— 4— 



I inquired in English: "Is Mr. Jenison at home?" 



"Yes Sir, walk in ' was the reply in strong German accent. 



"■Please deliver this card", said I. 



"lam Mr, Jenison, at your service, Sir!" he replied, straightening 

 himself up with an air of dignity and polished refinement that bespoke 

 the cultivated gentleman under this every day guise. 



I was amazed and relieved. This then was the entomologist, Baron 

 Jenison. I told him my errand in his native language and I was most cor- 

 dially, almost enthusiastically received. There was the genuine German 

 gush in his manner and in less than ten minutes, though he was twenty 

 years older than I, we were on most familiar terms. We began at once 

 and although it was before noon, I will not say how late it was at night. 

 or lather how early next morning, before we parted. 



It was indeed a glorious day. He of course, showed me all his 

 collections in almost every department of Zoology, and presented me- 

 ss ith some of his unequalled entomological drawings. He treated me 

 most hospitably and regaled me with everything his own larder and a 

 neighboring caterer could furnish. He displayed extensive reading and 

 personal observation on various branches of Natural History and 

 entertained me most instructively from his exhaustless stores of informa- 

 tion. I humbly sat at the feet of this Gamaliel of science and hung upon 

 his rich discourse with rapture. I started questions and suggested diffi- 

 culties just to draw him out and he spoke like a book. He had met 

 with no one for months who could speak with him on his favorite sub- 

 ject and he seemed greatly delighted. You may imagine what an excit- 

 ing day I spent. The Baron was personally acquainted with many of 

 the most distinguished naturalists of Europe and related many interest- 

 ing anecdotes concerning them. He made me tell all I knew about our 

 American entomologists of that day, when the brotherhood was yet small. 



Long shall the events of that day be remembered by me. It was an 

 intellectual feast rarely enjoyed. The final adieu long after midnight 

 was impressive. I tore myself away bearing many specimens of the 

 generous Baron's duplicate beetles and the profoundest respect for a truly 

 accomplished gentleman and naturalist. 

 Baltimore, Febry. 1885. 



