136 THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



At twelve the highest standard in the school was reached. We 

 numbered three in the standard, and before the age of thirteen we 

 were paid monitors with a class under our charge. Up to this point 

 he had not specialised in natural science, nor shown any particular 

 attachment to entomology. I recall the day, the hour, the spot, when 

 we two sallied forth to catch the first butterfly. Within five yards of 

 the portals of the Amalgamation Inn, in Station Road, I secured 

 a tortoise-shell butterfly. It was my first catch and my last. But 

 from that day J. W. T. never ceased to devote himself to the sport of 

 catching moths and butterflies, and for the benefit of this and future 

 generations, of studying them deeply, wisely, and exhaustively. It is 

 difficult to realise, but it is safe to assert, that no day in his following 

 forty years was allowed to pass during which he had not added some- 

 thing to his store of knowledge concerning lepidoptera. 



We became pupil teachers, and so our struggles assumed an acute 

 form. To be top was the aim. And top place he most often succeeded 

 in obtaining. It was a leading trait in his character that the only 

 place worth having was the " top." If he did not succeed always in 

 all things, he has at the last gloriously succeeded, for his Presidency 

 of the Entomological Society of London was indeed a crowning glory, 

 and one of which Strood may justly be proud. I see in the Netrs last 

 week a reference to the late Mr. Roach Smith, and can myself testify 

 to the accuracy of the statement made. That eminent scientist did 

 indeed exercise an influence on the life of my friend, and with his 

 influence should be coupled that of our old and revered schoolmaster, 

 Mr. JeflVey, than whom no man ever taught more wisely and well, nor 

 understood better the pupil he taught. Looking back through the 

 vista of years I recall that he held J. W. T. in high favour, for did he 

 not make him " postman " for his letters to his lady-love, Miss 

 Partridge, now, and I hope for many 3'ears to come, Mrs. Jeftrey. 



The years of our apprenticeship fled quickly. They were years of 

 steoi work, both in the school with the classes and in preparation for 

 examinations. Yet the study of entomology proceeded with him 

 apace, and carried with it an acquisition of knowledge that it is 

 difficult to measure. Latin became necessary to him, and he mastered 

 Latin ; in the same w^ay, but later, when he found a knowledge of 

 French and German must be acquired, he acquired it. Before he left 

 Strood he had commenced that Avide correspondence with other ento- 

 mologists, which Avas to become extraordinary in its character and 

 truly cosmopolitan. 



December, 1876, was the month to which our hopes had turned 

 through four years — should we pass the Scholarship Examination and 

 gain entry toa Training College ? We sat together. Thousands of 

 students from all parts of England were in competition with us. And 

 the result ? We passed, he placed in one bracket, I in the next. 

 Perhaps it is quite unique that two pupil teachers, starting their 

 career in the same baby's school, should finish it with one mark only 

 between them, after an examination lasting through an entire week. 

 Before eighteen we were students together at St. Mark's, and, since 

 he was twenty-two days' younger than myself, I imagine it may be 

 claimed that he was the youngest Queen's Scholar that had ever 

 entered a Training College. To me the college course was uneventful. 



