21 



simple-minded and kind-hearted of men, he would have led a happy life ; but his hap- 

 piness was largely increased hy his love of Entomology, which supplied him with inte- 

 resting objects of observation in every walk, and of investigation for every leisure hour, 

 when within doors, yielding him constant delight from the new facts and discoveries that 

 were almost daily rewarding his researches, while at the same time he was extending 

 his friendships with all the first naturalists of this country and of Europe, and his 

 fame was so widely spread, that long before the close of his career, his name would 

 have been a sufficient passport for his claiming acquaintance with the men of science 

 of every large town of Europe and America. In short, if 



" Honour, love, obedience, troops of friends " 



would have attended his old age without Entomology, with it, these consolations were 

 heaped on him tenfold, and in all probability, greatly contributed to his long life ; and 

 we may all congratulate ourselves on having had the honour and privilege of being 

 so long presided over by one, who has so conclusively proved the value of our science, 

 both as largely multiplying the enjoyments of those who cultivate it, and as promoting 

 the best interests of science and mankind.'' 



" I am, my dear sir, yours very truly, 



" W. Spence." 

 "G. R. Waterhouse, Esq., President of the 

 Entomological Society.'' 



Mr. Westwood moved, and Mr. Stephens seconded, and it was unanimously 

 agreed to request that Mr. Spence would draw up for publication in the Transactions, 

 a biographical and bibliographical memoir of Mr. Kirby, in which the substance 

 of this letter should be incorporated, and also that he would allow a portrait of 

 Mr. Kirby, in his possession, to be lithographed and added.* The President then 



* Mr. Spence not wishing to interfere with a memoir of Mr. Kirby's Life, now 

 in preparation by a relative well qualified for the task, has preferred adding here, to 

 the scientific notices of Mr. Kirby in the above letter, a short account of his ancestry, 

 early life, &c, chiefly from an article furnished to the ' Literary Gazette ' of July the 

 20th, by the same gentleman who purposes publishing a more extended memoir. Mr. 

 Westwood has kindly added a complete list of Mr. Kirby's Entomological Works and 

 papers ; and Mr. Spence has much pleasure in complying with the Society's request, 

 by furnishing lithographed copies of a pencil-sketch of his revered friend, taken by his 

 eldest son, Mr. W. B. Spence, at Barham, two years ago, which presents a faithful 

 and characteristic profile-likeness of him at that period. 



Mr. Kirby is descended from a family deserving honourable mention, from its con- 

 nexion with literature. 



" Mr. Kirby's grandfather, John Kirby, born in the year 1690, was the author of 

 ' The Suffolk Traveller,' a work of no mean reputation in its day. Mr. Kirby's uncle, 

 Joshua Kirby, was the author of Dr. Brook Taylor's ' Perspective made Easy ;' he was 

 an intimate acquaintance of Gainsborough, and frequently his adviser; and such was 

 Gainsborough's regard for his friend, that he made a special request in his will that 

 he might be buried by his side; a desire which was carried into effect. This Joshua 



