Freeman's Life ofKirby. 3545 



Of his style t have imitated ; but, on the other side, I never flattered 

 him, — never called black white, because he, perhaps by mistake, had 

 called it so. By his real merit, he did not want it. He saw our re- 

 verence in our eyes, in the ardour to be with him, in the publique 

 testimony we gave yearly that we only resided at Upsala for his sake. 

 We did not see nor hear any body but him and his family. He 

 loved, likewise, the company of his young friends, as he called us, and 

 every day, in town or on his estate, he came to our room with his 

 pipe, and stayed three or four hours in liberal discourse, but always 

 upon topicks of natural history. He always took our observations, 

 in publique and private, with true benevolence, refuted or reproved 

 them, and laughed heartily when we could find ingenious arguments 

 to puzzle him, and now and then he was forced to sit out the dispute 

 till next day. Some dissertations in the Amaen. Acad, show his love, 

 and our reverence. These years are the pleasure and the glory of my 

 life, t afterwards corresponded with him 'til death separated our 

 friendship " 



"This letter," says the biographer, "is of great length, examining in 

 detail all the remarks made upon his system in the Introduction to the 

 * Monographia Apum. ' Fabricius's endeavour was to prove that farther 

 enquiry would show that there was not so wide a difference as Mr. 

 Kirby imagined between them, however much his followers and friends 

 might have improperly used his writings." The letter thus concludes. 



" In the special attack I will not defend me much. Many many 

 faults are in my system. I was not able to examine all. The Co- 

 leoptera were ray favourites, and I neglected now and then the other 

 classes. On my travels, and in the cabinets, I began with the first, 

 and I had not always the time to finish the rest. You have taken up 

 a genus very difficult in itself. Next year I hope to publish the 'Sys- 

 teraa Piezatorum,' and hope you will find it, not perfect, but much 

 bettered. 



" After giving you my defence, I wish, without the least animosity, 

 to shake hands and be friends. Do we not go the same way ? and 

 let us not quarrel in the road. I wanted only to wipe my character 

 of ingratitude. In a week I intend to set out for Paris. If you will 

 favour me with some lines, pray address them there to Mons. Latreille, 

 Rue Conde, No. 4. If, as I hope and wish, peace continues, I want 

 very much to return to Hamburgh over England, and would be hap- 

 py to make your personal acquaintance. My stay will be short, and 

 1 shall be glad if you would come to London in that time. My best 

 compliments to all the members of the Linnean Society : long I have 

 x. 2h 



