PREFACE. 



In attempting to give an outline and impression 

 of the life and work of my late father-in-law — 

 for in so long a life and with so many blanks in 

 its records it is impossible to do more — I have 

 borne in mind the words of Plutarch in his " Life ' 

 of Alexander the Great : " We are not writing 

 histories but lives." This biographical notice, 

 therefore, of Mr. Tegetmeier, deals not so much 

 with dates and events (which correspond with the 

 lengths of reigns and dates of battles in history) 

 as with the character and traits, the experience 

 and work of this great student of Nature, lover 

 of Right, and worshipper of Truth. My excuse 

 for writing it (and none realizes better than I my 

 unworthiness for so doing) is firstly, my great 

 respect for Mr. Tegetmeier's scientific knowledge 

 and force of character ; secondly, my sympathy 

 with his love of Nature ; thirdly, my personal 

 knowledge of him, dating back some thirty years, 

 and my association with him at the Savage Club, 

 and in certain journalistic work, and lastly, my 

 constant intercourse with him brought about by 

 my marriage with his youngest daughter. As 

 references to this last will be found in the chapter 

 on " Family Life," which shows something of 



XT. 



