38 
MEMOIR OP LATItEILLE. 
had destined him, from birth, to misfortune and 
obscurity, and he ascribed his first success to that 
protecting Providence, which happily raised up for 
him devoted friends and proctectors. We know 
that the attractiveness of his manners, when a child, 
obtained for him the regard and good offices of 
some generous citizens of Brives, his native place. 
M. Laroche, * a skilful medical practitioner, and 
his family, took an affectionate care of the young 
orphan; and after their example, a merchant of 
Brives (let us give the name of such a judicious 
and benevolent Mecamas), M. Malepeyre, took the 
warmest interest in him ; lent him books on natural 
history, and never ceased to encourage and foster 
the rising taste which his young friend already 
showed for the science he was one day to illustrate. 
Let us hold this benevolent individual in honour. 
Perhaps had it not been for his mild and useful 
benevolence, France might not have had the honour 
of possessing the first of her entomologists ! 
“ When he had terminated his literary studies, 
M. Latreille was intended for the church ; it was 
hoped that the advantages of a calm and peaceable 
profession would thus be obtained for him ; as it 
was, he was only delivered over to persecution and 
terror. Having been arrested at Brives, M. La- 
treille was sent to one of the prisons of Bordeaux, 
and there condemned to deportation. Afflicted with 
the same misfortunes as the illustrious Haiiy, whom 
he had met in Paris and made his friend, Science 
* An heir of the name and sentiments of M. Laroche was 
present at the funeral. 
