390 PROF. FLOWER ON THE LATE MR. DARWIN. [May 2, 



May 2nd, 1882. 



Professor Flower, LL.D., F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



Before commencing proceedings, the President spoke as 

 follows : — 



"The ^Minutes just read recall the fact that at our last Meeting 

 we were honoured by a communication from INIr. Darwin, probably 

 his last contribution to that science to which he devoted his Hfe- 

 long labours. No one who heard that paper, showing, as it did, no 

 sign of faltering from that eager interest which he had always mani- 

 fested in a subject which he had made peculiarly his own, suspected 

 that not twenty-four hours would elapse before those labours would 

 be brought to a close. 



" During the fortnight that has passed, the whole world has been 

 moved at the loss it has sustained, and Darwin's work and Darwin's 

 character have, more than any other theme, filled the minds of 

 thinking people of all countries, classes, creeds, and occupations. 



" We who humbly follow him in cultivating the science he adorned, 

 must feel elevated at the sight of the full recognition accorded to 

 his work. The general acceptance of Darwin as one who has 

 exercised a powerful influence upon the whole realm of human 

 thought, the cordial reception of his remains in our magnificent 

 Abbey, among the illustrious men of whom our country is proud, 

 are triumphs in the history of Zoology ; for it was mainly zoological 

 observation which led to those philosophical speculations which 

 have made his name famous. 



" The nation's grief at his loss has already found eloquent and 

 feeling expression in many quarters ; the resources of our language 

 seem to have been exhausted in bearing testimony to his worth. No 

 words that I could find would add any thing to what has been 

 so well said by others ; and surely here, if in any place in the 

 world, among those who are always occupied with subjects the 

 pursuit of which has been so profoundly modified by his writings, 

 and among many who loved him as a personal friend, nothing is 

 needed but to mention his name, to call forth the strongest feelings 

 of admiration for his work and reverence for his character. 



" If it is not given to any of us to emulate him in brilliancy of 

 scientific induction, or to light upon discoveries that will change the 

 current of human ideas, we can at least endeavour to follow the 

 example he has set us of patient perseverance in observation, scru- 

 pulous accuracy of statement, deference for the opinions and feelings 

 of others, candour towards opponents, and of that invariable modesty 

 and gentleness of demeanour which shed such a charm round his 

 public as well as his private life." 



