102 JOUX JOSEPH IIEX.VKTT. 



In the montb of February, 18G0, he was attackeil by a severe 

 malady, which -for months created serious aUirm among his friends. 

 However, after three months of enforced (juiet and patient suffering, 

 he was sufficiently restored to be able to return to his duties, and a 

 three months' autumnal tour in Scotland and the north of Yorkshire 

 brought back in great measure his former health. From this time he 

 to a large extent withdrew from active life beyond his official duties 

 in the Museum. He was unable to perform the duties of Secretary to 

 the Linnean Society, and he most unwillingly, but decidedly, inti- 

 mated his intention of resigning the office. The President, in referring 

 to his services, said in his annual address that " they have been too 

 long known and are too duly appreciated for anything that I can say 

 to add one throb to the gratitude and affection which till the heart of 

 every one who has had the opportunity of observing the unwearied 

 constancy, the rare judgment, the extensive and varied knowledge, 

 the devotion to our interest, and the affectionate attachment which 

 have all been brought to bear upon the welfare of a society of which Mr. 

 Bennett has for so long a period been the stay and ornament, the decus et 

 tutamen.^' When his resignation was accepted, the Fellows unani- 

 mously adopted the following resolution, which was moved from the 

 chair : "That the Society desire to record their deep and affectionate 

 regret at the retirement, on account of illness, of Mr. Bennett from 

 the office of Secretary, the duties of which he has fuliilled with unex- 

 ampled zeal, judgment, and courtesy for twenty years ; and to this 

 expression of regret at his retirement they would add their cordial 

 thanks for these unrequited services, and their earnest hope that his 

 health may speedily be restored, so that the Society may yet enjoy 

 the pleasure of his presence and the advantage of his counsels for 

 many years." 



It is difficult to realise the great services Mr. "Bennett rendered to 

 the Linnean Society. He was not absent from its meetings more 

 than two or three times during the twenty years of his secretariat. The 

 two volumes of " Proceedings " were entirely his work. He was sole 

 editor of the " Transactions" and " Journal " ; but he will be best re- 

 membered for the singularly chaste and appreciative memoirs of 

 deceased Fellows which he annually read at the anniversary meeting 

 of the Society. These have been justly called models of biography. 

 Beside the records of the facts of the life, they always contain a 

 clear statement of the work and the position in science of the subjects 

 of the memoir, as well as a sympathising estimate of the character of 

 men known to him. His benevolent affections never found more 

 agreeable exercise than when in his singularly effective and feeling 

 language he thus pourtrayed the characters of those whom he had loved 

 and respected. 



He was seldom present at the meetings after his resignation, though 

 as a Member of Council he continued to take an active part in the 

 management of the business of the Society. He was annually nominated 

 a Vice-President, until at his urgent request his name was removed 

 after he had retired from London to the country. 



"With restored strength he returned to the Museum in the autumn 

 of 1860, and for many years efficiently discharged the duties of his 

 office. His gentle and amiable disposition, his unwearied efforts to 



