138 GEORGE JOHN ROMANES i8i- 



What a mercy it is that you were so wonderfully 

 qualified to do it. 



Yours ever indebtedly, 



GEO. J. EOMANES. 



Mr. Komanes wrote one of the memorial notices 

 in the little volume ' Charles Darwin,' published by 

 Messrs. Macmillan. 



Thus closed a very significant and important 

 chapter in his life. 



The relationship of disciple to master ceased for 

 him, no one else exactly held the place Mr. Darwin 

 had held, to no one else did he so constantly refer ; 

 and dear as were other friends, notably Dr. Burdon 

 Sanderson, no one stood in the position to Romanes 

 of ' The Master.' 



There was no exaggeration in his expressions 

 of grief, or in the verses in which he poured out his 

 soul : 



1 1 loved him with a strength of love l 



Which man to man can only bear 

 When one in station far above 



The rest of men, yet deigns to share 

 A friendship true with those far down 



The ranks : as though a mighty king, 

 Girt with his armies of renown, 



Should call within his narrow ring 

 Of counsellors and chosen friends 



Some youth who scarce can understand 

 How it began or how it ends 



That he should grasp the monarch's hand.' 



To all those to whom a great friendship has been 

 given, a friendship, not on equal terms, but one in 

 which the chief elements on one side have been 

 reverence and gratitude, on the other affectionate 



1 Charles Darwin : a memorial poem. 



