APPENDIX. 605 
friend's age precluded any attention to it on his part. This edition, 
which was brought up to the then state of the science by the addition of 
upwards of 100 MS. pages of new matter, appeared early in 1843. 
On our return at the close of 1843 from a twelyemonth’s visit to Italy, 
Mr. and Mrs. Kirby came to London for some weeks to meet us, and be- 
tween this period and his death I visited him twice at Barham : when, 
though his memory and bodily strength had greatly failed, I found him 
still the same kind-hearted friend,—still, as ever, happy and contented, 
ready to inform and be informed, to amuse and be amused, and taking 
the same interest he always did in the progress of science generally, and 
especially of Entomology. 
I give copies or extracts of a few of his last letters, which will show 
that though the lamp of life was beginning to fade, his friendliness of dis- 
position and love of science suffered no abatement. 
“Barham, November 23rd, 1843. 
“My Dear Friend,—You will be pleased to learn that we arrived here salvt 
et sani, on Tuesday, in very good time to make up our dinner, which was not 
accomplished all at once. We travelled by railroad, accompanied by one of 
the officials of the concern, who appeared to be a very good specimen of a tra- 
velling companion. He quitted us, however, before we reached the Colchester 
Station. At Kelvedon we met our servant with a carriage and horses, which 
took us home much more rapidly than I expected. We were very loth to leave 
yon and your cara sposa behind us, and talked often of you; but it is in vain to 
wish for what cannot be, so we must be contented with looking forward to our 
next merry meeting ; in the meantime often taking the pen to relate to each 
other our mutual adventures. We hope Mrs. Spence is now able to take the 
air, and look about her again, and sce all the London sights that are worth 
looking at; and when she has run the round of sight-seeing, that she and you 
will come and renew your acquaintance with the lions of Barham. Nothing 
is usually more strongly recommended to invalids that are convalescent than 
change of air. 
“We are both, thank God, at this time very bonny, and Iam resuming my 
old favourite pedestrian exercise.* How I should enjoy it with you ! Yet the 
great beauty of the country, the foliage of the trees, is fast departing. Yet 
those of the grove in my garden seem to hang on, while those of the vicinity 
are all fallen. . . . . One thing I must not forget,—to return our best thanks 
to you and dear Mrs, Spence, for your great kindness and attention to us during 
our stay in London. I don’t know that I ever enjoyed a visit to the metropolis 
so much, and our enjoyment chiefly arose from your society and that of your 
better half, I shall leave the other side to Charlotte, who will address a line 
to her. F 
“Tam, my Dear Friend, 
“Yours very affectionately, 
“Wa. Korby, 
“W. Spence, Esq., 18, Lower Seymour Street, 
Portman Square, London.” 
* Mr. Kirby’s love of walking exercise was remarkable. In one of his letters he 
says, “I never feel so happy as when on my ten toes.” 
+ I had marked this complimentary paragraph to be omitted; but, on second 
thoughts, it is given, as exemplifying that fine feature of Mr. Kirby’s character 
which so much endeared him to all who had the happiness of knowing him, — his 
enuine friendliness of nature, which led him to over-estimate and gratefully acknow- 
edge any attention his friends showed him. 
