The Life of Jean Henri Fabre 



have statues erected to him. And speaking 

 of statues, we must not, having mentioned the 

 orators, forget the artists. All the illus- 

 trated periodicals had already popularised 

 the original, eloquent physiognomy of our 

 hero. This was too ephemeral a homage for 

 his admirers. His features must be chiselled 

 in marble and exposed under the blue sky to 

 the delighted and affectionate eyes of his com- 

 patriots. Provence was the first to propose 

 the idea. Le Rouergue followed. Avignon, 

 Orange, and Serignan each wanted their 

 monument. Saint-Leons profited by its right 

 of seniority to take precedence of Rodez and 

 Maillane. 



" Nous voulions te feter vivant 

 Doux patriarche et grand savant, 

 Et fier amant de la nature, 

 Et le Rouergue ou tu nacquis 

 Et la Provence ou tu conquis 

 Le laurier d'or qui toujours dure. 1 



(We wished to honour you living, 



Gentle patriarch and great scientist, 



And proud lover of Nature, 



Both Le Rouergue where you were born, 



And Provence where you won 



The golden laurel that lasts for ever.) 



1 Francois Fabie. 



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