Page:Jardine Naturalist's Library Exotic Moths.djvu/37

Rh amongst us a great and irreparable blank; for pre-eminence of this nature is not a favour which Fortune grants twice to the same country in the course of the same century. With this first rank among the entomologists of our age, Fabricius, like another Elias, had invested the heir of his talents while alive, for I have heard this solemn designation from the mouth of the Professor of Kiel himself; and this acknowledgment of the superiority of my venerable friend, M. Latreille, confirmed by the universal assent of men of science throughout Europe, has been the solace of the latter portion of a life of so much diligence and useful labour; and how agreeable to him has been the just homage with which you, my fellow members of the Entomological Society, whom I have seen so affectionate and ardent in testifying your filial grief, have surrounded his latter days! You conferred inexpressible happiness on a heart which received the most delightful impressions from the regards of friendship, when you formed yourselves into a society, in the beginning of last year, under his honourable patronage, and surrounding your Honorary President as affectionate and devoted children, confidently and respectfully sought his distinguished guidance. "At this moment of sorrow and regret, and when paying our final homage, it may be asked what could have been the commencement of a life the recollections of which henceforth belong to the history of the Sciences? Was M. Latreille called upon to derive celebrity from the fame of his relations, or to create it for himself? He has himself affirmed that fate