1839-40 CHARLES LUCIEN BONAPARTE 155 



glorious election by the French Institute and upon 

 your triumph over the first luminaries of Germany. 

 You know that I refused standing against you, 

 and my friendship in this case was more useful to 

 myself than to you. The scientific friend who 

 has announced me your election reminds me of 

 my withdrawing before you, and adds " Vous 

 avez eu la modestie " ("bien rare," he could have 

 added, in France, " chez les hommes de votre 

 note "). We shall see now whether I shall be 

 elected at the first election for the remaining 

 vacancy, which is to take place on the 10th or' 17th 

 of March. I confess I should much prefer to be 

 elected a member of the Royal Society, for it 

 would help me in the accomplishment of my 

 favourite plan, the periodical meetings of the 

 scientific men in Italy. You will know shortly 

 the particulars ; I can only say now that we shall 

 meet on October 1 at a preparatory meeting at 

 Pisa. Can we not hope to see you and other 

 eminent Englishmen among us ? We also have 

 done ourselves the honour of electing you a 

 member of our Academia dei Lincei, which holds 

 their meeting in the capital ! . . . Present my 

 respectful compliments to Mrs. Owen, and bear 

 in mind you have in me a profound admirer, and 

 a friend who wishes to be tried in any occurrence. 

 ' Your most affectionate and devoted 



' Charles L. Bonaparte, 

 ' Prince of Musignano.' 



