The Life of Jean Henri Fabre 



ceptibly, so that the doctors diagnosed a fatal 

 outcome in the near future. 



On receiving the news of this alarming 

 condition, Monseigneur the Archbishop of 

 Avignon hastened to the Harmas. The in- 

 valid expressed his delight and gratitude for 

 the visit. Their relations were so cordial 

 that the prelate decided to continue them by 

 a series of admirable letters which have for- 

 tunately been published. 



In these letters, with great delicacy, Mon- 

 seigneur Latty avoided all that might run 

 contrary to the naturalist's opinions, and very 

 gently endeavoured to induce him to die as 

 a Christian. 



To draw him more surely to the light that 

 shines from the Cross and the grace which 

 raises the soul above itself, he asks him to 

 recite every evening, in unison with him, the 

 beautiful prayer of the dying Saviour, which 

 he calls " the prayer of the heights," the 

 height of Golgotha, the height of life: In 

 manus tuus Domine commendo spiritum 

 meum. (Into Thy hands, O Lord, I com- 

 mend my spirit.) 



However, Fabre was not yet at the end of 



his Calvary. Contrary to the expectation of 



the doctors, a return of strength enabled him 



to live to see another Spring, and it needed 



394 



