The Collaborators 



fits? Were one of their number aware of 

 the merits of their partnership he would 

 doubtless consider that they have contributed 

 to his fame no less than he has magnified 

 theirs. 



Conquered himself without reservation by 

 the unexpected beauties of entomology, Fa- 

 bre was fortunate enough to see a like fas- 

 cination exerting itself, as a result of his 

 teaching and example, in those about him, his 

 neighbours and his friends, just as it now 

 exerts itself through his books upon all his 

 readers. 



When we attempted discreetly to lift the 

 veil of his first retirement from Orange, 

 which seemed to us peculiarly characteristic 

 of his private life, we had occasion to note 

 the eminently domestic nature of his life and 

 work, and the assiduous collaboration in the 

 common task of the first-born of his children. 

 We have seen Antonia, Claire, Jules and 

 Emile ^ rivalling one another in their eager- 

 ness to assist in their father's observations, 

 and this charming devotion outlived the 

 youthful ardour of the early springtide of 

 life. 



Sometimes, too, the children anticipate 



1 Souvenirs, i., pp. 304-306, 320; 11., pp. 112, 130, 131 ; in., 

 p. 16; IV., pp. 142, 167, 183; VI., p. 15; VIII., p. 159. 



257 



