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Monarch, " L'dtat, c'est moi ! " We all know in what spirit it was uttered 

 by the King, as well as the miserable outcome of that supreme selfish- 

 ness of which it was the embodiment. But if our Secretary had adopted 

 it, what a whole heaven of difference its meaning would have borne with him? 

 Instead of merging the common weal in himself he has done exactly the 

 reverse, and that is why we have met here now to testify our esteem 

 and respect for him, not only by our verbal assurance, collectively as well 

 as individually, but also by that tangible kind of proof which scarcely ever 

 fails to lend emphasis and force to even the kindest and most considerate 

 words. Mr. White, to you I now more particularly address myself. You, 

 Sir, have but now, for the time, abdicated the chair which you so worthily 

 occupy in this Club. I therefore appeal to you as one who, in the past 

 having quite as worthily filled the same oflBce, having manfully borne the 

 heat and burden of your day, and having retired from it wath dignity and 

 applause, as some " brilliant " memories testify, are, therefore, well able 

 to estimate the diflficulties which beset and surround the ofl&ce, as well as 

 the ability which Mr. Ingpen has displayed in dealing with them — to you, 

 Sir, I now appeal to assure him on your own behalf, as well as on that of his 

 other friends and well-wishers here assembled, how high are our respect 

 for his character and our esteem for his person, by delivering to him the 

 tokens which are mentioned in this memorial, which, as well as the signa- 

 tures attached, I ask you first to read to this assembly, and then to deliver 

 to him. 



The testimonial, which consisted of a silver tea service and a Zeiss 

 microscope, was then placed upon the table. 



Dr. Matthews then handed the memorial to the President, who read it to 

 the Members. It is worded as follows : — 



"To John Edmund Ingpen, F E.M.S., Honorary Secretary of the Quekett 

 Microscopical Club. 



** The accompanying microscope is presented by his friends and well- 

 wishers, Members of the Club, as a memorial of their pleasurable associa- 

 tion with him for the eight years during which he has so genially and 

 efficiently fulfilled his Secretarial duties ; at the same time, knowing that 

 the assiduity with which he has worked for the Club must often have led 

 him to give up for its advantage hours which would otherwise have been 

 devoted to his family, and being assured of the kindly sympathy which 

 Mrs. Ingpen has ever shown with his exertions in this direction, the 

 Members beg her acceptance of a silver tea service, as an expression of 

 their esteem. 



" While deeply lamenting the cause which it is feared will compel IVIr. 

 Ingpen to retire from office at no very distant period, it is the earnest hope 

 and prayer of his many sympathising friends that his I'etirement may not 

 be permanent, but that they may still have the advantage of his ready help 

 and kindly advice for many years to come. 



" Signed on behalf of the Members of the Q.M.C., 

 •« President— T. Charters White, M.E.C.S., F.R.M.S. 



