Page:The Harveian oration, delivered before the Royal College of Physicians, Wednesday, June 27th, 1877 (IA b22314623).pdf/46

 orator, Dr. Arthur Farre, who, in his oration so eloquently and appropriately analysed Harvey's merits in connexion with the subject of gene- ration. Dr. Farre has within a few days pre- sented to the College, with his portrait, a most valuable library of ancient and modern works, which you may observe, conspicuous by their elc- gant binding, in the shelves above. It is the most important donation of the kind that our Corporation has received since that of the Marquis of Dorchester, a former Fellow, in 1680; and one that doubtless affords peculiar gratification to our distinguished Harveian librarian, Dr. Munk, in whose name, as in that of the well-wishers of this ancient body, I am sure I may challenge all asso- ciates to give or bequeath to it similar "pignora amoris", that each donor may deserve, in the ver- nacular, the record bestowed upon Harvey in the minutes of the extraordinary comitia of July 28th, 1666 "Fastis nostris honorificè semper comme- morandus." The grateful thanks of the College are certainly due to Dr. Farre for his gift; and it affords me particular pleasure to take the oppor- tunity of tendering him from this place our ac- knowledgments, and our heartfelt wishes for his health and happiness.

In bringing my address to a conclusion, I beg to offer to you, Mr. President, and the Assembly, many apologies for the very imperfect manner in