488 Obituary — M, Boucher de Perthes. 



this study ; and though at the outset this work was treated in his 

 own country with cokiness and neglect, and though his views were 

 reo-arded as unworthy of recognition by those better versed in other 

 branches of geology, yet the strong convictions of Boucher de 

 Perthes at length prevailed, and aided by the late Dr. Ealconer, 

 Mr. Prcstwich, and other English geologists, his discovery of artifi- 

 cially formed implements, embedded in the same deposits with ani- 

 mals belonging to a fauna now for the most part extinct, was in 1859 

 amply corroborated, and is now universally accepted. 



After many years of waiting, of argument, and of disappointment, 

 M. Boucher de Perthes had, in the last decade of his life, the proud 

 satisfaction of seeing his discoveries duly appreciated, and the study 

 of the early history of man, to which he had so long devoted himself, 

 taken up and successfully prosecuted by other labourers, who re- 

 cognized him as their precursor, and, in a certain sense, as their 

 master. 



Those who, in the early days of the discussions as to the authenti- 

 city of these implements, and the circumstances of their discovery, 

 had the opportunity of making the acquaintance of M. Boucher de 

 Perthes at Abbeville, and of studying his collections, and visiting 

 with him the deposits in the valley of the Somme, will always re- 

 member with gratitude the hearty kindness, the quick intelligence, 

 the true liberality, and the courteous hospitality of the genial old 

 man ; and even those who had the misfortune to differ from him on 

 the subject of the famous Moulin Quignon jaw, could never for a 

 moment doubt his perfect sincerity and candour, even if they thought 

 him somewhat too facile of belief. 



The choicest part of his collection of primeval antiquities he pre- 

 sented, during his lifetime, to the National Museum at St. Germain- 

 en-Laye, of which it will long remain a distinguished ornament ; 

 but numerous other museums and private collections all over the world 

 are enriched by his munificence, for he gave with no niggardly hand. 

 A bachelor, with comfortable means, he had long given up his 

 appointment as Directeur des Douanes, and had devoted himself to 

 study and travel. His literary productions are voluminous. Be- 

 sides his numerous works of greater or less importance relating to 

 the Antiquity of Man, he published accounts of his Travels in Russia, 

 Denmark, Spain, and other countries, written in a light and pleasant 

 style ; and he also entered the field of fiction, having written more 

 than one novel ; while occasionally his thoughts took a political 

 turn, and he wrote of the prospective future of England, or deserted 

 the Antiquity of Man to speculate on Woman and her Destiny. 



His private correspondence with all parts of the world was im- 

 mense, but so was his industry ; and though of late j^ears the gout 

 was apt to interfere with his powers of writing, yet his pen was in 

 his hand many hours each day. Those who have visited his home 

 at Abbeville cannot fail to recal with affectionate remembrance the 

 figure of the veteran seated at his table, with his papers around him, 

 in the little study so profusely decorated with porcelain, where, alas, 

 his place shall know him no more. 



