18 



When the committee appeared in his rooms in Philadelphia, he was 

 taken completely by surprise. Had he known their intentions before 

 hand, he would probably have objected eifectually to their fulfilment. 

 But now, on a sudden, stood before him his grateful and admiring 

 friends ; there was their beautiful thank-offering, and he could not but 

 accept it with all the heartiness and deep emotion of which the nature 

 of man is susceptible. It is known that he always cherished this gift 

 as a sincere and A'aluable token of friendship. One of the members 

 slightly engaged in these transactions, and who had witnessed w'hat 

 took place in the Academy of Natural Sciences on the presentation of 

 his great ornithological gift, was naturally. somewhat apprehensive about 

 the reception he might afford the committee on this occasion. A few 

 days after he had an occasion in the evening to visit him at his rooms, 

 and after conversing aAvhile, the Doctor took a lamp and asked him to 

 step to the side of the room, when, holding up the light by the side of 

 the testimonial on the wall, he spoke of it, with unalloyed gratification 

 beaming in his countenance and giving tone to his voice. This was 

 not vanity for being jn-aised j it was thankfulness for being beloved. 

 He made known the testimonial to the member then before him, be- 

 cause he was supposed to be unacquainted with the affair, as he seldom 

 attended the meetings and was not what is called an active member, 

 A member of the Publication Committee was asked why the Resolu- 

 tions had not been printed in the Proceedings. He replied. Dr. 

 Wilson was chairman of that committee and would not allow it. Taken 

 from their golden surroundings and printed in plain letters, they lose 

 muck of their impressiveness, still they should be inserted here. They 

 are as follows : 



THANKS OF THE 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA, 



TO 



Dr. THOMAS B. WILSON. 



At a Stated Meeting of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, held 

 Monday evening, Noveml)er the 9th, Anno Domini One thousand eight hun- 

 dred and sixty-three, on motion of Mr. Charles A. Blake, a Committee was 

 apjjointed, consisting of Messrs. Charles A. Blake, J. Frank Knight and Eobert 

 Frazer, who reported the following Preamble and Resolutions, which were 

 unanimously adopted : 



Whereas, The Entomological Society of Philadelphia is under lasting obli- 

 gations to Dr. THOMAS B. WILSON, for his successful efforts in advancing 

 the cause of Science, and by his kindness and liberality enabling said Society 

 to reach its present jiosition, therefore 



