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 Mr, Darwin, probably 
his last contribution to that science to which he devoted his life- 
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.” 
