MEMOIR OF LATREILLE. 
19 
paternal charge of him, and Latreille was indebted 
to the friendship of this gentleman and his family 
for the comforts and amenities of a home. At a 
somewhat later period, a merchant of the same 
place, M. Malepeyre, showed him much kindness, 
and it appears to have been this generous minded 
individual to whom the merit is to he ascribed 
of first developing his taste for natural history. 
His love for it, which must have been deeply 
implanted in his nature, probably showed itself 
at an early age, and little more would require to be 
done than to fan the flame already kindled. This 
M. Malepeyre did by supplying him with books on 
the subject, and giving such instructions as he was 
competent to offer. That under the care of these 
and other friends who felt an interest in his welfare, 
must have been laid the foundation of a sound 
literary education, may safely be inferred from the 
proofs he afterwards gave of his proficiency. 
Besides the individuals mentioned, another of his 
early patrons was the Baron d'Espagnac, governor 
Of the Invalides, at whose request Latreille went 
to Paris when he was about sixteen years of 
age. Soon afterwards he had the misfortune to 
lose this friend, who loved him as a son, by death ; 
but the loss was in considerable part supplied by a 
sister of the deceased, the Baroness de Puymarets, 
and his nephews, particularly M. Charles d’Espagnac. 
Through the influence of this family, Latreille was 
placed in the college of Cardinal Lemoine, where 
he continued for a length of time, prosecuting vari- 
