite his great age, Mr. Gill maintained his vigour of

mind and body almost unimpaired, and until within a short period of his death was to be seen, accompanied by his daughter or niece, taking short walks in the town. His interest in charitable and philanthropic work never flagged, as may be judged from the fact that Canon Eyre, preaching in St. Peter's Church on the morning of the day on which Mr. Gill died, had to announce a special donation of £5 to the Church Missionary Society "from one who lived almost under the shadow of the church"-Mr. H. S. Gill. His gifts to the town were many and valuable, including a costly barometer for the Town-hall; more than one handsome painted window for the church; clock and chimes for St. Peter's Church, erected at an expense of more than £200; and a house in Bampton Street, purchased by him for £550, and presented free of encumbrance for the enlargement of the Tiverton Infirmary, &c., &c.

He died at his residence, St. Peter Street, on the afternoon of Sunday, May 29th, 1892, at the age of 87. He was twice married, and leaves an only daughter.

III.

ISAIAH CANN RADFORD was for many years resident at Devonport. He joined the Association in 1869 as a Life Member, and took a very active part, as a Vice-President, in arranging for the visit of the Association to that town in 1870. He died on 27th March, 1892, at 10, Park Avenue, Montreal, Canada, at the age of 77 years.

IV.

WILLIAM CAREW RAYER was the eldest son of the late Rev. W. Rayer, for more than fifty years rector of Tidcomb Portion, Tiverton, and of Jane, the daughter of the late Sir Thomas Carew, Bart. He was born on September 26th, 1820, at Tidcombe Rectory, Tiverton. He received his early education at Blundell's School, whence he removed in 1834 to Eton, and subsequently to Christ Church, Oxford. At Eton he took advantage of the facilities for athletic exercises, and in 1839 he became captain of the boats, and on going to Christ Church he presently rowed stroke to the Eight.

In 1866, soon after the death of his father, Mr. Rayer took up his residence at Holcombe Court, which was purchased by his father of Mr. Peter F. Bluett. He was patron of the living of Holcombe Rogers, and about a dozen years ago he thoroughly restored the parish church at his own expense.